24 unmissable Nottingham events and shows taking the city by storm this year

There’s no denying that January can be a tough month to get through. 

With limited daylight hours and cold weather, it can be hard to find motivation to leave the house and enjoy other things. 

An easy way to boost our levels of positivity is to plan things that we can then look forward to. 

Read more: What's On in Nottingham?

You don’t need a week-long Mediterranean cruise booked to find the strength to get through the cold winter months (although that would certainly help!). 

There are plenty of great events happening in Nottingham this year and even if you were to choose one a month to get involved with, that added bit of structure can help winter pass a little bit easier. 

We’ve done some digging and picked out 24 fun things happening in Nottingham this year. 

January

1. Jesus Christ Superstar at the Theatre Royal (January 9 - 13): The award-winning musical is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas..

2. The Ghosting of Rabbie Burns at Nottingham Arts Theatre (January 20): A hilarious play combining culture and comedy imagines what would happen if the Scottish Bard (Robert Burns) came back to haunt a modern woman. 

February

3. Saving Grace: Size Matters at the Theatre Royal (Feb 4): Join TikTok star Grace Keeling (GK Barry) as her chart-topping podcast returns to the stage.

4. Rick Astley at the Motorpoint Arena (February 22): Are you ready to be rickrolled? The 1980s legend will perform his greatest hits in Nottingham next month. 

March

5. Ross Noble at the Theatre Royal (March 7): The Jibber Jabber Jamboree marks Ross Noble’s 21st solo stand-up tour. Expect laughs (and a lot of nonsense!)

6. James Arthur at the Motorpoint Arena (March 19): The X Factor winner James Arthur will be performing hits such as Say You Won’t Let Go and Car’s Outside at the Motorpoint Arena on March 19. 

April

7. UB40 at the Motorpoint Arena (April 16): Enjoy some of your favourite reggae hits with a glass of Red, Red Wine.

8. Paddington with Live Orchestra at the Theatre Royal (April 4): Enjoy watching the award-winning 2014 film on a giant HD screen, accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra playing Nick Urata’s calypso-infused score live.

May

9. Take That reunion tour at the City Ground (May 24): Enjoy some of your favourite Take That anthems including Shine, Rule the World, Back for Good and Relight My Fire.

10. Steaming Sunday at Nottingham Industrial Museum (May 26): On the last Sunday of each month the Nottingham Industrial Museum's hardy crew of volunteers stoke the engines and bring their magnificent working exhibits to life.

June

11. Sausage and Cider Festival (June 1): The Sausage & Cider Festival returns to Nottingham for a spectacular day of festival fun, including tribute acts to Sam Fender, Elton John and The Killers. 

12. Castle Rock Yard Party (June 7-8): The Castle Rock Yard party is an annual two-day beer, music, and food festival, hosted in Castle Rock's brewery yard and adjoining brewery tap, the Vat and Fiddle. Expect an insane line-up of beers from near and far, some of the best street food Notts has to offer, and a killer line-up of music to keep you dancing all day!

July

13. Robin Hood Town Tour (July 6 and July 20): This is your chance to see the sights, hear the stories and explore this cultural capital with Robin Hood as your tour guide to Nottingham.

14. Sarah Millican: Late Bloomer at Royal Concert Hall (July 18-20): In Late Bloomer, Sarah's brand-new stand-up show, she tells hilarious stories of her adolescence.

August

15. Arboretum Beer Festival (August 24): The Arboretum Beer Festival is coming back for a fourth year, bringing the warm and fuzzy summer vibes to Nottingham’s historic green heart.

16. Gloworm Festival at Holme Pierrepont Country Park (August 16-18):  The Gloworm Festival is a brilliant three-day day event that has been especially created for grown ups and their little people.

September

17. Food and Drink Festival (September 21-22): Indulge in local and international cuisine at the two-day festival with over 150 traders.

18. Pretty Woman: The Musical at the Theatre Royal (September 2-7): It's going to be big, HUGE! Fall in love with this iconic movie all over again as it takes to the stage.

October

19. Robin Hood Day (October 29): Celebrate Nottingham’s famous outlaw Robin Hood, with a day dedicated to him! You can find out how here. 

20. Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Oak Lane farm in Southwell (dates TBC): Set in the rolling Nottinghamshire countryside a few miles north of Nottingham, this family-run 'Pick Your Own' has 1000's of pumpkins and squashes for you to choose from in October. 

November

21. Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime at the Nottingham Playhouse (November 29-January 25): Nottingham Playhouse's legendary panto is back for 2024, with a giant of a story in Jack & the Beanstalk.

22. Rhod Gilbert at the Royal Concert Hall (November 29): The Would I Lie To You? legend is returning to Nottingham on his latest stand-up tour

December 

23. Peter Pan at the Theatre Royal (December 7-January 12): Join Peter Pan and the characters you know and love next Christmas in this high-flying swashbuckling adventure.

24. Nottingham Winter Wonderland (November 7-December 31): Nottingham’s premier Christmas entertainment attraction will once again include the Ice Rink and Sky Skate ice path, plus the popular Ice Bar, Sur La Piste and Altitude ski bars.