Year after year, Nottingham's festivals, fairs and shows provide enjoyment for all ages. Good clean family fun guaranteed! 

Don't miss...

Nottingham Mela
Old Market Square, Nottingham, 27 July
- the Nottingham Mela, annual celebration of Asian culture, has a new home this year in Old Market Square. Come along and experience live music, dancing, arts and food galore. The Mela offers a perfect opportunity to experience Nottingham’s up-and-coming artists performing and exhibiting their talents. Like previous years, you're promised an unforgettable Mela. 12 noon - 6pm, free admission. www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whatson

Robin Hood Festival
Sherwood Forest Country Park, 28 July - 3 August
- celebrate the legend of Robin Hood with jesters, jousters, strolling musicians, open air theatre and more all in the setting of Sherwood Forest

Nottingham Children’s Festival
Various Nottingham venues, 1 - 17 August
- Nottingham’s first ever children’s festival kicks off at the Riverside Festival (1 - 3 August). Families with children aged 5 to 12 can come along and join in with a host of activities on the theme of ‘Myths and Legends’. Whether your children love music, dance, art, theatre or sport - there’s something for everyone. Activities include: fancy dress picnic at Wollaton Park, Horrible Histories at the Theatre Royal, summer schools at Lakeside Arts Centre, children’s cinema at Broadway....in addition to events and workshops at Nottingham City Council leisure centres, libraries and museums. www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whatson

Nottingham Caribbean Carnival
Forest Recreation Ground, 9 - 10 August
- 12noon – 9.30 pm, free admission. Experience a spectacular and fun packed weekend with fun for families and the whole community to enjoy. Art and craft activities, face painting, bouncy castles and fairground rides will be available alongside exotic cuisines from around the world. Add Nottingham's Caribbean Carnival to your diary so you don't miss the fun and the vibrant and pulsating troops parading through the streets of Nottingham. www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whatson

Gedling Play Day (free event)
Arnot Hill Park, Arnold, 13 August, 1pm - 4pm
- organised and part-funded by Notts CC in conjunction with Gedling Play Forum and Gedling Borough Council. There will be dance displays, drumming workshops, advice on playing safe, healthy eating and lots of new games and activities to try out, in fact something for all ages and abilities. It is a chance for the under 14s to express themselves through play in a safe and secure environment. More info...

Ashfield Show
Kirkby-in-Ashfield, August

Gedling Show (free event)
Richard Herrod Playing Fields, Foxhill Road, Carlton, Nottingham, 30 - 31 August
Saturday 12.00pm – 6.00pm   Sunday 11.00am – 6.00pm
- family fun with the borough’s largest horticultural show and classic car and motorbike show taking pride of place over the weekend. Central arena entertainment, The Battle of Britain Memorial Spitfire flypast is also scheduled, along with a fun dog show, street entertainers, sideshows, childrens’ fun fair, craft and charity stalls. Entertainment for all the family. More info...

CAMRA Robin Hood Beer Festival
Nottingham Castle, 9 - 12 October
- the Nottingham Beer Festival previously held at Victoria Leisure Centre has moved to the Castle grounds to give visitors a chance to sample some of the many real ales on offer. Fine foods and entertainment also available. Details to be confirmed at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whatson

Newark Food and Drink Festival
Newark, September

Dragon Boat Charity Challenge 7 September
- River Trent - Notts Royal Society For The Blind 2008 event - 0115 9706806 or vickis@nrsb.org.uk

Sherwood Pines Sponsored Cycle 28 September 
- Sherwood Pines - Notts Royal Society For The Blind 2008 event - 0115 9706806 or vickis@nrsb.org.uk

Nottingham Goose Fair
Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham, 1 - 4 October
- with more than 700 years of history, Nottingham Goose Fair is one of Europe's most famous travelling fairs, and is still a fantastic event to delight all ages. Over 500 attractions await fair-goers, from the latest white knuckle experiences, family rides and favourites including waltzers, carousels and Hook-a-Duck. Come along and experience the dazzling array of sights and sounds, and tuck into mushy peas and mint sauce or food from around the world. Admission to the ground is free - see www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/goosefair

Robin Hood Pageant
Nottingham Castle, 25 - 26 October
The Castle Green comes alive for this popular event - see artisans at work, jesters, minstrels, story tellers, outlaws and of course the Sheriff. www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whatson

GameCity
Venues across Nottingham, 29 October - 2 November
- a unique annual festival celebrating the culture of videogames and interactive entertainment

Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show
Newark Showground, November

Sponsored Firewalk @ Nottingham Castle 5 November
Nottingham Castle - 0115 9706806 - Notts Royal Society For The Blind 2008 event - 0115 9706806 or vickis@nrsb.org.uk

Byron's Winter Walk 23 November 
Newstead Abbey - Notts Royal Society For The Blind 2008 event - 0115 9706806 or vickis@nrsb.org.uk

Abseil Challenge 12 October 
Rushcliffe Civic Centre, Trent Bridge - Notts Royal Society For The Blind 2008 event - 0115 9706806 or vickis@nrsb.org.uk

Cultural event highlights each year include:

• Nottingham 'One World, One City' Festival in May and City Pulse music event (spring bank holiday May)
• the Nottingham Caribbean Carnival, which returned after a year's absence in July 2007
• lots of exciting events organised by the Nottingham Asian Arts Council in around Nottingham. Email Bhavesh Jani for further details

Towards the end of the year the city centre is awash with light and colour for Diwali and Christmas, with the sights, sounds and smell of the traditional German Christmas Market and craft markets.

Other dates for the diary can be found on our What's on listing. To find out more about city and countywide events, contact Nottingham tourism centre on 08444 77 5678. And to be one of the first to know about Notts’ events and special offers, click here and join our quarterly email subscribers list.