Happy Sunday, Nottingham!

Welcome to your weekly edition of Nottingham Buzz! ⚡️ In this week’s issue:

  • The very best live music and events

  • 🎸 Nottingham bands can now enter European music competition for first time

  • 🍻 Waterside bar returns to local ownership with Southbank revival

Now, let’s get into it.

Nottingham Buzz ⚡️

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News & Local Business 📍

🚋 Tram extension into Rushcliffe back on the table after pandemic pause

Plans for extending Nottingham's tram network into Rushcliffe are being reviewed again after the city council shelved expansion plans during the pandemic. The East Midlands Combined County Authority is studying the feasibility of extending the network from Colwick to Gamston with a park and ride in Rushcliffe, building on £300,000 study work announced in March 2025. The original 2020 plans estimated the Colwick extension could cost £116 million with completion by 2029 if work had continued. EMCCA is reviewing outline business case work from 2019 as part of broader mass transit options, though Tramlink CEO Tim Hesketh warns extensive design, land acquisition and consultation work must begin soon to make extensions reality before responsibility transfers to EMCCA in 2034. | Source

🎸 Nottingham bands can now enter European music competition for first time

Nottingham's Fisher Gate Point is hosting the UK final of Imagine Music Experience, a cross-border opportunity for young musicians aged 13-21 to build cultural connections across Europe. The competition, founded in 1945 and spanning Belgium, France, Hungary, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Sweden, UK and Zimbabwe, saw Bristol band Kodachrome win second place and most original act at the Brussels grand final last year. Winners receive workshops, professional photo shoots, career training and opportunities to connect with young artists across Europe, with Kodachrome now booked to perform in Nottingham and potentially Serbia, Macedonia, Paris and at 2026's Live International Finals. Nottingham bands can enter when UK regional heats open by following Imagine England on social media or contacting [email protected].

💷 £10m government funding boost keeps council tax below maximum

Nottingham City Council will raise council tax by the lowest amount in 18 years after receiving £10 million extra government funding through Labour's fairer funding review. Deputy leader Ethan Radford says the rise will be below 4.99% maximum and lower than Nottinghamshire County Council's 3.99%, marking a £25 million total reinvestment in parks, roads, neighbourhood safety officers and events. | Source

🌁 Spring opening on track for Trent footbridge near Colwick

Nottingham City Council says work is progressing well on the new Trent footbridge near Colwick ahead of its spring opening. The team is now focusing on walking and cycling connections to safely link the bridge, including a three-meter shared-use path along Daleside Road's southern pavement with planting separating it from the road. On-site work is preparing the area for the smaller basin bridge plus ramps and footpaths leading to the main bridge on both riverbanks. | Source

Events ⭐️

Our top picks of things to do this week. Have an event you want featuring? Let us know!



💍 Norwood Park Winter Wedding Fair
Norwood Park, Southwell
Sunday, Feb 15 @ 12:00 | More info

💄 Galentine's Makeup Masterclass with Charlotte Tilbury
Cleaver & Wake
Sunday, Feb 15 @ 12:00 | More info

🏒 Nottingham Panthers vs. Belfast Giants
Motorpoint Arena
Sunday, Feb 15 @ 16:00 | More info

😂 Judi Love: All About the Love
Theatre Royal
Sunday, Feb 15 @ 19:30 | More info

🎤 The Great Nottingham Valentine’s Singalong
The Malt Cross
Sunday, Feb 15 @ 19:30 | More info

🌳 Camp Williams: February Half Term
The Beckett School, West Bridgford
Monday, Feb 16 - Friday, Feb 20 | More Info

🧘‍♀️ Family Yoga
Lakeside Arts
Monday, Feb 16 @ 11:00 | More Info

🎸 Sunny Afternoon
Theatre Royal
Tuesday, Feb 17 - Saturday, Feb 21 | More Info

🧩 February Half Term Family Activities
Nottingham Contemporary
Tuesday, Feb 17 - Thursday, Feb 19 | More Info

🎨 The Paint Club - Flamingo
Bendigo Lounge
Tuesday, Feb 17 @ 19:00 | More Info

🧙 Wicked-Themed Slime Making with Glinda & Elphaba
Bustler Market
Wednesday, Feb 18 @ 11:00 | More Info

🎉 Family Fest 2026
Nottingham Playhouse
Wednesday, Feb 18 - Friday, Feb 20 | More info

🏒 Nottingham Panthers vs. Sheffield Steelers
Motorpoint Arena
Wednesday, Feb 18 @ 19:30 | More info

💎 Bracelet Making Workshop
Bustler Market
Thursday, Feb 19 & Friday, Feb 20 @ 12:00 | More Info

⚡️ Musicality: Grease
Nottingham Arts Theatre
Thursday, Feb 19 - Saturday, Feb 21 | More Info

🧠 The Glad Game
Lace Market Theatre
Thursday, Feb 19 - Saturday, Feb 21 | More Info

