New website to showcase Nottingham as the UK's Festival City in October

A brand new website - www.octoberinnottingham.co.uk - dedicated to showcasing what’s on in Nottingham, the UK’s Festival city this October, is now live and set to attract even more visitors to the month-long celebration this year. Now in its second year, the Festival brings the city alive in October and, with an even bigger programme of events compared to last year, it offers more major festivals and events in October than any other city in the UK – including, what is believed to be, the UK’s first-ever Caves Festival. October is the perfect time to visit this vibrant city and the new website is packed with details of what to see and do to help you celebrate in Nottingham in October as well as places to stay, eat, drink and explore, including over 20 major events and festivals taking place throughout the month. The website has been created by LeftLion Extended.  Alan Gilby, Director of LeftLion Ltd, said: “As proud supporters of the city’s cultural offerings, we were delighted to design and build a website to promote all the fantastic events occurring throughout October. It was a pleasure working with the City Council and Gigantic ticketing to provide a solution that we are sure will help to grow engagement and participation for both this year and the years to come.” BBC Radio Nottingham is the media partner for this year’s festival – another first for the event.  Sophie Shardlow, Editor BBC Radio Nottingham, said: “Listen to Festival Fridays on BBC Radio Nottingham as each week in October we take a show to a different festival venue – it’s great to celebrate the city!” David Wallace, Chief Executive, Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, said: “Nottingham’s October Festival provides us with a terrific opportunity to raise the profile of Nottingham as the UK’s leading festival city in the month of October.  By holding such a diverse range of events we are hoping to attract a large number of visitors to the city, which will clearly have a positive impact on the region’s visitor economy, especially as many of the visitors will incorporate an overnight stay in the city.” Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “No other city can come close to the amazing line-up that Nottingham offers to visitors this October. Our new website brings these events together and will inspire more people than ever before to pay our city a visit this autumn.” From the hidden world of caves to family fun canalside; medieval merriment at the Robin Hood Pageant to the annual Goose Fair; and Hockley Hustle to The Spiegel Tent, the immense programme of events includes something for all to enjoy. The inaugural Nottingham Caves Festival will see a range of events taking place in caves across the city – including live music, food and drink events, special tours and storytelling events.  Discover a hidden world of wonder, deep underground the city of Nottingham, which is home to more than 500 man-made caves, many of which date back to the medieval period. A Caves Festival hub in Old Market Square will also provide visitors with insight into the history of the caves, and interactive activities to bring the stories of the caves to life. Fans of Nottingham’s world-famous outlaw - Robin Hood - will not be disappointed, with jousting and medieval merriment at Nottingham Castle’s Robin Hood Pageant; sampling some of the 1,200 real ales on offer at the four-day Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival, which is now in its 41st year; and even a celebration of the man himself on the International Robin Hood Day. Find out more about October in Nottingham, the UK’s Festival City at the new website www.octoberinnottingham.co.uk Highlights of the October in Nottingham Festival featured on the website include: Nottingham Caves Festival 17 – 30 October 2016 Discover a hidden world of wonder, deep underground the city of Nottingham, which is home to more than 600 man-made caves, many of which date back to the medieval period. The inaugural Nottingham Caves Festival will see a range of events taking place in caves across the city – including live music, food and drink events, special tours and storytelling events. A Caves Festival hub will also provide visitors with insight into the history of the caves, and interactive activities to bring the stories of the caves to life. Nottingham Independents Festival 1^st October- Nottingham City Centre A fun day out for all, ‘It’s in Nottingham’ presents Nottingham’s first Independents festival in the city centre. With tons of entertainment and exclusive giveaways there is something for everyone in the city. Pick up one of our festival guides to discover what is happening