Palace Theatre

Upcoming events at Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: Great Art Explained with James Payne

Spend the evening with gallerist, curator, and writer James Payne, reframing how we see art. With a mission to democratise art and make it more accessible and entertaining, James started a YouTube channel, Great Art Explained, which now has over 60 million viewers worldwide. Drawing on his three decades in the art world, he challenges long‑held assumptions about what art is, who it is for, and how we engage with it. Expect stories of Michelangelo to Basquiat, Velázquez to Kusama, delivered with clarity, wit, and passion. Talk hosted by Dr Tim Rideout. Event in partnership with Vibrant Matters.

Thu 9 Jul20:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Dance

NBF: Capybara Disco Dreams with Frances Stickley

Join bestselling picture book author Frances Stickley as she and Colin the Capybara teach you all the latest moves from their new book, Capybara Disco Dreams. From the hip‑hipping hippo to the boogying bear, you’ll all be dancing like you just don’t care. Bring your child along for a multi‑sensory disco experience where we meet Colin and all of his friends and play a range of different music and movement games designed to shake out our sillies and wiggle our waggles away. Event sponsored by Sarah & Duck.

Fri 10 Jul10:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Don't miss the next one

What's on near Appleton Grove, in your inbox

One email a week with the local stuff worth knowing — before it's already happened.

Sign up for Appleton Grove

Free. Unsubscribe whenever you like.

Community

NBF: Mysteries, Murder and Mayhem

Step inside a world of dark secrets and deadly twists. Join acclaimed authors Michelle Harrison, Sarah Hilary, and Alexandra Benedict for a gripping Friday morning of suspense. From the tense, witchcraft‑laced intrigue of Two Little Liars, to the haunting depths of The Drowning Place, and the fairy‑tale‑twisting mystery of Little Red Death, expect chilling insights and captivating conversation. In discussion with Dr Tim Rideout.

Fri 10 Jul11:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: Orb of the Openlands

As an undead sorcerer rises and the Openlands edge toward ruin, a band of unlikely heroes must race to recover five ancient Orbs of power. Join Lawrence Mahon, Clare Lawrence, and Olivia Macnab for a lively discussion on this gripping fantasy series from Badger Books, created with hi-lo readers in mind by a neurodiverse author for neurodiverse audiences. Packed with peril, magic, and high-stakes choices, this series is perfect for readers aged 11–16, offering an accessible gateway into richly imagined fantasy worlds.

Fri 10 Jul14:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: The Gothic Revival

Enter a world of shadow, obsession, and simmering unease with two Gothic novelists. Join Essie Fox, Sunday Times bestselling author of Catherine, a bold, feminist reimagining of Wuthering Heights, alongside Stephanie Bramwell‑Lanes, whose debut Thornby Manor channels the haunting brilliance of classic gothic fiction. Expect atmosphere, obsession, and beautifully crafted unease as these authors explore dark romance, mystery, and the enduring power of gothic storytelling. In conversation with Dr Tim Rideout.

Fri 10 Jul14:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: Now We Are 10

Five bestselling authors take to the stage to celebrate a decade of storytelling. Featuring Louise Beech, Isabelle Broom, T. M. Logan, Sarah Ward, and Michael Wood, this special event marks ten years since each first became published authors. From gripping thrillers and crime fiction to emotionally rich contemporary stories, they’ll reflect on their journeys, the realities of writing careers, and how their work has evolved over the past decade. Chaired by Louise Beech, expect honest insights, behind‑the‑scenes stories, and a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling.

Fri 10 Jul16:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: Becoming an Independent Author with J.A.C. Beardmore

Discover the realities of going it alone in publishing in this interview with independently published and widely recognised author, J.A.C. Beardmore (who’s been penning stories since the age of seven). This session explores his journey to becoming an author and building a cult following in North America, alongside a look at This Way Lies Madness, the latest in the THUMBverse series, that blends horror, comedy and sharp satire. Interviewed by Alex Lewczuk.

Fri 10 Jul17:00Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: The Walking Cure

Discover the restorative power of the natural world with Annabel Streets, award-winning writer and dubbed “the Queen of walking.” In The Walking Cure, she explores the surprising benefits of 20 everyday landscapes, from city parks and rivers to coastal paths and mountain trails, revealing how each can transform mood, mind, and overall wellbeing. Blending warmth, wisdom, and a rich mix of personal insight and scientific research, this inspiring interview with author Lee Stuart Evans offers a fresh perspective on how simple walks in familiar places can become powerful tools for health and happiness.

Fri 10 Jul20:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: The Singing Mermaid

Dive into a magical undersea adventure with professional actor Kirsty Baker from Rhubarb Theatre. The Singing Mermaid will captivate you with her lively interactive storytelling before you get hand-on in a creative workshop, perfect for sparking young imaginations.

