Right then, November. You’ve arrived with dark afternoons, questionable weather and the annual realisation that we probably should have bought a better coat.
Luckily, the East Midlands is refusing to hibernate.
This weekend there are fireworks, comedy, live music, late-night dancing, craft, culture and at least one opportunity to spend Saturday pretending it’s still the 1990s.
Here’s what’s worth leaving the house for.
⭐ EDITOR’S CHOICE
Nottingham Comedy Festival
If you fancy spending the weekend laughing rather than doomscrolling, Nottingham has you covered.
The city’s comedy festival is under way, with gigs scattered around smaller venues as well as the more obvious comedy spaces. Friday’s listings include Juliette Burton: Villain Era at The Lord Roberts and Unspeakable Acts at Malt Cross. [Details]
Why we’re picking it: instead of committing to one huge night out, you can build an evening around a couple of shows, a pub and something dangerously beige to eat afterwards.
🎟️ BEST EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
🎆 Abbey Park Bonfire & Fireworks
Leicester | Saturday 7 November
One of Leicester’s big traditional Bonfire Night outings returns to Abbey Park on Saturday, with the event listed from 5pm. [Tickets]
Good for: families, fireworks fans and anyone still insisting Bonfire Night constitutes a legitimate social calendar.
🛸 Interstellar Under the Stars
Leicester Cathedral | Saturday 7 November
Now this is more unusual. There’s a free event at Leicester Cathedral billed as Interstellar Under the Stars, starting at 6.30pm. [Tickets]
Definitely one of this weekend’s more intriguing options.
💿 90s Day Party
Lincoln | Saturday 7 November
Apparently Saturday afternoons are now for reliving your youth.
Home in Lincoln is hosting a 90s Day Party from 3pm. [Tickets]
We’re expecting some combination of questionable dance moves and songs you haven’t heard since Woolworths existed.
🎨 Lustre Contemporary Craft Fair
Lakeside Arts, Nottingham
If you’d rather spend the weekend looking at lovely things you absolutely don’t need but will somehow end up buying, Lustre Contemporary Craft Fair is taking place at Lakeside Arts. [Details]
📍 FIVE PLACES YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE DISCOVERED YET
This week, five places worth putting on the East Midlands list:
1. BACKLIT, Nottingham
An independent contemporary arts space that’s particularly worth knowing about this weekend, with a grand opening, new café, exhibition and open studios listed for Friday evening. [Tickets]
2. The Birdcage, Lincoln
A smaller Lincoln venue worth remembering if you’d rather find grassroots live music than another enormous arena show. Aga Krentz is listed there on Saturday night. [Details]
3. The Flowerpot, Derby
One of Derby’s dependable spots for live music, with Dom Martin appearing there on Friday night. [skiddle.com]
4. The Old Cold Store, Nottingham
Tucked alongside the Vat and Fiddle, it’s an excellent one to have on your radar for more intimate gigs. The Hanging Stars and Sunstack Jones are listed there on Friday. [Tickets]
5. Hartsholme Country Park, Lincoln
A change of pace from pubs and gigs. There’s even an Ecstatic Dance: Move in Nature session happening there on Saturday morning. [Tickets]
🎸 LIVE MUSIC PICKS
Canned Pineapple + The Blooms + Derventio
The Victoria Inn, Derby | Friday
A much more grassroots Friday night option, with Canned Pineapple joined by Derby alternative rock outfit The Blooms and Derventio. [skiddle.com]
Dom Martin
The Flowerpot, Derby | Friday
Roots guitarist and songwriter Dom Martin plays one of Derby’s best-known live music pubs on Friday. [skiddle.com]
Special Kinda Madness
The Drill, Lincoln | Saturday
Two lots of ska-pop nostalgia for the price of one, with the Madness and Specials tribute appearing at The Drill. Tickets are listed at £22. [Tickets]
Craig Connelly
O2 Academy Leicester | Saturday
For something considerably more electronic, PaSSion brings Craig Connelly’s Experience to O2 Academy Leicester on Saturday night.
[Tickets]
👨👩👧 FAMILY FRIENDLY
Fireworks at The Moorings
Barrow upon Soar | Saturday
A riverside fireworks display with gates from around 6.30pm, fireworks at 8pm, followed by DJ Sunny, plus an outside bar and BBQ. [skiddle.com]
Bassingham Bonfire
Lincolnshire | Saturday
A more local alternative to the giant city displays, with Bassingham’s bonfire listed at Middlegate Field from 6pm. [allevents.in]
Crafty Saturday in Lincoln
If fireworks and small children sound like a potentially volatile combination, Lincoln also has a Saturday Crafternoon Club listed from 4pm at the Craftea Cafe.
👀 ONE MORE THING…
Christmas is beginning to creep into proceedings.
We’re only just past Halloween and there are already Christmas markets and festive attractions appearing in listings around the region. Current East Midlands seasonal listings include Christmas at Chatsworth, the Great Central Santa Express, Santa’s Enchanted Journey on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and a Winter Light Trail in Nottinghamshire. [midsmas.co.uk]
So enjoy Bonfire Night while you can.
The Santas are coming.
🗓️ WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
FRIDAY
🎨 BACKLIT grand opening – Nottingham
🎸 Canned Pineapple + The Blooms + Derventio – Derby
🎸 Dom Martin – Derby
😂 Nottingham Comedy Festival – Nottingham
🎸 James Oliver Band – Nottingham
SATURDAY
🎆 Abbey Park Bonfire & Fireworks – Leicester
🛸 Interstellar Under the Stars – Leicester
💿 90s Day Party – Lincoln
🎸 Special Kinda Madness – Lincoln
🎧 Craig Connelly – Leicester
🎆 Fireworks at The Moorings – Barrow upon Soar
SUNDAY
Slow morning.
Big breakfast.
Questionable decision to say“we’ll just pop out for an hour”.
Suddenly it’s dark again.
