The “Weekend at the Asylum” Steampunk Festival sweeps back into Lincoln from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August 2025, spanning the Cathedral Quarter, Lincoln Castle, and local venues including Bishop Grosseteste University. It’s billed as the most significant and longest‑running steampunk festival on earth.

Steampunk is a creative social movement rooted in Victorian-era industrial aesthetics peppered with speculative fiction, modern values, and a sense of fun. At the festival, Lincoln’s medieval streets transform into a whimsical alternate Victorian world—think “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” meets “Back to the Future”.

Culture, history, and performance: it all comes together here. Expect:

• Bazaar Eclectica: the world’s largest steampunk market stalls, exhibitions, and make-your-own gadgets inside Lincoln Castle and beyond.

• Costumed parades and promenades: roaming the Cathedral Quarter in full Victorian-meets-futuristic garb. Dressing up isn’t mandatory—but why not go all out?

• Workshops and classes: from crafting steampunk contraptions to literature talks, music, and comedy

• Grand Ball and Asylum Tea Duelling: theatrical events with flair. Tea duelling is just what it sounds like—go at it with gusto, steampunk‑style.

Ticketing is split: a Castle Day Ticket provides access to historic areas, including the prison, Magna Carta, and the Medieval Wall Walk; a Festival Wristband is required for marquees, bandstands, and steampunk-specific venues such as the Heritage Centre.

The festival has grown dramatically since its launch in 2009, when a few hundred steampunks gathered at The Lawn (a former lunatic asylum). Today, it draws global visitors, with university and council support ensuring accommodation and infrastructure meet demand.

Lincoln’s own medieval charm and Victorian legacy provide the perfect backdrop to this creative mash-up. The festival isn’t just a spectacle—it’s a living expression of alternative history, community and theatrical flair that brings another layer to Lincoln’s cultural calendar.