>December Events / >November Events / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk November 18, 2013
Norwich city’s Christmas lights will look more spectacular than ever this year with the inaugural festive theme; NORWICHRISTMAS – Star of the East. As well as modern filigree star-ball suspensions and cool blue uplighters in trees across the city, the illuminations will be complemented by garlands of shimmering rays draped across some of the main shopping streets and winding narrow alleys of Norwich.
With Norwich proudly boasting the largest medieval street pattern in Europe and over 1000 years of history, the new lighting scheme will amplify the beauty of its heritage buildings and architecture. The Norman castle facade will erupt with a projection of dazzling flurries of shining stars. At City Hall, spotlights of colour will add to the drama and theatre whilst the iconic art deco stone columns will be wrapped in hundreds of tiny bulbs sparkling gloriously in silver and gold. City Hall Tower, standing proudly overlooking the 11th century Castle, 15th century Guildhall and the 900 year old market place, will be grandly crowned with yet more seductive Christmas splendour.
Stefan Gurney, Executive Director, Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) said; “We are excited and proud to be involved in the new Christmas lighting scheme for the city, which will showcase Norwich as the Star of the East. We are pleased to be able to work with Norwich City Council on making this initiative a reality for the city.”
Councillor Brenda Arthur leader of Norwich City Council said, “Norwich is a beautiful city at all times of the year but it’s extra special at Christmas. The fantastic array of shops, restaurants and attractions really come alive with festive spirit. The icing on the cake to this year’s celebrations will be the brand new lighting scheme in the city centre commissioned by Norwich City Council and Norwich BID, making our Christmas all the more magical!”
This Christmas, also for the first time, Norwich will have a team of enthusiastic City Hosts to guide visitors around the city. Operating seven days a week, the City Hosts will offer advice, suggestions and inspiration to anyone needing their assistance to ensure they make the best of their time here. The hosts have proved very popular already with visitors and residents since their introduction earlier in the year and they are looking forward to a busy first Christmas in Norwich, especially in such magical surroundings.
Mike King, City Host Manager said “City Hosts are really looking forward to being part of the wonderful experience that is ‘NORWICHRISTMAS’. All of the team will be here to help, assist and guide both visitors and locals alike to the many experiences and features that form part of this festive occasion. Norwich is a ‘gem’ of a visitor experience throughout the year but at Christmas time it really sparkles. It really is a very special time and we can’t wait to be part of it.”
Not only will Norwich bask in a radiant glow, the city will also play host to a grand selection of Christmas and winter food markets, evoking music, colourful performance and Christmassy delights. Things to do and look out for include; the Norwich Switch On with Jake Humphrey (21 Nov), Christmas at the Bridewell with carols around the tree in the medieval courtyard (30 Nov), a Medieval Christmas with Uncle Holly at Dragon Hall (1 Dec), a Curious Christmas Evening & Craft Fair at Norwich Castle (6 Dec), Cinderella at Norwich Theatre Royal (17 Dec – 19 Jan) and choral concerts all over the city including Norwich Cathedral.
Shoppers will be in for a treat ensuring that shopping for gifts, present ideas and party outfits will be an enjoyable experience, something to relish rather than endure! Intu Chapelfield, Castle Mall, John Lewis and Jarrolds (Norwich’s award-winning independent department store) will be hosting live seasonal music, themed shopping days, tastings and sampling as well as advice and stylish fashion fixes from all the popular brands and favourite labels. Discover independent stores and quirky shops including vintage and contemporary fashion, lifestyle, art, books and antiques is in the picturesque, historical areas of the Norwich Lanes, the Cathedral Quarter and Timberhill.
A bacon sandwich on Norwich Market, homemade mince pies by the crackling fire in the Britons Arms or fine dining at Roger Hickman’s Restaurant (3 AA Rosette Award), all are individual to Norwich and wonderful in their own right. Across the city, streets are full of pavement cafes, coffee houses, restaurants and real ale pubs tempting customers with delicious local produce food and drink, not forgetting all the high street favourites as well as pop-up, one-off weekend food stands.
Nick Bond, Head of Tourism at VisitNorwich said, “Norwich is a delightful and enchanting city to visit especially at Christmas. With a superb mix of old and new buildings, stunning architecture, great shopping, winding streets, pedestrianised areas and loads of wonderful attractions and places to eat and drink all within comfortable walking distance of each other, it really offers everything a visitor could possibly want for an exciting day out or city break.”
Christmas in Norwich is brimming with marvellous days out, entertainment, shopping, special events, local food and drink and festive atmosphere, for more information about Christmas in Norwich go to www.norwichristmas.co.uk
Christmas Events Highlights
Norwich Christmas Lights Switch On
Norwich Castle, The Forum, City Hall and Jarrolds
Parade 6pm from Norwich Castle, 7pm lights switch on & Fireworks City Hall and Jarrolds followed by the Feast of the Street market outside the Forum
Thur 21st Nov 2013
The fun starts at 6pm at Norwich Castle. Join Father Christmas, his magical sleigh and lantern parade as they meander through the snowy streets to City Hall. Make a wish with the Christmas fairies at The Forum and City Hall and enjoy hot festive food, snowballs, dancing elves and singing cherubs. At 7pm the lights switch on takes place followed by a fireworks display bursting from Jarrold and City Hall. Following the fireworks, why not visit the Feast on the Street market outside The Forum for delicious street foods to keep you warm as you enjoy the festive atmosphere around the city.
