Art & Theatre / Christmas / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Fairhaven Gardens / farming / street entertainment / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk December 1, 2007
Norfolk has a wonderful array of special Christmas events to raise the spirits and put the county into the festive mood. New events this year include the Norfolk Christmas Family Festival at HM The Queen’s Sandringham Estate from December 15 to January 6, Santa’s Magical Journey at Thursford from November 17 to January 6 and in Norwich, Norwichristmas, The City’s Festive Fayre, from November 28 to December 5 and Norwich Cathedral Historic Christmas Fayre from December 13 to 15.
Other activities featured are magical weekends with Father Christmas at the county’s newest visitor attraction, BeWILDerwood, a whole host of Christmas Tree Festival’s and Christmas Sounds, a concert featuring former ‘Yes’ keyboard player and ‘Grumpy Old Man’, Rick Wakeman add to the mix. Then there is a live Nativity event at Repps with Bastwick on December 19, featuring Mary and Joseph searching for accommodation, Kings arriving from the east, shepherds tending their flock in the fields and angels arriving from on high.
The UK’s largest Christmas show, The Thursford Spectacular which opens on November 10 and runs until December 23 is already a sell out.
Crispian Emberson, Norfolk Tourism Director said: “We have a very exciting programme of special events in the county during the run up to Christmas and into the early New Year. Norfolk is the perfect location for combining some festive fun with Christmas shopping, not to forget walking on our beautiful beaches to recharge batteries.”
For information about Christmas in Norfolk, accommodation and other activities see www.visitnorfolk.co.uk or contact Norwich Tourist Information Centre tel 01603 727927.
Norfolk’s Christmas Events
Norfolk Christmas Family Festival – New at Sandringham Estate
Saturday, December 15 to Sunday, January 6 (closed Christmas Day), open 10am to 8pm. Located opposite the Visitor Centre at HM the Queen’s Sandringham Estate, the Festival features The Animal Farm & Circus Workshop, a pantomime, Cinderella Goes to The Circus, an under cover ice rink, husky sleigh rides and a Christmas trade fair, tel 0871 200 1416, www.norfolkchristmasfestival.co.uk
Santa’s Magical Journey – New for Christmas at Thursford
Thursford home of the ‘Christmas Spectacular’, the largest Christmas show in the UK, opened a special family attraction on Saturday, November 17. ‘Santa’s Magical Journey into Christmas’ features a journey through a wonderful fantasy land and a visit to see Father Christmas in his own special home. ‘ Santa’s Magical Journey into Christmas’ is open until Sunday, December 23 and from Thursday, December 27 to Sunday, January 6. Tel 01328 878477, www.thursford.com
Thursford Christmas Spectacular
The Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, Xmas Spectacular
Friday, December 14 to Sunday, January 6. The Hippodrome’s Xmas Spectacular brings the best international circus acts to Norfolk. Built in 1903, it is the only circus theatre in the UK that features a water spectacular. The main floor drops away and is flooded for a superb finale, during which dancers and acrobats take to the water. Tel 01493 844172 for show times and ticket prices, www.hippodromecircus.co.uk
The Pavilion Theatre’s Christmas Seaside Special from Thursday, December 6 to Saturday, December 29 presents the theatre’s popular end of the pier show with a festive sparkle. Tel 01263 512495 for show times and ticket prices, www.cromer-pier.com
Norwichristmas The City’s Festive Fayre – New Event
Wednesday, November 28 to Wednesday, December 5. The event features a Christmas Market in the streets around The Forum and City Hall, The Forum Ice Rink, Russian circus entertainers, reindeer at John Lewis, Father Christmas at Jarrolds and much more! Tel. 01603 727927, www.norwichristmas.co.uk
The Ice Rink at The Forum, Norwich
The ice rink opens on Saturday, November 10 and runs until Sunday, January 6. To book tickets contact Theatre Royal box office tel. 01603 630000, www.theforumnorwich.co.uk
Norwich Cathedral Historic Christmas Fayre – New Event
Thursday, December 13 to Saturday, December 15 in the cloisters, recreating the bustling market atmosphere of yesteryear from the Norman era to Victorian times featuring costumed historic traders and medieval musicians & entertainments. Open 10am to 7pm daily. Tel 01692 535613 www.cathedral.org.uk
Norwich Ice Sculptures
Sunday, December 16, Ice Sculpture Trail in Norwich city centre.
