Brings Thousands Together in a Celebration of Community
Nottingham, 26 July 2026 – The Nottingham Cultural Festival 2026, organised by Karimia Institute in partnership with Radio Dawn, proved to be one of the city’s biggest and most vibrant community events, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds for a day of celebration, culture and unity at the Forest Recreation Ground.
Despite mixed weather throughout the day, the festival attracted an outstanding turnout, with families travelling from across Nottingham and beyond to enjoy an afternoon filled with entertainment, food and community spirit.
Visitors enjoyed a diverse selection of international cuisine, including South Asian, Caribbean, African and Middle Eastern food, alongside children’s attractions, family activities, community stalls and exhibitions from local organisations. The event created a welcoming atmosphere where people from different cultures and faiths came together to celebrate the diversity that makes Nottingham such a special city.
One of the highlights of the festival was the live stage programme featuring inspiring performances from Muddasar Qureshi, Babbu Rana Qawwal & Group, and Adnan Amanullah, whose nasheeds and qawwali performances captivated audiences throughout the afternoon. Their performances added a unique spiritual and cultural dimension to the festival, creating memorable moments for visitors of all ages.
The festival also showcased the incredible work of local charities, community organisations and businesses. Numerous exhibitors and sponsors helped make the day possible, while visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the services and initiatives available within the local community. A free raffle, featuring a return Umrah ticket as the top prize along with shopping vouchers, generated great excitement throughout the day.
In addition to the entertainment, the festival celebrated community achievement through its Community Service Awards, recognised talented young reciters during the Qira’at Competition, and provided a platform for organisations working to strengthen families, support young people and promote social cohesion.
A spokesperson for Karimia Institute said: “The Nottingham Cultural Festival is about far more than entertainment. It is about bringing communities together, celebrating our shared values and creating opportunities for people from every background to meet, learn and build lasting friendships. We are delighted by the incredible support shown by the people of Nottingham.”
Following the overwhelming success of this year’s festival, planning has already begun for an even bigger Nottingham Cultural Festival 2027, continuing the tradition of celebrating culture, diversity and togetherness in the heart of Nottingham.
The success of the Nottingham Cultural Festival 2026 would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and community partners. Their commitment to serving the community helped make this wonderful celebration of culture, faith and togetherness a reality.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to: Muslim Hands, New Horizon Trust, Anglo Skills College, Safdar Financial Services, Royal Sweets, A to Z Car Parts, Nottingham Travel, HBR Electrical, Omega Home Improvements, Pak Foods, Lime Restaurant, 786th Nottingham Scouts, Invitation Publishing, Motivate a Million, British Fatwa Council, HumanKind, Mustaq Sweets.
We also wish to thank all of our food vendors, exhibitors, volunteers, performers, and the team at Radio Dawn for their tireless efforts behind the scenes. Your generosity, dedication and partnership played a vital role in making this year’s festival one of the most successful to date.
Together, we are building stronger communities and creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to come together in friendship, understanding and celebration. We look forward to welcoming you all again at the Nottingham Cultural Festival 2027.