Sat 11 Jul10:00Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: Nordic Noir

Dark, gripping, and laced with sharp wit. Bringing together two standout voices in Scandinavian crime fiction published by Orenda Books. Antti Tuomainen, dubbed “the funniest writer in Europe,” with The Winter Job, a darkly comic thriller racing through the frozen Finnish landscape with chaos, heart, and high stakes. Katrín Jakobsdóttir presents her latest novel, Stop Dead, an international bestseller that follows a detective‑in‑training caught in a deadly race against time. Expect chilling tension, unexpected humour, and thrilling insight into the Nordic noir genre. Interviewed by the festival’s Artistic Director, Sara Bullimore.

Sat 11 Jul10:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

CommunityFestivals & Events

NBF: Newark Book Festival's Book Club

Join us for the first ever Newark Book Festival Book Club, hosted by Aimee Horton, who runs fun and inclusive book clubs across Lincolnshire. We’ll be reading One Thousand Stars and You by Isabelle Broom, and everyone is welcome – whether you’re a seasoned book club regular or someone who’s always wanted to try one but felt a little unsure. Come along on your own or with friends and enjoy a relaxed, friendly couple of hours of good conversation and a chance to connect with others who love books.

Sat 11 Jul11:00Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: Deadly Landscapes

How does setting shape suspense? Three leading crime writers explore the power of place in their work. G.D. Wright draws on his experience as a retired police officer in the tightly plotted Against the Tide. Ajay Chowdhury, award-winning creator of the Kamil Rahman series, brings a speculative edge with Eden Falls. M. J. Arlidge returns with Out of the Ashes, a gripping DI Helen Grace thriller. In conversation with Alex Hawley, this session uncovers how landscapes become characters in their own right.

Sat 11 Jul12:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: Battle of the Genres

Four authors. Four genres. One lively literary showdown. Battle of the Genres brings together Mia Kuzniar (fantasy), Laura Purcell (gothic horror & historical fiction), Marcia Hutchinson (contemporary), and Tom Mead (golden age crime) as they go head-to-head to champion their craft. From magical fantasy worlds and dark histories to powerful contemporary storytelling and classic crime, expect spirited debate, fascinating insights, and plenty of surprises as each author makes the case for their genre in an interview by Dr Tim Rideout.

Sat 11 Jul14:00Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: Harriet Tyce: Witch Trial

Gripping, provocative, and impossible to put down, Witch Trial sees The Traitors contestant Harriet Tyce at her most compelling. A former criminal barrister and bestselling author of Blood Orange, Tyce joins us on stage with her tense new novel exploring truth, trust, and the power of public judgement. When a murdered classmate casts a long shadow over two teenage girls, a modern-day witch trial ignites, dividing a nation. Who’s telling the truth, and what really happened? In conversation with Dr Tim Rideout. Event sponsored by Tailored Marketing Solutions.

Sat 11 Jul16:00Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: An Evening with Jay McGuiness

Join us for an evening with Jay McGuiness, best known as a vocalist in the boyband The Wanted and winner of Strictly Come Dancing, as he discusses his latest fantasy novel, Poison Tides, the sequel to his debut hit Blood Flowers. Now forging a powerful path in writing, Jay’s dystopian fantasy explores identity, power, and belonging through the journey of Bear, a small‑town boy navigating a world that is as treacherous as it is transformative. In conversation with Coco Omer, a dynamic cultural commentator and creator behind The Cult of Coco, known for championing stories across books, film, and TV, expect a lively, insightful discussion full of energy and humour. There will be a post‑event meet and greet with Jay McGuiness, where he’ll be signing copies of Blood Flowers and Poison Tides. Please note that due to time constraints, Jay McGuiness will only be able to sign books purchased at the festival.

Sat 11 Jul20:00Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: Cancer Works: Alex Kinnear-Mellor

How do you balance a career with not dying? Join Alex Kinnear‑Mellor in a refreshingly real and unexpectedly uplifting conversation about cancer. Enjoy a short reading of Alex’s book Cancer Works: Balancing your career with not dying, followed by an informal “ask me anything” discussion, where no question is off limits, from the practical to the deeply personal. A relaxed, no‑judgement space to explore the realities of cancer in a way we rarely get to, and with delicious coffee and cake (included in the ticket price).

Sun 12 Jul11:00Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Community

NBF: The Overthinkers Club: Happy List

Funny, honest, and full of relatable chaos, The Overthinkers Club introduces a brilliantly anxious new heroine from Nat Luurtsema, BAFTA‑nominated screenwriter and stand‑up comic. Meet Birdie, a champion worrier facing friendship changes, big life shifts, and all the awkward moments in between. Can a “Happy List” really keep her overthinking in check? Packed with humour and heart, this illustrated diary‑style story is perfect for readers aged 9+. In conversation with Festival Board member Kate Hancock.

Sun 12 Jul11:30Palace Theatre

via Palace Theatre

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.