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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 2026This 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 2026LeftLion'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...
International movements, queer events, and classic film & music : Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 22 - 28 June
Sun 21 Jun 2026The next week in Nottingham is jam-packed with events catering to all - including a play uplifitng hidden voices in our community, two documentary screenings about critical movements, and a night of gothic drag bingo at Rough Trade. Here's our full list of things we'd recommend getting involved in.
Gig review: India Arkin, Dring and Emily Ashberry at The Grove
Sat 20 Jun 2026On the same evening that England were triumphant in their opening World Cup game against Croatia, tucked away in The Grove a magical evening of live music was taking place. Headlined by immensely talented, Bristol-based singer-songwriter India Arkin, with support from local artists Dring and Emily Ashberry, it marked the first Nottingham gig from promoter Music Observer, also known as LeftLion’s own Music Co-Editor, Phil Taylor. Here’s what went down…
Play Review: Television Workshop's I Had A Wheelbarrow at The Nest
Wed 17 Jun 2026The Nottingham Television Workshop, famed for nurturing many local actors, is launching a play about Notts County FC and fans. You can't get more local than that...
Book reviews: Nottingham City of Literature's Big City Reads giveaway 2026
Wed 17 Jun 2026Big 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.
Plays, classic films, and gigs in association with LeftLion: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 15 - 21 June
Sun 14 Jun 2026There's a lot to do this week in Nottingham, with a classic film shown in 35mm at the Savoy and local institution the Television Workshop showcasing a play about Notts County FC, among other options. Here's a few things we think are worth doing.
Gig review: Finn Forster at The Bodega
Thu 11 Jun 2026Bryan Johnson, Sting, Neil Tennant, Little Mix, Cheryl, Sam Fender… the North-East is truly the musical gift that keeps on giving. It often leaves us asking, “Can there be any more phenomenal acts ready to join the hall of fame?” The answer is yes, and his name is Finn Forster. For anyone who missed out on his show at The Bodega, here’s why you need to grab tickets when he inevitably returns to Nottingham...
Gig review: Pigeon Pit and Cheap Dirty Horse at The Carousel
Wed 10 Jun 2026Britain and America’s ‘Special Relationship’ is currently strained on a geopolitical level, but in the folk-punk sphere, things have never been stronger. Washington’s Pigeon Pit and Nottingham’s own Cheap Dirty Horse have united for a joint-headline tour across the UK this month, and their evening at the Carousel was everything you would expect from the two bands: loud, bold, unapologetically pro-LGBT+, and above all, a lot of fun...
Theatre Review: The Choir of Men at the Theatre Royal
Wed 10 Jun 2026We all love a night down the pub, right? And this pub boasts a bar full of beer-lovers who can shake a leg, belt out a ballad and tinkle the ivories. What more could you ask for...
Gig review: Deadletter at Rescue Rooms, with Marvin's Revenge and RY-GUY
Tue 09 Jun 2026If there was any doubt that the Yorkshire band Deadletter have become one of the UK's most exciting live bands, their sold-out Rescue Rooms show on Friday night quickly changed the storytelling...
Comedy Review: Danny Bhoy at the Nottingham Playhouse
Sun 07 Jun 2026A veteran comic’s vibrant victory lap at the Nottingham Playhouse has the audience smiling...
Concert Review: The Hallé with Euan Shields at the Royal Concert Hall
Sat 06 Jun 2026The Hallé returns once again to the Royal Concert Hall for an evening of Eastern European themed classical hits. This time with conductor Euan Shields, a rising international star already with an armful of accolades.
LeftLion's Latest Listens #46: Notts music we're currently spinning
Fri 05 Jun 2026In edition 46 of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from ALT BLK ERA, JJ Lovegrove, Margo Pelto and Vona Vella ...
Gig review: ALT BLK ERA at Rescue Rooms with Luna & The Lime Slices and St Agnes
Thu 04 Jun 2026Off the back of a European tour with Pendulum (and an appearance on the LeftLion Interviews podcast), Nottingham alternative-electronic duo ALT BLK ERA played a sold out homecoming show last weekend, bringing their genre-blending sound and compelling stage presence to Rescue Rooms, with support from St Agnes and Luna & The Lime Slices...
Gig review: Sugar at Rock City
Thu 04 Jun 2026A three-decade hiatus seemed to dissolve into sweet nothing as Sugar claimed the Rock City stage once again. Bob Mould, Malcolm Travis and David Barbe presenting something much more than a nostalgia trip, adding energy, humour and volume into the mix...