Newark to ignite imaginations during Festival of Creativity

Taking place at various venues across Newark town centre on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October, it’s a chance to try a variety of dance skills, experience arts and crafts, watch creative theatre shows, explore various model making classes and take a tour at the fascinating School of Violin Making and the Air and Space Institute.

This is just one of the numerous exciting events held in the bustling town of Newark, which has been a hub for various activities throughout the year. With events located in the heart of this charming town, it also features a diverse selection of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants perfect to make your festival visit into a family day out or even weekend away.

Over the Festival of Creativity weekend, there’ll be plenty of FREE activities to see and interact with, from dance sessions covering a whole variety of styles at the National Civil War Centre, to gaming and model-making at Access Models, colouring at Newark Art Gallery, traditional crafts and a fabulously fun show from Rhubarb Theatre at Newark Library, the chance to explore Newark Heritage Barge, crafts, shows and music with Inspire at the Buttermarket, and a Play Zone with circus workshops in Newark Market Place on Sunday.

Newark’s Festival of Creativity, in association with the national Fun Palace celebration, is organised by Newark Creates which has been curating free arts and heritage events and activities across Newark since it was established in 2021. This year, the programme has been supported by Newark Town Board’s Newark Heart project, alongside UKSPF funding, creating opportunities for more activities within these well-established events than ever before!

Every Festival of Creativity event is FREE to enjoy throughout the weekend and within easy walking distance of the charming town centre.

Newark is convenient to reach too, located right next to the A1 and A46, with excellent train connections on both the London North Eastern Railway and East Midlands Railway lines.

There’s even more happening in November with ‘A Likely Story’ – a first of its kind for Newark town centre. Witness fictional characters Harriet and friends take a historical escapade through the history of Newark, where stories lie around every corner. This original outdoor projected animation will illuminate the facade of Newark Town Hall with an enchanting adventure film for all ages.

There’s no need to pre-book, simply wrap up warm and visit Newark Market Place to secure your viewing spot on Friday 1 November any time after 5.30pm. This wonderful animation will run in intervals every 30 minutes until 9pm.

Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We know that events make a big difference to the town, and we are committed to doing all we can to encourage people to visit our town centres across Newark and Sherwood.

“In the summer we supported a host of events in the town centre which encouraged more people to visit Newark. The BookBench Trail, Cloudscapes, Plastic Ocean Show, the return of Newark-on-Sea and Newark Festival have all created a hub of excitement right in the town centre and there aren’t many other market towns similar to our size in our area who offer this.

“I really believe that Newark town centre is fantastic, and we offer so much with a rich selection of independent shops and cafes run by passionate local people.  The events that Newark Creates put on add so much vibrancy and really add to the atmosphere of the town. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the programme build on an already busy schedule of quality activities attracting more people to Newark.”

Newark Creates is supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, alongside the new funding from the Newark Towns Fund project Newark Heart, and is led by Newark’s Cultural Consortium, which is made up of several local organisations including Inspire, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Newark Civic Trust, Newark Heritage Forum, Newark Book Festival, Newark Town Council, and Newark College.

Carol Newman, Director of Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, the lead partner in the consortium, said: “This has been a real team effort in putting this event together, working with a wide range of fantastic local partners and groups to host activities and events.

“Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill or excited to watch a fun and interactive show, the festival has it all! 

“This new funding from Newark Heart, along with that from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, has enabled us to let our imaginations go even wilder with what can be done for Newark. Already in the summer we were able to hold a whole host of events in the town and we hope to continue running more throughout the year."

Louise Casey-Simpson, Chair of the Newark Towns Fund, said: “Events play a huge part in bringing people to the town centre. By linking Newark Heart in with Newark Creates we’ve been able to host more events in the town than ever before. We’ve had a really busy summer and we’re excited to continue into winter!”

To find out more about Newark Creates and upcoming events, as well as the full schedule for the Festival of Creativity, follow Newark Creates on Facebook or visit www.newarkcreates.co.uk.