Norwich Arts, Culture, Music and Festivals
Norwich embraces a rich mixture of arts and culture, and has excellent facilities to nurture and encourage upcoming talent in the region. There are numerous galleries and many special events throughout the year to celebrate the joy of music, art, dance and much more. From special one-off concerts to colourful festivals spanning two weeks, Norwich is proud of its artistic talent and is always coming up with new ways to enable everyone to enjoy the rich variety on offer!Jump to Music // Festivals // Theatre, Cinema & Comedy // Art & Exhibitions
Music
Norwich's main music venues, the University of East Anglia, the Waterfront and Norwich Arts Centre, have seen some great artists come through its doors to perform and today the city welcomes many musicians and bands to play, from the well-established favourites to exciting new talent.
The Norwich Arts Centre provides the perfect venue for music, new theatre and film, new comedy, performance arts and exhibitions. From humble beginnings in an old carpet factory over 30 years ago, it was moved to one of city's Medieval churches, St. Swithins, and has seen the likes of Coldplay, Oasis and the Manic Street Preachers performing there.
The local music scene is also very strong, with the NME naming Norwich within their Future 50 list of current driving forces in music - one of only two places to make the grade. Check out local bands at the Arts Centre, Brickmakers, B2 or many of the pubs which have regular music evenings.
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Festivals
For just over two weeks in May Norwich comes alive as the great Norfolk and Norwich Festival takes over. An extensive programme of events includes classical, jazz, world and choral music, opera, circus, drama, street theatre and more! Events are performed all over the city in some stunning venues such as the elegant Assembly House and also outside at Millennium Plain and Chapelfield Gardens making each performance truly unique.
Children and adults alike will love the annual Lord Mayor's Celebrations which includes a wonderful parade of colour, flamboyant floats as well as a funfair and bands in Chapelfield Gardens. The Norfolk Food Festival takes place each autumn with many events in the city centre, including Battle of the Bangers, tasting sessions, cooking demonstrations, celebrity chef master classes and more!
Norwich Pride, held in July each year, celebrates diversity and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans community in Norwich and Norfolk. Events include music, street theatre, cabaret, picnic in the park and the colourful Pride Parade through the city.
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Theatre, Cinema & Comedy
There's plenty happening in Norwich if you prefer a spot of comedy or theatre. Norwich Theatre Royal hosts national and international touring companies, whilst the Norwich Playhouse and Norwich Arts Centre are excellent places to see upcoming and newly established comedians and theatre for all tastes. The Maddermarket Theatre hosts both local and touring companies with shows by British and international playwrights. There are also regular comedy nights at The Forum from The Comedy Store, as well as the Red Card Comedy Club at Norwich City Football Club and a Norwich Comedy Festival each summer.
If you like a bit of the Bard, watch out for outdoor plays at Norwich Cathedral during the summer as part of the Norwich Shakespeare Festival. And for the kids, why not take them to something a bit different - check out the children's shows at Norwich Puppet Theatre which offer a bit of puppeting magic for kids big and small!
The independent Cinema City always has a great roster of films, from arthouse and world cinema, through to the latest blockbusters, as well as screening live link-ups to festivals, operas and major events. Or take in a movie at Odeon in Riverside, Vue at The Castle Mall or Hollywood in Anglia Square.
Find theatre, comedy & films in Norwich
Art & Exhibitions
Norwich is awash with art of all sorts and this can be seen in many different locations - each with its own character. A wonderful public art museum, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts welcomes visitors to come and explore their extensive collections of modern and world art. Housed in a world-class Norman Foster building the exterior is as absorbing as the galleries inside. The Centre runs special exhibitions throughout the year, creative workshops for adults and children and there is also a Gallery Café and Garden Restaurant. Pop along to be truly inspired!
Visit the Art Gallery at Norwich Castle to see specialist collections of British ceramic teapots, English watercolours and Rembrandt etchings or visiting national exhibitions throughout the year. There are also some lovely, small galleries such as the Grapevine and the King of Hearts where you can see beautiful collections of arts, crafts and photography. There are also exhibitions held at The Forum, including visual exhibitions at Fusion - Europe's largest permanent digital screen gallery with FREE public access, Crome Gallery in Elm Hill, and OUTPOST gallery in Tombland.
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