Nottingham Puppet Festival

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

World-class French puppet theatre company La Salamandre have performed Un Ocean d’Amour nearly 700 times all over the world, but they're coming to the UK for the very first time at Squire Performing Arts Centre, Nottingham.

Two performers in grey overalls use nothing but sheets of paper to conjure up a massive world of land and sea. Without using a single word, they fold, tear, and crumple their way through an emotional story about a lost sailor and his wife’s epic journey to find him. It's based on the graphic novel by Grégory Panaccione and Wilfrid Lupano.

La Salamandre have racked up awards left, right and centre, including at Charleville-Mézières, which is considered the world capital of puppetry.

When they aren't touring, they're based at L'Hopitau (The Puppet Arts Laboratory), an international creative hub that hosts local, national and international artist residencies, workshops, courses and more

Un Ocean d’Amour is a masterclass in what visual theatre can do, and since it's making its UK debut right on our doorstep as part of the Puppet Festival, you ought to grab your tickets for the 1st July before they sail away! ⛵️

https://nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk/event/14123/un-ocean-damour/

18/06/2026

Nottingham Puppet Festival X Lakeside Arts Family Day 🎉

Join us on Sunday 5 July, for a range of family-friendly Puppet Festival events here at Lakeside, including:

🟠 Free Firebird Walkabout - 11am, 1pm & 3pm
🟡 The River - designed specifically for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) - 11.30am, 2pm & 3.30pm
🟢 Family Sensory Picnic - designed specifically for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and their families - 12.30-2pm
🔵 At Sea - an uplifting, non-verbal puppetry adventure for ages 6+ - 2.30pm

🔗 lakesidearts.org.uk/PuppetFestival

18/06/2026

HandMade Theatre's exhibition is now on at Nottingham Central Library.

Their collection of handcrafted animal puppets was first created in 2020 for the outdoor show 'Wildernests', inspired by local wildlife. They continue to make regular appearances in HandMade Theatre's puppet busking shows and at community workshops, including work with adults living with dementia.

Each puppet, from a stoic stag to a lively hare, a shy hedgehog to a mischievous squirrel, is made from sustainable, repurposed textiles, celebrating texture and movement through creative design.

Get an up close glimpse into the artistry, storytelling, and community connections at the heart of HandMade Theatre’s work.

The exhbition runs until 11 July and is free to visit

17/06/2026

It's World Crocodile Day today - so it's only right that we give a shout out to the greediest croc of all!

See the amazing puppets in The Enormous Crocodile at Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall from 2 to 5 July.

Watch out for those delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees though!!🐊

16/06/2026

Dimitri has a message for you...

And so does Mark, Artistic Director of Blind Summit Theatre. He's shared a brilliant blog post about The S*x Lives of Puppets, diving into how a bunch of inanimate pillows managed to get completely frank, filthy and surprisingly moving about a subject we’re usually too polite to bring up.

When we talk about s*x, what they’re really opening up about is love, connection and all our human vulnerabilities.

It’s funny, it’s wholesome and a little bit awkward! Check out the full blog post on our website to read Mark’s insights - https://nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk/2026/06/16/making-the-s*x-lives-of-puppets/

Grab your tickets for 29 and 30 Jun at Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

15/06/2026

We just wanted to pop a post on to say a massive thank you to It's in Nottingham who are supporting our City Centre Day this year. Their sponsorship has helped enable us to bring a FREE day full of puppetry performances, walkabouts, exhibitions and workshops from creatives across the UK to the centre of Nottingham from 10.30 to 4.30 on Saturday 27 June.

If you're coming down - don't forget to download the It's In Nottingham app to explore the best spots to grab a drink or a bite to eat.

It's going to be a lot of fun and creativity! Hope to see you there.

13/06/2026

Global Grooves - Manchester are bringing The Hare to the City Centre Day on Sat 27th Jun.

The Hare is gentle and curious, often spotted leaping and bounding around in his white winter coat. Whilst inspiration was drawn from the shy animals that reside in the Peak District, the Mountain Hare is a little more outgoing in nature, and cannot wait to greet everyone.

Created using new mechanic techniques and innovative kinetic movement designs, watch as he leaps above the heads of audiences in Lister Gate! Catch him at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm!

12/06/2026

Global puppet masters Blind Summit Theatre are bringing their critically acclaimed show, The S*x Lives of Puppets, to Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall on 29 & 30 Jun.

A snapshot of love lives in contemporary Britain, based on real life interviews, brilliantly performed ‘mocumentary’ style by a lifelike cast of talking puppets. These puppets have much to tell you: the thrill of illicit meetings, dressing up, the problems of dirty talk, the need for people to find you attractive, what really goes on in a care home. They tell stories of weird, wonderful, everyday s*x. And there’s a puppet o**y and some “shadow puppet porn” too. It has to be seen to be believed!

It's funny, filthy and surprisingly tender, but in the end what the show is really about is love.

https://nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk/event/14167/the-s*x-lives-of-puppets/

11/06/2026

🎭 Volunteer at Nottingham Puppet Festival 2026 🐇

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring a day of puppets, performances and city centre surprises to life on Saturday 27 June.

Roles include:
✨ Supporting giant puppet walkabouts
✨ Welcoming audiences
✨ Helping at festival hubs
✨ Gathering public feedback
✨ Supporting social media and photography

All volunteers need to attend one briefing session at the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham:
📅 Wed 17 June, 2.30pm–4pm
📅 Thu 18 June, 6.30pm–8pm

Volunteer shifts are available across the festival day, from set-up in the morning to pack-down in the evening.

Interested? Register your interest via 🔗 https://city-arts.org.uk/volunteer-at-the-nottingham-puppet-festival-city-centre-day/

Please note volunteers must be aged 18+.

The city centre takeover is supported by It's in Nottingham.