It might not feel like summer at the moment, but there are lots of outdoor events coming up in and around Nottingham this month. Here’s my pick to keep you entertained come rain or shine. This month sees a surprising amount of unique events. The big addition to the city’s entertainment scene for 15 days this May is The Magnificent Spiegel Tent. The beautiful, century-old travelling dance hall will again visit the Old Market Square to host a packed schedule of events. Highlights include The Gilded Merkin Burlesque and Cabaret, Bamalama-singsong, The Cabaret of Dreams, Yoga and Zumba sessions, plus comedian Milton Jones (4-18 May)

Meet the stars from Star Trek; The Next Generation as EM-Con returns to the Motorpoint Arena (4-5 May), and from space to the world of Unlimited Wellbeing as three great shows in one visit the Arena on 12th May featuring Health & Fitness, Holistic and Hair & Beauty with over 200 leading health and wellbeing professionals exhibiting.

If you’re a fan of fitness, the Sunrise City 5k takes place on 17th May The early morning walk/run will take in famous landmarks, including Nottingham Castle and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem before a picturesque return along the Notts-Beeston Canal or you can make the most of a spring evening and join like-minded runners in a Sunset 5k or 1.5k fun run around Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus in support the work of the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre. The route will include the nature trail and surrounding areas. There’ll even be a BBQ at the finish, so runners and their friends and family can purchase a bite to eat (7May)

Our four legged friend also have their own fun days this month. Take them along to Newstead Abbey this bank holiday and enjoy the fantastic dog show put on by the Jerry Green Dog Rescue Centre. Enter your pooch in one of the many fun categories. Stay late on the Sunday and listen to live music (5-6 May), or visit Thoresby Park (27 May) with demonstrations, activities and have a go sessions.

If you fancy something a little calmer, why not see the sun rise, enjoy the morning’s peaceful atmosphere and soak up the sounds of spring at Dawn Chorus for International Dawn Chorus Day (5th May) at Sherwood Forest. If, like me, rising before dawn is not for you, there’s also an early morning walk at Budby South Forest, or maybe join the free Photo Walk (4 May) at Thoresby Park for photo lovers, all ages, all abilities, all cameras! A chance for you to have a little creative ‘photo me-time’ and pick up ideas, hints and tips to help you make better photos.

Bring along your picnic chairs, rugs, blankets, and dancing shoes as outdoor cinema begins at Rufford Park! Dress up and sing or dance along to the evening films (3,4,5 May)

Festival season is also upon us with the first of the year taking place at Southwell Racecourse (4-6 May ) with a large indoor Grandstand bursting with Antiques, Collectables & Vintage items. Newstead Abbey are also holding a craft and gift fair (25-27 May) and Castle Rock Brewery celebrate all things facial hair with their Brewery Beer’d Festival with the second running of The Grand-Tashional and an great evening of racing. Enjoy live music and a showcase of their excellent range of brews.

Music Lovers will be pleased to know that the Dot to Dot Festival also returns to various venues around the City (26 May) unearthing the hottest new talent around, alongside established acts from all over the globe. As well as the festivals of course there is the usual line-up of talent to look forward to. The Royal Concert Hall plays host to the Vamps (1 May), Marc Almond (6 May) and Katherine Jenkins (17 May) while down the road at the Motorpoint Arena there’s Olly Murs (6-7 May) and Rod Stewart (28 May).
Hit musicals Kinky Boots (27 May – 8 June), Calendar Girls (25 May – 6 June) and Annie (20-25 May) are all worth going along to see at the Theatre Royal. Annie stars Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood as Mrs Hannigan. You can catch some of the Strictly Professional Dancers in action with their own show (7-8 May)

There’s drama on the cards at the Theatre Royal this month with Educating Rita (13-18 May) and Girl on the Train (20-25 May). Nottingham Playhouse also host The Memory of Water (3-18 May) while The Lace Market Theatre has The Step Mother (28 May – 1 June)

Food lovers can enjoy Beer and Cheese tasting at The School of Artisan Food. Be guided through the tasting experience by the head brewer of the Welbeck Abbey Brewery, Claire Monk and the School’s dairy expert Katy Fenwick and sample a wide selection of artisan cheeses from across the British Isles, paired with a range of hand-crafted beers from the Welbeck Abbey Brewery (19 May).

You will also be pleased to know that Nottingham’s favourite butcher, Johnny Pusztai, finally opens his Snobby Butcher Restaurant this month in Sherwood. Finally, how often do we go on tours on holiday and yet never do it at home? Take a staycation and find history galore right here on your doorstep. You can learn all about it while taking one of the many tours around the city, such as the Robin Hood Town Tour (4,11,18,25 May) the Nutty Nottingham tour (4,11,25 May) the Book Lovers Walk. (5 May) or the Magic Lantern Tour of the Theatre Royal (18/5)

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