The Best Summer Events in Nottingham

Looking for the ultimate guide to summer activities in Nottinghamshire?

Download What's Local App to explore live events on the map.

Here’s everything busy parents need to know to plan a jam-packed, joyful holiday season for their little ones!

⸻

🌳 1. Outdoor Adventures & Forest Fun

• Sherwood Pines Forest Park offers orienteering, bushcraft, segways, mountain biking, tree‑climbing, a children’s adventure trail and ranger‑led activities — all amid 3,300 acres of gorgeous woodland. Perfect for active kids and explorers of all ages  .

• Colwick Country Park is perfect for lakeside adventures—canoeing, sailing, open water swimming, plus playgrounds, parkrun, cycle paths, geocaching and ranger crafts .

⸻

🌊 2. Water & Theme Park Action

• Wheelgate Park is a thrill-packed family day out. Enjoy indoor plays, water slides, spray zones, climbing towers, a wooden adventure playground and even farm animals. Tickets start from £10.56 .

• Sundown Adventureland, tailored for under‑10s, features over 30 rides—including pirate boats, Rocky Mountain Railroad and daily Summer fun with dancing characters. Plus, return visits after 2 Sept cost just £10 .

⸻

🧭 3. Creative Trails & Festivals

• Gloworm Festival at Holme Pierrepont Country Park (8–10 Aug) is a family-lover’s wonderland of music, interactive play and creative workshops in a relaxed festival atmosphere .

• Gruffalo Orienteering in Sherwood Pines (6 Jul–31 Aug) invites families to find woodland markers and enjoy a nature-based treasure trail .

• Castles and stately homes, like Wollaton Hall (Superbeasts trail) and Nottingham Castle (Little Rebels trail & outdoor theatre of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”), are offering budget-friendly storytelling trails and performances from the end of July .

⸻

🎭 4. Arts, Culture & Indoor Exploration

• Nottingham Contemporary hosts drop‑in family art workshops (“Sounds Around” and “Cattywampus!”) every Tue–Thu 10–12 & 13–15 between 29 Jul–21 Aug—perfect for hands‑on creativity .

• Nottingham City Libraries run interactive shows for ages 1–7, like “Bake, Rattle and Roll!” featuring live music and magic on 30 Jul, across local branches .

• The National Ice Centre offers summer skating sessions and on-ice tasters—under-5s skate free during public sessions .

• For drama enthusiasts, Nottingham Arts Theatre leads “Play in a Week” performance workshops—ideal for building confidence and creativity during the holidays .

⸻

🍔 5. Holiday Clubs & Food Support

• HAF (Holiday Activities & Food) programme provides free activities and meals to children on free school meals. Open to ages 5–16 across Nottinghamshire during summer holidays .

• The Mill Adventure Base Holiday Club (King’s Mill Reservoir, Sutton in Ashfield) runs daily from 5–30 Aug for ages 7–13 (£32/day or £160/week), including canoeing, zip‑wire, climbing and more .

⸻

🎬 6. Free & Low-Cost Gems

• Nottingham Beach in Old Market Square (16 Jul–31 Aug) brings sand, paddling, rides and cinema nights to the city, with free entry; rides are ticketed .

• Summer in the Streets, Mansfield’s June–Aug festival, offers public workshops, fairground rides and craft events around town .

• Statutory sites like Newstead Abbey, Wollaton Hall, libraries and city museums regularly host summer trails, outdoor theatre, giant lawn games and crafts—many with free or low-cost entry .

⸻

💡 Budget Tips for Summer Success

• Plan “theme days” (like Movie Marathon Mondays or Water‑play Wednesdays) to structure the week, as shared by UK parents .

• Use resources like Blue Peter badges, HAF clubs and free library events to save money .

• Consider local annual passes (e.g. National Trust, forestry sites): even if £30–£50, they pay off over multiple visits .

⸻

✅ Mix & Match Your Summer Itinerary

Day Type Options

Action & water fun Wheelgate Park; Sherwood Pines Adventure

Creative & calm Nottingham Contemporary; library shows

Festival & trails Gloworm, Gruffalo Orienteering

Chill & community Nottingham Beach; Mansfield Summer in the Streets

Active club day Mill Adventure Base; HAF programmes

⸻

Final Thoughts

This summer, Nottinghamshire transforms into a playground—filled with woodland adventures, creative arts, free festivals, hands-on workshops and water-fun galore. Whether you’re chasing thrills or seeking budget-friendly charm, there’s something special waiting down every dusty trail, booming splash zone, or library corner. Have a brilliant, adventurous holiday!