Swaffham Market Place
A ‘Celebration of Christmas’, Swaffham Market Place, Sunday, December 2.
Live Nativity Event
Wednesday, December 19 at 7pm. Staithe Road Nativity at St Peter’s Church Repps with Bastwick. Watch the story of the Nativity unfold, featuring Mary and Joseph searching for accommodation, Kings arriving from the east, shepherds tending their flocks in the fields and Angels arriving from on high. Meet at Hall Farm. Wrap up warm as this event involves walking. Tel 01692 670521.
Christmas Tree Festivals
Thursday, November 29 to Thursday, December 6, Fakenham Parish Church 7th Christmas Tree Festival featuring 64 charities and 70 trees. Open daily 10am to 8pm, free admission but donate to your favourite charity.
Saturday, December 1 to Tuesday, December 4, All Saints Church Shipdham Christmas Tree Festival. Open daily 12 noon to 8pm.
Saturday, December 1 to Sunday, December 9. 50 Christmas Trees in a Church, Dickleburgh Church. Admission by programme raising money for local churches and Christian Aid. Open December 1 5pm to 7pm, December 2 to 8, 10am to 7pm and December 9 10am to 5pm.
Saturday, December 1 to Sunday, December 9. St Mary’s Church, Wroxham Christmas Tree Festival. Open daily 10.30am to 5.30pm. Admission by programme raising money for local churches and charities.
Saturday, December 8 to Sunday, December 16. Christmas Tree and Carol Festival, Bunwell Church. Open daily 1.30pm to 7.30pm. Admission by programme.
Norwich Cathedral Concert
Wednesday, December 19 at 7.30pm. Cathedral Sounds featuring Rick Wakeman, ‘Grumpy Old Man’ and former keyboards player with Yes. An eclectic evening of music to put you in the Christmas spirit, raising funds for Norwich Cathedral and for the Norfolk Churches Trust. Tickets From £15 (£10 concessions) to £25, available from Theatre Royal box office, tel. 01603 630000 www.cathedralsounds.co.uk
Pantomimes
The Princess Theatre, Hunstanton, Sleeping Beauty from Thursday, December 6 to Wednesday, January 2. Tel 01485 532252 www.princesstheatrehunstanton.co.uk
Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, Babes in the Wood & Robin Hood from Monday, December 10 to Saturday, January 5. Tel 01493 662832 www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk
Sheringham Little Theatre, Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, Tuesday, December 11 to Wednesday, January 2. Tel 01263 822347 www.northnorfolk.org/littletheatre
Norwich Theatre Royal, Dick Whittington from Wednesday December 19 to Sunday, January 20. Tel 01603 630000 www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
Christmas at BeWILDerwood
Saturdays and Sundays, December 2 & 3, 9 &10,16 &17 and 20 & 24. Norfolk newest visitor attraction, BeWILDerwood near Hoveton, is transformed into a magical Christmas kingdom. Father Christmas visits his holiday treehouse high in the Winter Chestnuts. Climb the treetop route and walk the rope bridge to meet him. A magical experience for ‘children’ of all ages. Pre-booked tickets only tel. 0870 013 0705, www.bewilderwood.co.uk
Fairhaven’s Victorian Christmas
Sunday, December 16 from 4pm to 6pm. Meet Father Christmas in his woodland grotto at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, with music from Taverham Brass band, carol singing and other entertainers. Admission is £4.25 for adults and children (present for all children visiting Father Christmas). No need to pre-book. Tel 01603 270449, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk
Deepdale Christmas Quiz Walk
Saturday, December 1 to Monday, December 31. Walking Christmas quiz. Pick up your quiz sheets (price £1) from Deepdale Information, Burnham Deepdale. All proceeds to St Mary’s Church, Burnham Deepdale. Tel 01485 210256, www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/events
Norfolk Tourism is the county’s established public and private industry partnership. Funded by its 45 partner organisations and EEDA, the partnership is designed to act as a forum for all Norfolk’s tourism businesses and local authorities.
