MUSIC

Head for the trees for Forest Live this month where some brilliant acts are lined up to perform at Sherwood Pines. First up is Nile Rodgers and Chic on Fri 21 June. The following night Anne Marie takes to the forest stage, followed by a finale on Sun 23 June from Sting.

Rockers assemble! Download, the mammoth three-day rock event is the second largest music festival in the UK and is celebrating its 21st year from 14-16 June at Donington Park, with Queens of the Stone Age, Fall Out Boy, Pantera, Busted, Biohazard and lots, lots more. Rock on.

It looks like a nostalgic night of fun when Shalamar perform their greatest hits at Derby Arena on Fri 7 June. Expect an Eighties’ celebration of body-popping and moonwalking.

Another mainstay of the late Eighties, Jesus Jones perform at The Flowerpot in Derby on Fri 14 June.

And for George Michael fans, there’s a treat in store when Rob Lamberti presents Perfectly George at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on Fri 21 June. Bearing a voice worthy of performing George’s remarkable catalogue of hits, Lamberti is a star in his own right after featuring on the BBC’s ‘Even Better Than the Real Thing’.

red hot chilli pipers on stage buxton opera house

This one should be a blast. The most famous bagpipe band on the planet, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers bring bagpipes, attitude and drums with a Scottish accent to Buxton Opera House on Thurs 6 June. Memorable.

Scouting For Girls headline at the strangely enticing Sausage and Cider Festival on Sat 1 June in Wollaton Park, Nottingham. As well as a host of tribute bands, there will be more than 30 different ciders and more than 20 types of sausage to test out.

There’s a similar Derbyshire Sausage and Cider Festival at Catton Hall from 27-30 June. This one claims to be the UK’s Biggest Tribute Festival and is celebrating its 10^th year. Expect an eclectic mix of tribute acts, sausages and cider (obvs) and monster truck, wrestling and wheel of death shows to keep the boys happy.

THEATRE

Uncanny stage show danny robins on stage

Spine-chilling stories and supernatural shenanigans in Uncanny: I Know What I Saw with Danny Robins on Sat 15 June at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham.

Take the kids to the always hilarious Horrible Histories Rotten Romans stage show which comes to Chestefield’s Winding Wheel Theatre on Sun 16 June.

Over at Derby Theatre . take a trip down the rabbit hole with Alice on a particularly ridiculous and riotous adventure through Wonderland. Alice in Wonderland opens on Sat 22 June until Sat 6 July.

Bring a picnic and sit back to enjoy an evening performance of rib-tickling Shakespearean comedy. The Three Inch Fools perform Comedy of Errors against the backdrop of beautiful Kedleston Hall near Derby on Thurs 20 June.

The cast of Awful Auntie on stage — Image by Mark Douet

This should be a hoot. Catch David Walliams’ Awful Auntie at Nottingham Theatre Royal from 20-23 June.

SHOP

conscious closet swishing clothes swap event

Hurrah! A chance to get a whole new wardrobe in the most ethical way. The hotly-anticipated Southwell Swish Clothes Swap organised by Conscious Closet is on Fri 21 June at the Saracen’s Head, Southwell. Get clearing out that wardrobe now.

Gather the girls and book up a ticket to the serene-sounding Summer Evening Market at Grangefields in Ashbourne from 5pm on Wed 26 June. Shop gorgeous goodies from local makers, watch craft demos and enjoy seasonal dishes in the pop-up eatery. Tickets available from Fabulous Places.

ART & CULTURE

poet Anthony Joseph at Nottingham Poetry festival

Anthony Joseph (pictured) is among headliners at the Nottingham Poetry Festival which runs from Fri 7 – Sun 16 June. Whether you’re a poetry connoisseur or a curious could-be wordsmith, everyone’s welcome during the 10 days of spectacular performances, open mics, workshops, and community events.

