Nottingham 2026 events — 20 of the best things to do this year
Festivals, theatre, music, fairs, and more...
We’re so lucky to have a city that hosts so many excellent events – and there are plenty of ones in 2026 that are worth adding to your diary.
These are 20 of the best happening around the area, from art and theatre to music and sport. We’ve chosen these based on how important they are to the area if they’re re-occurring, how unique they are if they’re one-off events, and how good value for money they are.
For those searching for things to do in Nottingham this year, these are all major highlights. For more events throughout the year, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
20 of the best things to do in Nottingham in 2026
By Eve Smallman
1. Andy Warhol: Pop Icon
When: January 24-April 19
Where: Lakeside Arts, Beeston
How much: £6pp, concessions free
20th-century artist Andy Warhol reimagined what art could be during a period of great social, political and technological change. This exhibition draws from the remarkable body of his art, including early drawings, painted screenprints, and photographs featuring his collaborations. Look out for works such as his Marilyn series from 1967, his experimental film portraits, as well as icons of American consumerism.
Do if: You’d love to see truly iconic artworks in-person – this is offering a rare opportunity to see works by one of the most influential artists of the 20th century outside London.
2. Nottingham Light Night
When: February 6-7
Where: Various venues around Nottingham
How much: Free entry
More than 30 immersive and interactive light-based installations, performances, and activities will illuminate the city during this beautiful event. Many of this year’s works explore the theme of home, with installations including the immersive Parallels at Old Market Square, the inflatable The Cat That Slept For A Thousand Years at Sneinton Market, and the fibre-optic display Mycelium Network outside the Robin Hood statue. Make sure to download the It’s in Nottingham app for the full guide of installations and to navigate the night.
Do if: You’d love to spend an evening exploring the city centre in a unique and mesmerising way – it’s perfect for families, friends, and even dates.
3. Punch
When: March 13-April 4
Where: Nottingham Playhouse
How much: From £14.50pp
Following simultaneous openings on Broadway and in the West End, Punch is returning to the Playhouse. Jacob Dunne, a teenager from The Meadows, spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills – but one fateful evening and an impulsive punch (clue is in the name!) sets his life on a different path. The script is penned by Olivier Award-winning writer James Graham (Dear England, This House, Sherwood), and is based on Jacob’s extraordinary true story.
Do if: You’d love to see a powerful story of hope and humanity that has a distinctly local feel.
4. Ay-Up Market
When: March 27-29
Where: Old Market Square, Nottingham
How much: Free entry
Discover new and unique items at this independent market filled with wares from local businesses, who will have vintage clothing, homeware, crafts, and more to browse at your leisure. There will also be live music on the main stage and cuisine from around the world to keep you fuelled up, along with plenty of freshly baked goods and treats.
Do if: You love shopping (window or otherwise!), and especially love Nottingham gifts with plenty of character.
5. Nottingham Super Soapbox Challenge
When: May 10
Where: Old Market Square, Nottingham
How much: Free for spectators, £100 team entry, £200 corporate team entry
Coming to Nottingham for the first time ever, this thrilling soapbox race will see racers zoom down King’s Street, before finishing right by the Council House. Get a team together and plan a theme and your box, or simply go down to watch. Every entry supports the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance. Beyond the race itself, there will be live music and food and drink from local vendors.
Do if: You’ve ever watched the Red Bull Soapbox Race and reckoned you could do it better yourself.
6. Dot to Dot Festival
When: May 24
Where: Various venues around Nottingham
How much: From £33.75pp
Taking place across the late May bank holiday, Dot to Dot is one of the best day-long festivals that takes over the city, with lots of upcoming talent both local and national. This year’s bigger names include punk duo Lambrini Girls, the euphoric electronic Fcukers, and Irish indie band NewDad. Keep an eye out on Dot to Dot’s socials as more acts are announced.
Do if: You want to discover quality new music – previous Dot To Dot line-ups have seen performances from The 1975, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Wolf Alice, and Lewis Capaldi, just to name a few.
7. Green Hustle
When: May 30
Where: Old Market Square, Nottingham
How much: Free entry
Bringing together arts and music with a sustainable twist, Green Hustle is all about sharing how to be greener, healthier, and more connected in our city. This year, the festival is expanding, going into the Green Heart (fitting!), Sussex Street, and all in between Old Market Square. Expect workshops, specialist stalls, pop-up shops, performances, and more.
Do if: You’d love to learn how to help the environment more or would like to get your green thumbs ready for summer gardening.
8. EM-Con
When: June 13-14
Where: Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
How much: From £18pp
The biggest pop culture event in the East Midlands, this weekend showcase will have celebrities to meet and greet, 100s of stalls to browse, and Q&A panels to listen to. Stars on this year’s line-up include Doctor Who’s Peter Davidson, Game of Thrones’ Ben Crompton, and The Walking Dead’s Nadia Hilker. Cosplay is optional, but definitely makes sense (bonus points for Robin Hood and Maid Marion outfits).
Do if: You’re a nerd at heart and would like to meet some of your screen heroes, as well as other TV and film lovers.
9. Lexus Nottingham Open
When: June 13-21
Where: Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre
How much: From £11pp
This historic tennis tournament has been around since 1887, and is the largest one that’s played in Nottingham. This brings together a women’s WTA 250 event and a men’s ATP Challenger Tour, with games taking place for both across the two weeks. As well as watching tennis action, you can get involved yourself through the family fun weekend, padel events, activation zone, and more.
Do if: You always enjoy Wimbledon – here, you can watch all the action without having to travel (you can also get Pimm’s at this tournament!).
