Newark Book Festival

Beyond the Blue
2024-07-12 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Following on from their visit to Newark Book Festival last year and a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe with their production of ‘Broken Instruments’, singer/songwriters Nina Blaszczyk & Phil Baggaley return this year with a new project BEYOND THE BLUE.
This lovely concert is interspersed with beautiful poetry, with Echoes of the best acoustic traditions, bringing you a collection of poignant and beautiful original songs, inspired by the words of the much loved, best-selling poet DONNA ASHWORTH.

Storytime with Frances Stickley
2024-07-12 10:30 - 11:15 | Nottinghamshire
Bring your favourite bear and join Frances Stickley for a whistle-stop tour of stories across winter wonderland, rolling waves and dusty deserts in What Will You Dream of Tonight? Meet Cat and Mouse in their cartoon caper Not a Cat in Sight. Dance and wiggle as we move like superheroes, pirates and aliens in What Will You Be? Until finally, all the way back home, again, we tuck our teddy bears up tight for one last sleepy story with A Bear called Blue. Book your Newark Book Festival tickets to the fantastic Friday morning storytime with Frances Stickley at BeanBlock Café.

Play With Your Food - Ally Pally Arts Story Emporium
2024-07-12 10:00 - 15:30 | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
Join Ally Pally Arts at the Literature Village within Newark Market Place at their fictional food market stall and get creative playing with your food!
They’re stocking up on stolen tarts, escapee gingerbread men, giant turnips, porridge (hot, cold and just right) and golden eggs, and they would love you to help them magic up a stall jam-packed with more made-up menus, delicious delicacies and gruesome goodies from your favourite stories.
Just bring yourselves and your wonderful imaginations and we craft up a feast fit for a fairytale. Suitable for all ages, this “sticky hands” free creative workshop is perfect for the home-educated community.
No need to book tickets! Just turn up and let your imaginations run wild at the Story Emporium this summer.

Poetry Workshop with Joseph Coelho
2024-07-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Newark Town Hall, Newark Town Hall, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
Children’s author, poet and Waterstone’s Children Laureate 2022-24, Joseph Coelho shares his tips, tricks and engaging ways to start writing poetry in this fun and interactive school event.
Suitable for children aged 7-11 years.
To book your place please email: hello@newarkbookfestival.org.uk

An Interview with Mark Billingham & Abir Mukherjee
2024-07-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Newark Town Hall, Newark Town Hall, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
In an interview with fellow crime writer, and co-founder of the Hull Noir Crime Writing Festival, Nick Quantrill, enjoy hearing from two crime writers at the top of their game.
On stage at Newark Town Hall, we are joined by the author of 22 Sunday Times bestsellers, Mark Billingham. Mark will introduce his twisty and witty follow-up detective novel The Wrong Hands, about an unconventional Detective Declan Miller who has a problem. Still desperate to solve the murder of his wife, a young man has just appeared on his doorstep with a briefcase . . . containing a pair of severed hands.
‘Mark Billingham gets better and better’ Michael Connelly
‘A literary superstar’ Mail on Sunday
The award-winning author of the bestselling Sam Wyndham crime novels set in 1920s India, Abir Mukherjee, is also taking to the stage, introducing his exciting new book Hunted. On the run from the authorities, the two parents featured in Abir’s newest publication are thrown together in a race against time to save their kids and stop a catastrophe that will derail the country’s future forever… You can’t save your kids. But can you stop them?
‘HUNTED is a phenomenal achievement’ The Times
‘A pretty much flawless thriller’ LEE CHILD

Wine & Words
2024-07-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Nottinghamshire
Join local poets Fiona Theokritoff and Jane Wyles for an afternoon of poetry, wine and afternoon tea at Newark’s newest tea room.
Fiona and Jane will perform an entertaining mix of their poems and renditions of some well-loved works of art. You’ll also have the chance to contribute to the Newark Book Festival poem for 2024!
Tickets include a welcome drink and afternoon tea. Doors open at 3.30pm for a 4pm start.

The Missing - Michael Rosen
2024-07-11 13:30 - 14:30 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Michael Rosen joins us as one of Britain’s best-loved writers and performance poets for children and adults with over 200 books. His books include The Sad Book with Quentin Blake and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt with Helen Oxenbury, A Great Big Cuddle with Chris Riddell plus his poetry for adults Don’t Mention the Children.
In this moving talk about his 2022 non-fiction publication, The Missing, Michael Rosen traces the history of his relatives lost in the Holocaust in a personal, powerful narrative with resonance for readers today. In conversation with Dr Tim Rideout
Book your tickets to see Mr Rosen on stage at Palace Theatre during Newark Book Festival this summer.
This event is also suitable for school groups – Upper KS2 / Lower KS3 – Ages 10+.

Smoke & Mirrors Swing Dance
2024-07-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
Swing Dancers will be taking to the streets at Newark Market Place, spreading the joy of their toe-tapping hip-swinging moves to music.
Enjoy the free entertainment as part of the Festival’s Literature Village with your lunch from one of the many surrounding cafés or pubs and soak up the atmosphere.

