After growing from a Lincoln pilot into a
nationally touring model, The Zone returns home this summer bigger than ever.
The award-winning pop-up youth space returns to City Square from Wednesday 22 July to Saturday 15 August 2026, offering young people aged 11–18 a packed programme of free creative workshops, games, performances, activities and relaxed hangout spaces throughout the summer holidays.
This year also marks the launch of Zone Go–a new mobile version of The Zone designed to bring creativity, games, music, art and hangout spaces directly into neighbourhoods across Lincoln. Together, The Zone and Zone Go will deliver 45 days of free youth provision across Lincoln this summer, supported by trained Youth Arts Workers, professional artists and youth leaders.
Created by Zest in collaboration with modular design specialists Air Clad and Inflate, The Zone transforms everyday public spaces into vibrant, welcoming environments where young people can connect, create and be themselves. The City Square setup includes a colourful custom-built trailer, inflatable hangout spaces and outdoor decking – all purpose-designed to create a visually exciting and genuinely welcoming space for young people.
Built around a newly designed van and inflatable structures, Zone Go has been developed to reach more young people closer to home, especially in areas where access to city-centre provision can be more difficult. Bringing the creativity and welcome of The Zone directly into neighbourhoods across the city, the new touring setup represents the next stage in the project’s evolution.
The Zone first opened in City Square in 2024, following extensive conversations with local young people about the future of Lincoln and the urgent need for more spaces designed for teenagers. After welcoming nearly 1,000 visits during its first summer, the project returned in 2025 and more than doubled its reach, welcoming over 2,000 visits from young people across the holidays.
Now entering its third year, The Zone continues to grow from a Lincoln idea into a nationally recognised model. Following a successful 2025 East Midlands tour, The Zone and Zone Go will visit towns and cities across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and beyond throughout 2026 – while continuing to return home to Lincoln, the city where it was first imagined.
At the heart of the programme is youth leadership. The 30 young people who attended most regularly in 2025 have been invited to join the Zone Ambassadors group, helping shape the summer programme and supporting on-site delivery. From activity ideas to the atmosphere of the space, young people remain central to making The Zone feel like it genuinely belongs to them.
Toby Ealden, Artistic Director and CEO of Zest, said:
“The Zone was built in Lincoln for the young people of Lincoln. It came directly from young people telling us they needed more places to go, more things to do, and more spaces where they could feel welcome, safe and completely themselves.
“What is really special now is seeing something created here in Lincoln start to gather attention across the country – while the city continues to invest in it, believe in it and bring it back home for local young people. That feels meaningful and ambitious.
“This year is a real partnership moment with City of Lincoln Council. Their support means thousands of young people across Lincoln will be able to access purpose-built spaces created with them in mind – not only for arts and culture, but for joy, connection, confidence, and simply having somewhere brilliant to be during the summer holidays.”
Cllr Joshua Wells, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council, said:
“The Zone has become a fantastic part of the summer holidays in Lincoln and a brilliant example of what can happen when we listen to young people and invest in the things they tell us they need.
“As a council, we are committed to creating opportunities for young people and helping make Lincoln a place where they can thrive. We are proud to support The Zone and Zone Go, ensuring more young people can access free activities, build confidence and meet new people, and explore their creativity this summer.”
The 2026 Lincoln programme is supported by City of Lincoln Council, following support from The National Lottery Community Fund across the first two years of delivery.
The Zone is open to all young people aged 11–18 from Wednesday 22 July to Saturday 15 August 2026, running daily from 11am–5pm in City Square, Lincoln.
The first 20 young people to check into The Zone each day between 22 July and 1 August will receive a free bubble tea from Bubble Kiss.
The Zone will also host a launch party on Friday, 24 July. The space will operate as normal from 11am–2pm before evolving into a larger summer party atmosphere from 2pm–5pm, with music, activities and even more free bubble teas flowing throughout the afternoon.
Zone Go will tour locations across Lincoln from Monday, 3 August to Friday, 4 September 2026:
- Mondays (excluding 31 August) – YMCA St Giles Youth Centre, LN2 4ND
- Tuesdays – Lincoln Arboretum, LN2 5RT
- Wednesdays – Sudbrooke Drive Community Centre, LN2 2DD
- Thursdays – Moorlands Community Centre, LN6 7NH
- Fridays – Birchwood Leisure Centre, LN6 0JE
All activities at both The Zone and Zone Go are free, but under-18s must register at getinthezone.uk.