Newark Creates has been lighting up the town with unforgettable moments since 2021 — these events have transformed Newark into a vibrant hub of creativity, bringing communities together and turning everyday spaces into stages for imagination and wonder. Newark Creates is a celebration of creativity, linking an artistic programme to our heritage and history.

Take a look at some of the incredible events we've been part of in the last five years:

2021

Heritage Poetry Trail ✍️

To coincide with Newark Book Festival, poet Leanne Moden, was commissioned to create poems inspired by our Heritage buildings around Newark Market Place to create a Heritage Poetry Trail. Poems were displayed throughout summer alongside the promotion of an activity trail.

2022

Fun Palace 🎉

A Fun Palace is a celebration of community skills, creating 1000s of tiny revolutions - a bit like a jumble sale of creativity! From large knitting to puppet theatres, basketball to learning how to play chess, everyone offered their time and skills to share with members of their communities.

Musical Whispers 🎶

Musical Whispers was a co-created project with soundLINCS music development agency, working alongside community groups in Newark – from drop in sessions at St Mary Magdalene Church and Newark Library to a family day at the National Civil war centre and sessions with Newark’s Carers Dementia Group.

2023

What happened in 2023?

Check out our video of all of the highlights from the year!

2024

June - Streets Ahead 

Theatre and circus brought Newark’s Market Place to life with over 2,000 people getting involved. The Streets Ahead event, held by Newark Creates in partnership with SO Festival, saw two international street theatre companies descend on the town centre for a day of free fun.

June - CLOUDSCAPES ☁️

Newark Creates brought the immersive CLOUDSCAPES installation to Newark Castle, inviting visitors to relax on giant beanbags while listening to reflective audio stories inspired by the sky. 

July - Book Bench Sculpture Trail 📕

Newark Creates worked in collaboration with Wild in Art, commissioning 11 artists and community groups to design and create benches for an the Book Bench Sculpture Trail across town. 

July - Fish Boy: Outdoor Dance Spectacle 🐟

Newark Creates presented Fish Boy, an outdoor dance‑theatre spectacle featuring aerial performance, circus elements and family‑friendly storytelling.

July - Word Art Graffiti: Newark Book Festival Workshops 📚

As part of Newark Book Festival, Newark Creates ran free Word Art graffiti workshops led by Urban Canvas. Participants experimented with spray‑paint‑style lettering and creative expression, tying in with the festival’s literary theme.

August - Newark-on-Sea ⛵

Newark Creates added an enhanced programme to the annual Newark‑on‑Sea event, offering eco‑themed workshops such as mini‑garden making, wood crafts, and a dedicated Eco Day. 

August - Pif Paf Theatre 🐝

Newark Creates supported performances by Pif Paf Theatre, who delivered engaging bee‑inspired street theatre at multiple times throughout the day. Their travelling act combined humour, movement, and environmental commentary, 

September - Historical Escapades ⚔️

Newark Creates helped deliver Historical Escapades, an immersive short film projected onto Newark Town Hall. The piece followed fictional characters on a journey through Newark’s past, blending storytelling with visual spectacle. Screenings ran in intervals throughout the evening, attracting families and history enthusiasts.

October - Festival of Creativity 🖌️

Newark Creates organised a two‑day Festival of Creativity, transforming Newark town centre into a hub of free artistic activity. The festival included dance workshops, arts and crafts, theatre shows, model‑making classes, gaming sessions, colouring stations, museum activities, circus workshops and more!

November - A Likely Story 

2025

February - Illuminated Headdress Workshops

Inspire Buttermarket hosted two days of workshops for families making headdresses to wear at Ignite in March. They were fully booked with 73 attendees. The informal workshop sessions are loved as opportunities for families across generations to bond through practical arts and crafts away from digital devices.

March - Ignite: Fire, Flame and Frenzy 🔥

Newark Market Place was transformed into a spectacle of light and flame for the exciting Ignite: Fire, Flame and Frenzy event. We welcomed visitors to wander through a vista of flames and chemical reactions in Doctor Kronovator’s Fire Laboratory. Guests were able to help the Doctor and his team prepare their experimental flame and steam-powered contraptions, and try their luck at a test of strength machine.

June - Streets Ahead 2025 🎭

Unique national and international street theatre and outdoor acts wowed residents and visitors, event attendees saw theatre performances, acrobatics, music and comedy throughout the day, as well as enjoying the range of market stalls that were present.

July - The Zone 

The Zone, an award-winning pop-up youth space came to Newark Market Place supported by Newark Creates at Newark Book Festival, giving young people aged 11–18 free access to creativity, connection, and culture right in the heart of their community.

The Zone transformed Newark Market Place into a colourful, custom-built environment designed specifically for teenagers. The Zone combined the best bits of a youth club – table tennis, gaming, party games – with access to high-quality creative workshops and activities. Attendees enjoyed street art, silent discos, music, drama, and much more!

August - Everywhere is a beach 🏖️

This high-energy, outdoor performance from acclaimed company Hikapee, was part of the Newark Creates cultural programme. Performed on a giant revolving beach parasol, the show combined aerial circus, original music and eccentric characters in a charmingly ridiculous celebration of all things beachy.

August - Newark Festival 🌻

We hosted several creative workshops during August, where you could make your own beautiful costumes or props to be in our colourful community parade as part of Newark Festival. From Buzzy Bees and flowers to Woodland Deer headdresses.

October - World Singing Day 🎤

Newark came alive with the sound of music, as the town celebrated World Singing Day with a joyful programme of live performances across the town centre from Newark Creates, in partnership with Newark Heart. From jazz and soul to pop and musical theatre, the event invited residents and visitors alike to enjoy the power of song.

With performances taking place in venues from churches to cafés and bars, the day had something for everyone. Whether stopping for a coffee, browsing the shops, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, residents and visitors were treated to a rich tapestry of vocal talent that showcased Newark’s musical spirit.

October - Festival of Creativity: Newark's Narnia 🦁

Inspired by the charm of Narnia and the warmth of Hygge, this free, family-friendly festival celebrated all things cosy, curious, and creative. From enchanted kitchens and mythical storytelling to whimsical performances and hands-on workshops, every corner of Newark was alive with inspiration.