Young Hustlers: Sunday 19 October 2025
The Lumini, a spectacular inflatable sculpture described as ‘a sensory dream’, is returning to the Young Hustlers festival this October.
Nottingham’s Architects of Air will bring their Dodecalis dome to Sneinton Market Square, offering the chance for families to explore the colourful installation as part of the festival programme.
Inside the dome, there will be performances and workshops celebrating world music. Artists will be representing music from the Western and Southern African regions, and South Asia, and leading workshops in Drumming, Handpan, Mbrira, Flute and Tabla.
Last year, a parent said: “Young Hustlers and the Lumini were the highlight of our half-term! Brilliantly organised festival and Lumini is a sensory dream. Visited with pre-schoolers, toddlers and a baby. The older ones loved exploring the ‘caves’ and doing the craft activities. The little ones were transfixed by the light, colour and shapes. We hung out in there for ages.”
The programme for the main festival day will feature a line-up curated by Global Roots, running from 11.30am-5pm.
- Zimbabwean mbira by Millicent Chapanda
- Drumming workshop by Milla Da Drumma
- Handpan performance by Babita Mundra
- Flute performance by Waqas ChoudharyTabla performance by Mendi Singh
Festival co-director Saziso Phiri said: “We’re really excited to have Lumini back at Young Hustlers, following a very popular appearance at the 2024 festival. This year will have a larger structure, allowing for more people to experience its amazing features on the day of the main festival. We have been working with Global Roots, led by Rastarella Falade, one of Nottingham’s leading music promoters and programmers to curate a live music programme of music from South Asia and parts of Africa, tying in with this year’s overall festival theme of “Around The World”.
“We’re also excited to be expanding the programme through a SEND Day for families, educational and community groups, allowing an accessible experience for those who may find the main festival day overwhelming.”
The dedicated day for children and families with Special Educational Needs on Saturday 18 October will be free of charge for invited children and their families, partly supported by a “Pay It Forward” option. Ticket buyers for the main festival on 19 October will be able to contribute directly to making this day possible.
Two specially designed activities have been lined up: Storytelling with Alma Solarte-Tobón, from City Arts and a beatboxing workshop with Mr Shay – Leicester’s first-ever Poet Laureate, a rapper, poet, producer and beatboxer who regularly works with schools and community groups. All Young Hustlers staff and festival partners will have completed an Accessibility Training Workshop.
On Saturday, the Lumini will feature soft, colour-changing LED lighting to reduce anxiety, acoustic design to minimise overwhelming sounds, multiple entry and exit points for flexible access, spacious interiors suitable for wheelchairs, carers, and siblings.
Invitations to the SEND Family Day have been extended to charities, schools and community groups in Nottingham. Anyone interested should contact Saziso Phiri, director at[email protected], with 60 places available in total Saturday 18 October.
For the full Young Hustlers programme on Sunday 19 October, check out the socials, or pick up a programme on the day.
Tickets for children and young people (2-17) are £4 plus booking fee. Adults are £11 plus booking fee (adult wristbands can be used for Hockley Hustle). There will also be a number of Hockley Hustle venues accessible to Young Hustlers during the day.
For more information and tickets, go to www.younghustlers.co.uk
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