Arts and Culture

Broxtowe Borough is a place which is steeped in heritage and culture. From its associations with people who were independent thinkers, creatives and revolutionaries like Henry Ireton, D.H. Lawrence and Sir Peter Mansfield to the many diverse people, groups and organisations that have made Broxtowe their home today.

With an events programme of more than 100 events every year, to the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum and the many events, activities and groups organised within our community, groups, culture really is all around us.

The Council’s Cultural Strategy 2023-26 (.pdf) (1.09MB) (Opens in a New Window) sets out how the Council, by working with its partners, can enrich the cultural life of the Borough for the benefit of the whole community.

Events

The Council organises a programme of over a 100 events each year. These range from large public events such as the Hemlock Happening, Play Days and Christmas Light Switch On events which attract up to 7,500 people, to Green Festivals, civic events like Remembrance Sunday and Holocaust Memorial Day and small community events aimed at specific groups such as housing tenants, businesses and special interest groups.

Upcoming events

• Gin and Gaslight at D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - 26 April 
• Hemlock Happening - 8 June
• Broxtowe Festival - 1 to 30 June
• Friday18 Music Festival - Every Friday from 21 June  to 9 August  
• Chilwell Play Day - 30 July 
• Eastwood Play Day - 1 August  
• Stapleford Play Day - 5 August
• Kimberley Play Day - 8 August
• Beeston Play Day - 12 August 
• D. H. Lawrence Festival - 1 August to 15 September 
• Green Festival - 21 September 
• Gin and Gaslight at D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - 18 October
• Stapleford Christmas Lights Switch On - 23 November 
• Eastwood Christmas Lights Switch On - 26 November 
• Beeston Christmas Lights Switch On - 30 November 

For further information including venues for the above events, please click on our What's On Where online events calendar.

You can also see what other Council and community events are taking place on the calendar above.

Image courtesy of Christopher Frost

D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

The D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum is where this literary legend was born on 11 September 1885.

The Museum is a must see for fans of literature, and for those wanting to delve deeper into Nottingham’s literary heritage.

It also offers a range of wider community events to encourage those who may not normally visit to experience cultural, educational and wellbeing activity.

Find out more about the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

C-City Project

Broxtowe has signed a C-City Charter along with Gütersloh (Germany), Falun (Sweden), Châteauroux (France) and Grudziądz (Poland). The C-City concept is focused around the idea that sharing culture is key to European cooperation. The project provides a platform with which to showcase Broxtowe’s existing cultural offer and for those in the community to exchange ideas and practices with the other cities involved.

So far, the project has seen a new live music event, Friday18, established in Beeston and work continues on the other project themes of cinema, visual arts, music: classic, music: jazz and rock, theatre, sport, food and lifestyle, literature and history and custom.

Community

Broxtowe is rich with voluntary arts, heritage and community organisations covering a wide range of areas of interest. These groups are run by committed volunteers and their activities make a major contribution to the cultural life of the area. Regular events include everything from Beeston Film Festival, Kimberley Jam and Oxjam to walk and talk programmes, the D.H. Lawrence Music Festival and new for 2024, the Broxtowe Festival which will run throughout the month of June. This will be a community arts festival showcasing local creativity including visual and performing arts, literature, film and music and much more.

Collaboration

Culture does not belong to a single person or organisation so our cultural programme really is about being a champion of culture, engaging and collaborating with local groups and organisations to help everyone share in and celebrate the cultural richness of the Borough.

You can promote your community events on our online events calendar or get in touch with our Events Team (opens in new window) to let us know about your activities.