What's on in Nottingham

Lakeside Arts' Weston Gallery explores the ideas, conflicts, and contradictions behind the founding of the United States through manuscripts and printed collections. Open Tuesday to Sunday, it is an easy cultural stop for Beeston and University Park visitors.

Nottingham Contemporary's Play & Learn team run age-specific sensory sessions for birth to four years, with hour-long workshops on selected Mondays in June and July. Booking is required and the sessions are free, with give-what-you-can support welcomed.

The Nottingham Puppet Festival returns with puppetry performances from local, national, and international artists. The city-centre opening day fills the route between Nottingham Central Library and Old Market Square with walkabout puppets and free performances, while venues across the city host the wider programme.

Could Be Real brings a day of tribute acts to Newstead Abbey & Gardens, with a 2026 bill including The Oasis Experience, Flash performing Queen favourites, and Coldplay It Again. It is slightly outside the city centre but belongs on a Nottingham summer calendar.

Nottingham Castle hosts a feel-good summer evening of 80s hits performed with a live orchestra, plus street food and a licensed bar in the castle grounds. Doors open at 5pm and the event runs into the evening.

Country at the Castle brings live country music to the castle grounds, with special guests including Elles Bailey, Janet Devlin, Wood Burnt Red, and Sticky Bones Jones. The event runs from 5pm to 10.30pm and is for ages 18+.

Brand-new for 2026, Nottingham Food Festival takes over Victoria Embankment for a weekend of strolling, sampling, live music, international performances, local producers, and cookery demonstrations beside the River Trent.

The Hockley Poetry Slam returns to Broadway Cinema for its sixth year. Ten poets perform original work in two rounds, with audience members serving as judges. Expect bold, funny, moving, and surprising work from Nottingham's spoken word community and visiting performers.

Splendour returns to Wollaton Hall & Deer Park with five stages of music, comedy, a funfair, a silent disco, independent market stalls, food and drink, and a dedicated kids' area. The 2026 headliners include The Wombats and Snow Patrol.

Motorpoint Arena hosts Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh, immersive exhibitions using large-scale projections and music to reinterpret two of the world's best-known painters. Tickets start from £14, with family and VIP options listed by the organiser.

A series of free outdoor concerts featuring local jazz, folk, and brass bands. Bring a blanket and enjoy the music in the open air. Refreshments available from local vendors.

Nottinghamshire Pride is listed for Saturday 25 July 2026, with the parade and festival expected across the city centre, Hockley, and the Lace Market. The final line-up is usually confirmed closer to the date.

Authors in Wonderland runs from morning to midnight at Eastwood Hall, combining a book signing, author marketplace, fantasy challenge, garden games, children's activities, and an evening fantasy ball.

The Beeston Beer Festival returns for its tenth year with a record selection of over 80 real ales, craft beers, and ciders. Organised by the local CAMRA branch and Beeston community volunteers, the festival is friendly, unpretentious, and a genuine celebration of brewing culture. Live music throughout the weekend and an excellent street food lineup make it a great day or weekend out.

Sherwood Forest celebrates the 40th Robin Hood Festival in August 2026, with jousting, combat displays, drama, comedy, storytelling, music of the age of Robin Hood, and family activities. It is outside the city boundary, but central to Nottingham's visitor calendar.

The Riverside Festival is Nottingham's most anticipated summer event, taking over the Victoria Embankment for a weekend of entertainment. Multiple music stages feature local and national acts, the funfair draws families, the craft and food village showcases regional producers, and the Saturday night fireworks display over the River Trent is one of the largest in the East Midlands.

The Sherwood Summer Fair brings the community together in the beautiful setting of Woodthorpe Park. Local artisans and makers sell their wares, community groups run activity stalls, and the live music programme features Sherwood's best local musicians. The dog show is a highlight, and all proceeds go to local Sherwood charities.

The Meadows Community Day is a free event organised by and for the Meadows community. Activities include a repair cafe, gardening workshops, children's craft sessions, a community barbecue, live performances from local musicians and dance groups, and stalls from community organisations. A welcoming, family-friendly celebration of one of Nottingham's most historic neighbourhoods.

The Wollaton Hall edition of Hacienda brings electronic dance music to one of Nottingham's most recognisable outdoor venues, with a line-up led by major club-culture names and a full day running from 1pm to 11pm.

Nottingham has a unique tradition of marble racing that dates back centuries. This festival celebrates it with street races, workshops teaching the craft, history talks, and the annual Nottingham Marble Championship.

Day Fever brings its first standalone outdoor event to Nottingham Arboretum, with Paddy McGuinness DJing alongside Vicky McClure and Jonny Owen, live music from Bandarama Brass Band, independent street food, and bars.

Foolhardy Folk Festival brings Badly Drawn Boy, Skinny Lister, 3 Daft Monkeys, K.O.G, Gecko, Nuala, and King Killership to Nottingham Arboretum, with street food, a bar showcasing Nottingham breweries, and a family-friendly atmosphere.

The Nottingham Caribbean Carnival is one of the largest Caribbean carnivals outside London. The parade winds from the Forest Recreation Ground through the city centre to the Victoria Embankment, where the festivities continue with live reggae, soca, dancehall, and calypso stages, dozens of Caribbean food stalls, and family activities. A joyful and essential fixture in Nottingham's summer calendar.

A late-summer castle show recreating The Beatles' biggest songs with orchestral backing, joined by The Rolling Clones for a 60s double bill in the castle grounds.

Martin Kemp brings Back to the 80's to Nottingham Castle for a one-night outdoor party running from 5.30pm to 10pm, with a DJ set of 1980s favourites, lighting, visuals, and roaming performers.

The Beeston Wellbeing Fair brings together local health and wellbeing practitioners, sustainable living advocates, and community organisations for a day of workshops, talks, demonstrations, and interactive activities.