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Host an event on The Embankment

Embankment Peterborough logo

A big stage. A great city. A huge opportunity. 10,000 capacity.

Peterborough's largest open-air events space, The Embankment, offers extensive riverside areas immediately opposite the city centre. It is an established location for concerts, festivals, fairs and major community events.

With a proven track record, a distinctive setting and excellent transport connections, The Embankment offers event organisers the opportunity to bring exciting new experiences to Peterborough and attract audiences from across the region.

Now we want to write its next chapter.

Our ambition is to work with leading promoters, producers and event operators on a five-year journey to re-establish The Embankment as one of the region's leading outdoor event destinations.

Aerial view of a fairground on the Peterborough Embankment

More than a venue, a destination

Few city-centre event sites combine green space, water, heritage and urban amenities quite like this.

The Embankment sits alongside the River Nene, with views towards Peterborough Cathedral, yet is immediately adjacent to the city centre.

As the area's largest open-air events space, it offers a distinctive setting with connections to the city centre, Cathedral Square, the Key Theatre and Peterborough Lido.

For promoters, that means more than a place to stage an event. It means a memorable backdrop, a central location and the opportunity to create a complete visitor experience.

A destination experience, not simply a field with a stage.

A track record to build on

Singer performing on stage at a concert in front of a large audience.

The Embankment isn't an untested event site. It has a long history of hosting major outdoor entertainment and festivals, with previous line-ups including:

  • Simply Red
  • Bryan Adams
  • Olly Murs
  • UB40
  • JLS
  • Lisa Stansfield
  • Paul Oakenfold
  • Roger Sanchez

It has also hosted the Willow Festival, Ibiza-style events, food and drink festivals, and one of the largest beer festivals in the country every August.

The venue's 10,000 capacity demonstrates the scale at which the site can operate. Peterborough has done big outdoor events before. We want to do them again, and build something even stronger for the future.

The opportunity is here to bring major events back, create new experiences and build on an established legacy.

A city centre location, a regional reach

A crowd of people at a concert with umbrellas.

The Embankment combines a city-centre location with excellent strategic road and rail connectivity.

Peterborough Railway Station sits on the East Coast Main Line, while the city has direct access to the national road network via the A1/A1(M) and just 45 minutes from London.

Over 2.5 million people live within an hour of Peterborough.

For audiences, that means Peterborough can work as both a local event destination and a regional draw.

The city centre on your doorstep

Aerial view of Peterborough Cathedral and surrounding buildings and trees

An outdoor event at The Embankment doesn't operate in isolation.

Within minutes, visitors can access the shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes and other attractions of Peterborough city centre.

There is also significant parking provision around the wider city centre.

Bring the audience for the event. Give them more reasons to stay.

Room for big ideas

The scale and location of The Embankment create opportunities well beyond traditional concerts. We want to explore partnerships for:

  • Major outdoor concerts
  • Multi-day music events
  • Dance and Ibiza-style events
  • Comedy
  • Food and drink festivals
  • Family entertainment
  • Cultural celebrations
  • Sport and mass-participation events
  • Seasonal events
  • Community festivals
  • Outdoor cinema and screenings

The ambition is a balanced annual programme with major commercial events sitting alongside cultural and community use.

Whether it's a headline act, a weekend festival or a completely new concept, The Embankment offers space to think bigger.

Peterborough Embankment set up for a festival with marquees and lights

Let's make something happen

We're looking for partners who share our ambition.

Whether you're considering a headline concert, touring festival, dance event, food experience, family attraction or an entirely new concept, we want to talk.

Come and see The Embankment. Walk the site. Tell us what would make it work for you. Let's explore what we can build together in Peterborough over the next five years.

Peterborough's outdoor stage is ready for its next chapter.

Promoter and event enquiries

To discuss hosting an event at The Embankment in Peterborough, please contact:

Paul Stainton
Head of Visitor Economy and Tourism
Peterborough City Council
Paul.Stainton@peterborough.gov.uk

Download the brochure

Other council-owned event locations

Peterborough has a variety of parks, open spaces and city centre settings which may be used for hosting events. Visit our events on council land page for more information.

Last updated: 12 November 2026
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