What's on in Nottingham

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.

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.

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.