Major Events & Festivals in Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Nottingham, United Kingdom, Nottingham, Culture & Entertainment, Major Events & Festivals

Major Events & Festivals in Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom

1. Goose Fair

An annual funfair dating back to 1284, featuring thrilling rides, games, and food stalls.
  • Historic Origins: One of the oldest traveling fairs in Europe
  • Unique Rides: Includes traditional funfair rides, like the Big Wheel and Dodgems
  • Community Spirit: Held in early October and brings together locals and visitors alike

2. Nottingham Carnival

A vibrant multicultural event celebrating diversity through music, dance, and food.
  • Cultural Celebration: Showcases Nottingham's rich cultural heritage
  • Community Involvement: Includes parades, performances, and workshops led by local artists and groups
  • Food and Drink: Offers a variety of international cuisines to try

3. Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival

A annual event featuring over 700 real ales, ciders, and perries.
  • Local Brews: Showcases Nottingham's brewing heritage with local beers
  • Tasting Sessions: Includes expert-led tasting sessions and talks about beer production
  • Live Music: Features live music performances throughout the festival

4. Hoodwinked Comedy Festival

A month-long comedy festival featuring established and emerging comedians.
  • Variety of Comedians: Offers a diverse lineup with different styles and comedic perspectives
  • Venues: Hosts shows in various venues around the city, from small intimate spaces to large theaters
  • Workshops and Masterclasses: Provides opportunities for aspiring comedians to learn and develop their skills

5. Nottingham Arts Theatre Festival

A celebration of local and national theatre companies, showcasing a variety of performances.
  • Diverse Performances: Offers a wide range of plays, musicals, and experimental theater
  • Local Talent: Provides a platform for Nottingham's talented theatre companies to showcase their work
  • Workshops and Talks: Includes workshops, talks, and Q&A sessions with cast members and directors

6. Sneinton Folk Festival

A free music festival celebrating traditional folk music and dance.
  • Free Admission: Offers a great opportunity for music lovers on a budget
  • Authentic Performances: Features traditional folk musicians and dancers from the UK and beyond
  • Family Friendly: Includes activities for children, such as storytelling and dance workshops

7. Nottingham Mela

A celebration of South Asian culture, featuring music, dance, food, and art.
  • Cultural Exchange: Provides a platform for cultural exchange between communities
  • Performances: Includes live music, dance performances, and demonstrations of traditional art forms
  • Food Stalls: Offers a variety of South Asian cuisines to sample

8. Nottingham Winter Wonderland

A festive event featuring an ice rink, fairground attractions, and a Christmas market.
  • Christmas Markets: Offers traditional German-style Christmas markets with unique gifts and seasonal treats
  • Ice Rink: Allows visitors to ice skate on a real ice rink in the heart of the city
  • Fairground Attractions: Includes festive-themed funfair rides for all ages

9. Nottingham Pride Festival

A celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, featuring parades, live music, and entertainment.
  • Support for LGBTQ+ Community: Supports and celebrates Nottingham's diverse LGBTQ+ community
  • Parade: Includes a vibrant, colorful parade through the city center
  • Live Music and Entertainment: Features live music, performances, and dance acts on multiple stages

10. Nottingham Film Festival

A festival showcasing independent films from around the world.
  • Independent Cinema: Showcases a diverse range of independent and art-house cinema
  • Workshops and Talks: Includes workshops, Q&A sessions, and talks with filmmakers
  • Networking Opportunities: Provides opportunities for filmmakers to network and collaborate

11. Nottingham Comic Con

A convention celebrating comic books, movies, TV shows, and pop culture.
  • Celebrity Guests: Invites popular actors, writers, artists, and creators from the world of comics and pop culture
  • Costume Contest: Hosts a cosplay contest for attendees to showcase their creative costumes
  • Artists' Alley: Features artists and vendors selling original comic art, prints, and merchandise

12. Nottingham Riverside Festival

A free riverside festival featuring music, food, and activities.
  • Free Admission: Offers a fun, affordable day out for families
  • Live Music: Features local and national music acts performing on multiple stages
  • Activities: Includes activities for all ages, such as kayaking and boat trips

13. Nottingham Wool Festival

A celebration of wool crafts, featuring workshops, demonstrations, and market stalls.
  • Wool Craft Workshops: Offers a variety of workshops for all skill levels, from beginners to experts
  • Market Stalls: Features stalls selling wool, yarn, patterns, and craft supplies
  • Demonstrations: Includes demonstrations of traditional wool craft techniques by skilled artisans

14. Nottingham Beer Week

A week-long celebration of local and international beers, featuring tastings, events, and brewery tours.
  • Local Brews: Showcases Nottingham's brewing heritage with a focus on local beers
  • Expert-Led Tastings: Includes expert-led tastings and talks about beer production
  • Brewery Tours: Offers guided tours of local breweries to learn about the brewing process

15. Nottingham Steampunk Convention

A convention celebrating the steampunk genre, featuring costumes, music, and workshops.
  • Steampunk Costumes: Showcases elaborate and creative steampunk-inspired costumes
  • Live Music: Features live music performances that fit the steampunk aesthetic
  • Workshops and Demonstrations: Includes workshops on steampunk fashion, crafts, and prop-making