Lady Bay Arts Festival Weekend, a celebration of creativity in the public buildings, houses, studios, local businesses, and gardens of Lady Bay, brings another packed event in 2026.
Scheduled for the weekend of 16 and 17 May from 11 am to 5 pm, more than 30 venues and over 90 artists and makers will take part.
The weekend features a wide array of disciplines to inspire visitors, offering chances to get involved or buy a unique piece of artwork from one of the many excellent creatives exhibiting at the event.
This year, the showcase highlights both Lady Bay practitioners and work produced by the community through our ever-popular outreach project, which includes local schoolchildren. It is also a fantastic occasion to meet visiting exhibitors, some of whom are showing here for the first time.
Demonstrations, workshops, music, and more will be hosted at All Hallows Church and Halls, Lady Bay Primary School, and the Scout Hall. A diverse selection of participatory activities will be on offer, suitable for all ages and abilities, alongside a children’s trail for younger visitors to enjoy.
The Poppy and Pint and The Lady Bay, along with several neighbourhood gardens, will serve as vibrant mixed-offer venues. Here, visitors can explore fantastic art exhibitions while also enjoying an excellent music programme, with performances scheduled throughout the weekend. Food and refreshments will be available at many locations throughout Lady Bay.
The festival is proudly supported by volunteers and generous sponsors. Nottingham Rugby Club is sponsoring this year’s event by providing car parking for visitors.
We are also excited to introduce the 2026 Creativity Fund, a unique sponsorship initiative through which we commission a young or emerging artist to produce a new piece of work under the mentorship of a more experienced professional in their field. This fund represents our commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative talent.
We are always looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our team. Volunteering opportunities are available for those who wish to get involved and help make the weekend a success.
More information about how to plan your visit, sign up to volunteer, or learn about sponsorship opportunities such as the Creativity Fund will be posted on our website, including details of where to find the Nottingham Rugby Club parking. Venue admission details and schedules for artists, food, performances, and activities will be published on the map, which will be available at key locations over the weekend.
Weekend admission £5 per adult – children under 18 receive free admission.
Lady Bay Arts CIC is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, bringing this annual celebration of arts and the creative community to life.
