New to Uni in Nottingham? Here’s How to Find the Best Local Events, Deals & Things to Do - Your student-friendly guide to exploring Nottingham and making the most of your new city

Welcome to Nottingham! Whether you’re starting at the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent, or another nearby college, one thing’s for sure—this city has loads going on. From independent cafés to late-night comedy, vintage markets to art exhibitions, there’s always something happening in Nottinghamshire.

But with so much out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out what’s worth your time (and money)—especially when you’re new to the area.

Here’s your go-to guide for discovering the best local events, student-friendly deals, and hidden gems in Nottinghamshire.

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1. Use What’s Local to Discover Events, Offers & More

Forget scrolling endlessly through Facebook events or dodgy flyer boards in your halls. What’s Local is a free, student-friendly event discovery app that shows you what’s happening near you.

🎉 Find:

• Live music and student nights

• Food and drink deals

• Local markets and fairs

• Free workshops and creative classes

• One-off events around the city and county

Just search by location, keyword, category or date—perfect when you’re bored on a Tuesday and wondering what’s on in Nottingham!

💡 Pro tip: Turn on notifications or check the app weekly—new listings are added all the time, including last-minute events and flash deals.

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2. Explore Local Markets and Indie Shops

Nottingham has a strong independent scene. When you need a break from lectures or want to explore beyond the high street chains, check out:

• Sneinton Market (great for art, food and vintage finds)

• Hockley – the city’s coolest quarter full of thrift shops, bookshops and record stores

• Makers’ Markets popping up around West Bridgford, Beeston and beyond

These events are often listed on What’s Local and are a great way to discover your new community, grab affordable gifts, or just get some Insta-worthy pics.

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3. Find Student Deals Beyond the Campus Bubble

Sure, student unions have offers—but local businesses love students too. From barbers and beauty salons to cafés and clubs, many Nottingham businesses run student-only discounts or promotions.

👀 Look out for:

• Happy hour offers

• Discounted entry to events with student ID

• Flash sales on What’s Local listed as “student-friendly”

💸 Even £1 off your daily coffee adds up!

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4. Get Involved in Local Events, Not Just Uni Societies

Uni clubs and societies are great—but don’t forget to look outside campus too. You’ll find:

• Local open mic nights if you’re a performer

• Community volunteer projects

• Art nights and pub quizzes

• Networking events and career fairs

These are all amazing for meeting people beyond your course, building your CV, or just escaping the uni bubble when you need it.

✅ Most of these are open to the public and listed on What’s Local.

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5. Follow Local Creators & Event Pages on Social Media

To stay in the loop, follow Nottingham-based accounts that post about gigs, pop-ups and hidden gems. Some to check out:

• @whatslocal.uk (for the latest event listings and deals)

• @visitnottinghamshire

• Local café, venue or shop pages you visit often

📲 Bonus tip: Save events you’re interested in and set reminders—especially for one-off events that book up fast!

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Final Thoughts

Starting uni in a new city is exciting—and Nottingham is packed with places to go, people to meet and memories to make. You don’t need to spend loads to enjoy it either.

Your secret weapon? What’s Local – the easiest way to find cool things to do in Nottingham, whether you’re into music, markets, chill hangouts, or creative workshops.

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New here? Start exploring today.

🎉 Download What’s Local App and find out what’s on in Nottinghamshire this week.