including events in Independents businesses as well as the Independent stages set up around the city to entertain you and lead you on a road of discovery for Nottingham’s amazing independents offer. Spiegel Tent in Old Market Square, Nottingham    1 – 8 October 2016 This beautiful Belgian 20^th Century travelling dance hall, made of wood and complete with ornate decoration and mirrors will return to the Old Market Square for the second year to host a diverse range of events including music performances, pantomime, dance shows, a comedy night and burlesque shows. It is the largest surviving tent of mirrors in the world, and one which Marlene Dietrich once performed in, and was loved by Marilyn Monroe. Nottingham Canal Festival 1 October Celebrate the heritage of our waterways and enjoy a family fun day out at Castle Wharf in the heart of the city.  Have a go at angling, try canoeing, take in a boat trip, or simply soak up the atmosphere by the water.  Historic boats from across the UK will give a flavour of how the wharf would have looked in its industrial heyday. Goose Fair, Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham 5 – 9 October The UK’s oldest travelling fair, with more than 700 years of history, the Goose Fair is renowned as a fantastic event for all ages. With more than 500 attractions, from the latest white knuckle experiences to family rides and old favourites including waltzers, carousels and Hook-a-Duck, plus traditional Goose Fair food including mushy peas and mint sauce, candy floss and brandy snaps. Leonardo Da Vinci: 10 Drawings from the Royal Collection Until 9 Oct A new exhibition at Nottingham Castle displays ten of the finest drawings by Leonardo da Vinci from the Royal Collection, in an incredibly rare chance to see them.  The works show the extraordinary scope of the artist’s interests, from painting and sculpture to engineering, zoology, botany, mapmaking and anatomy. Hockley Hustle 9 October The streets of Hockley in the heart of the Creative Quarter will be filled with festival fever when 250 Nottingham acts perform in over 25 venues to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Hockley Hustle music event which has helped to springboard a large number of musical acts, including the hugely successful Jake Bugg who performed at the festival six years ago. Along with great music, street entertainers and street food the event brings a carnival atmosphere to this area of the city. Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival, Nottingham Castle 12 – 15 October Renowned as the festival with the world’s biggest selection of draft cask condition beers, with more than 1,200 on offer, sample some of the country’s finest best beer and cider whilst enjoying  the picturesque grounds of Nottingham Castle.  Fantastic food and live music add to the festive atmosphere of this legendary event. Mayhem Film Festival, Broadway Cinema 13 – 16 October This cutting-edge event brings you the very best in horror, sci-fi and cult features and shorts from around the world, often with guest filmmakers in attendance. From premieres, new releases and previews to cult classics, breakthrough shorts, midnight movies, masterclasses and live experiments. Nottingham Oktoberfest 2016 26 – 30 Oct Enjoy the amazing atmosphere and a taste of Bavaria in Nottingham when the second huge Oktoberfest German Beer Festival opens on the Forest Recreation ground, offering German beer, great food and live music. Lederhosen optional! International Robin Hood Day 29 October Celebrate Nottingham’s famous outlaw Robin Hood, with a day dedicated to the man himself!  Visit Old Market Square for free Robin Hood themed crafts and activities, or head to Nottingham Castle to enjoy the festivities at the Robin Hood Pageant. Robin Hood Pageant, Nottingham Castle 29 - 30 October This ever popular event offers a great opportunity to experience a taste of medieval life at a celebration of Nottingham’s infamous legend.   The Robin Hood Pageant, which transforms the grounds of Nottingham Castle into a medieval village, sees Robin Hood and his Merry Men, King Richard I in his royal camp and living history demonstrations entertaining the crowds.  Archery, falconry, wood carving and spectacular jousting tournaments are among the many activities at this extravaganza of medieval merriment. GameCity Festival 26 – 29 October This October, Make Fun! when GameCity, the world’s best loved videogame festival is back for its eleventh year.  Nottingham becomes the capital city of videogames once again, with more new games per square-foot than anywhere else in the world!  Plus the infamous city-wide Sheriff’s Gauntlet will be taking place on Saturday 29 October, starting at the Old Market Square.