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!
Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Out There, Great Yarmouth
Crab & Lobster Festival, Cromer and Sheringham
Wells-next-the-Sea Pirate Festival
Royal Norfolk Show
Shakespeare in the Cloisters, Norwich Cathedral
Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival
Sheringham and Holt 1940s weekend
Holkham Country Fair
1 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. Details
2 Norfolk & Norwich Festival: Norfolk’s biggest arts event, held every May, offers a culturally diverse programme of music, dance, theatre and visual arts. Details
3 Broads Outdoor Festival: Events across Britain’s Magical Waterland every May include guided walks, canoe trails, viewing the heritage windmills and much more. Details
4 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. Details
5 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. Details
6 King’s Lynn Festival: In July you'll find concerts, shows and events for all taste across the town. Details
7 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. Details
8 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. Details
9 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. Details
10 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.
11 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. Details
12 Houghton International Horse Trials: a four-day May festival of showjumping and eventing in the beautiful setting of Houghton Hall. Details
13 Burnham Market Horse Trials: Gaining internatonal status in 2003, this April event attracts soe of the best national and international riders. Details
14 Cromer & Sheringham Crab & Lobster Festival: A long weekend of food, fun, art, music, heritage and entertainment every May. Details
15 Wymondham Music Festival: in July, the quaint market town and historic abbey hosts events of all musical varieties. Details
16 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. Details
17 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. Details
18 Hollham Country Fair: Two days in July at this stunning north Norfolk estate, and the Red Arrows are appearing! Details
19 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. Details
20 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. Details
21 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. Details
23 Royal Norfolk Show: Two days in late June when it seems as if all of Norfolk descends on the showground outside Norwich. Details
24 Wayland Agricultural Show: Livestock, motorcycle displays, sheepdogs, arts and crafts... you name it, it's at this August show. Details
25 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! Details
26 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.
27 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. Details
28 Sheringham and Holt 1940s weekend: You'd be forgiven for thinking you've stepped bacj in town when these two towns are taken over in September. Details
Events throughout the year
January
Enjoy the Winter Wildlife Safari of migrating birds, England's largest seal colony, as well as the Festival of Swans at Welney
February
It's half-term - all the attractions are open again and King's Lynn Lumiere lights up the town
March
April
You'd be a fool not to visit with Cromer crabs back in season. And don't worry about April showers - most of our attractions have inside facilities
May
Events to enjoy include the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Broads Outdoor Festival and Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival
June
The longest days let you stay on the beach all day and eat al fresco in the evening. Oh, it's the Royal Norfolk Show too!
July
August
September
October
November
December
