What's hot in Notts: June

With the promise of sunshine, and just over a month away to the school holidays, Nottinghamshire invites you to warm up for summer. June boasts the start of festival season, with musical performances and inspiring theatre played out across the county. Look out for great sporting events too! Here is our roundup of the best June events across city and county. Top Event Nottingham is honored to be hosting this year's Armed Forces Day National Event on 29 June, as part of Armed Forces Weekend 2013. Spectators can expect to enjoy a spectacular parade of personnel from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. You'll also discover military bands and veterans, a special Drumhead Service, interactive exhibitions and live entertainment! There will also be a special football match to commemorate Armed Forces Day, with well known ex-professionals playing against members of the armed forces, at Hucknall Town Football Club on Friday 27 June. Art Art lovers are in for a treat throughout June.  Patchings Art Centre will host their highly regarded annual Art & Craft Festival, which is celebrating twenty years this year. Over 200 artists will be taking part, with a special contribution from landscape photographer, Charlie Waite. The Earth and  Fire International Ceramics Fair will be held on 21-23 June at Rufford Abbey Country Park. This year, the event will see over 100 potters from across the UK and Europe selling a variety of ceramics from crockery to planters. Meet the artists, enjoy the demonstrations and workshops, and take something special home too. Visit the Harley Gallery, Welbeck in June for a brand new exhibition which unveils the treasures of the 2nd Earl of Oxford. Edward Harley: The Great Collector, takes a look at the Earl's opulent life through a selection of art, decorative crafts and books. Music festivals and performances will begin to fill the air in June, kicking off with The Gate to Southwell Folk Festival between 6-9 June in the picturesque town of Southwell. Enjoy internationally-renowned folk artists and dance displays set across three stages, alongside a Real Ale & Cider Festival, and stalls! If you're more into swing, The Rat Pack star at Nottingham Racecourse on June 15 as part of a Vegas Spectacular. [Tickets for this event can be purchased direct from Nottingham Tourism Centre on 08444 77 5678] You'll also find music deep in the forest as Blondie bring their fabulous 80s anthems to Sherwood Pines on 14 June. Limited tickets available from the Forest Live website.  Inspiring outdoor theatre performances will be set against stunning backdrops of Nottinghamshire's historic attractions. See Shakespeare's classic tale, A Midsummer Night's Dream at Nottingham Castle, or for star-crossed lovers, see Romeo & Juliet at Holme Pierrepont Hall [Tickets can be purchased for this event direct from Nottingham Tourism Centre on 08444 77 5678]. Sports Sports-mad spectators are in for a treat throughout June as the sporting calendar is filled with a variety of events from cricket to dragon boat racing. Already underway is the Nottingham Festival of Tennis Aegon Trophy and Aegon Challenge. Running until 9 June, this event is key preperation for some players as they approach Wimbledon. Tomorrow sees England take on New Zealand in the third Nat West One Day International at Trent Bridge. Why not head to the ground during the warm summer days and see Notts play first class cricket in a County Championship match? Cyclists will love the Experian Cycle Live event on 21-23 June. Starting with a grand prix event on Friday 21 June and including the hugely successful Great Notts Bike Ride on Sunday 23 June, this is a must for cycling enthusiasts and novices alike.   ...And finally, don't forget Father's Day on Sunday 16 June. Treat your hard-working father with a day out in Nottinghamshire. Try a trip to see the Vintage Motorbike Rally at D.H. Lawrence Heritage Centre, or enjoy a three course lunch at Tom Brown's Brasserie For even more events this month, visit our dedicated page www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/whats-on. We'd love to hear your plans for summer, send us your itineraries via our Facebook and Twitter pages. Please note that activities and dates are  subject to change. Advanced booking is recommended as activities and events can sell-out quickly. For more information, please contact the venue/s directly.