Love a Seventies interiors vibe? Book onto the Macramé Workshop at Thornbridge Hall, Bakewell on Mon 17 June and learn the basic knots and craft a plant hanger, dreamcatcher or wall hanging.

Don your regency togs and experience an evening straight out of Jane Austen at Chatsworth’s Pride and Prejudice Ball on Sat 8 June. Champagne and canapés in the Painted Hall, a tour of the house followed by dancing in the Sculpture Gallery, graced by Mr Darcy himself (the stone bust version) and the Carriage Hall.

Prepare to be wowed by Alex Hyde’s incredible macro photography at Mansfield Museum’s Through the Lens exhibition (until Sat 15 June). His beautiful images capture local life on a tiny scale of fungus in local beauty spots, including Sherwood Forest, the Maun Valley Trail, and the spa ponds. Want to know more? Book onto his question-and-answer session on Fri 7 June.

It’s Sherwood Art Week from Sat 22 – Sun 30 June with everything from craft fairs and art sales to yarn bombing and workshops on offer.

MOTOR SHOWS

Cars line up at Nottingham Motor Show Wollaton Hall

Nottingham Motor Show revs back to Wollaton Park on Sun 9 June. As well as hundreds of classic and vintage vehicles, visitors can also browse the very latest models with family entertainment, food and stalls will join the motor mix too. Free admission, parking charges apply. More motoring action over at Renishaw Hall and Gardens on Tues 18 June at the Classic Car and Bike Show.

OUTDOORS & ANIMALS

Al fresco yoga not exciting enough for ya? How about we add in a few baby pygmy goats? Yep, goat yoga is coming to Chatsworth on 7, 9, 16 and 23 June. Om.

Fancy a doggy dopamine boost? Designed for dog lovers who don’t own their own pooch or those simply in need of some furry therapy, Pup Therapy is planned for 30 June in Nottingham.

Grab your band of merry men and head to Sherwood Forest for The Sherwood Trust Woodland Festival on Sat 15 – Sun 16 June. Held in the beautiful grounds of the Walled Garden at the Thoresby Estate, it’s a celebration of traditional woodland crafts and woodland stories.

Outdoorsy, but actually happening indoors, Nottingham’s fab new Central Library is hosting a programme of gardening-related events for Great Big Green Week from Sat 8 – Sun 16 June. From flower crown workshops to propogation tips, the green-fingered will love it.

Decided how to celebrate the longest day yet? Not with a lie-in if this event is on your radar. Take the plunge on Sat June 22 with a wild dawn dip before the world wakes at the summer solstice swim at Spring Lakes, Long Eaton (and then enjoy a smug, warm-up breakfast in the café afterwards).

Female swimmer in swim cap and goggles raises arm to cheer

COUNTRY FAIRS

Boy and cow wearing rosette at Derbyshire County Show

You know it’s summer when the county shows kick off and it’s Derbyshire’s turn on Sun 23 June. Promising dog shows, vintage tractors and engines, motorbike stunts, farm animals, parkour and trampolining and Shetland pony racing (phew!), the Derbyshire County Show will take over The Showground at Elvaston.

FOOD & DRINK

A couple of a free, fun-filled days on offer at Matlock Food and Drink Festival on Sat 8 and Sun 9 June. Tuck into foodie treats, enjoy live music and children’s entertainment.

Get in the mood for summer at the Mama Mia night at Binary Bar, Mickleover on Fri 21 June. Included in your £59.99 ticket is Mama Mia entertainment, mezze cuisine, a cocktail on, ½ bottle of wine per person and a £10 donation to Vic Handley partnering with local charity Enthusiasm in a solo Atlantic row.

BOOK AHEAD

Take a day to focus on yourself and book a place on Dove Retreat’s popular Mini Festival Retreat on Sun 14 July. A mix of Hatha yoga, sound therapy and reiki meditation, it’s a day of peace at Yeldersley Hall, Ashbourne.

Joyous June! What’s on near you this month

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