In 2025, Nottingham turns the page on a remarkable chapter; ten years as a UNESCO City of Literature and the charity is throwing a party worthy of Nottingham’s words!
Nottingham was awarded UNESCO status as a City of Literature in December 2015 and became an Arts Council funded National Portfolio Organisation in 2023. To mark this decade milestone, Nottingham City of Literature is teaming up with Nottingham Trent University to host an anniversary gala at Metronome on Monday 1 December.
Join hosts Hannah Trevarthen, Director of Nottingham City of Literature and Rebecca Cullen, WRAP (Writing, Reading and Pleasure Programme) Director at NTU, for an unforgettable night that bursts with creativity, talent, and a touch of Nottingham mischief. The evening will feature ten dazzling performances - one to represent each year of the city’s designation - showcasing Nottingham’s vibrant literary scene.
The lineup includes some of the city’s most exciting voices, from Jay Sandhu and Georgina Wilding to screenwriter William Ivory and Cara Thompson, Nottingham’s very own Nature Poet Laureate. It concludes with the drawing of a charity raffle of generously donated items from Nottinghamshire businesses including a selection of hampers from Boots. So dust off your sequins, polish your dancing shoes, and get ready to celebrate ten years of stories, as we celebrate past, present and future creativity.
Tickets are on sale now for £15, every penny raised goes towards supporting Big City Reads 2026. Big City Reads gives away over 2,000 free books across the City, particularly in areas of deprivation, where young people have limited access to books of their own. Alongside the free book flood there will be a professional development programme for young people, and authors visits and workshops taking place.
Buy your tickets for the Gala event now
You can find our more about Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature and their mission to build a better future with words on the Nottingham City of Literature website.
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