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+