Creativity in Autism - Olivia Macnab & Dr. Clare Lawrence
2024-07-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Gannets Bistro, Gannets Bistro, 35 Castle Gate, Newark, NG24 1AZ, United Kingdom
Join Olivia Macnab and co-author Dr. Clare Lawrence at Gannets during the book festival for an insightful discussion on how to overcome barriers to creativity in autism.
For many years, we have been told that autistic people cannot understand metaphors or non-literal language and that we cannot be creative or empathise. But in truth, autistic people are incredibly creative!
Embark on a journey of play, exploration and metaphor to discover the importance of play and creativity in creating empathy across Neurotypes in their new book, Creativity in Autism.

Little Roars Musical Play
2024-07-11 10:00 - 10:40 | St Mary Magdalene Church, Church Walk, Newark, NG24 1JS
Little Roars Musical Play is a fun and engaging event filled with songs, puppets, bubbles, instruments and more for your kids.
Head down to St Mary Magdelene Church on the opening morning of Newark Book Festival for a free musical play session, led by Charlotte Lion.
Suitable for ages 0-5 years.

Literature Village Newark Market Place
2024-07-11 - 2024-07-14 | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
Meander along Newark’s Royal Market in the Literature Village and soak up the festival vibes where you can meet authors, publishers, charities, crafty artisans and much more!
Here you’ll find street performances, music and workshops, and the Festival Stall where you can pick up your very own Newark Book Festival merchandise and sign up to become a Festival Friend.
Thursday 11th July 10am – 3.30pm
Friday 12th July 10am – 3.30pm
Saturday 13th July 9.30am – 4pm
Sunday 14th July 10am – 3.30pm

Book & Jigsaw Swap
2024-06-16 11:00 - 15:00 | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
The Newark Book Festival team and volunteers are back at Newark’s Market Place with stacks of books and jigsaws ready for a brand new home.
The book swaps are simple! Just bring a few of your already-read books and old jigsaws that are ready for a new player, and swap them directly for something new! If you don’t have a book or jigsaw to swap, you can still go home with handfuls of your new favourite reads by making a donation to the festival.
It’s your perfect chance too to pick up a festival programme and book tickets to our upcoming events!

Morning News
2024-06-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Gannets Bistro, Gannets Bistro, 35 Castle Gate, Newark, NG24 1AZ, United Kingdom
Spend an hour debating the morning’s news over coffee and cake at Gannets Café. Richard and Mary, Festival Board Members and book and news lovers meet monthly to discuss topics from politics to current affairs.
Usually held on the first Sunday of each month, this is a favourite regular fringe event for Newark Book Festival locals!
To book your space at the upcoming Morning News events, please email hello@newarkbookfestival.org.uk.

Crack the Code: Detective Trail
2024-06-01 - 2024-07-14 | Newark Town Centre, NG24 1DU
Barry the Bookworm has been kidnapped, and the Newark Book Festival team have been desperately trying to find him in time for the Castle Family Day on Sunday 14th July.
We need your help to become a detective for the day, follow the trail of clues left with various businesses and venues across Newark and let us know where you think he is. It’s a top-secret detective trail, so gather your most trusted friends and ensure no businesses let slip to each other. We don’t want this news to reach the Bramley Newspaper!
Don’t forget to bring your magnifying glass and notebook.
How to take part in the Crack the Code: Detective Trail

Read the letter we’ve left for you to get started
Get prepared by downloading and printing the clue sheet, or use the digital form to add in your answers as you go along
Choose your starting location
Follow the trail around Newark, doing from clue to clue, until you have gathered them all
Submit your answer by email

Correctly discover where Barry the Bookworm has been kept prisoner and we’ll add you to the prize draw. All participants will be emailed a certificate of completion.

START THE DETECTIVE TRAIL

Book & Jigsaw Swap
2024-05-11 10:00 - 15:00 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
The Newark Book Festival team and volunteers are back at the Palace Theatre Foyer with stacks of books and jigsaws ready for a brand new home.
The book swaps are simple! Just bring a few of your already-read books and old jigsaws that are ready for a new player, and swap them directly for something new! If you don’t have a book or jigsaw to swap, you can still go home with handfuls of your new favourite reads by making a donation to the festival.
Plus, today is the launch day of the Newark Book Festival programme and festival event tickets are live! Pick up a copy of the festival programme and book the events you want to attend this summer.

Event Template
2024-03-28 08:00 - 17:00 | Newark Library, Newark Library, Beaumond Gardens, Baldertongate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1UW, United Kingdom
Book Tickets

FRINGE EVENT

Creative Battle: Stories, Stitches & Sketches

📍 Palace Theatre, Newark

Thursday 11th July 2024

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EVENT DATE & TIME

Thursday 11th July
10am - 11pm

Ticket Prices

Festival Friends
£10.00
General Public
£7.00

Book Tickets

This event is sponsored by...

MORE INFORMATION

Palace Theatre
AppletongateNewarkNottinghamshireNG24 1JY

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Box Office
All tickets are sold through Newark Palace Theatre, unless otherwise stated.
View the terms and conditions of sale here.

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Morning News with Mary & Richard Haig
2023-07-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Gannets Bistro, Gannets Bistro, 35 Castle Gate, Newark, NG24 1AZ, United Kingdom
10am – 11am // Gannets, Castle Gate
£10 INCLUDING DRINK & CAKE
BOOK HERE
Mary & Richard invite you to spend an hour debating the morning’s news over coffee and cake, in the beautiful surroundings of Gannets. Richard and Mary are Festival Board members, and they love debating politics and current affairs. This event marks the launch of a monthly NBF Morning News Event at Gannets (from September onwards).
