Colors of Nottingham - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

The city of Nottingham is a birth place of famous literary character Robin Hood. It was here in the Sherwood Forest where the famous hero performed his feats and astounded the local folks with his bravery and courage. The streets and squares of the city are named after the hero the robber and his fellows. Annually Nottingham holds a great Robin Hood fest. The Robin Hood Pageant festival attracts tourists from all over the world.

Participants of the festival are offered to get on bright green hats and capes of the kind Robin Hood wore. The guests of the festival are entertained with numerous shows and competitions. Costumes demonstration and competitive archery shooting, engaging races and kids competitions are only few of entertaining theme events held in Sherwood Forest from the dawn till late night during the festival. The event lasts for a week. It is one of the most waited holidays among local folks and is of their crowning national glory.

However hero and robber Robin Hood is not the one and only feature remarkable of the city. The same significant symbol of the tourist destination is beer. Local folks claim this drink to be a national one. Attractive pubs and bars are scattered all over the city of Nottingham. The city holds an original festival devoted to this sort of drink – the Nottingham Beer Festival. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

For several days the streets of the city invites local folks and city guests to visit specialized open air cafes to try best sorts of beer of local production. Beer tasting, original gastronomy events and competitions are of great popularity among foreign guests. The Nottingham Beer Festival is far not the only gastronomy event held in the city. The tourist destination holds annually the Food and Drink Festival.

The name of the fest makes it clear what is going on during the fest. The festival is devoted to ethnic foods and drinks. An established place of holding the festival is still the Old Market Square. During the festival the square is equipped with tables on which culinary experts perform their foods masterpieces. Cooks and food experts from other countries take part in the festival even more often. Foreign cooks try to perform their best culinary skill. Usual people can take part in the culinary competitions as the festival presents several culinary master classes from renowned foods experts and engaging competitions.

At the end of July, guests of Nottingham can witness a colorful event, which is clear from its name - the Splendour Festival. The venue is picturesque Wollaton Park located within the grounds of Wollaton Hall. At this time, visitors to the festival have a great opportunity to enjoy good music and stunning green landscapes. It'd be a good idea to combine attending the event with a guided tour of the castle, as well as playing golf in Wollaton Park Golf Club. As for genres, they can play whatever they like, from indie to electronic music. The festival is annually visited by eminent headliners from all over the world. Kaiser Chiefs, Scissor Sisters, Blondie, Billy Ocean have already been among them.

No less popular is the Riverside Festival held in early August. As a venue for the festival, its organizers chose the Trent River Embankment stretching from Victoria Embankment to Trent Bridge. This is the largest free festival, which lasts 3 days and offers a variety of activities for the whole family: a fair, rides, street art, theatrical performances, music concerts, boat races, and a colorful fireworks display at the end of the festival. If your vacation in Nottingham takes place at the beginning of November, be sure to check out the Nottingham Comedy Festival in Old Market Square. Stand-ups, improvisations, sketches, performances are just a small part of the activities available for visitors here.

Nottingham also hosts colorful parades, and one of the evidences is the Nottingham Caribbean Carnival taking place at the end of August on Victoria Embankment. This event is an explosive mixture of colorful costumed performances and processions, family activities, a gastronomic program, workshops, and music concerts. And on top of all this is fun and joy, without which no carnival can do. About eighty thousand join the festival every year. Another bright event is St. Patrick's Day Parade, which is traditionally held in mid-March when participants dressed in green demonstrate colorful shows. The parade is held in Old Market Square and is never complete without Irish dances and bagpiping.

The same square becomes the venue for another interesting festival introducing foreigners to the local culture. This is about the Heritage Open Days taking place at the beginning of the first autumn month. The festival is held throughout the UK, and Nottingham - a major historical center - is no exception. It is certainly worth exploring the sights as part of specially organized themed tours acquainting tourists with the "hidden jewels" of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Another event is dedicated to Robin Hood - namely, the Robin Hood Marathon and Half Marathon with a total distance of about four and a half kilometers. This event is another opportunity to see Nottingham's landmarks running along them. The event takes place at the end of September.

One of the most famous fairs in Europe having its roots in the Middle Ages is the Goose Fair. The exact date of its origin is unknown. However, it can be said with confidence that people have been celebrating this fair for at least a thousand years. It is also interesting that the event was often described in classic British literature. Apart from the fair where they present farm products, kids will have a great opportunity to enjoy rides, eat cotton candy, and just have fun. You can attend the event in early October at Forest Recreation Ground. At the beginning of February, the central city streets acquire a special charm thanks to illumination within the framework of the Light Night. Nights turn white so evening walks become especially enjoyable for tourists.