A new Norwich Christmas lighting scheme, the inaugural Chronicles of Christmas Norwich walking tour, the return of Norwich Cathedral's historic organ in time for the festive season and the first North Norfolk Pole Experience.

There's a lot to look forward to at Christmas in Norwich and Norfolk.

The new Norwich Christmas lighting scheme will launch Thursday 16th November replacing the Tunnel of Light and extending the festive scheme to include wrapped lampposts and more locations. The lighting scheme will be 100% LED and powered by 100% renewable energy.

Stefan Gurney, executive director at Norwich BID said: “We're really excited to bring an all-new Christmas lights scheme to the city centre. Not only will our updated lights cover a larger area, but they are our most sustainable scheme yet. And although the Tunnel of Light will be missed, we're proud that it was the first of its kind in the country, and that it has since inspired many likenesses across the UK.”

New

The Shoebox Experiences launch their new 'Chronicles of Christmas' walking tour of Norwich covering 1.3 miles over 90-minutes, sharing how Christmas has been celebrated through the ages. The route will be fully accessible.

Norwich Cathedral's historic organ returns after an ambitious once-in-a-lifetime project to preserve the organ for future generations. To celebrate, there will be a trio of Organ Reborn! concerts on 11, 16 and 25 November. On Thursday 16 November, the music of English composer Herbert Howells will take centre stage in a concert by the BBC Singers, with the Cathedral's Master of Music Ashley Grote playing the organ and Nicholas Chalmers and Ed Balls conducting.

Further afield at Pensthorpe, families can book a new North Norfolk Pole Experience (2 – 23 December). On this experience, Santa Claus and his mischievous elves will be spreading Christmas cheer. There will be magical storytelling, a specially designed Grotto, festive crafts, hot chocolate, festive cookies and of course a gift for each child.

Over at ROARR! their new Sparkle at Roarr! event (November – December) will see for the first time a skating rink, carol singers and their sell-out award-winning Grotto Experience. And for the canine members of the family, on the 17th December their special Bark in the Dark Grotto.

Christmas Markets

Norwich doesn't have one big Christmas market, rather, many smaller artisan markets over each weekend up to the big day. Selling items from local makers, artists and creators, take a look around the largest annual market The Festive Fair at The Forum (23 – 26 November) and Clutter City Winter Market at Norwich Arts Centre (9 December). Other Christmas markets include Unik Design (3 – 4 November, 7 – 9 December), Norfolk Creations (4 & 10 November, 11 – 16 December), Modern Country Crafts (16 – 18 November, 15 – 16 December), Norwich Vegans Christmas Market (19 November), Global Village Christmas Market (30 November – 2 December) and Jabbawocky (9 – 10 December & 16 December). All hosted at The Forum in Norwich.

Seasonal Favourites

Many seasonal favourites are returning to Norwich including The Nutcracker Festive Afternoon Tea at The Assembly House in an igloo or in their Georgian Dining Room (1 November – 8 January), The Christmas Switch On (Norwich City Hall, Thursday 16 November), traditional Gluhwein at Sir Toby's Beers on Norwich Market (November – December), Carols With the King at The Forum (3 December), Santa's Grotto for Dogs at The Forum (10 December, free) and Sleeping Beauty at Norwich Theatre Royal (9 December – 7 January).

Europe's largest Christmas show of its kind

The Thursford Christmas Spectacular is an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. It's a fast-moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year-round favourites with a top cast of 130. Launched in 1977 the show regularly sells out and has been directed and produced by John Cushing OBE (CEO of the Thursford Collection the world's largest collection of steam engines and organs) since it began. Tickets for the three-hour show start at £43, suitable from age 8 years. To date, over 6 million people have visited Thursford.

Norwich is a wonderful city for independent shopping in the Royal Arcade, Norwich Lanes, Cathedral Quarter, and Elm Hill (Norwich's most complete medieval street). High street favourites can be found on Gentleman's Walk and within two shopping centres – Castle Quarter and Chantry Place. There are also regional flagship stores from John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Primark.

The independent food and drink scene in Norwich is strong whether pushing the boat out or eating on the go. Local favourites include Benedicts, Farmyard, Yalm, Brix and Bones, Namaste India and Norwich Market.

And because of Norwich's medieval street pattern, once in the city centre, visitors can walk to museums, theatres, shops, restaurants, and bars.

The Broads, countryside, and coast are also easily accessible from Norwich for day visits to attractions and many walking routes and natural spaces either by car, bus or train.

