Newark Book Festival

Walkabout with Daisy
2024-07-14 11:00 - 12:00 UTC | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
Join Daisy for a walkabout at the Literature Village for a morning with hula hoops, skipping ropes, bean bags, and a bag full of challenges to get everyone involved, big or small playing all day!

Nicci and her Strictly Canine Dancing Dogs!
2024-07-14 12:15 - 12:45 | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
We welcome Nicci and her wonderful Strictly Canine Dancing Dogs on Sunday 14th July 12.15pm – 12.45pm in Newark market place.
Nicci and her dogs have won Crufts a total of 6 times and she is currently 4th in the world in DogDance. Nicci and my dogs perform at events around the country and have been featured in various tv programmes and advert campaigns.
Nicci will be raising money with her show for the European champs at end of July, so please do support them by donating whilst watching their amazing event.
FREE

Beetlejuice! Wacky Walkabout with Rhubarb Theatre
2024-07-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
Watch out, watch out, Beetlejuice is about. These chilling characters are rolling into town, they’ll make you spin the wheel of chance, I hope you’re ready to have a dance!
Enjoy live street performances and a Wacky Walkabout with Rhubarb Theatre at the Newark Book Festival Literature Village at Newark’s Market Place. With two performances throughout the day on Sunday.
Guaranteed entertainment for all the family (adults included!) Rhubarb Theatre’s Beetlejuice! Wacky Walkabout featured character interaction, dance, music, a lot of laughter, and even more mischief!
Beetlejuice! Wacky Walkabout Performance Times:

1pm – 1.30pm
2pm – 2.30pm

Reggie Houser Has The Power - Helen Rutter
2024-07-14 16:30 - 17:30 | Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Join us for the last festival event of the season at the National Civil War Centre, for a laugh-out-loud book talk and reading by Helen Rutter and her latest story, Reggie Houser Has The Power.
Learn all about Reggie, a boy with ADHD who goes on a mission to learn mind control. Will Reggie’s incredible talent solve all his problems or just get him into deep trouble? Interviewed by Kate Hancock.
Suitable for 8-12 year olds.

Do Lions Hate Haircuts: Storytime and Craft session
2025-07-11 09:30 - 10:30 | Newark Library Children’s Area, Beaumond Gardens, Balderton Gate, Newark, NG24 1UW
Join children’s author Bethany Walker for a lively and laughter-filled morning inspired by her hilarious picture book, Do Lions Hate Haircuts? This fun and interactive event is perfect for little ones who love stories, silliness, and getting crafty!
Meet Leonard the Lion—an impeccably groomed feline with very strong opinions about his hair. In this engaging storytelling session, Bethany will bring Leonard’s tale to life, complete with audience interaction and plenty of giggles. Find out why Leonard is so fussy about his mane, and what happens when things go a little… wild at the hair salon!
After the story, get creative with a roaringly fun craft activity. Kids will design and collage their very own fabulous hairstyle for Leonard—will it be curly, spiky, stripy, rainbow-coloured, or something entirely unexpected? All materials will be provided, and children are encouraged to bring their imagination (and maybe a bit of sparkle too!).
Beautifully illustrated by Steph Laberis, Do Lions Hate Haircuts? is a joyful celebration of self-expression and the power of being yourself—perfect for children aged 3–7 and their grown-ups.
Spaces are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. We can’t wait to see your wild and wonderful lion styles!

Bookbench Storytime: Shimmer & Shine Bench
2025-07-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Newark Art Gallery, 42A Kirk Gate, Newark, NG24 1AB, United Kingdom
Meet local Newark-based author Emma Oldham at the Shimmer and Shine Bookbench by artist Carla Dee inside Newark Art Gallery for a storytelling session of The Whale Who Disappeared.
Perfect for ages 2-6 years.
No need to book just turn up and enjoy!