🕯️ Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen
Nottingham Contemporary
Friday, Feb 20 @ 18:00 | More info

🕯️ Candlelight: Ed Sheeran Meets Coldplay
Nottingham Contemporary
Friday, Feb 20 @ 20:30 | More info

🏃‍♂️ The Nottingham 5k, 10k and Half Marathon Winter Warmer Run
Victoria Embankment
Saturday, Feb 21 @ 9:00 | More info

⚽️ Notts County vs. Tranmere
Meadow Lane
Saturday, Feb 21 @ 15:00 | More info

🥊 Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington II
Motorpoint Arena
Saturday, Feb 21 @ 18:00 | More info

🕯️ Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
Nottingham Contemporary
Saturday, Feb 21 @ 18:00 | More info

Cirque Enchantment
Royal Concert Hall
Saturday, Feb 21 @ 19:00 | More info

💍 The Unconventional Wedding Fair 2026
The Trent Building, Nottingham University
Sunday, Feb 22 @ 10:30 | More info

🪩 Kids Silent Disco
Bustler Market
Sunday, Feb 22 @ 12:00 | More Info

⚽️ Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool
The City Ground
Sunday, Feb 22 @ 14:00 | More Info

🏒 Nottingham Panthers vs. Cardiff Devils
Motorpoint Arena
Sunday, Feb 22 @ 16:00 | More info

🎭 Adult Panto: Beauty & The Beast
Nottingham Arts Theatre
Sunday, Feb 22 @ 16:00 & 20:00 | More info


Food and Drink 🍽️

The latest and greatest in Nottingham’s awesome food & drink scene.

🍻 Waterside bar returns to local ownership with Southbank revival

The Waterside Bar + Kitchen near Nottingham Forest's City Ground has returned to local ownership under the Local Pub Company, promising a revival of Southbank vibes after 21 years. Owner and Forest fan Andy Hunt closed the pub for a 48-hour refresh before reopening Thursday, making it the group's fifth venue alongside White Horse in Ruddington, Unicorn's Head in Langar, The Duck at Woolsthorpe and The Bradgate in Leicestershire. The laidback menu from group head chef Daniel Cain features small plates, pub classics, burgers, loaded fries and sourdough pizzas, with Wings Wednesday deals and Sunday roasts. Live sport on increased screens including a new 85-inch TV, house band every Saturday from 9pm, and DJ vinyl sets aim to fill quieter weekday gaps while match days look after themselves. Find out more or make a booking on their website.

Live Music Picks 🎤

The live gigs you don’t want to miss this week. Have a gig you want featuring? Let us know!

Sunday 15th

  • Mogwai @ Rock City (Tickets)

  • Bears In Trees @ Rescue Rooms (Tickets)

  • Josh Kemp @ Binks Yard (Tickets)

  • Sir John Rutter @ Royal Concert Hall (Tickets)

Monday 16th

Tuesday 17th

Wednesday 18th

  • Maxïmo Park @ Rock City (Tickets)

  • Let Me Entertain You @ Royal Concert Hall (Tickets)

  • Beauty School @ Rough Trade (Tickets)

  • Toucan @ Bodega (Tickets)

  • Olivia Cuttill Quartet @ Peggy’s Skylight (Tickets)

  • The Cavemen @ Rescue Rooms (Tickets)

Thursday 19th

  • Suede @ Rock City (Tickets)

  • Matt Ratcliffe Quarter @ Peggy’s Skylight (Tickets)

  • Sunna Margret @ Rough Trade (Tickets)

  • Crowbar @ Rescue Rooms (Tickets)

  • St. Catherine's Child @ Bodega (Tickets)

  • Zach Thompson @ The Grove (Tickets)

Friday 20th

  • Profiler @ Rough Trade (Tickets)

  • Kezia Gill @ Rock City (Tickets)

  • Possum Kid @ The Grove (Tickets)

  • Blackbeard's Tea Party @ Bodega (Tickets)

  • Andy Sheppard Quartets @ Lakeside Arts (Tickets)

  • Gene On Earth @ The Brickworks (Tickets)

Saturday 21st

  • The Academic @ The Level (Tickets)

  • Kathryn Williams @ Bodega (Tickets)

  • John Etheridge’s Blue Spirit Trio @ Peggy’s Skylight (Tickets)

  • Mitski Listening Event @ Rough Trade (Tickets)

  • Black Spiders @ Rescue Rooms (Tickets)

  • Elvana @ Rock City (Tickets)

  • Lifter @ The Grove (Tickets)

  • Flex @ Secret Garden (Tickets)

  • Grace Sands @ The Brickworks (Tickets)

Sunday 22nd

  • Of Monsters and Men @ Rock City (Tickets)

  • Damp Matches @ The Grove (Tickets)

  • George Simpson @ Binks Yard (Tickets)

Thanks! 🙏

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⚡️ See you next Sunday!

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