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Common Ground: Alan Lodge's upcoming exhibition documents protests, parties and festivals over the last fifty years

Opening this month at Bonington Gallery is Common Grounds: Counterculture & Confrontation since 1976, a retrospective of the work of Alan ‘Tash’ Lodge. One of the UK’s most prolific photographers of alternative lifestyles, Alan’s work gives a vivid first person insight into the new age traveller movement and the 90s free-party scene, raising questions about the right to gather, policing, surveillance and community.

Mansfield Town Film Festival 2026: in conversation with director Jay Martin

Coming up later this month, Mansfield Town Film Festival provides a packed three day schedule of working-class voices, locally made films, live screenings, masterclasses, and Q&As. We spoke to festival director Jay Martin about representation, community and why Mansfield is putting the East Midlands firmly on the cinema map… 

Festival review: LeftLion at 110 Above

Almost hidden on a Leicestershire plateau set at the lofty altitude of 110m above sea level, the lucky few (hundred) can discover a music festival like no other. Without any sign of corporate sponsorship or gimmick, 110 Above exists to create a shared experience, for all ages, based on good music. LeftLion spent two special days there...

Nottingham Book Festival 2026 is coming to Broadway Cinema

For the first time in ten years, Nottingham is celebrating all things books. The Nottingham Book Festival will call Broadway Cinema home this year. LeftLion turns the page and delves into the small print…

Tom A. Smith talks energy, dedication, and why he just keeps coming back to a certain local festival

Next week, Tom A. Smith will be returning - again - to the magical, intimate setting of 110 Above Festival, just a few miles from Nottingham. We caught up with the Sunderland artist for a quickfire interview...

Festival review: LeftLion at Y Not 2026

Art, gigs, Bowie, European parties, and family festivals Here's what's on this week in Nottingham Monday 3 - Sunday 9 August

There's lots happening this week to kick off August's event schedule, from European parties to family festivals and events - here's our top picks...

Festival review: Splendour goes out in style

As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. For 18 years, Splendour Festival has been one of the highlights of the summer here in Nottingham, a community celebration that brings together UK music legends with some of the very best up-and-coming local bands. It began in 2008 with names including Kate Nash, The Charlatans and Ocean Colour Scene on the bill. However, with the event no longer able to viably continue, the 2026 edition marked the end of an era for our city's premier two-day festival. Determined to go out on a high, here is what took place at the last ever Splendour…

Nature, folklore and tradition: we chat to the founders of the Sherwood Forest Trust Woodland Festival

With Sherwood Forest Trust Woodland Festival coming up this weekend, Jo Kingsley caught up with founder Graeme Turner, to talk about re-connecting with nature, keeping folk traditions alive, and celebrating Nottingham’s incredible creative talent...

Ten things Splendour Festival brought to Nottingham

This weekend Nottingham waved goodbye to eighteen years of its biggest festival, Splendour. This late-July homegrown occasion welcomed over 25,000 guests into the grounds of Wollaton Hall & Deer Park each year. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights and what it’s provided to Nottingham in the long run...

What's happening at Gloworm Festival 2026?

It's less than a month now until Thoresby Park is transformed into the ultimate children's wonderland for Nottinghamshire annual family festival: Gloworm. As ever, it's going to be an exciting one, with 20+ meet and greets, a packed main stage program, and more than 100 live shows, performances, workshops, and hands on experiences to discover and enjoy around the festival site. 

If you're considering taking your little one(s) along, and making some great summer memories, here's everything you can expect...

Pride and Joy: the organisers of Nottingham Pride talk parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival

Later this month Notts Pride is set to take over the city once again, bringing a celebration of colour, unity, diversity, and acceptance. Local author Becki Jayne Crossley met Chairperson Leigh Ellis who has been organising the festival for the past ten years. They covered how parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival…

Splendour Festival's last hurrah, musicals, ballet and immersive art experiences: here's what's on in Notts this week: events 13 July - 19 July

This week is one for the books, including Splendour Festival celebrating their final weekend, Beyond Monet & Beyond Van Gogh, a convention for hit sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, and events for theatre, music and ballet fans alike.

Another triumphant year for Gate To Southwell Festival

Dodging the heatwaves, we spent a couple of days on site at Gate To Southwell Festival. Pushing the envelope of folk, and with a collaboration with some of the most exciting Canadian musicians, it was easy to see why this local event is going stronger than ever...

In photos: Radfest 2026

A warm midsummer's day and a packed line-up of talented young artists and bands from our area - what could be better? For its ninth edition, Radfest once again delivered great music, food and drink, family entertainment and the opportunity for younger performers to be seen and heard. Here are our photographer Nigel King's shots of this year's voyage of discovery...

Splendour Festival preview: In Conversation with Editors

They are arguably one of the most underrated bands in Britain. For over two decades, Birmingham alt-rock outfit Editors have barely put a foot wrong - from forging a consistently exciting and eclectic discography, to always delivering with their euphoric and pulsating live shows. With their eighth studio album, Surface, Echo & Sound, due for release in October and the band set to join Snow Patrol to close out the final ever Splendour Festival in style, we caught up with Editors’ bassist and founding member Russ Leetch, to discuss their storied career, their forthcoming new album and performing in Nottingham through the years…

Actor Chelsea Da Silva talks about Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile at Nottingham Puppet Festival

Later this week, as part of Nottingham Puppet Festival, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile comes to Theatre Royal. Lead actor Chelsea Da Silva tells us more...

Nottingham Puppet Festival, music at the waterfront, film quiz, and history made fun: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 29 June - 5 July

This week our list of things to look out for this week includes the Nottingham Puppet Festival, Waterfront music festival, a walk down memory lane with events for music, film, and the sewing history in prisons.

LeftLion at Download 2026

LeftLion's Kieran Lister spills the tea on his first time experience at the legendary Download Festival, which last weekend - despite the crowds - once again turned Donington Park into a place of mass catharsis, self-expression and freedom...

Competition: Win A Pair of Tickets to Splendour Festival 2026

It's almost time for the biggest outdoor live music weekend in Notts taking place in Wollaton Park! This year's Splendour Festival line-up includes The Wombats, Snow Patrol, Primal Scream, Flaming Lips, Craig David, Editors and more. We have two pairs of tickets to give away...

What to expect from the Nottingham Puppet Festival 2026

This summer will mark the fourth year of Nottingham Puppet Festival, and if you're yet to experience it, then you’re guaranteed a very memorable time.