Whats on and when
Throughout the year Nottingham hold a number of different events lined up to keep visitors entertained, these range from festivals, theatre shows, food and drink events etc. On this page of Information about Nottingham we will give you a run down on what is going on during some of the months in the year!
January
Shopping - January isn't a lot of people's favourite time of as is mean it's back to work making Christmas officially over. However Nottingham's popular shopping centres, the Victoria centre and the Westfield Broadmarsh have great sales on throughout the month, all of the shops in the centre from high street to designer have their stock discounted for you to pick up some great bargains, January might not be the best month but you can look great throughout it!
Theatre - during January you can still get to Nottingham's Theatre Royal to see their annual panto. However if you fancying something new then you can pick from their new listings of shows to see, from Live tours to smaller productions.
Nightlife - Nottingham's nightlife doesn't stop at any point throughout the year so January isn't any different. Clubs in the area hold a number of different nights such as having DJ hosts and themed nights.
Nottingham Castle Annual Open - towards the end of the month every year Nottingham Castle is opened to celebrate Art in the Midlands. This has been held every year since 1878 and is hugely popular this visitors throughout the time is runs, from the 27 January to 7 March. During the opening you can see exhibitions from established and up and coming artists from fine art, film making, printing and sculpture to name a few.
February
Chinese New Year - this hits the town in the middle of February and is always seen in by some annual celebrations at Highfield Park. During the night there will are a number different performances to celebrate and a gorgeous Lakeside fireworks display to see in the Chinese New Year.
Light Night - this year is the third year Nottingham will be holding this event on the 12th and 13th of the month. During the night you will be entertained by a wide variety of entertainment from local groups, professional performers, indoor activities, artist sound and light displays to name just a few. It is held throughout the city, the night is even great for children with special Secret garden' area for them to play in, hear stories and take part in a number of activities and entry to the event is totally free!
Nottingham's Rainbow Heritage Exhibition - this happens in the Broadway cinema in the studio room, on the 23rd to the 28th February. During the exhibition a number of different themes of different era's and time periods are explored as well as these bigger displays there are also a number of smaller displays at other venues in Nottingham on different dates; 1-6 Feb Playwrights & Actors at the Lace Market, 1-8 Feb The older Generation at the Gedling Civic Office & Nottingham Pride at West Bridgford Register Office are a few examples.
May
City Pulse - this free concert gives everyone the chance to discover some new music as well as dancing to their old favourites performed by the original artists. The festival is held during the Spring bank holiday weekend at the Old Market Square being the location for the main stage, there are also a number of smaller stages in the nearby streets with whole host of bands and artists playing.
Nottingham Arboretum Festival - this festival is held at during the start of the month at the Nottingham Arboretum. During the festival you can see traditional flock dancing, local groups performing, live museum acts and there are also number of food and drink stalls.
Trent FM Arena - Throughout the year the Trent FM Arena open their doors to thousands of people coming to see some of their favourite artists these include; Lady GaGa, Peter Andre, Girls Aloud, Westlife, Whitney Houston, Rod Stewart, Slayer and Rihanna. The Trent Arena is also linked to the National Ice Centre which is always open for the public to ice skate, they also have shows like, Torvill and Deans Dancing on Ice Tour and Disney on Ice.
July
Splendour - Nottingham has joined the annual festival season with their own festival taking place at Wollaton Park. The festival lasts for 2 days normal on the 24th - 25th July, or around that time. The festival has a line-up of old and new acts, market stalls, children's areas and a funfair, which makes the festival a hit with everyone. This year the headlining act is the one and only Pet Shop boys, other acts have not yet been confirmed by acts in the past have been; Kate Nash, Paolo Nutini, Rufus Wainwright, Tom Baxter and The House of Brothers.
Outdoor Theatre - this season starts around the 19th June continue throughout July and finishes towards the end of August. During these months you can experience a number of outside performances like; A Midsummer Night's Dream, Love in Shakespeare, The secret Garden, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet and James and the Giant Peach.
Nottingham Riviera - this event starts on the 24th of July and runs through to September so you have plenty of time to go along and check it out. It takes place at the Old Market Square which is turned into a seaside beachfront, you can join in with sing-a-longs, have fun in the paddling pool, play on their bungee trampoline and crazy gold to name a few.
December
Christmas markets - when December comes Nottingham turns into a Christmas Wonderland, their annual Christmas markets start during the middle of the months. They are a lot like the popular German markets; you will find hundreds of stalls selling food, jewellery, arts and crafts etc.
Christmas panto - like a lot of the other cities Nottingham welcomes the Panto season, you can catch their panto at the Theatre Royal, pervious panto's include; Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Snow White. They have also welcomed a number of famous faces to the Theatre Royals stage like; Nigel Havers, Emmerdales Jenna Louise Coleman, Kenneth Alan Taylor and Brian Conley.