2025 Summer Reading Challenge - Story Garden
2025-07-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Newark Library Children’s Area, Beaumond Gardens, Balderton Gate, Newark, NG24 1UW
The World Famous Story Emporium is putting on gardening gloves and wellies and loading up its wheelbarrow with pens and paper for some story-inspired green-fingered crafty fun. Join Ally Pally Arts in sowing stories and harvesting happy endings at Newark Library to launch the Summer Reading Challenge.
No need to book, drop into Newark Library and enjoy this free event.

Bookbench Storytime: Newark By Day/Night Bench
2025-07-12 11:30 - 12:00 | Newark Town Hall, Newark Town Hall, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
Join Newark Book Festival’s Young Ambassadors for a free storytime session at the Newark By Day/Night Bookbench.
You’ll find our magical Young Ambassador storytellers and the BookBench opposite Letsxcape inside Newark Town Hall. Go through the Market Place entrance and you won’t miss it!
It’s a FREE event! Just pop along on the day to enjoy our stories.

Bookbench Storytime: Castles in the Air Bench
2025-07-12 12:00 - 14:00 | Inspire, Newark Buttermarket (upstairs)
Continuing the Dragons and Fairytale theme from Inspired Learning and Music teams’ event, Dragons & Fairytale Fun. Join storyteller Nicky Rafferty (at 12pm and 1pm) and our festival’s Young Ambassadors (at 2pm) for some mythical, magical, made-up storytime fun at the Castle in the Air Bookbench found inside Buttermarket.
Ideal for story-lovers aged 2 – 10 years

Dragons and Fairytale Fun
2025-07-12 12:00 - 16:00 | Inspire, Newark Buttermarket (upstairs)
Join the Inspire Learning and Music teams in a Dragons and Fairytale themed afternoon, with drop-in arts and crafts, have-a-go music sessions and meet Sapphire the Dragon and her friend Sparky.
Make a fire-breathing paper dragon, fold your own origami frog prince, and sit down with local picture book illustrator Vicky Kuhn for some fairytale colouring in. Create some dragon cartoons with the Doodling Poet Chris White. Write a funny, happy or sad poem about, ‘What a Dragon would say’, and make your dragon puppets and fairytale tower or castle to take home.
Perfect for any aged creative!

En Plein Aire - Paint Club with Urban Canvas
2025-07-13 10:00 - 15:00 | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
Paint what you see and explore the joy of creating art in the open air—just like the French Impressionists! Materials provided, no experience needed. Just drop in and get creative.

Oaklore - Jules Acton
2025-07-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
What links Robin Hood, Shakespeare, fungi, and folklore? Discover the surprising and magical history of Britain’s most iconic tree in this captivating book talk with Jules Acton, author of Oaklore: Adventures in a World of Extraordinary Trees.
A former journalist and long-time environmental advocate, Jules has worked with the Woodland Trust, the Wildlife Trusts, and WaterAid. In Oaklore, Jules Acton explores how oak trees have shaped British culture, mythology, and the natural world.
From their role in crafting ancient ink to their place in poetry, sorcery, and sacred rituals, oaks have inspired stories, art, songs, and traditions for generations. Jules’ talk will feature fascinating insights from the book, including encounters with legendary trees like Sherwood’s Medusa Oak and Cheshire’s Marton Oak, and will include tips on reconnecting with nature in your own life.
Join in for a lively, thought-provoking journey through tangled roots and timeless tales—an event perfect for nature lovers, history buffs, and curious minds alike. The talk will be followed by a book signing.
Let yourself be enchanted by the oak—king of the woods and keeper of countless stories.

