The nights may be drawing in, and there’s a whiff of pumpkin spice in the air, but there’s still lots to do before the end of summer in and around Nottingham over the next month.
Read on for our pick of the bunch of things to do in Nottingham this August.
Don’t put your flip flops away just yet. Pop on your shades and join the fun at the Nottingham Beach at Old Market Square which continues until 3rd Sept.
The East Midlands’ biggest free summer festival, The Riverside Festival, will be back on Nottingham’s Victoria Embankment from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 Aug, and there’s more family entertainment at Thoresby Park when the Gloworm Festival returns (11 – 13 Aug) with music, art and entertainment in the heart of Sherwood Forest.
Nothing says summer like a carnival, and nothing says a carnival like the Nottingham Carnival, which returns to Victoria Embankment (20 Aug) Numerous troupes from Nottingham and around the country will be taking part in the colourful Parade which starts at 2pm and is free to watch.
The Arboretum Beer Festival is back for a third year, bringing the warm and fuzzy summer vibes to Nottingham’s historic Arboretum. (26 Aug) The all-day event will once again showcase dozens of great real ales and craft beers from local breweries and beyond. Located around the park’s Victorian bandstand, the event will blend the tasty food and beer selection with live music and entertainment.
The 30th Nottingham Green Festival will be held on 10 September at the Arboretum. The free event is organised by volunteers and local community organisations. This fun-filled family-friendly event also has a serious intent – to share skills and knowledge to tackle the ongoing climate crisis, biodiversity loss and other environmental concerns.
Foodies can look forward to the Festival of Food and Drink (16 – 17 Sept) The East Midlands’ largest celebration of local food producers and global flavours, has this year moved to a brand-new location for its tenth year. The festival, which boasts over 170 food and drink traders will now be at Thoresby Park.
The family-friendly festival also offers a wide-range of have-a-go activities for visitors to take part in, from wine-tasting sessions and cocktail masterclasses, to a specialist Children’s Cookery School. The festival’s popular Cookery Theatre will also return.
Nottingham’s world-famous Goose Fair will once again be held over ten days at the Forest Recreation Ground this year (29 Sept – 8 Oct) With over 250 rides and attractions and thrills aplenty for all ages, the fair is one of the largest travelling funfairs in Europe, and Nottingham city’s biggest event in its annual events calendar.
The popular Open-Air Theatre Season continues at Newstead Abbey and Wollaton Hall with a full programme of new and traditional performances. You are invited to pack your picnics, camping chairs and blankets to enjoy theatre in the great outdoors. At Newstead Abbey you can enjoy The Importance of Being Earnest (31 Aug), while Wollaton has The Secret Garden (4 Aug) David Walliams’ Bad Dad (6 Aug) and Robin Hood (17 Aug)
Outdoor cinema also returns to Wollaton Park with The Dark Knight Rises (24 Aug) Top Gun: Maverick (25 Aug) Pretty Woman (26 Aug) and Matilda The Musical (27 Aug)
If outdoor cinema didn’t give you an idea that the nights are drawing in, then the fact that the Fireworks Championship is taking place at Belvoir Castle will (19 Aug) Watch three of the UK’s finest fireworks companies compete for the title. Expect plenty of breathtaking displays.
If you’re looking for some sporting action, The Hundred returns to Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (1 -19 Aug) promising high octane men’s and women’s sporting action, live music, and a host of family-friendly entertainment.
For music lovers, legendary DJ Gary Davies brings the Sounds of the 80’s show on tour to the Royal Concert Hall (22 Sep), while next door at The Theatre Royal, Do you believe in ghosts, An experiential ghost story welcomes you to a haunting night at the theatre.(19 Sept)
For more things that go bump in the night, join the team from Haunted Heritage to find out what spirits linger at the National Justice Museum (4 Aug) The Haunted Railway Station Gedling (9 Sept) Newstead Abbey (16 Sept) and Norwood House (29 Sept)
The team also bring their Psychic Table Night to Newstead Abbey (8 Sept) as their family of psychics, mediums and tarot readers provide short taster readings to your table throughout the evening. Who and what will you discover?
There’s more history at Britain’s finest Victorian water works. Visit on one of the Steaming Days at Papplewick Pumping Station. Classic Motorcycles (27 – 28 August) ” Vintage Steam – Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 September 10am – 4pm
Creswell Crags have a Living History Weekend (5/ 6 Aug) The Stone Age comes to life at this free event with Dr. James Dilly, Emma Jones and Sally Pointer. Throughout the weekend they’ll be living life the stone age way in Mother Grundy’s Parlour, Creswell Crags’ airiest cave, demonstrating how early humans and Neanderthals would have lived thousands of years ago. Dressed in authentic stone age costume, they’ll have examples of the tools Stone Age people would have used every day to live and eat.
Alternatively you can Meet a Mediaeval Doctor at DHL Pavillion, Lakeside (19 Aug)
Find out about the medicines and charms used by early mediaeval English people by talking to Wulfhild, a 10th century “leech” or doctor. Come and see, touch and smell some of the plants and other natural materials used to treat a range of illnesses.”
