Lakeside welcomes all to our spaces for Christmas this year, with delicious treats, amazing exhibitions and a splash-tastic Christmas show, there’s something for everyone this festive season.

There’s lots going on, including:

Christmas show: The Singing Mermaid
Friday 9 – Saturday 31 December 2022

This Christmas join the singing mermaid, who is tempted away to join a travelling circus, with the promise of a life of excitement (and her own swimming pool!). The audiences love her singing but she soon finds out she’s been tricked by the dastardly circus master. Will she ever escape? And who will help her along the way?

Book your tickets and find out more at www.lakesidearts.org.uk/SingingMermaid.

Discounts for staff

University staff can get 10% off full-price tickets. Just call up our box office on 0115 846 7777, let them know you are a staff member, and sign up using your university email.

Christmas Lunch at Lakeside

Lakeside’s Café Pavilion will be serving Christmas Lunch Christmas Lunch Monday to Friday 12pm until 1.30pm. To book a table, please call 0115 846 7179.

Two courses start from £12.50 and three courses from £16.50.

Free Exhibitions

Over the festive period, come and keep warm in our gallery spaces, with four amazing exhibitions on display, including:

Sophie Ryder: Sculpture, Drawings, Prints
Saturday 19 November – Sunday 12 March, Various Times
Djanogly Gallery Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm & Sunday 12noon-4pm
Admission free
Family-Friendly

British artist, Sophie Ryder, is renowned for her large-scale open-air sculptures of animals and mystical hybrid creatures. Among her cast of characters, the Ladyhare features often, either alone or paired with her male counterpart, the Minotaur. Best known for her works in twisted wire, the artist also sculpts in bronze, plaster, and marble.

Her solo exhibition filling all three spaces of the Djanogly Gallery offers a more intimate glimpse into Ryder’s studio practice including a selection of smaller-scale sculptures and maquettes, alongside drawings and prints of her favoured subjects. The installation Temple to the 200 Rabbits – guaranteed to be a sure-fire success with our youngest visitors – commands a gallery of its own.

Jellyfish underwater exhibition in our Wallner Gallery
Open Mon-Fri 8am-4pm & Sat/Sun 10am-4pm
This magical light-up exhibition was created by the pupils of 8 local schools, using recycled materials to create an underwater seascape! Walk under the jellyfish and things might just sparkle!
Admission Free

Knowledge is Power: Class, Community and Adult Education
Thursday 27 October – Sunday 12 March, Various Times
Weston Gallery, Manuscripts & Special Collections
Tuesday-Sunday, 12noon-4pm.
Closed Mondays. Admission free

The University of Nottingham was a pioneer in providing education for working-class adults. In 1922, the University College appointed a professor of adult education – the first in the world. Two years earlier, it set up a department of adult education – the first in Britain.

Over the next 70 years, it worked with unions, employers, local councils and voluntary organisations, offering courses in workplaces and communities across the East Midlands. Many of its students and staff were leading figures in the labour movement locally and nationally.

Drawing on the records of the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), University College Nottingham, the papers of Ken Coates and many others, this exhibition showcases how adult education enriches the lives and culture of ordinary – and extraordinary – people, and helps build a fairer and more democratic society.

Gallery shop

Our gallery boasts a gorgeous shop full of artisan and unique goodies for Christmas presents (why not get your shopping done on campus!). From handmade ceramic bowls, to dainty bone jewellery, right through to wooden toys and popup models.

Open 10am-4pm Tues-Sat, 12noon-4pm Sun.