What's On and Things to do Early May Bank Holiday weekend in Nottinghamshire

May is one of our favourite months to explore Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. With the sunny spring weather, flowers blossoming everywhere, a three bank holidays to enjoy it's a glorious month and we love every second of it!

There's also plenty of fun things to do over the first May bank holiday weekend in Nottinghamshire, running from Friday 3rd – Monday 6th May 2024. Including a quest through Nottingham City Centre and a Victorian Theme Weekend, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Keep reading to see our top picks of things to do to, which we’ve rounded up to make sure you're out there making the most of it.

Browse our What’s On calendar for tons more events, check out our Things To Do section for Nottingham's top attractions, and remember we also have some suggested itineraries to help you see and do as much as possible. For the budget conscious, we also have suggestions for a Free Day Out and Ten things to do for under £10.

And while you’re out and about, don’t forget - if you are out having a great time in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire, you can use #LoveNotts to share the love, or tag us using @visitnotts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We’re also on TikTok under @visitnottinghamshire!

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Victorian Weekend at the Heights of Abraham

Saturday 4th - Monday 6th May | Heights of Abraham | Adult £25, Child £17.50, Family £77

Head back in time at the Heights of Abraham for the fabulous Victorian Weekend. With living history actors, live music, storytelling, Victorian games and new historical tours, there's fun for all the family!

Enjoy a slice of Victoria Sponge cake in the cafe, take an overground tour led by the Victorian owner of the Heights of Abraham, and meet various characters from the Victorian era during your day.

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May Day Garden Party at Belvoir Castle

Saturday 4th - Monday 6th May | Belvoir Castle | 10am - 5pm | Child £9, Adult £23.40, Family £54, Concessions £21.60, Under 3s go free

Join Belvoir Castle for a May Day filled with joy, nostalgia, and newfound gardening adventures! Experience the charm of traditional Morris men, indulge in delightful sweets, cakes, and games - all the quintessential elements of this beloved celebration. This year, they’ve added an extra layer of excitement with engaging horticultural activities.

The Garden Party is designed for the whole family to enjoy with stalls, games, musicians and more! Discover the Crafts Tent, a haven for little ones to unleash their creativity. From crafting mini pots to molding clay decorations and engaging in nature-inspired crafts, there’s something for everyone.

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The Blaze - Women's Cricket at Trent Bridge

Monday 6th May with more fixtures on select days until 31st May | Trent Bridge | £2 per game

The East Midlands elite women's cricket team, The Blaze, will enjoy four fixtures at Trent Bridge throughout May - more than ever before.

Some of the finest female talents will be showcasing their skill, from South African superstar Nadine de Klerk to Women's Ashes and England hero, Tammy Beaumont, as the side look to build on their maiden season exploits, in which they impressively reached both major domestic finals. On Monday 6th May you can catch their ficture against Thunder alongside the Notts Street Food Festival.

With record attendances for the Women's Ashes series at Trent Bridge last summer, the iconic cricket ground is developing a reputation for showcasing world-class women's cricket.

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Newark Spring Family Day

Sunday 5th May | Renaissance at Kelham Hall | 11am to 4pm | Adults £5, Children 16 & Under FREE

Get ready for a day packed with outdoor family fun at Newark Spring Family Day! An unforgettable day out filled with laughter, excitement, and endless entertainment for all ages.

Set within the 42 acres of beautiful grounds at the Renaissance at Kelham Hall, immerse yourself in the natural beauty and enjoy a fabulous day outside with your loved ones.

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Classic Car Show

Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May | Thoresby Park | 10am - 4pm | Tickets from £5.38

Classic Shows are delighted to return for the Notts Classic Car & Motorcycle Show, taking place at Thoresby Park. This stunning estate, property and gardens are a firm favourite with exhibitors and visitors and provide a fantastic setting for a display of classic vehicles.

The Notts Classic Car & Motorcycle Show offers a spectacular day of motoring heritage ideal for enthusiasts, families and day trippers, also including trade and autojumble stalls selling a range of hard-to-find parts, accessories, vintage items, crafts and memorabilia plus modern car dealership stands, quality food, drink, ice cream and responsible bars.

The event will also feature a full vehicle judging and awards ceremony overseen by a leading commentator and vehicle enthusiast. Awards will be presented for a range of vehicle age groups and will culminate in the Club of the Show, Pride of Ownership and Car of the Show awards.

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Counter Culture

Friday 3rd May - Sunday 21st July I Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm ​​​​​, Sunday, 12noon-4pm (Closed Mondays) | Djanogly Gallery, Lakeside Arts | Free Admission

175 years ago, John Boot opened a herbalist store on Nottingham’s Goose Gate. To mark this anniversary, Boots has partnered with the University of Nottingham to explore how shopping has evolved since 1849.

Part design show, part social history, Counter Culture explores changing experiences on the high street. From Victorian pharmacies to the superstores of the 1980s and beyond, Boots stores have reflected our shifting social needs, cultural aspirations, and patterns of everyday life.

Using historic objects, images and architecture, Counter Culture looks at the creation of modern shopping, from both sides of the counter. 

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Thi blog was written by Katherine Taylor, Marketing Executive at Visit Nottinghamshire.