8 Unmissable Events In Nottingham For 2023
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Nottingham is a wonderful city, full to the brim with culture and art, sport, and music, always something going on for students and locals alike.
In fact, you’ll find there are loads of things to do in Nottinghamshire as a county in 2023.
These events make it a super fun place to be as a student, you won’t want to miss them
We couldn’t possibly fill you in on everything that is going on in Nottingham this year because there is so much to see and do, big touring events, local culture that makes the most of some incredible venues.
But we will give you a snapshot into some of the best events in Nottingham, check them out below!
1. Em-Con
The East Midlands biggest popular culture event Em-Con promises to be one of the biggest yet, drawing in visitors and guests from around the world.
This year’s guests include Mandip Gill, Franz Drameh, Katy O’Brian, Julian Glover, David Bradley and Mat Horne to name a few.
The Motorpoint will be packed full of cosplayers, traders, exciting props from the world of TV and film, celebrities, and attractions.
If you’re into your TV and film it is certainly one you won’t want to miss.
Tickets range from £18.45 to £48.20.
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When: 10th & 11th June
Where: Motorpoint Arena
2. Splendour Festival
Live music at its best, Splendour Festival is returning to Wollaton Hall and Deer Park for it’s 15th year.
This city loves live music and the Splendour Festival this year hosts ‘Our House’ legends Madness, as well as Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Rudimental, The Kooks, Sugababes and The Coral to name a few.
Sam Ryder is another headliner on the lineup, his joyous live shows get the entire crowd bouncing and will be a sight to see, definitely one of the highlights of the year for music in Nottingham.
With more than 40 acts of varying genres spread across 5 stages, this festival is sure to bring everyone together to party this July!
It’s not just music which is the focus here, there’s also comedy shows, a funfair, silent disco, independent market stalls as well as a variety of food and drink.
If you’re yet to get your tickets yet,what’re you waiting for?!
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When: 21 Jul –23 Jul
Where: Wollaton Hall and Deer Parks
3. The Open Nottingham
When the tennis season starts, the dusty rackets come out and it’s time to get your strawberries and cream addiction started. Ahh there’s nothing better – Summer starts here!
The Open, Nottingham, brings some of the best tennis players around, battling it out for supremacy on the grass court and putting in the hard work before Wimbledon comes around a few weeks later.
Previous winners in Nottingham include Nick Kyrgios, Johanna Konta, Dan Evans, and Ash Barty, which should give you a flavour of the standard you can expect to serve up aces and plenty of love on court!
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When: 12-18th June
Where: Nottingham Tennis Centre
4. Detonate Festival
When it comes to events in Nottingham, Detonate Festival is certainly not one to pass up on.
Taking place amongst the woodland, lakes and clearings of Colwick Park on Saturday 10th June, this underground music festival will be playing hosts to big DJs like Chase & Status, Shy FX, Sub Focus & Dimension, Bou, Mall Grab and more.
With 7 stages, global street food, a lakeside VIP area, cocktail bars, fireworks and boat parties, who wouldn’t want to join the rave?
If you want to go, tickets are 75% sold out at the moment, so make sure to grab yours fast!
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When: 10th June
Where: Colwick Park
5. Gin and Rum Festival
Who doesn’t love a glass of gin or rum? Actually, who doesn’t love a few as pre-drinks in your student flat or out on a night out?
Both gin and rum have exploded in the last few years, with lots of different types to try and the Gin and Rum Festival in August promises to showcase the very best in both tipples.
Even better, this year they’re adding tequila to the list!
Make your way round the festival to sample the 120 gins and rums, or the 20 tequilas.
As part of the ticket price (£15) you’ll get a festival glass and reusable straw, a guide to take you through the festival, meet and greet the gin and rum makers and live music.
It’s a proper fun day out drinking.
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When: 5th August
Where: NTU Events and Conferencing
6. Luna Cinema’s Open-Air Season
If you love cinema and have always wanted to sit outside with a jaw-dropping backdrop to one of your favourite films, the number one open-air cinema in the UK is hitting Nottingham this summer.
There is nothing better than classic cinema under the stars, and Wollaton Hall is a stunning place to watch The Dark Knight Rises, Top Gun: Maverick, Pretty Woman and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical.
There is a full bar, delicious food, and comfortable seating, including two-person deckchairs that let you snuggle up on date night.
A summer under the stars watching movies? Yes please!
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When: 24th-27th August
Where: Wollaton Hall & Deer Park.
7. Magic Of Thailand
Forget about going travelling around Thailand this summer, if you’re studying in Notts you can save your money and head to the Magic Of Thailand festival.
Established back in 2012, this two day festival gives you a glimpse into Thai culture with street food, arts and crafts, traditional dances, boxing, massages and so much more on offer.
Within the grounds of Forest Recreation Ground you can experience a weekend of wonder on the 24th and 25th of June, and it’s only £5 per day!
Why not experience something different and see what it’s like?
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When: 24-25th June
Where: Forest Recreation Ground
8. Groovebox Festival
To conclude our list of the best events in Nottingham for 2023 is Groovebox Festival.
Nottingham Racecourse will be the backdrop of this funky festival on Saturday 27th May.
What can you expect? There’s 60 international dance music artists across multiple stages.
Some of the hug names on the line-up include Sigma, Richy Ahmed, Macky Gee, SOSA, and Roger Sanchez.
It’s not all just grooving though, there’s also a VIP arena, fairground rides as well as an entertainment and food village!
Get your buzz on by purchasing your ticket.
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When: 27th May
Where: Nottingham Racecourse
As you can see, 2023 is another big year in the city with loads of unmissable events taking place in Nottingham.
You and your friends can go and see some live music, watch classic movies under the stars, try some magnificent street food, or experience the latest tennis stars on the court.
Thankfully, we offer amazing student accommodation in Nottingham, which will leave you within easy reach of the events we’ve talked about here.
Read next: Best Bars You Should Go To As A Student In Nottingham.