Christmas at The Bridewell
Bridewell Museum, Norwich
Saturday 30 November, 10am – 4pm
Join us for carols in the courtyard round a sparkling Christmas tree. Plus make and take home with you, delightful decorations inspired by our stunning collections. This bijoux museum tells the story of Norwich and its colourful characters from the past. A Norwich must visit!
01603 629127
A Medieval Christmas – Meet medieval Father Christmas – Uncle Holly!
Dragon Hall 115- 123 King Street, Norwich NR1 1QE
Sunday 1st December 11am- 4pm
On Sunday 1st December Dragon Hall will be staging an event called ‘A Medieval Christmas’. Children are invited to visit Uncle Holly, a medieval Father Christmas to receive a small medieval themed present. He will be in his medieval ‘grotto’ sited in the 15th century vaulted under croft which will be decked with garlands of holly, ivy and mistletoe. In Medieval times evergreens symbolised eternal life and good spirits were thought to live in ivy, holly and mistletoe and traditionally Uncle Holly would have worn a crown of holly and ivy and a green robe. Children can also make a traditional Christmas decoration to take away.
Another Medieval Christmas tradition will be kept alive with a traditional Christmas Mummers Play of St George and the Dragon which will be performed by Dragon Hall’s mummers’ group. Mummers’ plays, performed by a group of people in costume who entertained guests with amusing and dramatic performances, were also a medieval Christmas tradition. There will also be music throughout the afternoon and the chance to buy light refreshments.
01603 663922
Exhibition – Praying with Icons – The Work of the Walsingham Iconographers
The Hostry, Norwich Cathedral, Norwich NR1 4DH
Thursday, December 5, 2013 to Wednesday, January 1, 2014, open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to
4.30pm and Sunday, 12noon to 3pm.
Praying with Icons is the first exhibition of work of the late Fr. David (d 1993) and Leon Liddament (d. 2010) of the Brotherhood of St. Seraphim, St Seraphim’s Chapel, Walsingham. For more than forty years the iconographers made Icons in the Orthodox Tradition, which can now be found not only in churches and private collections in the UK but also the world. The icons of early British saints, including local saints, were an important part of their work. The exhibition, featuring 30 icons, will set the artists’ work within the tradition of iconography and Orthodox liturgy and prayer. It will also feature archive film of Walsingham as a place of pilgrimage and the iconographers at work. Entry is free.
01603 218300
www.cathedral.org.uk www.iconpainter.org.uk
Curious Christmas Evening & Craft Fair at Norwich Castle
Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery
Friday 6 December, 5 – 9pm
This stunning Norman castle in the heart of Norwich is a perfect Christmas venue! Celebrate the magic of Christmas with an evening of live music and entertainment. Browse our brilliant craft fair for original gifts and take part in giant festive craft activities.
01603 495897/493625
Dragon Hall Medieval Christmas Market
Dragon Hall, 115-123 King Street, Norwich, NR1 1QE
Sat 07th Dec 2013 to Sun 08th Dec 2013, 10am-4pm both days
The annual spectacular, season defining Medieval Christmas Market returns to the magnificent medieval trading hall in the company of costumed stallholders and period musicians at this popular annual event. With over thirty stalls selling toys, gifts, clothing, wreaths, food, jewellery, pottery, glass and much more, the market is now an eagerly anticipated annual event with the ancient hall tastefully decorated in traditional seasonal splendour. Enjoy a glass of mulled wine and food inspired by German Christmas markets.
01603 663922
Christmas with the Choir at Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral, The Close, Norwich, NR1 4DH
13 December, 7.30pm
Enjoy traditional carols, classic Christmas songs and a candlelit atmosphere at Norwich’s magnificent
Romanesque Cathedral which is one of the finest complete Romanesque cathedrals in Europe. With the second tallest spire and largest monastic cloisters in England, it houses more than a thousand beautiful medieval roof boss sculptures and is truly spectacular. Traditional carols, classic Christmas songs and a candlelit cathedral. Join Norwich Cathedral Choir for a festive feast of music! Tickets are available from £8 and include a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.
01603 630000
www.cathedral.org.uk/christmas2013
Cinderella
Norwich Theatre Royal, Theatre Street, Norwich
Tue 17th Dec 2013 to Sun 19th Jan 2014
EAST ANGLIA’S BIGGEST AND BEST TRADITIONAL FAMILY PANTOMIME. This year’s festive extravaganza is the most popular panto of them all – Cinderella. With all the magic, colour, comedy, audience participation and fun you expect, along with spectacular sets, dazzling dancing and marvellous music, this year’s sparkling, traditional panto will be a delight for you and your family. The all-star cast includes Shelia Ferguson (The Three Degrees) as Fairy Godmother, Christopher Ryan (The Young Ones, Absolutely Fabulous) as Baron Hardup, Matt Milburn (Hollyoaks) as Prince Charming, and Richard Gauntlett as Buttons
01603 630000
https://secure.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/online/
Norwich Philharmonic Family Christmas Concert
St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich
17 December, 7.30pm
The Norwich Philharmonic Society has been a focus for high-quality amateur music making in Norwich since its first performance in 1841. The Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra give 4 or 5 concerts a year from a diverse repertoire, giving pleasure to audiences and members alike. Annually at Christmas they play at St Andrew’s Hall – one of the Norwich 12 buildings.
www.norwichphil.org.uk
Santa Ho Special Edition from imajaz art
£14.99 T-Shirt
£19.99 Sweatshirt
with Free UK post