Writing The World - Walk & Workshop
2025-07-13 11:00 - 12:30 | Newark Castle, Newark Castle, Castlegate, Newark, NG24 1BG
Bring your imagination and your walking feet, and get ready to Write the World, in this walk and writing workshop as part of Newark Book Festival. Where every step uncovers a new idea.
This unique session invites writers aged 9+ and their parents to take inspiration from their surroundings as they walk through Newark’s historic streets and green spaces. Along the way, Amy will guide you through a series of writing exercises designed to sharpen your use of sensory description, detail, and contrast—all essential skills for crafting vivid, engaging stories.
By writing on location, you’ll experience how setting can influence atmosphere and bring your writing to life in new and unexpected ways. Let the real world feed your imagination.
Practice important writing techniques and you walk around Newark, such as using sensory description, capturing detail and creating contrast. Expect fresh air, creative flow, and plenty of moments that might just spark your next big idea.
Bring a notebook, a pen, and comfortable walking shoes—and let Newark be your muse.
Meet Note everyone will now meet outside the Castle Gates opposite Gannets.

Rap School Poetic Flow with Rob Bradley
2025-07-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Newark Town Hall, Newark Town Hall, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
In The Rap School, Rob combines the power of poetry, rhythm, and performance to help young people find their voice through rap. Kicking things off with a live freestyle using words from the audience, Rob sets the stage with his signature wit, wordplay, and infectious energy.
Explore key techniques of rap writing, from rhyme and rhythm to flow and lyricism, and craft your own original verses during the workshop before taking to the stage to perform your rap in a supportive and inspiring atmosphere—boosting confidence and showcasing talent.
Rob has performed across the globe—from New York’s underground clubs to major festivals across Europe. He’s given multiple TEDx talks and is celebrated for his compelling storytelling and unmatched freestyle skills. Drawing on influences like The Fugees, 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G., Rob’s work is all about truth, creativity, and connection.
Perfect for teens and young adults (and their parents, too), this is a must-attend event for anyone into rap, poetry, or self-expression. No experience needed—just bring your energy and imagination. Recommended 7+

Open Doors Poetry with Leanne Moden
2026-07-09 10:00 - 2026-07-12 16:00 | National Civil War Centre (Upstairs), National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Visit the studio on the top floor of the National Civil War Centre where Open Doors artist-in-residence, Leanne Moden, has been writing poems, stories and scripts based on the museum’s collections.
While you’re there, try your hand at Leanne’s self-led wordy arts and crafts.
Open Doors is a programme of arts activity that is part of the heritage and culture offer in Newark and Sherwood. In 2023, the Palace Theatre and the National Civil War Centre were awarded funding from Arts Council England to become National Portfolio Organisations. The three-year programme, Open Doors, increases creative opportunities for young people and underserved groups, and helps us support the needs and interests of our communities.
Leanne has also written Newark Book Festival a beautiful 10th Birthday Poem, I Know You. You can read and watch a reading of the full poem here.
Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult during their visit.

The Kingdom of Tigers - Felicity Yeoh
2026-07-09 11:00 - 12:00 | St Mary Magdalene Church, Church Walk, Newark, NG24 1JS
A heartwarming new picture book by Felicity Yeoh about the environment, family and the search for a home, set in the Malaysian rainforest and inspired by UN Goodwill Ambassador and actress Michelle Yeoh. Perfect for little ones, join Felicity for a morning reading and musical production of The Kingdom of Tigers.
Tiger cub Hari lives in the jungle. As deforestation threatens his home and separates him from his mother, Hari must brave the wild with the friends he meets along the way, to find his mother and the sanctuary of his dreams.

Capybara Disco Dream with Frances Stickley
2026-07-10 09:30 - 10:15 | Learning Room, Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Bring your child along for a multi-sensory disco experience where we meet Colin, Frances Stickley’s latest character, and all of his friends and play a range of different music and movement games designed to shake out our sillies and wiggle our waggles away.
From the hip-hipping hippo to the boogying bear, you’ll all be dancing like you just don’t care.

