Norfolk's top festivals

As if you needed any additional reasons to visit Norfolk, we have festivals throughout the year to suit all tastes and budgets!

For specific details of events, keep looking at our Visit Norfolk What's On page.

What's On in Norfolk

Burnham Market Horse Trials: Gaining internatonal status in 2003, this April event attracts soe of the best national and international riders.

Norwich City Ale of Festival: A ten-day celebration of beer straddling May and June. Norwich’s brewing heritage began with Benedictine monks making ales in Cathedral Close in the 11th century – and the city hasn’t stopped drinking since.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival: Norfolk’s biggest arts event, held every May, offers a culturally diverse programme of music, dance, theatre and visual arts.

Houghton International Horse Trials: a four-day May festival of showjumping and eventing in the beautiful setting of Houghton Hall.

Folk On The Pier: Norfolk’s largest festival of its kind, you’ll find folk rock and acoustic acts at the Pavilion Theatre and across the town in May.

Royal Norfolk Show: Two days in late June when it seems as if all of Norfolk descends on the showground outside Norwich. it's a festival of Norfolk-ness.

Fairy Fair: two days each May that features workshops, live music, entertainment and lots more for a magical day-out where families with young children can connect with nature.

Cromer & Sheringham Crab & Lobster Festival: A long weekend of food, fun, art, music, heritage and entertainment every May.

King’s Lynn Festival: In July you'll find concerts, shows and events for all taste across the town.

Festival Too: A more populist take on the above, and also in July, Too aims to provide free music for the people of West Norfolk and visitors.

Festival of Bowls: Hosted by the Great Yarmouth Britannia Bowling Greens for four weeks every late-summer, August and September, more than 1700 bowlers compete.

Lord Mayor’s Celebration: Four days in July when Norwich city centre is taken over by funfairs, processions, fireworks, outdoor theatre and more. Look out for the Snapdragon at the Procession.

Cromer Pier Summer Show: Okay, it's a show, but it's nonetheless a festival of fun and theatre and, come on, it's the world's only end-of-pier show!

Hunstanton Kite Festival: As well as expert kite fliers, you can try it for yourself when you’re not looking at the fun dog show, the classic motor bikes and car rally at this great August event.

Wymondham Music Festival: In July, the quaint market town and historic abbey hosts events of all musical varieties.

Wells Pirate Festival: A-hah, me hearties! A three day festival with fun events including pirates on the park, boat trips to pirate island, a pirate fete and a smugglers ball. Get ready to swash your buckle.

Holt Festival: An eclectic mix of international music, drama, comedy, visual art, street theatre, workshops and cinema in July in the gorgeous north Norfolk Georgian town.

North Norfolk Music Festival: Held in August, events include a gala concert at Holkham Hall and performances in many churches, including St Mary’s Church in the grounds of Raynham Hall.

Worstead Festival: A weekend in July that grew from a village show into a celebration of traditional country pursuits, such as heavy horses and tractors, with fun for the kids, craft stalls, and the best of Norfolk food.

Wayland Agricultural Show: Livestock, motorcycle displays, sheepdogs, arts and crafts... you name it, it's at this August show.

Shakespeare Festival in the Cloisters: The GB Theatre Company perform The Bard in the beautiful surroundings of the Norwich Cathedral cloisters in July. Pack a picnic or order one from the Refectory.

Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival: Head to Great Yarmouth's seafront for two days in July when an array of bikes, classic and contemporary cars will be lining up to star in a seafront wheels festival.

Gorleston Clifftop Festival: Two days in July when family fun and activities take over the town’s seafront.

Holkham Country Fair: Two days in July at this stunning north Norfolk estate, held every two years! Returns in 2021.

Out There: An international two-day streets arts and circus festival bursts out onto the streets of Great Yarmouth in September, with lots of entertainment on the seafront, in St Georges Park and the town centre.

Norfolk Walking and Cycling Festival: A whole month of special activities brought to you by Norfolk Trails.

Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival: Takes place every September along the length of the historic South Quay, featuring tall ships, shanty music, and you’re likely to bump into Nelson and some pirates too.

Sheringham and Holt 1940s weekend: You'd be forgiven for thinking you've stepped back in town when these two towns are taken over in September.

Norwich Beer Festival: CAMRA-organised festival in the Autumn at St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls. They like their beer in Norwich – it wasn’t that long ago the city had a pub for every day of the year.

Thursford Christmas Spectacular: What do you mean, ‘That’s not a festival’? It’s a festival of remembering everything you love about Christmas and is a fantastic reason to come to Norfolk in the winter.

What's On in Norfolk