The cosiest season of the year is finally upon us – and if you’d like to make the most of it, there are plenty of autumn events around Nottingham.
We’ve curated a variety of these, from fun workshops to sweet markets, and from fabulous festivals to glowing adventures. These have been narrowed down based on their seasonality, their uniqueness, their significance to the area, and how good value for money they are.
If you’re looking for events in Nottingham, autumn is an excellent time to try different things around the county. For more events and guides like this, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
15 of the best autumn events around Nottingham
By Eve Smallman
1. Till the Stars Come Down
When: September 5-26
Where: Nottingham Playhouse
How much: From £14.50pp
It’s Sylvia and Marek’s big day, and the Stone family have gathered in Mansfield. But once the vows have been made and the drinks start flowing, deep-seated family resentments begin to bubble up. Beth Steel’s Olivier-nominated, funny family drama comes to Nottingham for the first time in this regional premiere. ‘It’s a full night out: cracking cast, beautiful and vivid production, and a story that will hopefully make you laugh and cry,’ Beth shared with us in our Q&A with her.
Do if: You’d like to see a show with a local feel – Beth is from Mansfield, and many of her shows have taken inspiration from the area.
2. Heritage Open Days
When: September 11-20
Where: Various venues around Nottinghamshire
How much: Free entry
Explore our county’s past during this free yearly celebration, where venues across the area will be opening their doors for exclusive look arounds, rare opportunities, interesting tours, exhibitions, family-friendly activities, and more. Our top two picks are the St Mary’s Church tower tours with city views (September 12, heritageopendays.org.uk), while in the wider county, the Lowdham Signal Box (September 12-13 and 19-20, eventbrite.co.uk) is a unique, hands-on experience. Find out our full curation in our guide.
Do if: You enjoy seeing and learning about areas of real historical importance.
3. Autumn Luxury Candle Making Workshop
When: September 26
Where: Augustin Events Creative Studio, Annesley Woodhouse
How much: £44.03pp
During this hands-on candle-making workshop, you’ll learn how to blend luxurious seasonal fragrances, pour natural wax, and create a stunning handcrafted candle to take home. Choose from a selection of autumn-inspired fragrances, including pumpkin spice, cinnamon, vanilla, apple, clove, cedarwood and warm woodland scents. You’ll do all this while sipping on unlimited tea and coffee. Once you’re done, you’ll even craft a personalised label before taking the whole candle home with you.
Do if: You love cosy candles and would like to create one that you’ll truly enjoy.
4. Autumnfolk Market
When: September 27
Where: The Nest, Nottingham
How much: Free entry, but a ticket needs to be booked
From cosy autumn comforts and rich seasonal colours to playful Halloween magic, this market brings together over 45 talented independent makers, bakers and creatives from Nottingham whose work perfectly captures the spirit of the season. Expect ceramics, prints, woodwork, felting, photography, paintings, jewellery and more. There will also be a street food line-up offering tasty bites and sweet snacks, as well as a bar and a tea and coffee truck.
Do if: You’d like to embrace autumn by shopping for seasonal, locally-made treasures.
5. Autumn Glow Fun Run
When: October 4
Where: Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham
How much: £11.15pp
A family-friendly fun run where everyone is welcome, you’ll be able to take on a 5k by sprinting, jogging, or even simply walking. Bright neon colours, tutus, face paint, or anything that glows are encouraged, and there will be official race bibs and glowing accessories to pick up before the race starts at 5pm. Plus, this is all for a good cause, with the organisers running the London Marathon for Caudwell Youth.
Do if: You’re looking for motivation to get a run in this autumn.
6. Trent Bridge Wine, Champagne and Prosecco Festival
When: October 8-10
Where: Trent Bridge, West Bridgford
How much: From £12pp early bird, from £18pp on the day
During this first edition of Nottingham’s biggest wine festival, you’ll be able to visit an array of bars by local wine merchants and established brands alike, as well as sampling nibbles, street food and musical entertainment. This will all be over four floors of the redeveloped Pavilion. A complimentary glass is provided, which you are free to take home. This is running at the same time as Nottingham Beer and Cider Festival (trentbridge.co.uk), which your ticket will also allow entry to, so you can dip between the two easily.
Do if: You’d like to try new tipples, especially with the festive hosting season on the way.
7. Nottinghamshire Pick Your Own Pumpkins
When: October 10-11, 17-31
Where: Oaks Lane, Oxton, Southwell
How much: Free entry
Truly immerse yourself in the spirit of the season by visiting the best pumpkin patch in the area. Here you’ll be able to pick your own pumpkins for seasonal soups and for Halloween decorating. There is a charge for the produce, as well as if you’re a professional photographer (what better place for seasonal pics, right?). Plus, a hot drinks van will be parked up, for cosy coffees and hot chocolates as you roam.
