Nottingham’s biggest free event of the summer is expected to attract more than 100,000 people over the weekend.
Victoria Embankment is being transformed for the Riverside Festival, featuring a free line-up of live music alongside street food, markets and crafts, a massive fun fair, children’s and sports try-out zones.
Dragon boat racing and the charity duck race on the River Trent are also back for 2017. The ever-popular fireworks display will end the evening on Saturday (August 5) at 10.30pm, and the festival continues into Sunday.
Live music across three stages includes acid jazz and funk from Saturday night headliners Freak Power, plus many more artists including folk, world music and jazz plus the best in new Nottingham bands.
Councillor Dave Trimble, portfolio holder for leisure and culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “This is my favourite event in the city and we’re expecting big numbers this year.
“With such a varied and packed programme of things to do for everyone, this year’s festival is sure to be a massive success and a really fun weekend.”
Highlights on this year’s Folk Stage include Cupola:Ward with Lucy Ward winner of the 2012 Horizon Award for ‘Best Newcomer’ and 2014 ‘Folk Singer of the Year’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
World music fans will love the offering on the Monument Stage which includes lively performances from Dev Joshi, Zee Guveya, Son Yambu and Zong Zing Allstars.
Video: Notts TV went behind the scenes for the 2016 festival
The Jazz stage has Nottingham Jazz Orchestra, with seventeen musicians and a big band sound to close the festival on Sunday.
Dragon Boat racing will take place on Sunday along the river 11am – 4pm. The annual charity rubber duck race will be held on Sunday at 4.30pm.
Following Saturday night’s fireworks display, Nottingham City Transport will run a shuttle bus service from the Trent Bridge end of the site to get people back into the city centre along with a Hackney Cab rank in the same area.
Car parking is available at a cost of £6 per car per day with entrance via Riverside Way, off Queens Drive.
