This summer, the streets of Nottingham will burst into life as the Nottingham Puppet Festival takes over the city centre for a spectacular, day-long celebration. On Saturday 27 June, from 10.30am to 4.30pm, visitors will experience a vibrant trail of free performances, interactive workshops and incredible walkabout acts stretching from Nottingham Central Library, through Albert Street and Listergate and up to Old Market Square.
Jointly produced by City Arts and the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, with crucial funding and support from Arts Council England and It’s in Nottingham, the City Centre Day promises world-class puppetry accessible to all ages. The day’s packed lineup features an array of larger-than-life characters and creative storytellers spread across the city’s landmarks.
Festival Artistic Director, Alison Denholm says,
“We are so excited to be kicking off the 2026 Nottingham Puppet Festival with this amazing City Centre Day, and a huge thank-you to our new festival sponsors, Its In Nottingham. Nottingham has some beautiful open spaces in the city centre, and we are looking forward to transforming them into a free and vibrant theatre space for the day. We all know and love Market Square; from there, take a walk down Albert Street and Listergate to somewhere really special, the new Green Heart of Nottingham. Cross through this, and you get to the city’s home of stories, our Central Library. We are looking forward to filling these spaces with puppet magic, and hope to see you there!“
Crowds looking for spectacular street takeovers will find a giant Mountain Hare leaping through Listergate. In Old Market Square, audiences will meet the four-metre-tall Worker Bee and Queen Bee alongside the chaotic fun of the Wild Beasts of Silly, while Kantaben the Roller Bird brings a splash of vibrant color high into the festival skies.
Audiences can head to the Library Plaza to meet Daniel, an ethereal 8-foot-tall man of the earth constructed sustainably from willow and repurposed plastic bottles, as part of the Walk of the Dandelion. While there, families can join a free drop-in craft workshop to create their own woollen dandelions and share positive messages. The day also features charming stories for all ages, with recurring performances of Penny and the Far Thing – a beautiful nature story about growth set on a genuine penny-farthing bicycle, as well as HandMade Theatre’s Puppet Petting Farm, featuring lovable characters handcrafted from recycled materials.
Jonathan Saville, Programming Director at Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, says,
“The City Centre Day is always a massive highlight for us because it strips away the traditional theatre walls and creates a brilliantly accessible, joyful experience for everyone. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, enjoy world-class free entertainment and see Nottingham transformed by puppetry.”
In addition to the free street events, visitors can explore a puppetry exhibition from HandMade Theatre at Nottingham Central Library or visit Nottingham Playhouse for their open weekend puppetry exhibition. Ticketed performances including Summer in Bloom at Nottingham Playhouse and Robin Hood and His Animal Friends at the Theatre Royal are also running, though booking is required for these specific events.
Suzannah Bedford, Director at City Arts, says:
“We are delighted to be working with the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall and It’s in Nottingham to bring Nottingham Puppet Festival into the heart of the city. We want people of all ages and backgrounds to be able to enjoy brilliant and imaginative puppetry together, in the familiar spaces of their city centre.”
CEO of It’s In Nottingham, Alex Flint adds,
“We’re proud to support Nottingham Puppet Festival – an event which will bring excitement, art and performance into our city centre. It’s very important to It’s in Nottingham that we champion creativity and sponsor events which give visitors and residents the perfect opportunity to come together to enjoy the energy of our city centre.”
Attendees are encouraged to download the It’s In Nottingham app to discover the best local spots to grab a bite to eat or drink between shows.
For the full schedule, location details, and more information on the festival, visit the official event page at nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk.
Posted on 15 June 2026
