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Comedy, music festivals and local talent: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 18 -24 May

 This week in Notts! Enjoy local theatre performances and live comedy, or head to Dot to Dot music festival and dance the night away in various venues across Nottingham. Here's our top picks...

Five worthwhile bottomless brunches in Nottingham (with a twist)

There is only one social occasion where it’s acceptable to be double-parked with margaritas before midday, and the best part is it sometimes comes with pancakes. Bottomless brunch has become a go-to activity for catch-ups with friends, thanks to the promise of unlimited cocktails without sacrificing a good night’s sleep. Nottingham has dozens of bottomless brunch experiences but these five independents all have something unique to offer, from drag queen bingo to table-side magic and even a sober option for foodies

Free minds: the Notts open mic celebrating poetry's power

In the current climate of economic instability and political discourse, creative communities face bigger threats to remain connected. Poppy Thomason caught up with Caetano Capurro and Jasmine McCallion, the co-hosts of Free Minds – a free poetry open mic night at The King Billy pub – to ask them about the power of expression within accessible creative spaces. 

How the No Half Measures collective are celebrating women in brewing

No Half Measures are a female-led brewing collective who this month will launch a new beer they brewed alongside nationally recognized brewer Jaega Wise, to fundraise for Nottingham Central Women’s Aid. Their co-founder Aimee Harbison-Roper speaks more about it… 

Everyone’s a star: Five Seconds of Summer bring nostalgia and new sounds to The Palais Nottingham

We take a trip to The Palais - and down memory lane - for a very special album listening event with Aussie pop-rock four-piece Five Seconds of Summer...

Artworks: Anna Mylonas of Nine Two Five Silver

For this month’s Artworks, we hear from Anna Mylonas, a Notts-based silversmith who runs Nine Two Five Silver.

Celebrating 160 years of the Theatre Royal

We look back on 160 years of Nottingham’s Theatre Royal and some of the famous productions and people it has brought to the city…

A tale of five cities: five things that make Nottingham culture unique

It’s September, the start of the academic year – and with an increased number of student eyes on this magazine, we thought we’d highlight five qualities that make Nottingham culture special: literature, rebels, sport, innovation, and caves. Whether you’re new to Notts or a long-established resident, we hope that these historical tid-bits remind you why it’s great.

We built this city: celebrating twenty years of I'm Not From London with head promoter Will Robinson

Man about town, creature of the night, gig aficionado, and master of mayhem Will Robinson has been keeping Nottingham’s music scene alive and kicking for twenty years with promotion company I’m Not From London. As the fifteenth Waterfront Festival draws close on Saturday 2 August at the Canalhouse, anniversary celebrations in the works and a great roster of gigs coming up, we caught up with Will to hear some highlights from two decades of gigs.

Connecting the Dots: Celebrating 20 years of Dot2Dot Festival

From intimate beginnings to sprawling across iconic venues in Nottingham and Bristol, Dot to Dot has become a cornerstone of the UK’s festival calendar. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, the festival has been championing emerging artists since the mid-00s indie boom, many of which have risen to international acclaim. 

With this in mind, we decided to take a look back at the festival’s history, speaking to the team behind the UK’s best metropolitan festival and explore the global superstars that have emerged from Dot To Dot over the last two decades…

Five reasons not to miss Bearded Theory this year

A plethora of top quality artists, creative activities and unique educational content… Bearded Theory really does have it all. The festival takes place over the late Bank Holiday weekend in the beautiful setting of Catton Park, under an hour from our Nottingham doorsteps. Here are five reasons you can’t afford to miss the 2025 edition…

Five of Nottingham's nastiest drag queens go head to head in the battle of the bitches

Liv Presents: The Prohibition Roast is another of the amazing comedy nights lined up at the Lord Roberts and part of the wider Nottingham Comedy Festival. But with wit as sharp as broken glass, do you dare go down to the basement...  

Punks and weirdos: Celebrating 15 Years of studio and performance venue JT Soar

From the headquarters of a fruit and vegetable wholesaler near Sneinton Market to one of Nottingham’s best loved recording studios and truly intimate, DIY music venues - it’s been quite a journey for JT Soar. 

When Phil Booth and his business partner Nick first took over the space at number 2 Aberdeen Street, they saw beyond an empty concrete room with metal grilles and a scooter garage next door. Their vision was to create something truly special: a recording studio, rehearsal and gig space, with a truly barrier-free ethos in all senses of the word.

Now fifteen years later, JT Soar celebrates its decade-and-a-half anniversary since it first opened its doors, marking the occasion with a “two-day, one stage, all killer-no filler line-up” of some of Phil Booth’s favourite bands. Ahead of what is being billed as ‘JT Soar Fest’, we asked staff, promoters, bands and community members to share their favourite memories of JT Soar, and outline what makes it so special.

Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival Returns Celebrating 47 Years of Beers and Cheers

Nottingham’s flagship celebration of ale and cider is back at Trent Bridge from Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 October...

Five free family events in Nottingham this summer

The summer holidays are here and with the cost of living crisis raging on; the budget for days out, trips and activities can soon get out of control. However, there’s no need to break the bank this summer as there’s a whole host of free events for families in Nottingham. We’ve gathered our top five and there’s something for everyone here with activities from charities, galleries and local organisations. So if you’re in the thick of it with the long summer holidays, check out these family friendly events – all free!

Twenty years of photographing Pride Festival with photojournalist Alan Lodge

Originating from a free festival and traveller background, Alan Lodge has worked as a photographer for over fifty years, with a particular special interest in ‘alternative’ lifestyles and subcultures. Having covered Pride events for several decades, we thought we’d share some of his best images and ask him a few questions about life behind the lens…