Get ready, Nottingham – Art Fest is back and bigger than ever!
Art Fest Nottingham is thrilled to announce its second edition, returning this September with a vibrant celebration of visual art that will transform the city into an open-air exhibition. Spanning from the iconic Victoria Centre through to Hockley and into the creative heart of Sneinton Market, this free, family-friendly festival runs from 10.00am to 6.00pm and invites everyone to witness art in action.
Art Fest Nottingham 2025: ‘Art is the Heart’ This year’s theme, ‘Art is the Heart’, speaks to the transformative power of creativity and its ability to nurture individuality whilst also building connection in our communities. This festival is a tribute to that connection: art as a unifier, art as a movement, art at the heart of Nottingham.
A mission of creativity, community, and collaboration Art Fest Nottingham champions connection across communities, elevation of artists and their work, and collaboration between the city’s creative and cultural organisations. We’re painting the town with a message that art belongs to everyone.
Growing bigger, bolder, and more colourful In its debut year, Art Fest brought together 34 artists to paint 32 incredible artworks around the Green Heart of Nottingham. This year, over 50 artists will take part in the event, including Xeme from Hong Kong and Annatomix from neighbouring Birmingham. Local Nottingham artists, including Anna Wheelhouse, Boaster, Dilk, Emily Catherine, Kaption, Lesser Than Three, Mr Ray, Talia and more will be creating live murals that stretch from our bustling shopping district to our cultural quarter. Our city’s very own Elroy is producing some of Nottingham’s biggest artworks in collaboration with the Victoria Centre, which you can watch come to life on the days leading up to the festival. Art Fest 2025 is poised to make an even bigger impact – cementing Nottingham’s reputation as a must-visit destination for street art and culture.
Event highlights Live art – Watch artists create murals live on the streets Large-scale murals – See Nottingham’s walls transformed by local and international talent Paint jams – Experience collaborative takeovers by artist crews across the city Pop-up mini-murals – Discover hidden gems at Sneinton Market Square Creative workshops – Get hands-on! Activities for all ages to spark your own creativity
Exhibitions – At our two info points as well as partnership shows at different locations along the route. Guided art tours – Book a walking tour and explore the festival route Art market – Meet Midlands-based artists and shop original artwork at Sneinton Market Benjamin Kay, festival director commented: “I created Art Fest as a way to bring people together through visual art and creativity. The art community in Nottingham is incredibly inspiring, and I’m in the privileged position of being part of it. The festival is my way of encouraging the people of Nottingham to see, experience and interact with the power of our artistic culture in an accessible way – on the street. I believe that art has the ability to develop individuality and self-confidence, all of which can make our city a more joyful place to call home. Art is the Heart!”
Alex Flint, CEO of It’s in Nottingham, the city’s Business Improvement District, added: “Art Fest Nottingham is a shining example of how creativity can animate our streets, connect our communities, and attract visitors to experience everything our city has to offer. It’s in Nottingham is proud to be the headline sponsor for an event that not only celebrates artistic talent from around the world but also champions our incredible local artists. This festival reflects the vibrant, welcoming, and innovative spirit of Nottingham – and we’re excited to see the city come alive with colour this September.”
Support Art Fest Nottingham 2025 Art Fest is proudly grassroots, built by local artists, organisers, and the people of Nottingham who believe in the power of creativity to bring us together. As the festival grows, there are exciting sponsorship opportunities for businesses, organisations, and individuals who want to be part of this celebration of art and community. With It’s in Nottingham as our headline sponsor, we invite others to join them in supporting a free, accessible, and vibrant festival that transforms our city’s streets into a canvas for creativity – inspiring residents and visitors alike. For more information, visit www.artfestnottingham.com
Posted on 14 August 2025
