A city-wide celebration of puppetry is set to transform the streets and stages of Nottingham this summer. The Nottingham Puppet Festival will return from June 27 to July 5 for its fourth edition, bringing magic and wonder to libraries, community centres, cinemas, and theatres. This event is a partnership between the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall and City Arts, funded by Arts Council England.
City Centre Day Highlights
A key highlight is the City Centre Day on Saturday, June 27, where the heart of the city becomes a stage from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Visitors can expect to see a four-metre-tall Worker Bee and a giant Mountain Hare leaping above the crowds. The trail of free performances will stretch from Nottingham Central Library through to Old Market Square.
Alison Denholm, Nottingham Puppet Festival director said: "We are delighted to be presenting the fourth Nottingham Puppet Festival this summer, where once again, we will bring puppets of all shapes and sizes into all sorts of spaces across our city. When we ask ourselves, 'Why Puppets', we keep coming back to the answer, puppets are so good at telling stories about what it is to be human. We hope this festival brings joy, magic and wonder into our every day, for children and adults alike."
Family and Inclusive Programming
The programme includes Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile at the Theatre Royal from July 2 to 5. Younger children can enjoy Fly Away Katie at Lakeside Arts, while the Squire Performing Arts Centre welcomes French company La Salamandre. Audiences at the Royal Concert Hall can also join Robin Hood and his Animal Friends for an immersive adventure. Nottingham Playhouse will host an Open Weekend featuring a multi-sensory experience set in the land of the Magical Major Oak.
The festival includes inclusive programming on July 5, specifically designed for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities. These accessible sessions include a Family Sensory Picnic where families can socialise in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Adult Programme and Film Screening
The adult programme features the return of the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets and a funny exploration of modern life by Blind Summit Theatre. Film fans can enjoy a screening of Fantastic Mr Fox at Broadway Cinema followed by a talk with animator Richard Pickersgill.
Suzannah Bedford, CEO and creative director, City Arts Nottingham, commented: "City Arts is proud to be a lead partner in Nottingham Puppet Festival, bringing the festival to communities across the city. Puppetry is a welcoming, accessible artform that connects people of all ages. With free events and local activity, the festival creates opportunities to take part, share experiences and enjoy high-quality arts together."
Community and Support
If you cannot wait until June, several shows will tour local libraries and community centres from May 23. Liz Johnson, Midlands area director, Arts Council England said: "We’re proud to support Nottingham Puppet Festival, using money from the National Lottery. This joyful celebration of puppetry and storytelling will bring people and communities together to share experiences of wonder and delight. It will animate the city centre with enjoyment, energy and colour and is a great example of how creativity and culture can help us feel happier and proud of places that we call home."
Alex Flint, CEO of It’s In Nottingham, added: "At It’s in Nottingham, we believe in the importance of creativity and celebrating the arts. Through performances, talks, and workshops, the Puppet Festival is a display of joy and storytelling that we are proud to support. Nottingham has a wealth of cultural venues, and the Puppet Festival is the perfect opportunity for visitors and residents alike to explore them and enjoy the vibrant city centre."
The 2026 festival promises to be the most ambitious yet, turning our city into a vibrant landscape of imagination. Head to nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk for the full line up.
