Why was the Nottingham Riverside Festival cancelled? City Council and Mellors Group speak out
Confirmation of the festival’s cancellation came just days before it was due to start
The late cancellation of Nottingham’s Riverside Festival has been described as “extremely disappointing” by Council leader Neghat Khan.
News of the festival’s cancellation was broken by Nottingham World yesterday morning (Tuesday, July 29), before official confirmation came during the evening.
The event was due to take place between Friday, August 1 and Sunday, August 3.
Last year’s festival was heavily scaled back by Nottingham City Council, with fireworks and live music scrapped.
Since the first Riverside Festival in 2023, thousands of people have flocked to the Victoria Embankment each year for a weekend of family entertainment.
News of the cancellation was met with anger by many residents, with many expressing their disappointment at yet another local event removed from the calendar.
Why was the Nottingham Riverside Festival cancelled?
Nottingham World has heard from both Nottingham City Council and Mellors Group regarding the Riverside Festival’s cancellation.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “It is extremely disappointing that the commercial operator has taken the decision to not go ahead with a funfair this year, having delivered an event last year over the usual Riverside Festival weekend.
“Riverside Festival has not taken place in its full format since 2023 – previously the event cost around £75,000 to stage which included fireworks and the boatrace – however we recognise that the event benefits residents across the wider county as well as the city, and regrettably in previous years, the County Council chose not to contribute towards the event.
“We are always open to discussions with any other commercial organisations who may be interested in working with the Council in the future to add value for all our residents.”
Meanwhile Mellors Group, which has provided the funfair element of the festival for many years, spoke of its intention for the Riverside Festival to return in 2026.
A spokesperson for Mellors Group said: “We’re disappointed not to be bringing our fair to the Riverside Festival site this year, particularly after many successful summers on the Embankment.
“However, we remain committed to supporting this much-loved event and are hopeful that, working alongside the City Council, we can help bring the Riverside Festival back in 2026, restoring it to the scale and spirit that the people of Nottingham know and love.”