Young Hustlers to return to Nottingham as part of Hockley Hustle festival

Popular Young Hustlers festival is set to return this month, promising a weekend of creativity, culture and family fun.

The festival, taking place on Sunday (October 19), in Sneinton, Nottingham, and surrounding venues, will feature a packed programme of workshops, performances and hands-on activities.

Activities will range from drumming and dance to poetry, circus skills, DJing, pizza making and world street food.

This year’s theme — Around the World — celebrates the city’s cultural diversity through music, food and art.

More than 15 venues, including Carousel, City Arts, Vietcentric and the Brazilian Cultural Centre, will host activities throughout the day, alongside live music and street entertainment at Sneinton Market Avenues.

A highlight of the 2025 programme is the return of Lumini, a spectacular inflatable sculpture by Nottingham’s Architects of Air.

Described by parents as “a sensory dream,” the Dodecalis dome will take over Sneinton Market Square, offering families the chance to explore its colourful interiors.

Inside, a line-up curated by Global Roots will showcase world music, with performances and workshops on instruments including mbira, tabla, flute, handpan and drums.

Festival co-director Saziso Phiri said: “We’re really excited to have Lumini back at Young Hustlers, following a very popular appearance last year.

“This year we’ve expanded the structure so more people can enjoy its amazing features.

“With Global Roots curating the music programme, the dome will celebrate sounds from South Asia and Africa, tying in with our Around the World theme.

“We’re also proud to be introducing a dedicated SEND Family Day, to ensure the festival is accessible to children and families who may find the main event overwhelming.”

The SEND Day will take place on Saturday (October 18), offering free places for 60 families through schools, charities and community groups.

It will feature specially designed workshops, including storytelling with Alma Solarte-Tobón and beatboxing with Mr Shay.

Lumini will be adapted with calming lights, softer sounds and flexible access points to ensure a welcoming space.

On the main festival day, highlights include the Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave, a showcase of young performers from local schools and youth groups, poetry and spoken word with Jah Digga and John Berkavitch, samba and bhangra dance, Vietnamese cookery, and pizza-making workshops with Sneinton’s Working Man’s Kitchen.

Tickets are priced at £4 for children aged two to 17 and £11 for adults, plus booking fees.

Adult wristbands also allow entry to Hockley Hustle venues running on the same day (October 19).

Two hundred free tickets have been set aside for low-income families.

For the full programme, visit Young Hustlers’ social media channels or pick up a schedule on the day.