What's On and Things To Do This Weekend in Nottinghamshire 29 - 31 May 2026

Nottinghamshire has plenty to keep you busy this weekend. Take your pick of unique events and activities including celebrating Japanese culture with Japan Fest, the return of Green Hustle, Medieval Merriment at Newstead Abbey, a faulty towers dining experience and an evening of live music with the Jazz Defenders! Here are our top picks for this weekend.

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 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We’re also on TikTok!

There are many more things to do and explore on our full What’s On Calendar such as interesting exhibitions, tours, and fun outdoor activities. Browse today and find the perfect activity to enjoy this weekend.

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1. Japan Fest Mansfield 2026

Sunday 31 May 2026 | 11am – 5pm | Mansfield Rugby Club | Tickets from £11 (Under 5s FREE)

Japan Fest returns bringing a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture, music, and creativity to the heart of Mansfield. Taking place at Mansfield Rugby Club from 11am to 5pm, the festival invites visitors of all ages to experience both traditional and contemporary aspects of Japan in a welcoming, family-friendly environment. Expect live stage performance celebrating Japan's rich musical and cultural heritage, wide range of interactive activities designed to educate, inspire, and entertain, and a dedicated street food area with popular Japanese dishes and traditional snacks.

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2. Green Hustle

Saturday 30 May 2026 | Old Market Square | FREE event

Green Hustle is back — and this year they're spreading across the city. On Saturday 30th May, join thousands of people across three locations in Nottingham city centre for a free day of creativity, community and climate action. Sowing creativity, care, resilience, joy, solutions - a million mini revolutions. Think "oh wow!" moments, composting compassion, spring optimism, a solarpunk playground of human-nature connectedness. If a seed is a start, a festival is a whole packet of potential.

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3. Medieval Merriment at Newstead Abbey

Friday 29 – Sunday 31 May 2026 | Newstead Abbey | Site entry & parking charges apply

Come along to Newstead & enjoy a weekend of Medieval Merriment. The three-day medieval weekend will include: The Knights of Skirbeck Medieval Village, a fun Medieval Detective Outdoor Trail, Medieval dress up rail, the Knights of Newstead – Children's Outdoor Trail and medieval themed crafts & activities to join in on the fun. Why not bring a picnic and enjoy the weekend with some Medieval Merriment!

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4. Faulty Towers the Dining Experience

Friday 29 May 2026 | 7pm | Southwell Racecourse | Tickets: £50

Join Southwell Racecourse for the original multi award winning London sensation taking the world by storm. Basil, Manuel and Sybil are in town — and they're bringing a healthy dose of mayhem to your door. Fully immersive, highly interactive and completely original, this is the show where anything can happen and usually does — and with 70% of the show improvised, it's never the same twice. With two hours of comedy, three courses of food, and universal acclaim the world over, expect chaos, laughs, and a brilliant night out.

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5. The Jazz Defenders

Saturday 30  May 2026 | 6.45 pm & 9.15pm | Peggy’s Skylight | Tickets: £20

Head to Peggy’s Skylight for an evening of Jazz with the Jazz Defenders. Led by one of the UK's most formidable jazz pianists, George Cooper, The Jazz Defenders are a group born from a deep love of Blue Note jazz, drawing on a wealth of inspiration to craft their own raw and vibrant compositions that leaves audiences mesmerised. Jazz with grit, groove, and swagger, music so infectious it’ll have you swinging on the dance-floor, or in this case, in your seat.

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Wherever your weekend takes you, don't forget to head out and make the most of everything our region has to offer!