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Book reviews: Nottingham City of Literature's Big City Reads giveaway 2026

Big 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. 

Sam Heaton talks turning Notts County's The Nest into a versatile live events venue

In 2024 Notts County FC turned an old metal fabricators warehouse next to their stadium into a state-of-the-art live events venue. Thus The Nest was born and has since led a double life as a football fanzone and as a major player in Nottingham’s live music and events scene. We spoke to their events manager Sam Heaton about those last two years and their big plans for the future…

Locating Lawrence: May 1924

The Great Strike and rise of fascism threaten to unsettle Lawrence’s Tuscan calm...

Locating Lawrence: April 1926

‘It is queer, this Fascist movement: one wonders what the end will be.’

Beltane, beer, Badly Drawn Boy and Shrek: Here's what's on this week 20 - 26 April 2026

This week in Notts! Enjoy craft beer, Beltane celebrations, Beeston Film Festival and lots more. Here's our top picks...

Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board Celebrate the Launch of their Poetry Pamphlet

Join Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board as they celebrate the launch of their first poetry pamphlet on the 12th of April

Immersive indie theatre, all day gigs, impactful exhibitions: here's what's on in Nottingham this week 30 March - 5 April

This is a great week in Notts for music and art lovers... check out our top picks.

Locating Lawrence: March 1926

Capri in 1926 was decadent, cosmopolitan, and bohemian, providing refuge for writers and intellectuals from the ugliness of modernity...

Musicals, indie markets, creative workshops and animated musical legends... Here's what's on in Nottingham this week 23 - 29 March

Creativity abounds this week in Nottingham! Check out classic West End musicals, mix with other creative folks, check out the handcrafted wares of local artists, or see animated musical legends Gorillaz live. Here's our top picks...

Lockdown Literature: Fictionalising the Pandemic

An interview with Crystal Mah-Wing about the Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature Map

Nottingham was awarded UNESCO status as a City of Literature in December 2015. As part of their celebrations to mark this decade milestone, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, the University of Nottingham and Visit Nottingham worked together on an AHRC funded research bid to bring the map to Nottingham.

As part of the project, Research Affiliate Crystal Mah-Wing was employed to help create a map, showcasing our cities best literary locations, for locals and tourists alike. We spoke to Crystal about the process, the team she worked with and what to expect when it’s out at the end of March…

Here's what's happening this International Women's Day in Nottingham

There's plenty happening in Nottingham this weekend to celebrate International Women's Day - check out workshops, performances, and exhibitions and support our city's wonderful women.

Locating Lawrence: February 1926

Lawrence is well stocked up with vino, but the weather is as ‘dismal as Hades.’ Perhaps it's time for another adventure...

Murder mysteries and powerful performances: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 23 February - 1 March

As February draws to a close, the week ahead in Nottingham spans gripping theatre, film, live music and atmospheric storytelling...

Live music, light shows, and classic cinema: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 2 - 8 February

From legendary artists and independent musicians, to cinema and light installations, this week brings a wide assortment of events to the Notts creative scene. Here are our picks of this week...

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...

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...

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...

Festive light trails and markets, Notts alt rock and dark cinema: Here's what's on in Notts this week 24-30 November 2025

This week, enjoy a live concert of Amy Winehouse's original band, adore the new festive light trail at Wollaton or take yourself and the family down to the Nottingham Christmas Market. Let the festivities begin! 

Run raves, poetry celebrations, the return of some loved Notts musicians and a soulful Sunday: Here's what's on in Notts this week 17 - 23 November 2025

This week, kill two birds with one stone and rave whilst you run, head to the return of Notts bands Unknown Era and Captain Dangerous, delve into some poetry, or enjoy a soulful Sunday. Here's our top picks...

Night Creatures Podcast #3: Killer Jim from Out To Lunch on 25 years of Northern soul, jazz funk and jazz dance events in Nottingham

Night Creatures is a new LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and he brings with him over twenty years of experience of putting on great parties in the city.

Nottingham celebrates ten years as a UNESCO City of Literature with a spectacular gala on 1 December

In 2025, Nottingham turns the page on a remarkable chapter; ten years as a UNESCO City of Literature and the charity is throwing a party worthy of Nottingham’s words!

French post-punk, brew festivals, Disney on Ice and festive ballet: here's what's on in Notts this week 10-15 November 2025

This week, get yourself down to the Craft Brew Festival, enjoy some elegant post-punk covers, welcome Christmas in early with a ballet of A Christmas Carol, or skate down to Disney on Ice. Here are our top picks of the week....

The Malt Cross unveil their Christmas events, menu and offers

The much-loved Christmas celebrations return to Nottingham's historic Malt Cross this December, bringing festive cheer, delicious food, and live music to the heart of Nottingham once again...

Derek Jacobi, dark storytelling, beautiful photography, music, theatre and more: Here's what's on this week: 29 September - 5 October

The nights are rolling in, so time to book in some cosy evenings of storytelling or indulge in some beautiful photography. Here's what's on in Notts this week...