Do if: You’d like to create special autumnal memory – this is a particularly lovely activity to do with children.
nottinghamshirepickyourownpumpkins.com
8. Chutneys & Jam Cooking Class
When: October 11
Where: Pippley Walled Garden, Beeston
How much: £75pp
Head to the beautiful Pippley Walled Garden and into its Cookery School for a day that’s all about jams and chutneys. You’ll learn how to make these with the school’s chefs, ready to take home later in the day. While the jams are bubbling down, you’ll tuck into your autumnally themed bagel selection and soup for lunch, before wrapping warm and join the garden team on a foraging tour to help with the garden’s autumn harvest. At the end, you’ll take home your treats and recipe sheets.
Do if: You’d like to learn how to properly make chutneys and jams – here, you’ll find out all the skills for doing so for years to come.
9. Sundown Adventures | AD
When: October 16-18, 23-31, November 1, 7-8
Where: Go Ape at Sherwood Pines, Edwinstowe
How much: £31.95pp
When the sun goes down, the lights come up during this atmospheric event, which takes Go Ape’s exhilarating experience up a notch. You’ll climb ropes, zip down lines, crawl through tunnels, and clamber across cargo nets, all with colourful glowing lights showing you the way. Time slots normally run from 4.30-6.30pm, so you can easily choose a time that suits you. Dates are available across the season, including during October half-term and even on Halloween for a fun treat.
Do if: You’d like to try one of Nottinghamshire’s most thrilling activities – this is it on a whole different level.
10. Halloween Outdoor Cinema
When: October 23-25
Where: Wollaton Hall, Nottingham
How much: From £17.37pp
The striking Wollaton Hall is the perfect venue for a Halloween cinema night. This is hosting three films over three days – Scream (October 23), Hocus Pocus Spooktactular (October 24), and The Nightmare Before Christmas (October 25) Bring your own spooky snacks or pick up hot food and drink on-site. Don’t forget your blanket for staying warm/hiding under – and don’t be afraid to dress up.
Do if: You’ve been thinking about having a Halloween cinema night – Adventure Cinema’s offering is an easy way to do that without needing to host.
11. Hockley Hustle | AD
When: October 25
Where: Various venues across Hockley and Sneinton
How much: Wristbands £15pp early bird, £25pp on the day
Our city’s own music and arts festival is celebrating 20 years of hustling this year with 400 acts playing across 50 bars, pubs, cinemas, chapels, and galleries. Big highlights include the Anniversary Exhibition, UFO Orchestra, Queer Hustle, Step n Groove, and The Hustle Parade. However, it’s always worth checking out the full line-up, as there’s everything from tiny rooms filled with acoustic music to beatbox battles in the Bodega, and from streets full of Samba to silent discos.
Do if: You’d like to discover more music from Nottingham’s talented artists – this is an especially special year to do so.
12. Nottingham Comedy Festival
When: October 30-November 8
Where: Various venues around Nottingham
How much: From £5pp, some pay what you want
This 10-day-long comedy festival brings together a wide range of comedians from around the country, from brand new acts to top established names. Our top picks include the Ha Ha Halloween Spooktacular (October 31, Nottingham Contemporary, £6pp, nottinghamcomedyfestival.co.uk), Saturday Night Live’s Paddy Young (November 5-6, Canalhouse, £20pp, nottinghamcomedyfestival.co.uk), and Ben Macpherson Does Poems At Adults (November 8, Fisher Gate Point, £10pp, nottinghamcomedyfestival.co.uk), but be sure to check the full programme of events.
Do if: The lack of sun is getting you down, and you’d like a few laughs.
nottinghamcomedyfestival.co.uk
13. Bonfire Night & Fireworks Display
When: November 1
Where: Norwood Park, Southwell
How much: From £14.50pp adult, from £6.50pp child
Soak up the Bonfire Night atmosphere in style at this gorgeous Georgian house that makes the evening a real experience. Warm up by the bonfire, be amazed by a breathtaking fire dancer performance, and then watch the night sky light up with a spectacular fireworks display. There will also be local food vendors. We went to this last year with the hospitality tickets (£26pp adult, £15.50pp child) and loved the chic setting and the fact that there were drinks on arrival, jacket potatoes, and a great view of the fireworks.
Do if: You’d like to watch fireworks in the most dazzling way possible.
14. 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. Wearing pink is optional – unless you go on a Wednesday, that is.
Do if: Mean Girls is one of your favourite feel good film, or if you’ve never seen it and want to know what it’s all about.
15. Bill Bailey: Vaudeville
When: November 12
Where: Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
How much: From £32.60pp
Before streaming, TV, cinema, and even radio, there was Vaudeville: the prime-time entertainment of its day. This was a vibrant mix of comedy, music, and remarkable skills – and Bill Bailey is returning with a show that honours this tradition. He’s known for Black Books, Have I Got News For You, QI, and even for winning Strictly Come Dancing – so the man knows a thing or two about entertaining in style.
Do if: You’re a fan of dry humour and would like to watch one of the UK’s top comedians in a big arena setting.
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