Events & what's on
Whether you love fun festivals or historic buildings, wildlife or theatre, you’ll find a whole host of things to do in Newark and Sherwood.
Check out our Live and Local page for links to their programme of art events in your community.
Visit our arts directory for information on local music groups or try our clubs and group for more ways to get out and about and do the things you love.
Find out more about year round attractions as well as the latest on events in our towns and villages on our tourism websites.
Annual events and festivals
Big Draw festival
Drawing can change lives! Enjoy free arts events around the district as part of this national festival of drawing. Find out more about The Big Draw on their website.
Big Fake festival
The amazing three-day annual finale of the UK’s nationwide Fake Festival - bringing together amazing ‘fake’ tribute bands from the Killers and Queen to Pink and the Police. Find out more about the Big Fake Festival.
Bramley apple festival
Celebrating the district's famous cooking apple. A festival suitable for the serious foodie as well as the casual passer-by. Every year, people gather in the picturesque town of Southwell where the Bramley apple was first propagated more than 200 years ago. Find out more about the Bramley apple festival on the Visit Nottinghamshire website.
East Midlands chilli and beer festival
A weekend festival for families at Orchard Farm in Rolleston. Enjoy live music, artisan beers and street food, children's entertainment, stalls, crafts and the inevitable chilli eating competition. Find out more on the Chilli festival Facebook page.
Farnstock
Family-friendly day vibes and a proper grown up festival vibe in the evening. This music festival held at St Michael’s School in Farnsfield celebrates the very best of local talent. You’ll find a wealth of activities to keep you entertained and an array of local food and drink to keep you energised. Find out more on the Farnstock Facebook page.
Festival of food and drink
TV Chefs, world cuisine, gin school and cookery school are just some of the attractions at this annual foodie gathering in Thoresby Park. Feed your soul - and your belly - at this vibrant celebration of food and drink. Find out more on the Festival of food and drink website.
Flower Festival and concert
Enjoy the Church enveloped in stunning floral displays. Bring the children to win a prize when all the hidden mice are found. Guests will be guided around the church by a path of local of foliage and flowers…enjoy a garden built around the font (complete with a “waterfall” of flowers!). Local florists, flower clubs and businesses are all taking part in this community event. Find out more on St Mary Magdalene Church's website.
Gate to Southwell music festival
Four days of festival fun and an eclectic line-up of folksy, rootsy and acoustic music from the UK and further afield. Find out more on the Gate to Southwell music festival website.
Lowdham Book festival
Organised by the bookcase bookshop the Lowdham book festival has been operating for over 20 years. Each year it welcomes well-known authors to the village, offering talks, workshops, walks and more to all those who love books. Find out more about Lowdham book festival on their website.
Newark Book Festival
Newark Book Festival celebrates and showcases the world of books through an exciting, engaging programme from author events to panels, crime fiction, contemporary, literary fiction and a children’s programme. Find out more on the Newark Book Festival website.
Open Studios Notts
Artists are invited to take part in events where they meet the public, talk about their work and wherever possible demonstrate or illustrate their working practice. Find more details on the Open Studios Notts website.
Southwell music festival
Exquisite chamber, choral and orchestral music over August Bank Holiday in the Minster and beyond. Visit the Southwell music festival website for the latest information about how you can get involved.
Events for older people
From cafes for carers to singing groups, there’s lots going on to keep you active and young at heart. Older people's day takes place every year on 1 October, celebrating older people who change lives, making our district a better place to live.
Equipment for hire
If you’re organising an event, we can help you get your event up and running by offering hire of chairs, tables, benches, barriers etc. E-mail arts@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk for further information
Outdoor Staging Company can provide staging (a towable stage), along with sound, lighting, power and audio visual items for outdoor events.