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Surrender To It: the homegrown Notts feature film coming in 2026

Founded by Nottingham Television Workshop alumni Tim Bryn Smith, The Nottingham Actor’s Workshop has for fifteen years been an acting training ground for local people, whether their ambitions are professional, personal or somewhere in-between. In 2026, they’ve got a new project on the way – Surrender To It – a full length feature film, blending comedy, adventure, surrealism, and drama, written and directed by Tim himself, and set for release on global streaming platforms. Tim tells us more… 

The LeftLion music awards: what we loved in 2025

From thriving new venues to an abundance of local talent gaining national exposure, 2025 proved that our city is one of the best in the country for breeding and platforming exceptional musical talent. With this in mind, we thought we’d celebrate with some end-of-year awards – championing the best local releases and gigs to happen this year in Nottingham. Voted for by our music team, here’s what stood out in the Notts music world in 2025…

Left Stag: December 2025

This season, as I’ve stated before, is likely going to be one of those where we neither struggle at the bottom of League One, nor pull up any trees near the top. We’ll trudge along, winning some, losing some and ultimately ending up somewhere in the middle...

Pantomines, plays, art, and singing: Here's what's on in Nottingham during Christmas 2025

Season's greetings everybody! We know that around now is the time when lots of us get off work for a bit, and look for new, festive things to do around Notts with people that we care about. With that in mind, here are eight events happening through Christmas and New Year, in Nottingham, which we're certain are worth attending... 

“It’s time to restate the case for the nature-first approach to Broad Marsh” - Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust urge local people to have their say on Homes England consultation

As Homes England moves the Broad Marsh development forward, public consultation continues. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Erin McDaid argues that whilst the UK Government continues to push the false narrative that nature is a blocker of growth, Nottingham’s Green Heart shows that nature can unlock a once in a generation transformation of our city. 

Nottingham City of Literature Call For Young Readers For Big City Reads 2026.

Are you, or do you know, a young person aged between 14-25 who loves reading and wants to give back to their community? If so read on...

Wild About Sneinton 2025: how it happened on the day

Out of many opportunities, in our city, to get your hands dirty with soil while improving your local green space, annual community planting day Wild About Sneinton continues to stand out – bringing together volunteers and creatives to get local people properly in touch with their green souls. Joe Callow attended the 2025 edition, and learned about how the event is benefitting people

Evil Scarecrow, sing-a-longs, family theatre and late night parties: here's what's on this week in Notts 15-21 December 2025

Twas the week before Christmas and all through Notts, festive parties and happenings are afoot! Here's some of our top picks of the week...

Gig review: Ice Nine Kills at Motorpoint Arena

It may be Christmas time, but for one Wednesday night in mid-December, the Motorpoint Arena took us firmly back to Halloween season. Paying homage to classic horror movies both old and new, American metal outfit Ice Nine Kills brought their latest arena tour to Nottingham and it was simply one of the most over-the-top, theatrical and madcap shows we’ve ever witnessed. Here’s how the carnage unfolded…

The Nottingham Culture Review of 2025

2025 is almost at an end, but what happened? Here's our potted history of another year of culture and entertainment in Notts…

Boutique chic: a look inside Flying Horse Walk's high fashion outlet Gigi Bottega

Nestled in the heart of the city centre at Flying Horse Walk, Gigi Bottega has quietly clothed a range of stars and fashion-savvy style lovers for ten years. As thousands of shoppers gear up to hit the city and get their hands on Christmas treasures, we talk to owners Gabriella Trivigno and her mum Debra Trivigno about how this hidden boutique is flying the flag for independent luxury fashion in Notts.

Cocktails and Crime at the National Justice Museum this New Year’s Eve?

Looking for something different to do on New Year’s Eve 2025? Fancy an evening solving a crime and drinking cocktails at the National Justice Museum?

Trentbarton has announced its bus services for Christmas 2025 and over the New Year...

Trentbarton has announced its bus services for Christmas 2025 and over the New Year. Here's everything you need to know about how to get around on their network over the festive period...

We chat to James Yorkston ahead of his solo Bodega show

James Yorkston is a singer-songwriter, author and prolific collaborator. On the heels of a new album featuring Nina Persson (The Cardigans) and Johanna Soderberg (First Aid Kit) and a TV appearance with Jools Holland, and ahead of a solo show at The Bodega on 14th December, we caught up with James to talk obscure songs, collaborations and gig memories...

Carol singing, Christmas markets, doom-tinged gigs and the return of Divorce: here's what's on this week in Notts 8 - 14 December 2025

Can we officially say it's time to get festive this week in Notts? From carol-singing and Christmas markets to doom-tinged gigs and the return of Divorce - here's our top picks of what's on...

National Ice Centre Transforms into Winter Wonderland for Christmas 2025

Nottingham's premier ice venue unveils festive lineup featuring Santa's Grotto, K-pop skating, exclusive skating with Nottingham Panthers players and a major Cash4Kids fundraiser...

Bon journal: writer Andrew Tucker Leavis on launching the New Nottingham Journal

All that Nottingham’s literary scene was missing, said poet Rory Waterman, was a “name-brand literary journal”. Grace Sanders speaks to Andrew Tucker Leavis, Editor-in-Chief of the New Nottingham Journal, about how he decided to rectify that issue, with LeftLion’s help…

Left Magpie: December 2025 - What are we Now?

Our Notts County columnist Julian McDougall, is back with a report of the last month of action at Notts County FC...

Alessi Rose shares her secrets ahead of her Rock City show

Ahead of her 'homecoming' Rock City date on the Voyeur Tour, breakout pop singer-songwriter Alessi Rose spared some time to chat to LeftLion about the value of human connections, favourite Nottingham spots, and the road from the Derby to the rest of the world...

Tattoo artist Maiko Only on her micro-realist designs and inspirations

In this month’s Artworks we hear from tattoo artist Maiko Only...

We chat to the people behind the Christmas Covers Party at The Bodega

Whether it’s grabbing a glass of mulled wine from one of the faux ski chalets in the Market Square or catching a screening of misty-eyed festive staple It’s A Wonderful Life at The Broadway, there are certain Yuletide traditions which are paramount in any true Nottinghamian’s December calendar. Another event high up on the to do list has been taking place for the last 22 years. First held at fondly-remembered Junktion 7 on Canning Circus in 2002, the Annual Christmas Covers Party has graced everywhere from Hopkinsons to The Maze over the last two decades and now resides at The Bodega. Ahead of this year’s event on 20th December, LeftLion caught up with three of the organisers and past performers, Alex Hale, Scot Lambert and Joey Chickenskin to garner intel on how it all works…

Overheard in Notts: November 2025

Another month's instalment of Overheard in Notts and this time, greedily, we're honing in on battered sausages, packets of hobnobs and all you can eat buffets...

Left Brian: November 2025 - Three Bald Musketeers

Our Forest columnist Julie Pritchard, the creator of the classic nineties 'Brian' fanzine, seems delighted by the new dawn at Forest under Dyche, Woan and Stone...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #36: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2025, our music team reviews new releases from Marseille, Kelsey and The Embers, Richard Snow and ALT BLK ERA...

LeftLion Issue #190 December 2025