Notes to editors

For interviews and high-res images contact Mel Cook, PR & Marketing Manager VisitNorwich melanie.cook@norwichbid.co.uk

https://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/christmas-in-norwich/

Norwich is 1hr 50 mins direct from London Liverpool Street with services also running from King's Cross with a change at Cambridge. Both routes are with Greater Anglia.

Direct trains to Norwich also run from Sheffield, Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Cambridge.

New Christmas events and things to do

Norwich Christmas Lights
Across Norwich from 16 November
www.visitnorwich.co.uk
Norwich's new (and extended) 2023 Christmas lighting scheme is 100% LED and powered by 100% renewable energy. For the first time lampposts will be wrapped in lights plus there will be designs of draped lights across busy shopping streets.

'Chronicles of Christmas' walking tour of Norwich
The Shoebox Experiences
November and December
https://www.theshoebox.org.uk/the-shoebox-experiences/
Sharing how Christmas has been celebrated through the ages, tickets go on sale in October and will cost £15 for adults and £8 for children aged 4-12 years.

Norwich Cathedral Organ Reborn! Series
11, 16, 25 November
Tickets £7.50 - £25
www.cathedral.org.uk

Saturday 11 November with Norwich Cathedral Chamber Choir, the Cathedral's organist David Dunnett and Onyx Brass performing Rutter's Gloria and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms.

On Thursday 16 November, the music of English composer Herbert Howells will take centre stage in a concert by the BBC Singers, with the Cathedral's Master of Music Ashley Grote playing the organ and Nicholas Chalmers and Ed Balls conducting.

On Saturday 25 November, internationally-renowned concert organist Thomas Trotter will give the inaugural organ recital with a programme including music by Bach, Guilmant, Willan, Dove, Karg-Elert and Mendelssohn.

North Norfolk Pole Experience
Pensthorpe, Pensthorpe Rd, Fakenham NR21 0LN (24 miles from Norwich)
2 – 23 December
Adults £10.95, Children £13.95 and Under 2's £6.95.
https://pensthorpe.com/events/the-north-norfolk-pole/
On this new experience, join Santa Claus and his mischievous elves who will be spreading Christmas cheer. There will be magical storytelling, a specially designed Grotto, festive crafts, hot chocolate, festive cookies and of course a gift for each child.

Sparkle at ROARR!
Lenwade, Norwich NR9 5JE (12 miles from Norwich)
November - December Selected days, from 4.30pm
Tickets are individually priced from £5 per activity
https://roarr.co.uk/sparkle-at-roarr/

We are gearing up for the most wonderful time of the year with an all-new event, Sparkle, hosted exclusively at ROARR! Add some extra Sparkle to your year with an evening of festivities, a synthetic ice-skating rink, carol singers and a sell-out award-winning Grotto Experience. And for the canine members of the family, the 17th December will see the opening of the special, Bark in the Dark Grotto.

Before heading to the market to enjoy some stocking-filler shopping, pick up some warming food and drink from various street vendors, and a bar in-house offering festive fodder and tipples.

Dippy's Theatre will remain open throughout the evening, showing a festive film for when it's cold outside, while other attractions are closed for the night.

Seasonal Favourites

Nutcracker Festive Afternoon Tea & Christmas at The Assembly House | Christmas at The Maids Head Hotel (one of the oldest hotels in the UK) | Christmas at Norwich Cathedral | Sleeping Beauty at Norwich Theatre Royal | | Thursford Christmas Spectacular | Santa's Magical Journey | Enchanted Journey of Light

Get out into Norfolk

Take the train to the coast at Cromer for beach walks and the ONLY 'End of Pier' show of its kind in the UK for the Cromer Pier Christmas Show.
www.cromerpier.co.uk/cromer-pier-show/the-cromer-pier-show-2023/cromer-pier-christmas-show/

Drive to Holkham Hall in North Norfolk for their stunning festive decorated rooms on a Tour by Candlelight.  Or visit for their Christmas Market brimming with wonderful local products to buy on 9 – 10 December. Helping you get into the festive spirit, Fakenham Town Band and Nelson's Shantymen will be playing live music.
www.holkham.co.uk/whats-on/?_events_category_dropdown=christmas

About VisitNorwich

VisitNorwich is the Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) for the Norwich area and is the tourism destination marketing function of Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) - www.visitnorwich.co.uk.             

VisitNorwich is a membership organisation within Norwich BID and its activities are funded by Investment Partners, public sector stakeholders including Norwich City Council and directly by Norwich BID.

VisitNorwich's sole focus is to promote and develop the destination and support its Investment Partners through collaborative marketing, research, information and business advice.

In 2020 Norwich, the City of Stories was shortlisted in the City Nation Place Awards 2020 for 'Place Brand of the Year'.