Words: Millie Rogers
1) Record Store Day Black Friday 2025: 100+ Limited-Edition Vinyl Drops Confirmed
Record Store Day Black Friday is back on the 28th November 2025, and it’s a holiday for all avid record collectors. The limited releases are one’s that won’t hang around for long and fans will be eagerly awaiting their release, with vinyl enthusiasts often being known to queue at early hours to ensure they get their desired items. This year, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean lead a lineup that is stacked with exclusive singles, special reissues, anniversary pressings, and more. With genres from indie to electronic there truly is something for everyone.
Most stores open early and stock will fly off the shelf, so ensuring you have a plan to grab your most wanted items won’t hurt. Whether you’re hunting for a rare pressing, or just want to have a browse, it’s a great day to support your local stores.
2) Defying Gravity: Wicked For Good Soars Into Cinemas
The wait is finally over, as the long awaited sequel to the smash hit movie ‘Wicked’ hits cinemas today! Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, ‘Wicked: For Good’ will explore the darker side of the witches, and is guaranteed to leave you in a puddle of tears. With the first chapter setting the stage, today brings the heavily anticipated grand finale to audiences across the UK. Whether you’ve loved Wicked for years or just want a big, feel-good musical night out, this is the perfect excuse to head to the movies.
3) 10,000 Spins, One Big Heart: Senior Fundraiser Beats Her Children In Need Goal
Nova Strange, the 86-year old fundraiser, has shocked her community by completing 10,000 hula-hoop spins in 100 days, raising over £2,000 for BBC’s Children in Need. This has surpassed her original £500 target.
During lockdown, Strange – who is a full-time carer for her husband – took up the hobby of hula-hooping and decided that it would become the perfect challenge for fund-raising. Nova Strange then committed to 100 spins everyday for 100 days. Finishing her final spin at Cheddington Methodist Church, she was cheered on by friends and supporters gained along her journey. Her inspiring efforts are just one of the many uplifting stories from this year’s Children in Need appeal – which has raised over £45million so far – and if you would like to donate to Nova visit her Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/nova-hula-hoop
4) 2025 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards Finalists Bring The Laughs — And The Conservation Message
The finalists for Nikon’s 2025 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced, and they’re guaranteed to make you laugh. From theatrical lion cubs to smoking ducks, the 40 shortlisted photos capture wildlife at its most playful. One image that captures the attention and hearts of many viewers is the ‘I Just Can’t Wait To Be King’ by Bret Saalwaechter, which showcases a pride of lion cubs behaving like toddlers.
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are open to both professionals and amateurs, and have received nearly 10,000 entries. Winners for the competition will be revealed on December 9th and all finalists will have their work displayed in a free exhibition at London’s Gallery OXO from December 10-14th, so make sure to go check it out!
Visit the Comedy Wildlife Photography website for more info: www.shop.comedywildlifephoto.com
5) Victorious Festival Reopens ‘Apply to Play’ — Putting Rising Bands Centre Stage
Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival has now opened their Apply To Play scheme for 2026, giving emerging and unsigned bands the opportunity to gain a spot on its lineup. Applications for next year’s lineup close on the 28th March 2026. The festival is guaranteed to shine a light on smaller unsigned bands, and ensure that they have the opportunity to play in front of new eyes.
Having already given out over 2,000 slots to new artists since 2017, Victorious Festival is continuing that commitment with their 2026 scheme ‘Road to Victorious’, which will prioritise performers from the Portsmouth area. Acts that are successful will be notified by the 14th April 2026, and Victorious is making it clear that festivals aren’t just about the headliners, but instead are platforms for a wave of new artists.
Want to check it out for yourself? Visit:
www.victoriousfestival.co.uk/2025/11/apply-to-play-is-open
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