5 Things to Do in Nottingham This Weekend

Got yoursen in a creative rut? Your artistic senses longing to be tickled? Get down to Surface Gallery for this celebration of light, which is bound to kick your creativity up the backside and inspire your brain. Leicester based artist Samuel Harriman combines light installations with paintings to extend the walls of colour theory, both physically and mentally. Different shades of light infuse the space, giving you lot a (probably) well needed sense of relaxation, before your journey culminates with a light sculpture colour wheel. Dead arty stuff which is bound to look dead pretty. As always, opening night will see a donation bar stocked with ales from local brewery, Springhead.
Friday 1 December - Saturday 9 December, 6pm, free, Surface Gallery, event link

The first ever Wolf Down food market has arrived and it’s gonna be a bleddy good’un. They’ve teamed up with Blend Coffee Shop and hand picked some of the best street food traders in the Midlands to give us lot great grub, booze and a spot of mulled wine. But it doesn’t stop there; I’m Not From London have lined up Notts musical goodness for the whole night, folk from Sneinton Market will be selling some of their lovely creations and there’s even rumours of a magician and a petting zoo. Best part is, it will cost you absolutely nowt. Perfect way to end your working week.
Friday 1 December, 5pm-10pm, free, Blend Coffee Shop and Sneinton Market, event link

We’re dead proud that our city boasts the biggest number of independent shops outside of London. It’s good ta know we’re not all about that corporation malarkey, so it’s abaht time to show that off to the world. Saturday 2 December is Small Business Saturday, a national, not-for-profit campaign which encourages us lot to support our local small businesses and chuck a few pennies their way. Look out for shops displaying the Small Business Saturday poster or the Nottingham independents logo and take yoursen in for a gander. And, if you’re feeling really nice, tweet or 'gram a picture with #SmallBizSatUK to pledge your allegiance to the independents.
Saturday 2 December, all day, free, all over Notts, event link

Yanno one of them where you’ve planned your outfit round your cap, only to be turned away by some jumped up bouncer on the door cos of an out-of-date door policy that equates wronguns with a flat peak? Does wonders to ruin your night, don’t it. Well, my hat-topped party-goer, you may wear your favourite head decoration in peace over at ‘Tempreh this month, as Pull It bursts onto the scene, bringing Congi, Reaction and Curtz along for the ride. Fans of dubstep and bassline are in for a right treat as some of the baddest names on the Notts scene gear up to introduce a brand new club night to the underground heads of Hoodtown, and in everyone’s favourite art gallereh, no less. Get there before midnight to bag yourself four quid entry, otherwise it’s an easy fiver on the door. You’ll be telling my man to pull it a fair few times, we reckon.
Saturday 2 December, 10pm-3am, £4-£5, Nottingham Contemporary, event link

One of the worst parts about Chrimbo is that the whole month can turn into a bleddy fashion show. So many parties to attend, so many outfits. It can be well frustrating if all you’ve got is that sequined party dress you’ve donned for the past five years. Bras Not Bombs thrift shop know your pain, so have organised an event where you can take your old clobber and swap it for someone else's. Arm yoursens with all your old dresses, bags and bling that you just don’t wear anymore and either donate it or swap it for a brand new outfit. They’re making a whole night outta it too, with cocktails, carol singing and a tombola. Happy swapping, ducks.
Sunday 3 December, 1pm-6pm, free, Rough Trade, event link