2023 Brings A Full Programme Of Events For The Town Centre Including Newark-On-Sea

A fantastic programme of events for 2023 taking place in Newark Town Centre has been confirmed, promising a year of exciting events for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.

Forming part of the Cultural Heart of Newark scheme which looks to increase the town centre’s vibrancy and encourage more footfall.

The scheme is one of the projects part of Newark Town Board with Newark Town Council leading the scheme along with support from Newark and Sherwood District Council. Funds we’re provided through the £25m Town Deal part of the Government’s Towns Fund initiative.

Live screening of the the King’s Coronation

The programme kickstarts with a live screening of the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort in the Market Place on Saturday 6 May. The Coronation provides a fantastic opportunity to come together and celebrate in the heart of the town under a canopy of red, white and blue bunting.

Offering a series of vibrant events in the town centre, including a range of specialist market days, such as Vegan Markets, the programme will run alongside and complement the general retail market days on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The late May bank holiday weekend will play host to a hive of activity with a Continental Food and Drink Festival taking place from Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 May in the Market Place, and a jam-packed schedule of Steampunk festivities is planned.

To start the summer with a bang, the brilliant Newark Book Festival  is back from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 July and the annual Traditions Festival will once again be held in multiple town centre venues from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 July. Live music is set to take place throughout the year in the Market Place as well as the ever-popular special brass band concerts on Sunday afternoons through July and August in the beautiful grounds at Newark Castle.

In August, the much-enjoyed Newark-On-Sea will also return to the town centre from Friday 4 to Sunday 13 August with its giant urban beach and seaside entertainment. Summer will be in full swing when the four-day Newark Festival marches into town from Friday 25 to Monday 28 August. The festival brings colourful performances and live music to local venues with its special finale featuring a Brass Band Explosion concert against the backdrop of Newark Castle grounds.

Newark town centre will again celebrate a busy festive schedule starting with the Christmas Lights Switch-On taking place on Sunday 26 November and closely followed by a weekend of traditional Christmas markets from Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 December for shoppers young and old alike to find those perfect, unique gifts for loved ones.

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Co-Chair of Newark Town Board, said, "I'm delighted that Newark is set to have yet another exciting events programme for 2023. Newark-On-Sea was a trial event last year, but it was so well received. It's great news it will form part of our varied 2023 programme.

"The events programme is part of our Cultural Heart of Newark project, one of eight projects being funded by our successful bid to the Government's Towns Fund initiative aimed at transforming Newark into a destination for tourists and visitors. 

Significant funds are being invested into Newark Town Centre, and I look forward to this exciting and varied events programme bringing in more people and supporting local retailers in return."
 

Also, returning for a second year, is the Newark Town Centre Races which will be back in the town centre on Friday 28 July. Newark and Sherwood District Council is again working alongside Generation Pro Cycling Events to deliver a summer evening of fast paced cycle racing. The race will feature some of the country’s best road cyclists as they race on a mixture of surfaces providing all riders with an exciting challenge on this twisty, technical and fast circuit.

These events are in addition to those hosted by the Palace Theatre and the National Civil War Centre, who put on events in their venues and a number in the Market Place and Newark Castle grounds.

Newark and Sherwood District Council, Newark Town Council and Newark Town Board are working collaboratively to create a series of initiatives to encourage more visitors to the town centre. The aim is to increase footfall in the area, which will, in turn, increase the number of customers visiting local retailers, helping businesses still struggling from the impact of the pandemic and the cost of living rising.

Suzie Sanderson from Fenella Italian Clothing said: “I’m so excited to see so many events planned over the forthcoming year in our lovely town centre. It is a hidden gem with something for everyone. I am so proud to be a part of this beautiful historical town.” 

A full list of events coming to the town can be seen on the Radio Newark events Calendar