Spring may be in the air, but in terms of going out, there’s a lot going on indoors in and around Nottingham throughout March. Before we forget, lets start with Mother’s Day. Keep a look out for activities around the City, and there are opportunities to pick up a unique gift from the numerous independent shops.

Many bars and restaurants are holding special events. Debbie Bryan in the Lace Market are holding a Mother’s Day weekender. Enjoy a delicious cream tea or afternoon tea on arrival before indulging in one of their creative activities (30-31 March) and Chef Craig Floate is back at the venue with a terrific vegan menu for a very special Sunday Mother’s Day dinner in the evening. The dinner includes 3 courses with a cocktail and snacks on arrival. or let Mum be spoilt with a lunch at Harts Restaurant (31 March).
For something completely different, take her on a deluxe river cruise of the Trent. A three hour cruise includes a two course dinner and Mum gets a complimentary Rose.

Speaking of food and drink, there’s the opportunity to take an introduction to the world’s major wine regions with Notts Derby Wine School on (2 March).

Gauntleys, one of the oldest independent companies in the city, situated on the entrance to Nottingham’s famous Exchange are holding a whisky tasting evening on 20 March, and discover how to create delicious components for your own afternoon tea with a hands-on course designed to help you master British patisserie.

Pastry chefs and tutors Graham and Rose Dunton have produced patisserie for some of the world’s finest hotels and restaurants and they will be share their expertise as they guide you through a day of making and baking a selection of British favourites at the School of Artisan Food in Worksop (28 March), or join National Treasures Si King and Dave Myers, aka The Hairy Bikers as they visit Nottingham, bringing with them their irresistible enthusiasm for an epic night of cooking and conversation at the Royal Concert Hall on 17 March. There’s tons of choice for music lovers too. Fatboy Slim brings his new tour to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena (1 March) and Bryan Adams follows him on 2nd. George Ezra continues his phenomenal career as his first ever headline arena tour stops off on 12th March. Bringing the wonders and mysteries of the planet’s oceans and its inhabitants to the arena stage, Blue Planet II – Live In Concert will present a selection of incredible visuals from the BAFTA Award winning BBC One landmark series (15 March)

Up the road at the Royal Concert Hall in March are 10cc (2), The Oslo Philharmonic (7) Mike & The Mechanics (10) James 12), Billy Ocean (13), The Drifters (14), Halle (16), David Gray (23) and Symphonic Queen & the Beatles (30) theres also Wannabe, a spectacular concert created to celebrate the career of the World’s biggest girl band, the Spice Girls (10 March)
Fans of the theatre might enjoy Bumper Blyton, an improvised Enid Blyton parody for grown ups (15 March) and the Youth Theatre perform Daisy Pulls It Off at the Lace Market Theatre, an affectionate parody of boarding school adventure stories, which will again please fans of Blyton.
Fancy a laugh? Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon will appear at Lakeside Arts on 2 March In his latest stand-up show. Visit Nottingham’s Theatre Royal for an evening of Eric and Ern, a brilliant homage crammed full of renditions of those famous comedy sketches, that hits all the right notes! (13 March) or book a dose of Benidorm sunshine and see your favourite stars from the Solana live on stage for the very first time in Benidorm Live at The Theatre Royal (25-30 March)

Don’t forget that there are lots of local Nottingham tours and events taking place as always. My pick for March includes the Newstead Abbey Garden History Tour (31 March) The Ghosts of Nottingham Industrial Museum (2 March) The multi award winning Robin Hood Town Tour (2,9,16, 23, 30 March), the new family show, a promenade performance, starting from Nottingham Contemporary, of one of the earliest medieval Robin Hood ballads, Robin Hood & the Monk, which has been adapted for young minds and family audiences (23) There’s also the opportunity to explore Nottingham’s largest cave system, which has not been open to the public in many years, with the Peel Street Cave Tour (8, 14, 29 March)

Finally, head to the Old Market Square to enjoy a range of Irish and Irish-inspired live music on stage for St.Patricks Day on 17th March.

*Always check with the venue ahead and book if necessary. There is cost or entrance fee unless stated otherwise