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40 years of Notts County FC's Lifeline scheme

Notts County FC’s Lifeline scheme is an independent volunteer-run lottery and fundraising scheme, launched forty years ago this month, to support the football club through financial difficulties. Members pay £2 per week and are entered into a range of lottery draws and receive access to events, stadium tours, a training session, hospitality offers and more…

Life Behind Bars: With Jake Jenkinson, assistant manager at Effy

For this month's instalment of Life Behind Bars we spoke to Jake Jenkinson: assistant manager of Effy, Heathcoat Street's cosy haven for coffee.

Common Ground: Alan Lodge's upcoming exhibition documents protests, parties and festivals over the last fifty years

Opening this month at Bonington Gallery is Common Grounds: Counterculture & Confrontation since 1976, a retrospective of the work of Alan ‘Tash’ Lodge. One of the UK’s most prolific photographers of alternative lifestyles, Alan’s work gives a vivid first person insight into the new age traveller movement and the 90s free-party scene, raising questions about the right to gather, policing, surveillance and community.

In photos: Sonic Boom Festival 2026

Sonic Boom, the independent and - amazingly - free music festival, once again took over Burton on Trent town centre, showcasing the best local artists and some from further afield. Nigel King documented the day...

Art Fest 2026: what's happening this year?

After bringing over thirty murals to Nottingham in the past five years, Art Fest is doing things differently in 2026. Through exhibitions, street art tours, talks and workshops, this year’s programme celebrates Nottingham’s visual artists while opening conversations about what comes next… 

Nottingham’s Biggest Ever Wine Festival Launches alongside Legendary Annual CAMRA Beer Festival at Trent Bridge

The Trent Bridge Wine, Champagne and Prosecco Festival will run alongside the popular beer and cider festival between Wednesday 7 and Saturday 10 October...

Mansfield Town Film Festival 2026: in conversation with director Jay Martin

Coming up later this month, Mansfield Town Film Festival provides a packed three day schedule of working-class voices, locally made films, live screenings, masterclasses, and Q&As. We spoke to festival director Jay Martin about representation, community and why Mansfield is putting the East Midlands firmly on the cinema map… 

Stage Review: Robin Hood International Improv Festival at the Squire Performing Arts.

If you think improv is just a group of comedians shouting random words at each other until someone says something funny, then Nottingham’s Robin Hood International Improv Festival might just change your mind...

In photos: Foolhardy Folk Festival 2026 at The Arboretum

Skilfully curated by honorary Notts-man Beans on Toast, Foolhardy Folk Festival has become a hugely popular bank holiday event. With the bandstand as its focal point, this year's festival once again combined the best elements of nature and music. This year's lineup included Badly Drawn Boy, Skinny Lister, 3 Daft Monkeys, K.O.G and Beans on Toast himself...

Festival review: the LeftLion guide to Shambala

Just over a hour away from Notts, Shambala Festival brought creativity, silliness and a great line up over bank holiday weekend. Despite a bit of wet weather threatening to dampen the fun, LeftLion editor Sophie Gargett donned some wellies and went along to check out the silliness...

Festival review: LeftLion at 110 Above

Almost hidden on a Leicestershire plateau set at the lofty altitude of 110m above sea level, the lucky few (hundred) can discover a music festival like no other. Without any sign of corporate sponsorship or gimmick, 110 Above exists to create a shared experience, for all ages, based on good music. LeftLion spent two special days there...

Life Behind Bars: With Gaz Peacham, Deputy Manager at The Embankment Pub

For this month's edition of Life Behind Bars we take a jaunt down to Trent Bridge to speak to Gaz... 

Nottingham Book Festival 2026 is coming to Broadway Cinema

For the first time in ten years, Nottingham is celebrating all things books. The Nottingham Book Festival will call Broadway Cinema home this year. LeftLion turns the page and delves into the small print…

Tom A. Smith talks energy, dedication, and why he just keeps coming back to a certain local festival

Next week, Tom A. Smith will be returning - again - to the magical, intimate setting of 110 Above Festival, just a few miles from Nottingham. We caught up with the Sunderland artist for a quickfire interview...

Festival review: LeftLion at Y Not 2026

Art, gigs, Bowie, European parties, and family festivals Here's what's on this week in Nottingham Monday 3 - Sunday 9 August

There's lots happening this week to kick off August's event schedule, from European parties to family festivals and events - here's our top picks...

Festival review: Splendour goes out in style

As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. For 18 years, Splendour Festival has been one of the highlights of the summer here in Nottingham, a community celebration that brings together UK music legends with some of the very best up-and-coming local bands. It began in 2008 with names including Kate Nash, The Charlatans and Ocean Colour Scene on the bill. However, with the event no longer able to viably continue, the 2026 edition marked the end of an era for our city's premier two-day festival. Determined to go out on a high, here is what took place at the last ever Splendour…

Nature, folklore and tradition: we chat to the founders of the Sherwood Forest Trust Woodland Festival

With Sherwood Forest Trust Woodland Festival coming up this weekend, Jo Kingsley caught up with founder Graeme Turner, to talk about re-connecting with nature, keeping folk traditions alive, and celebrating Nottingham’s incredible creative talent...

Ten things Splendour Festival brought to Nottingham

This weekend Nottingham waved goodbye to eighteen years of its biggest festival, Splendour. This late-July homegrown occasion welcomed over 25,000 guests into the grounds of Wollaton Hall & Deer Park each year. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights and what it’s provided to Nottingham in the long run...

Life Behind Bars: with Craig Pennington-Hayes, Owner of The Lord Roberts

Craig Pennington-Hayes, wwner of Hockley's Lord Roberts pub, talks community spaces, famous guests and dogs called Robert.

What's happening at Gloworm Festival 2026?

It's less than a month now until Thoresby Park is transformed into the ultimate children's wonderland for Nottinghamshire annual family festival: Gloworm. As ever, it's going to be an exciting one, with 20+ meet and greets, a packed main stage program, and more than 100 live shows, performances, workshops, and hands on experiences to discover and enjoy around the festival site. 

If you're considering taking your little one(s) along, and making some great summer memories, here's everything you can expect...

Pride and Joy: the organisers of Nottingham Pride talk parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival

Later this month Notts Pride is set to take over the city once again, bringing a celebration of colour, unity, diversity, and acceptance. Local author Becki Jayne Crossley met Chairperson Leigh Ellis who has been organising the festival for the past ten years. They covered how parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival…