Peppa Pig, a Bubbleologist and fire breathers will be among the acts taking to a city centre stage for the It’s in Nottingham Independents Festival.

The free event will take place on Saturday 8 July 2017 from 10.30am, with four pop-up stages on Pelham Street, Carlton Street, Middle Pavement and Trinity Square hosting live entertainment throughout the day.

For the kids, popular characters Peppa Pig and Daddy Pig will be taking to the stage at Trinity Square.  See them during story time sessions, led by a narrator, at 10.30am, 11.50am, 2.10pm and 3.10pm.

Sharing the same platform will be the Pantasy Steel Drum Band, acoustic musician Rich Howell and Lewis the Magician.

Also taking part in the festival are the Zodiac Dancers, the Singing Princesses, the Bubbleologist, science demonstrator Professor Fizzx and illusionist Atlas the Mentalist, among others.

The acts will be moving around all four stages across the day to entertain guests and passers-by.

Businesses across the city will also be joining in on the fun with in-store activities. Shoppers will be able to go on a miniature dinosaur hunt in luxury shopping arcade Flying Horse Walk, there will be a teddy bears picnic down the colourful alley of Cobden Chambers and a special treasure hunt from Dukki in St James’s Street.

Winner of the 2016 Best Independent competition Debbie Bryan, on St Mary’s Gate, will be hosting a ‘Crafternoon’, there will be DJs and dancers throughout the day at COW Vintage on Carlton Street and the Handmade Nottingham shop in St James’s Street will be doing live mural painting.

For those looking to sample some of Nottingham’s finest local delicacies the festival is the perfect opportunity.  The Malt Cross on St James’s Street will be serving local beer with live music, there will be foodie samples available at the Ugly Bread Bakery in Pelham Street, gelato making at Dolcino off the Old Market Square and a coffee party at the Speciality Coffee Shop in Friar Lane.

Makeover store Cabella, in Bridlesmith Walk, will be hosting a live make-up demonstration on the Pelham Street stage, and luxury salon Beauty Temple in Queen Street, will be offering free makeovers in-store.

The Festival wraps up this year’s It’s in Nottingham Independents initiative, which celebrates and showcases the city’s unique range of independently owned businesses.

The campaign kicked off at the start of June, with the launch of the competition to find Nottingham’s favourite independent business.  Taking home this year’s trophy was The Specialty Coffee Shop, on the corner of Friar Lane and Maid Marian Way.

Geoff Williams, a director of the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID), the organisation behind the It’s in Nottingham brand, said: “The festival is a great way of bringing the campaign to a close  There will be something for everyone across the day, and people can walk between each stage to get the full experience.

“It’s very important for both Nottingham residents and visitors to discover and support our independents. There’s a great range in the city providing high quality and unique products and services that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

Councillor Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Business, Education and Skills at Nottingham City Council said; “Nottingham has always been known for its variety of independent shopping and leisure outlets and we can be justifiably proud of the quirky, popular and high quality offer which sets Nottingham apart from other shopping destinations.

“We know that the health of the UK economy is affecting businesses locally and across the country but this festival is great news for Nottingham, it shows us that our valued independent traders are open for business and as a city we are coming together to celebrate the contribution which they make.”