25 things to look out for in 2025, across Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas
The new year is here and there is a lot to look forward to over the next 12 months.
But beyond the traditional holidays, events and activities at Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas, what else can we get up to this year?
There is plenty going on in Newark and Sherwood and the surrounding areas, from town centre events and festivals, to major projects and even an election.
Here are 25 things to look out for in 2025:
JANUARY
1. Plough Sunday:
As is tradition, a milk churn and an old plough will be blessed as a way of wishing all those in the farming industry good fortune for the years ahead
This event usually takes place on the second Sunday in January, which this year falls on January 12.
2. Beat the Streets Festival:
Those looking to beat the January blues, can look forward to a day filled with music to suit every taste at Beat the Streets 2025.
Held at a range of venues across Nottingham, the festival take place on Sunday, January 26.
The annual festival aims to bring communities together and raise vital funds for the homelessness charity Framework.
MARCH
3. Hercules Clay:
On Sunday, March 9, a ceremony will be held in Newark to commemorate the life of Hercules Clay, a former Newark businessman and Mayor during the English Civil War.
The current Mayor of Newark will lay a rose in honour of the Hercules Clay, who lived in the house next door to Newark Town Hall, and following a request in his will to give loaves of bread to the town’s poor, food donations will be made.
Spectators will also be able to marvel as the reinactment uniforms and weaponry of the members of Colonel Robert Overton’s Regiment, from the English Civil War Society,
MAY
4. Local Elections 2025:
On Thursday, May 1, an election will be held to elect members of Nottinghamshire County Council.
All 66 seats across the county will be contested as the current Conservative administration prepares to defend its position.
This will be held on the same day as other local elections up and down the country.
5. VE Day 80th Anniversary:
On May 8, the national commemorate 80 years since victory was declared in Europe towards the end of the Second World War.
The mark the occasion communities across the country will light beacons as a sign of peace.
It follows the hugely successful ‘D-Day 80’ commemorations in June last year, and will see a unique VE Day flag flown.
6. Nottinghamshire County Show:
Newark Showground will once again play host to the Nottinghamshire County Show when it returns on, Saturday, May 10.
Organised by the Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society, the show is a celebration of rural life and showcases the best that farming and the countryside has to offer.
Visitors can look forward to seeing prize winning livestock and horses, exploring food and craft stalls from local producers, watching competitions and entertainment, and much more.
7. Newark Mayor Making:
Each year a new Mayor of Newark is selected by Newark Town Council during its annual general meeting, which is due to take place on Sunday, May 11.
During the meeting, held in the Ballroom at Newark Town Hall, nominations are made before councillors vote on who will become the next Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Newark.
A short ceremony will then take place where the current Mayor Diane Ledger will hand of the robes and chains to her successor.
8. Newark Steampunk Festival:
After only a few years, the Newark Steampunk Festival has quickly established itself as a staple within the town’s identity.
Due to take place from May 23 to 25, the festival is a colourful display of creativity, with fantastical outfit and all manner of weird and wonderful market stalls and entertainment.
Alongside a Christmas Steampunk Festival held in December, the events attract thousands of visitors to the town centre, providing a boost to businesses and putting a smile on the faces of residents.
JUNE
9. Newark Business Awards:
The annual Newark Business Awards, organised by the Newark Advertiser, will this year take place on June 13, at Kelham Hall.
The awards give the public a chance to nominate and show their support to the many business and charities based in our area.
Nominations are due to open on January 23.
10. Live at Lincoln Castle concert series
Taking place from Friday, June 13 to Saturday, June 28, the Live at Lincoln Castle concert series will be bringing some of the nation's favourite acts to the region.
It will kick off on June 13 with English rock band Stranglers, followed by Indie band James on June 14 and Scottish rock icon Texas on June 15.
A few days later on June 19, Rag N’Bone Man perform, followed by UB40 and Ali Campbell on June 21 and Olly Murs, with special guest Lemar on June 25.
The final two days will see 80s group Human League perform on June 27 and Simple Minds on June 28.
JULY
11. Gate To Southwell Festival:
Taking place at Kirklington Lakes, near Southwell, the Gate To Southwell Festival 2025, will run from Thursday, July 3, to Sunday, July 6.
With over 50 acts performing across four stages, festival goers will be treated to four days of high quality folk, roots, and acoustic music as well as children’s entertainment, folk dancing, ceilidhs. poetry and comedty, as well as a food and drink festival.
The folk festival, which was last year shortlisted for best small festival in UK Festival Awards, will be headlined by Richard Thompson, with more acts set to be announced at a later date.
12. Newark Book Festival:
The annual book festival held in Newark town centre will return this summer, although full details and dates have not yet been confirmed,
Normally spread across a long weekend in mid-July, the literature festival features dozens of events suitable for people of all ages, from book signings and talks with authors, to creative workshops and readings.
Organisers are currently appealing for sponsors and volunteers to get involved.
AUGUST
13. Robin Hood Festival:
Throughout the month of August events will take place at Sherwood Forest to celebrate the Robin Hood Festival.
Medieval knights and archers will fill the famous forest, taking families on a journey through time to discover more about the legendary outlaw Robin Hood and his band of merry men — with guided tours, wildlife walks, activities and more.
