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 allow everyone to enjoy the rich variety on offer!

University of East Anglia - Photo Credit: UEA

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Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

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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 while there is also a Gallery Café and Garden Restaurant. Free to enter - pop along to be truly inspired!

Norwich Arts Centre

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, the Centre is now in its 30th year. 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.

More galleries!

Norwich is awash with art of all sorts and this can be seen in many different locations - each with its own character. Visit the Art Gallery at Norwich Castle to see specialist collections of British Ceramic teapots, English watercolours and Rembrandt etchings or browse Norwich Gallery to see the many superb exhibitions put on 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.

To search for exhibitions in Norwich and Norfolk, click here.

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 will love the annual Lord Mayor’s Celebrations which includes a wonderful parade of colour, flamboyant floats while the Norwich International Animation Festival (AURORA) takes place in November and focuses on the art of animation and short films.

To search for festivals in Norwich and Norfolk, click here.

Music

Norwich’s music venues, the University of East Anglia and the Waterfront, 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. Upcoming artists performing in Norwich include Jools Holland, Beverley Knight and Simon Webbe.

To search for music events in Norwich and Norfolk, click here.

More Information

Use the links below to help you navigate around our dedicated Norwich section.

Introduction to Norwich

History of Norwich

Shopping in Norwich

Places to visit in Norwich

Things to do in Norwich during the daytime

Things to do in Norwich during the evening

Eating out in Norwich

Getting around Norwich

For more information on Norwich, go to our partner's website www.visitnorwich.co.uk or contact the Norwich Tourist Information Centre:
The Forum
Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1TF
T. 01603 213999
F. 01603 765389
E. tourism@norwich.gov.uk
Open all year

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