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

Sun 28 Jun 2026

This week is centred around the Nottingham Puppet Festival, which takes place from 27 June to 5 July and includes a variety of events tailored to all demographics. On our list of things to look out for we've highlighted the return of a classic, Little Shop of Horrors, to the cinema, an enchanting children's musical, and a more comedic (and decidedly adult) sex-related show. Beyond the puppet festival, there's a walk down memory lane with events for music, film, and the sewing history in prisons.

LeftLion at Download 2026

Sun 21 Jun 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...

Journalist, author, historian, and LeftLion history editor CJ De Barra takes us back to Nottingham’s resilient queer scene from the 90s all the way through to surviving 2020, in their second archival history book Queer Nottingham.

Book reviews: Nottingham City of Literature's Big City Reads giveaway 2026

Wed 17 Jun 2026

Big City Reads is a free book giveaway campaign run by Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature to encourage reading for pleasure among young people in Notts. Returning for its fourth year, they’ll be giving away 2250 books this summer. Here, members of Nottingham City of Literature’s Youth Selection Panel have reviewed some of their favourites from the shortlist.

Finn Forster on supporting Stereophonics, Radio 1's Big Weekend and the emotions of touring...

Sat 13 Jun 2026

The latest rising star from the North East’s explosive music scene, Finn Forster, sat down with LeftLion in the midst of his largest headline tour. We caught up about all things Stereophonics, his latest release, and the rollercoaster of tour emotions

EID Festival

Sat 13 Jun 2026

Competition: Win A Pair of Tickets to Splendour Festival 2026

Fri 12 Jun 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...

Silent storytime: Nottingham’s new book club trend

Thu 11 Jun 2026

Nestled in the corner of a Beeston bar, surrounded by people eating or socialising over a pint, are a group of people sat silently with their heads in a book. They may look slightly out of place, but for these readers, that’s the draw of this book club with a difference. Sandish Shoker went along to find out more about the silent book clubs taking over Nottingham and their appeal.

What to expect from the Nottingham Puppet Festival 2026

Thu 11 Jun 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.

Nottingham Craft Beer Festival returns for 2026

Wed 10 Jun 2026

Nottingham Craft Beer Festival returns to Sneinton Market Avenues for its eighth year. Over 5,000 attendees are expected across three sessions on Fri 19 and Sat 20 June 2026.

Nottingham Poetry Festival 2026: top picks from the program

Thu 04 Jun 2026

Nottingham Poetry Festival kicks off tomorrow with a 10 day city takeover. Catch shows from Brian Bilston, John Hegley, Yomi Sode, Henry Normal, Vanessa Kisuule and Nottingham’s own Nature Poet Laureate Cara Thompson. It’s a packed programme, so here's some top picks from their co-founder Henry Normal, director Tommy Rosley, and creative director Alma Solarte-Tobon...

Festival Review: Bearded Theory 2026

Sun 31 May 2026

Now a firm staple of the local festival calendar, Bearded Theory takes place in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside and is a haven for music lovers looking to kick start their festival season with plenty of wonder and family fun. Taking place over an extremely hot and sunny May bank holiday weekend, the 2026 edition boasted one of the most stacked line-ups of local, national and international talent that we can remember. To give us an insight, LeftLion contributor Marta Tavares went along to report from Catton Park…

Festival Review: Dot To Dot 2026

Sun 31 May 2026

One of the hottest weekends of the year – what could possibly make it better? I know – Dot to Dot Festival! Always one of the best days in the musical calendar, the sun was shining bright this May Bank Holiday for the annual, jam-packed day of venue-hopping, new music discovery and general good times with good friends. Immersing ourselves in the festival’s unrivalled party atmosphere, this is what we encountered at another incredible Dot to Dot in 2026…

East Midlands Pamphlet Prize launched by Bad Betty, in partnership with Writing East Midlands and Nottingham Poetry Festival

Sun 31 May 2026

Notts based independent publisher Bad Betty Press has announced the launch of the East Midlands Pamphlet Prize, a new initiative designed to support and platform poets living, working and studying across our region.

Book Review: Spring Fever by Thomas Legendre

Fri 29 May 2026

Thought-provoking, feasible and very hard to put down, Spring Fever is Thomas Legendre's third novel set between Nottingham and London. Somewhat dystopian in its depiction of a futuristic virus that affects both people and technology, the story follows protagonist Amanda Nigh meeting American ice hockey player Craig Merlau as they set about finding a cure for Spring Fever...