Family Friendly

Nottingham Puppet Festival City Centre Day

Date of event: 27 Jun 2026 Event start time: 10:30am - Event end time: 4:30pm

Venue Address: Nottingham City Centre, Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2DT

A bright blue monster-style puppet costume with antler-like shapes on its head, multiple cartoon eyes, red fabric details and a large open mouth performs outdoors in front of a crowd. The puppet has long fringed fabric hanging from its face and body. In the foreground, a small yellow rubber chicken toy is held up toward the puppet, while adults and children watch in the blurred background at a daytime outdoor event.

Nottingham Puppet Festival takes over the city centre for a day of free outdoor theatre, giant puppets and family activities.

Performances and walkabouts will pop up in Old Market Square, Lister Gate, Albert Street and the Library Plaza. Shows repeat throughout the day, so you can drop in and explore. It is produced by Festival Director Alison Denholm, City Arts and the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, and supported by It’s in Nottingham.

See What’s On at Nottingham Puppet Festival for full times and locations.

Featured Acts

Old Market Square

Person wearing a large dragon-like creature puppet around their shoulders during a woodland family event. The puppet has pale blue scales, white fur, golden horns, long whiskers and large expressive eyes.
Two giant bird puppets with translucent red, green and yellow wings are carried above a crowd during a sunny outdoor parade.
Large blue bird puppet with outstretched wings being carried through a festival crowd in a grassy park. The bird is decorated with turquoise, blue and gold patterns and is supported on poles by a performer in blue costume.
Outdoor performance featuring a performer standing inside a wheeled contraption made from metal frames, pulleys, bells and unusual mechanical objects.
Large golden bee puppet moving through a street parade outside a historic red-brick building. The bee features colourful patterned wings and body panels, oversized eyes and long legs.

Thingamabob
Matt Pang combines circus, invention and comedy in this playful performance starring a giant rolling machine inspired by Rube Goldberg contraptions.

The Wild Beasts of Silly
A roaming walkabout packed with chaos, curiosity and very silly creatures who seem completely confused by the human world.

Dragons
Keep Drawing Charlie brings hand-drawn dragons to life as they weave through the crowds in Old Market Square.

Kantaben the Roller Bird
A giant Indian roller bird glides above audiences, searching for new friends and bringing colour to the city streets.

City Arts’ Flying Free Birds
These giant birds were created by artists Tony Mason, Jessica Kemp and Mike Pattison, over eight years, working with Nottingham community members.

The Worker Bee and The Queen Bee
Two towering kinetic sculptures inspired by industry, carnival traditions and working communities.

Albert Street

Small puppet theatre painted to look like a two-storey house with yellow walls, blue windows and a red front door. Two hand puppets, an adult and a baby, appear in an upstairs window while the puppeteer is partially visible behind them.
Two performers dressed in black operate giant bird-like puppets on long stilts during an outdoor evening event. The towering creatures have black beaks, pale woven bodies and long hanging strands resembling nests or feathers. Suspended lantern-like objects hang between them.

The Keeper’s Nest
Two giant magpies peer down from towering nests, watching passers-by and searching for secrets to collect.

A La Puppet Carte
Mini puppet shows performed from mobile stages built onto electric tricycles. Small stories packed with surprises, humour and warmth.

Lister Gate

Night-time street parade featuring a giant illuminated hare puppet towering above a crowd of people. The glowing white hare has long ears and detailed woodgrain-style patterns across its body. Several puppeteers guide the structure from underneath and alongside it.

The Mountain Hare
A giant hare bounds through the city using innovative moving mechanics that make each leap feel lifelike and full of energy.

Library Plaza

Large plant-like puppet made from branches, leaves, flowers and woven materials sits in a garden while two performers guide its movements. A young child reaches out to shake the puppet’s hand as adults and children watch nearby.
Performer seated inside a small mobile puppet theatre decorated with colourful bunting and a fabric sign reading “Handmade Theatre”. She operates a bird puppet with a long neck and beak while smiling at the audience.
Person standing with their back to the camera wearing a large pair of illuminated white mechanical wings.
Two performers wearing matching dark costumes and caps present a bright orange vegetable puppet with green leaves for hair.

Penny and the Far Thing
A gentle bicycle-powered story performed on a penny farthing. A playful tale about the seasons, growing up and finding your path.

Icarus Wings
Laura Mathews presents ultra-realistic wearable wings inspired by years of studying birds and flight. You might see her fly!

Puppet Petting Farm
Meet playful puppet animals including goats and giant highland cows in this interactive family experience with live music.

Walk of the Dandelion
Daniel is an eight-foot-tall wandering puppet who stops to share moments of humour, connection and surprise with audiences.

About Nottingham Puppet Festival

Nottingham Puppet Festival returns for 2026 with puppets, performances and unexpected encounters across the city.

A giant hare bounds through Lister Gate. Tiny paper boats drift out of the Squire Theatre. A sleeping giant wakes in your local library. Expect playful surprises, unforgettable characters and free events for all ages across Nottingham.

Booking

This event is not ticketed. Follow the instructions in the event description!

Venue Map

Google Map of Nottingham City Centre, Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2DT

Venue

Nottingham City Centre
Old Market Square
Nottingham
NG1 2DT
Directions

Access

The venue has the following access features:

  • Accessible Parking
  • Assistance Dog Friendly
  • Wheelchair Accessible

The event will be:

Notes:

Performances take place throughtout the city centre.

Got a question? Contact us