The celebrations will culminate over the August Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate Nottinghamshire Day, on August 25.
14. Newark-on-Sea urban beach:
Usually taking place from early to mid-August, ‘Newark-on-Sea’ will see the Market Place in from of Newark Town Hall transformed into an urban beach.
Visitors can expect all the fun of the seaside closer to home, with deck chairs, buckets and spades, beach huts, street food, and even the sound of waves, supported by daily activities and entertainment such as sand castle competitions, live music, and Punch and Judy shows.
Organised by Newark Town Council, who also own the equipment, details and exact dates will be confirmed later this year.
15. Ladies Day, Southwell Racecourse:
The glitz and glamour of Ladies Day is set to return on Sunday, August 17.
Thousands of spectators will flock in the finery to the Southwell Racecourse from across the region to enjoy a day of racing and entertainment.
The best dressed ladies on the day could also win big in the Style Awards.
16. Newark Half Marathon:
Also taking place on August 17 will be the Newark Half Marathon.
The normal race was cancelled and made into an online event in 2024 due to the closure of roads along the usual route for major building works.
A route for this year’s race is yet to be confirmed, although in recent years the start line has been on Hawton Road, with the race finishing in Sconce and Devon Park.
2025 will also see Run Through take over as lead organisers of the event for the first time.
17. Southwell Music Festival:
This year’s Southwell Music Festival will run from Friday, August 22 to Monday, August 25.
A Festival Launch concert will be held on Friday, May 16, at Southwell Minster, where performers and events will be announced.
The festivals also prides itself on showcasing the best musical talents from across the area.
18. Newark Festival:
The town centre’s festival is expected to return again this August Bank Holiday weekend.
However, details for this year’s event have not been finalised as part of the festival is historically held in the grounds of Newark Castle, which is due to be closed for construction on the Castle Gatehouse Project.
Organised by Newark Town Council, some form of festival could still go ahead following the success of a live music, which featured dozens of independent musicians performing in pubs and venues across Newark last year.
SEPTEMBER
19. Newark Dragon Boat Festival:
Usually taking place in mid-September, planning for the Newark Dragon Boat Festival 2025 is currently underway, with an exact date to be confirmed.
Organised by the Children’s Bereavement Centre and Beaumond House Hospice Care, last year’s event raised over £48,660 for the two Newark-based charities.
The day features exciting action, with dozens of boat crews racing each other along the River Trent by Newark Castle. Entertainment and food stalls are also positioned in Riverside Park.
20. Polish Air Bridge service:
Newark has a long history and connection with Poland, and is home to the UK’s largest collection of Polish war graves in Newark Cemetery.
It is here that each year people from all over the country and Poland attend, and lay wreaths in acts of remembrance.
Usually around the third Sunday of September, the Air Bridge service is held, commemorating the 250 airmen who lost their lives assisting the Warsaw Uprising in September 1944.
OCTOBER
21. All Souls service:
Members of the polish community, armed forces, and dignitaries will gather in Newark Cemetery to commemorate All Souls, on October 26, the last Sunday of the month.
It is a ceremony which pays respect to fallen servicemen reinforces the bonds shared by Poland and the UK — to be made all the more poignant this year by the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Candles will be lit and placed by the headstones of those in the Commonwealth War Graves section of the cemetery, which are left to burn throughout the night.
22. Bramley Apple Festival:
On October 25, The Bramley Apple Festival of Food and Drink will be held in Southwell.
The autumnal event is a celebration of the humble Bramley Apple, which originated in the town, and will feature dozens of stall holders offering an array of food and drink including pies, chocolates, jams, chutneys, pickles, sausages and more.
Free cookery demonstrations will also take place in Southwell Minster.
NOVEMBER
23. Remembrance Day:
Traditionally held on the nearest Sunday to Armistice Day, this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations will be held on November 9.
Ceremonies will be held in towns and villages across the district, while in Newark a parade of serving military personnel, veterans, and youth organisations will march through the town to the War Memorial in Newark Parish Church Gardens.
A service of Remembrance will then be held at Barnbygate Methodist Church as the Parish Church will be closed for restoration work.
DECEMBER
24. Newark Parish Church to re-open:
Following a year long restoration project, Newark Parish Church is anticipated to open again in time for Christmas.
Beginning last November, the 800-year-old church will see major restoration works take place throughout 2025 as part of the National Lottery funded ‘Reawakening Project’.
The project will address centuries of wear and tear, with particular focus put on fixing the ageing roof, as well as installing solar panel to make the building more eco-friendly.
The iconic town landmark will also be enhanced as a tourism location.
25. Newark Christmas Tree Festival:
Traditionally held inside of Newark Parish Church from early to mid-December, a date and location for this year’s Christmas Tree Festival will be subject to progress on the Reawakening Project.
However, in 2024 the festival was moved to the mezzanine level of Newark Buttermarket, allowing the event to still go ahead with over 100 trees beautifully decorated by businesses, groups, charities and individuals from across the area.
If the church is not able to re-open again in time, the festival will likely be moved to an alternative location once again.
What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
