The hugely popular Young Hustlers festival returns on Sunday 19 October, pledging to deliver a joyful burst of creativity to children and families across Nottingham. With just over a month to go, the team behind the festival, made possible thanks to increased Arts Council funding, has unveiled a packed programme brimming with music, art, food, and fun.
Young Hustlers 2025 promises a day of DJ masterclasses, pizza making, street food sampling, lantern painting, drumming workshops, interactive poetry, Lego building, samba dancing, bhangra beats, aerial circus skills, flag making and much more. Alongside the streets of Sneinton, the festival will take over venues including Blend, Brazilian Cultural Centre, Bustler, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, Carousel, Circus Hub, City Arts, Curious, Dizzy Ink, Luisa Chocolates, Movers, One BC, Vietcentric and Working Man’s Kitchen. Visitors can expect a colourful celebration of cultures from around the world, with hands-on workshops, live performances, and street entertainment filling Sneinton Market Avenues.
Festival director Saziso Phiri said: “This year, we’re turning up the volume on the rich mix of cultures that make our communities so vibrant with our Around the World theme. It’s no secret that recent political and social events are having an impact on specific communities and this festival feels timely, especially in relation to celebrating the diversity of our city, and where people from all walks of life can come together, stand together and understand each other. It’s more important than ever that the positivity of the diversity of our country and city is reflected to children and young people.”
Tickets have been kept affordable, with children and young people (aged 2–17) able to attend for just £4 plus booking fee, and adults for £11 plus booking fee. In addition, 200 free tickets are available for low-income families, ensuring as many people as possible can enjoy the festivities.
Highlights of this year’s line-up include the return of the Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at Movers, featuring world-class DJs, giant balloons, confetti cannons, snow and bubble machines; a Young People’s Showcase at Blend with live performances from schools and youth groups including Djanogly City Academy and Inspire Youth Arts, plus an open mic session for 11–18-year-olds; and Poetz off The Endz at Carousel, a powerful poetry and spoken word event led by Jah Digga, John Berkavitch and Michelle “Mother” Hubbard exploring the theme of home.
Other family favourites include interactive djembe drumming workshops with Biant Singh at City Arts, hands-on pizza making with Sneinton’s own Working Man’s Kitchen, Vietnamese summer roll making and lantern painting with Vietcentric, DJ workshops and scratch sessions at Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, high-energy samba and Afro-Brazilian dance at the Brazilian Cultural Centre, and award-winning Bhangra dance workshops with Sohan Kailey.
With something for everyone, Young Hustlers 2025 is set to be the most exciting edition yet, creating unforgettable experiences for children, young people and families while celebrating the creativity and cultural diversity of Nottingham. For the full programme and to book tickets, visit the festival website and start planning your adventure.
Book your place and find out more here
Posted on 16 September 2025
