Visiting Nottinghamshire? Here’s How to Find Things to Do (Without Getting Lost in Google Searches)

Download the What's Local App and start exploring the live events on the map.

From weekend breaks to day trips—discover local events, hidden gems, and family-friendly activities with ease

If you’re visiting Nottinghamshire—whether for a weekend break, a family day out, or while staying with friends—you might find yourself asking the same question:

“What is there to do around here today?”

And while Google can help, it often sends you in circles—outdated websites, confusing results, or missing all the smaller, local gems that don’t show up unless you already know what you’re looking for.

That’s where this guide comes in. Whether you’re in Nottingham, Newark, Mansfield, Worksop, or anywhere in between, here’s how to easily find what’s happening nearby—and make the most of your visit.

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1. Use What’s Local to Instantly See What’s On Nearby

If you only do one thing before your trip—download What’s Local. It’s a free event discovery platform designed specifically for Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas.

📍 Browse by:

• Location – great if you’re staying in a specific town or village

• Date – handy if you’re planning your weekend on the go

• Category – find events for families, foodies, live music lovers, or art fans

• Keyword – search things like “craft fair,” “open garden,” or “street food”

💡 You’ll find everything from community festivals to outdoor cinema, kids’ workshops, live music, and local markets—all in one place.

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2. Don’t Miss the Local Markets and Seasonal Events

Some of the best things to do in Nottinghamshire aren’t on big tourism sites—they’re hosted by local businesses, councils, or communities.

🎪 Look out for:

• Farmers markets in West Bridgford, Retford, or Southwell

• Artisan fairs and craft events in village halls and parks

• Seasonal pop-ups like Pumpkin Patches, Christmas Light Trails, or Easter Egg Hunts

Most of these are listed on What’s Local, and many are free or very affordable.

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3. Find Family-Friendly Events Without the Hassle

Travelling with kids? You need options that are fun, flexible, and nearby.

Instead of trawling through blogs from five years ago, head to What’s Local and filter by “Family-Friendly” or “Kids’ Activities”. You’ll see everything from:

• Free storytime at local libraries

• Weekend animal encounters or nature walks

• Family theatre shows and workshops

• Play cafés and pop-up sensory experiences

🚸 Tip: Events are updated regularly, so you can even check what’s happening today or tomorrow without missing out.

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4. Try Something You Didn’t Plan For

Part of the fun of visiting a new area is stumbling across something unexpected. That’s hard to do when your itinerary is built around big-name attractions only.

✨ What’s Local makes it easy to explore:

• Art exhibitions in independent galleries

• Pop-up food events or tastings

• Local charity fundraisers with live music and food stalls

• Guided history walks or ghost tours

Many of these won’t be promoted widely—but they’re exactly the kind of events that make a trip memorable.

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5. Support Local Businesses While You’re Here

Tourist traps are overrated. Nottinghamshire is full of independent cafés, quirky shops, small music venues, and hidden gems—many of which post their latest offers or in-store events on What’s Local.

💷 Look out for:

• 2-for-1 drinks offers

• Local tasting evenings

• Flash sales or art workshops

• Live music nights in pubs or cafés

Not only do you get a more authentic experience, but you’re also supporting the businesses that make Nottinghamshire unique.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re here for a weekend, a short stay, or just passing through, finding things to do in Nottinghamshire shouldn’t be hard. Avoid the endless Google rabbit hole and get straight to the good stuff with What’s Local.

It’s easy to use, constantly updated, and packed with events and activities for every interest, age, and budget.

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👉 Ready to explore?

Check What’s Local App now and discover what’s on in Nottinghamshire today, tomorrow, or this weekend.