Nottingham Events and Festivals

(Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK)

Festivals and celebrations are plentiful all year round in Nottingham and there is always something going on either in the city centre or nearby. Many of Nottingham's most popular festivals take place during the summer months and often feature medieval, Robin Hood themes and plenty of fun for all of the family.

Further highlights in the city's busy calendar include many activities during school holidays, sporting events - including the Nottingham Open tennis tournament in June, a Gay Pride festival in July, and the Riverside Festival next to the River Trent each August.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Good Friday / Easter Monday - late March or early April
• First and last Monday in May
• Last Monday in August
• 25th December - Christmas Day
• 26th December - Boxing Day

Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• January Sales - throughout January, all the main shops and department stores offer new savings as they clear out their stocks to make way for the new coming season

February

• Chinese New Year - mid-February, held at Highfields Park, with outdoor performances and a lakeside fireworks display

March

• Mother's Day Cards - mid-March, hands-on activities for children at Nottingham Castle, where they are able to create their own special card for their mother
• Full Steam Ahead - late March, the wonderful age of steam is celebrated at Wollaton Industrial Museum, with many working engines and displays|

April

• Easter Fun for Families - early April, a range of Easter-related family activities take place at the Brewhouse Yard and include a popular Easter egg trail around the museum itself, and also egg cup painting
• Easter Fun Day - early April, fun day out for all ages, with face paintings, an Easter Bunny and popular quiz
• St. George's Day Celebration - with dancing, re-enactments and many themed festivities suiting all age ranges. Booking ahead for this event is recommended

May

• Nottingham Arboretum Festival - early May, popular annual event held during the May bank holiday at the Nottingham Arboretum. Free of charge, highlights include live museum, traditional folk dancing, local groups and performers, and food stands

June

• Autokama / Motor Show - early June, a host of classic and modern vehicles are displayed at the Wollaton Park
• Nottingham Open - late June, important tennis tournament held annually at the Nottingham Tennis Centre on the University Boulevard, one of England's largest sporting venues of it kind

July

• Newstead Summer Stage - mid-July, with a number of outdoor performances by local theatre groups at the nearby Newstead Abbey
• One World One City Festival - mid-July, a celebration of traditional music and dance, featuring Caribbean steel drums, brass bands, Irish dancing, choirs and more, at the Old Market Square
• Nottingham Mela - late July, featuring live music from many international artists and bands, held at the Forest Recreation Ground with free admission
• Nottingham Pride - late July, the city's thriving gay community and many visitors celebrate at the Arboretum Park, with many open-air events, such as live music, dancing, food and a beer tent

August

• Robin Hood Festival - early August, attended by large crowds and held each year at the Sherwood Forest Country Park
• Nottingham Riverside Festival - early August, with a range of festivities, street entertainers and food stalls, all on the Victoria Embankment, alongside the River Trent
• Caribbean Carnival - mid-August, major weekend event taking place each year at the Forest Recreation Ground, where the city's Caribbean population celebrate with floats, dancing and colour

September

• Nottingham Comedy Festival - held in late September / early October this event is over a week in length, featuring performances by new and well-known comedians

October

• Goose Fair - early October, a historic and extremely famous European travelling fairground at the Forest Recreation Ground, with fast rides, side stalls and a large 'Entertainment Marquee'
• Robin Hood Pageant - late October, medieval-style celebrations at Nottingham Castle, including jesters, juggling and jousting on horseback

November

• Bonfire Night - early November, fireworks and Guy Fawkes celebrations at the Forest Recreation Ground

December

• Christmas Markets - early to mid-December, a traditional German-style market attracting a number of European and local traders, with plenty of craft stands, handmade jewellery and hot food
• Christmas Panto - throughout December to early January, all the usual family pantomime fun, at the Royal Centre on Theatre Square