Many of you will be glued to the TV on Saturday night for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in the UK for the first time since 1998.
But you don’t have to travel to Liverpool to have a fun time over the next few days, as our guide below proves. We have compiled a diverse list of 12 ideas for things to do and places to go to help you sing through the whole weekend and beyond.
Mansfield’s Music and Drama Festival comes to a conclusion, but a two-week celebration of Mansfield Market is only just beginning.
Heritage is at the forefront at Mansfield Library and Thoresby Park, while star names such as Jasper Carrott and Jerry Lee Lewis are celebrated at Mansfield’s Palace Theatre.
You can go searching for ghosts at Newstead Abbey, for robots at Kirkby, for bats at Sherwood Forest and for winners at the races!
Before you set off, please check the individual website of your destination for opening times and admission prices.
Have a great weekend!
9. Hunting for ghosts at Newstead Abbey
If you believe in ghosts, then Newstead Abbey is the place to be on Saturday night (8 pm to 1 am). Walk through the eerily cold rooms of the magnificent 800-year-old abbey and soak up the atmosphere when darkness falls and the lights go out in a ghost hunt laced with spooky stories. Will you hear those bumps in the night or see those ghostly figures wandering the grounds? Photo: Submitted
10. Twist and jive fun for the kids
As part of a hands-on heritage day (see above) at Mansfield Library on Saturday, children between five and 11 can learn how to twist and jive at a special one-hour family concert at 11 am. A rock and roll band will take them through the music of the 1960s and then invite them to meet the musicians backstage to try out some of the instruments for themselves. Photo: Submitted
11. Night-time stroll in Sherwood Forest to learn about bats
Connect with nature and experience Robin Hood's forest after dark with a night-time stroll into Sherwood Forest to learn about bats. Experts from the Nottinghamshire Bat Group are hosting the walk on Saturday (8.30 pm to 10.30 pm). A number of varieties of the winged mammal live within the forest, where you can use bat detectors to find them among the incredible ancient oaks. Photo: Submitted
12. Great balls of fire! Rock and roll hits reprised
Rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis (pictured) shot to fame in the 1950s with hits such as 'A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On' and 'Great Balls Of Fire'. Now his music takes centre stage in a new show, 'Class Of '55', at Mansfield's Palace Theatre on Friday night when singer Mike Byrne stars with his smoking hot piano and Spencer Jordan guests as Buddy Holly. The pair rip through the great rock and roll songbook, with the help of big-screen projection and narration. Photo: Submitted