10. Nottingham Craft Beer Festival
When: June 19-20
Where: Sneinton Market
How much: From £11pp
Sneinton Market often hosts brilliant events – and this is one of the market’s best annual ones. This beer festival is particularly great as breweries from across the country all come to one place, so you can chat with them, find out how they make their beverages, and discover the best brew for you. As well as drinks (including cider and wine, too), there will be street food to tuck into, and music to dance to.
Do if: You want to find your perfect summer tipple – this is an easy way to sample lots of different beverages.
11. Lily Allen
When: June 23
Where: Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
How much: From £66.53pp
After coming back to pop music last year with her album West End Girl, Lily Allen will be performing the viral sensation in full at the Motorpoint Arena. If you don’t know this album, give it a listen, as it’s filled with catchy, drama-filled tunes. Premium seats are also available (£179.53), including outstanding views of the stage, an exclusive gift, a limited-edition tour print, and a commemorative wristband.
Do if: This album dropping was a huge moment of 2025 for you (we’re still wondering who Madeline actually is!).
12. Vitality IT20 England Men’s Vs India
When: July 7
Where: Trent Bridge, West Bridgford
How much: From £70pp
Trent Bridge will play host to plenty of cricket this year, but this IT20 match against India will definitely be one of the highlights. Taking place after the 2026 World Cup, 2022 winners England will take on the 2024 champions India in the third of five match series, with the prospect of some of the finest cricketers in the world on display. Tickets are limited for this event, but there are lots of other international and domestic cricket taking place this summer.
Do if: Summer isn’t complete for you without a breezy yet exhilarating day of cricket.
13. Splendour Festival
When: July 18-19
Where: Wollaton Park, Nottingham
How much: Day tickets from £72pp
Splendour is definitely the jewel in the crown of the city’s summer events calendar. This year’s headliners are noughties indie trio The Wombats and Northern Irish / Scottish indie-rockers Snow Patrol. As well as music (including lots of local acts), there will also be comedy, fairground rides, an independent market, food and drink, the Little Splendours area and fringe activities.
Do if: Partying in the sun to songs you can sing along to sounds wonderful (especially as it’s easy to get to from the city centre – unlike a lot of big festivals).
14. Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet
When: July 18-August 7
Where: Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
How much: From £14pp
Bringing the works of two iconic artists to life, these installations will showcase famous artworks in unique audio visual journeys, with immersive screens and special soundtracks. Each will have a reflection room at the end, for pausing and taking it all in. These will be staged on different days throughout the three-week run (which is conveniently right at the start of the school holidays) and tickets for both are being sold separately.
Do if: You have always dreamed of seeing pieces like Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies – these exhibitions will be (almost) as impactful as seeing them in real life.
15. Operation Mincemeat
When: July 20-August 1
Where: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How much: From £28.50pp
The year is 1943 and, right now, we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse. In this fast-paced musical, Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, with plenty of chaos and spy antics, all based on the remarkable true story. This show won the 2024 Olivier for best new musical, and it’s also a Tony winner on Broadway.
Do if: You want to see a fun show that is sure to leave you smiling – it’s the best-reviewed show in West End history, so a good time is pretty much guaranteed.
16. Notts Pride
When: July 25
Where: Sneinton Market and Hockley
How much: Free entry
Our city’s LGBTQ+ scene is incredible, and this festival always showcases it brilliantly. The Pride march will start at 12pm, going from Lister Gate and moving all the way through town. After this, head to Sneinton Market, which will have performances from drag artists and musicians, plus educational stalls to browse. There will also be plenty of fun in Hockley, which will have its Rainbow Quarter established in June.
Do if: You’d like to show your support to the area’s thriving queer community.
17. Robin Hood Half Marathon
When: September 27
Where: Starts at Victoria Embankment, Nottingham
How much: From £43pp, £75pp VIP
Strap on your trainers and do those stretches – this is a proper half marathon that spans the city. It starts at the Victoria Embankment, goes to Nottingham Station, moves through The Park, goes up to Wollaton Park, before looping back. If you’re training for it, definitely make sure to get some hills in, as these come up very quickly during the race. Not a runner? You can still watch from the sidelines – placards optional.
Do if: You’d like an excuse to get yourself onto the running hype train – this is super rewarding to do.
18. Mean Girls
When: November 3-7
Where: Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
How much: From £25pp
Regina, Gretchen, and Karen rule North Shore High – but when home-schooled Cady Heron arrives, she shakes up the school food chain. Coming to Nottingham from the West End, this smash-hit musical is filled with iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and catchy songs. The creative team includes writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), and lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) – so it should be be totally fetch.
Do if: Mean Girls is one of your favourite feel good films… or if you’ve never seen it and want to know what it’s all about.
19. Christmas Market at Nottingham Castle
When: November 27-29
Where: Nottingham Castle
How much: £2pp adult, £1pp child in advance
Over 90 seasonal stalls will set up shop at this cosy yet magical market, which will have independent makers selling homewares, jewellery, clothing, and more. There will also be hot chocolates and mulled ciders to sip on, street food to munch on, and carols to sing along to. Tickets for this event aren’t available yet, but it’s worth popping in your diary and keeping an eye out for when they go on sale, as it is a proper festive treat.
Do if: You love shopping for presents in person – this is an excellent opportunity to do so, as well as meeting the creators behind them.
20. Aladdin
When: November 27-January 16
Where: Nottingham Playhouse
How much: From £18pp
A whole new world of panto awaits at Nottingham Playhouse, with this year’s show being the magical adventure of Aladdin. Can the plucky Aladdin prove himself to The Princess? And will the wicked sorcerer get his hands on the legendary lamp? The show will be penned by Adam Penford and designed by Cleo Pettitt again, so there’s sure to be plenty of local jokes and humour, as well as spectacular sets and costumes.
Do if: Panto never gets old for you, whether you’re a kid at heart or have a family you’d like to treat.
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