Meet Peter Rabbit at Waterstones Newark
2026-07-11 - 2026-07-12 | Waterstones Newark, Waterstones Newark, 36 Stodman Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1AW, United Kingdom
Join the team at Waterstones Newark for a weekend of hopping good fun! Meet Peter Rabbit and join the hunt to find the squad of cute and cool characters who have escaped and hidden around the store. Can you find them all to win a sweet treat? A family-friendly activity with appearances from the childhood classic character.
Peter Rabbit will be spotted at intervals throughout the weekend:

Saturday 11th July: 10am, 2pm and 4pm
Sunday 12th July: 11am, 1pm and 3pm

The Singing Mermaid - Rhubarb Theatre
2026-07-11 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-11 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-11 12:00 - 13:00 | St Mary Magdalene Church, Church Walk, Newark, NG24 1JS
Dive into a magical undersea adventure with professional actor Kirsty Baker from Rhubarb Theatre. The Singing Mermaid will captivate you with her lively interactive storytelling before you get hands-on in a creative workshop, perfect for sparking young imaginations.
There are three free sessions to join, but booking is required:

Book Tickets: 9am – 10am
Book Tickets: 10.30am – 11.30am
Book Tickets: 12pm – 1pm

The Doodling Poet
2026-07-11 09:00 - 13:00 | Newark Library, Newark Library, Beaumond Gardens, Baldertongate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1UW, United Kingdom
Expect laughter, creativity, and a whirlwind of imagination with Chris White, writer, illustrator, and performance poet from Derby. Known as The Doodling Poet, Chris brings his books, including The A–Z of Completely Made-Up Dinosaurs and Don’t Put Dave in the Microwave!, to life.
Packed with doodles and poems, you’re invited to draw, write, and let your imagination run wild. Find The Doodling Poet pop-up in and around Newark Library.

The Storm Cloud - Frances Stickley
2026-07-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Newark Library Children’s Area, Beaumond Gardens, Balderton Gate, Newark, NG24 1UW
Listen to the story of The Storm Cloud, read by children’s book author Frances Stickley, before having some fun with arts and crafts to make your own Storm Cloud dreamcatcher to take home and finish.
Perfect for children aged 5+, join us for a free family-friendly event as part of Newark Book Festival in the children’s section of Newark Library. No need to book! Just turn up for the start time to catch the start of the story.

Literature Village
2026-07-12 10:00 - 15:00 | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
We’re taking over the Market Place! Find local crafts, bookish organisations, authors and published books of all genres at the Newark Book Festival Literature Village. You’ll also find the festival’s Storybook Emporium by Ally Pally Arts hosting our very special Birthday Party Zone with free children’s crafts, with some of your favourite picture book characters and stories.
It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a new stash to add to your TBR pile from independent and local authors and publishers. You’ll also find bookish accessories and homewares, such as beautifully crafted bookmarks, booksleeves, writing stationery, booklovers’ gifts, and much more.
Meet all the stallholders joining us this year here!

I really want to be a cat
2026-07-12 10:30 - 11:30 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Have you ever wanted to be a cat? Helen has, and she wrote a book about why. Join her as she reads the book, and then you will get to create your very own book about what animal you would love to be.

Maybe you want to be a cat too, or maybe an elephant is more your thing. Join Helen to get your creativity flowing.

This event is perfect for children aged 3 years + and their parents.

Paddington Cook & Craft Workshop
2026-07-12 11:00 - 12:30 | Learning Room, Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Come and bring the stories of Paddington alive with a delicious marmalade cake cooking workshop run by Jess Mitchell from Cook Stars. While the cakes bake, enjoy bear-themed arts and crafts, a drink and snack, and stories for you to read together.
Perfect for children aged 2 – 11 years. All tools, aprons, and ingredients for the Paddington workshop are provided.

Toby and the Pixies, Draw-a-long Workshop
2026-07-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Discover all the secrets of making great comics, from character design to speech bubbles, and have a lot of fun along the way. Join comics writer and artist James Turner, creator of the award-winning Star Cat graphic novel series and writer of Toby and the Pixies, in a draw-a-long workshop.
Come up with your own magical pixie characters and learn how to bring your characters to life in a silly adventure.
Perfect for children aged 7-9 years and their adults.
