VisitNorwich - part of Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) - has launched a seasonal domestic tourism campaign to attract more staying and day visits to Norwich. The campaign focuses on three elements: a new micro-site: norwichatchristmas.co.uk; the use of #myfestivefavourites to encourage people to share what they love most about the city at Christmas, and a fun competition to win your 'festive face' on Norwich Castle.

The new site is a hub of everything potential visitors to Norwich at Christmas (and residents) need in order to plan a trip or make the most of their time. Norwich is a diverse, historic city, offering the full package: great shopping, places to stay, things to do and delicious local things to eat and drink. Norwich is the ideal destination to spend a Christmas shopping break.

Using #myfestivefavourites on Instagram, the campaign also encourages people visiting and living in Norwich to post and share pictures of their favourite festive things about the city, be that a place, person, experience or even favourite cup of coffee! 

Norwich Castle is one of Norwich's most iconic buildings, sitting high on its mound overlooking the city centre.  Each Christmas as part of Norwich BID's Christmas programme, animated 70ft projections are presented on the castle's stunning historic façade 70ft high.  Magical, creative story-telling at its best, and a vivid centrepiece for the city during winter.

To add to this story, in 2018 a competition has launched looking for the best 'festive face' which will see the winner's portrait projected onto Norwich Castle on Christmas Day. The top prize also includes a luxury 2-night break in Norwich in 2019.                     

The most creative submissions will be projected onto the castle each evening in December until Christmas Eve. The daily montage will be some of the best, jolly 'festive faces' received.  Whether it's portraits in Christmas jumpers, selfies in Santa hats, pooches as reindeer or a group of friends using seasonal props – the more fun the entries, the better.

Now in its third year, the Tunnel of Light introduces two new lighting schemes in addition to its original light show this year experience a James Bondesque sequence featuring speeding colours firing through the 45-meters long tunnel and an illusion of cascading water with splashing waves rolling over the top.   

Norwich is a city bursting with great things to do at Christmas, Norwich is also very cultural so at Christmas expect lots of performance, music and live theatre to entertain after dark as well as fantastic restaurants to share a cosy meal or enjoy with a group of friends or family.

Stefan Gurney, Executive Director of Norwich BID, who oversees VisitNorwich said: “There's so much to see and do, that's why we've created Norwich at Christmas. Norwich is a wonderful destination with a host of amazing one-off seasonal events and Christmas markets. As well as our great high street shopping, two shopping centres and quirky independent emporiums found in historic areas such as The Norwich Lanes, Norwich Cathedral Quarter, Timberhill and The Royal Arcade. Plus, with the launch of our 'festive faces' competition I'm sure people of all ages will enjoy seeing their portraits projected 70ft high on Norwich Castle.”

10 Festive Favourites in Norwich

The Tunnel of Light 15 November – 5 January NEW 2018 sequences
One of Norwich's most popular Christmas attractions returns for a third year.

Norwich Castle Projections 15 November – 5 January
From 5pm until midnight see stunning animated visuals projected 70ft high onto the castle. Plus, from 1 -24 December there will be a special hour of Festive Faces (5pm – 6pm) with the overall best picture to be screened on Christmas Day.

Festive Fair at The Forum 22 – 25 November
Norwich's first big Christmas market of the season – with all the trimmings.

Norwich Puppet Theatre November/December
See performances and take a children's workshop at one of the UK's only permanent theatres dedicated to this incredible art form.

My First Panto – Jack and the Beansprout 30 November – 5 January
An immersive re-imagined version of this classic fairy tale story that puts the audience at the centre of the action taking part in the performance rather than just watching from a distance.

Norfolk Christmas Fayre at Norwich Cathedral 1 December NEW for 2018
Celebrate Norfolk's best local produce food and drink and more in the atmospheric surrounds of the Nave, cloisters and Close including vintage funfair rides.  
 
Global Village Christmas Market 1- 2 December
Featuring some of the finest traders, illustrators and makers selling beautiful gifts from around the world in Norwich's millennium building: The Forum.

Immersive Father Christmas Visits 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at Strangers' Hall 1, 8, 15 & 22 December NEW for 2018
In a beautiful, traditional setting visit Father Christmas at Strangers' Hall. There will be projections, costumed characters, crafts, music and more.
 
Santa's Grotto for Dogs 8 December
One of the quirkiest festive events in Norwich.
 
Aladdin at Theatre Royal Norwich 12 December – 13 January
A can't-miss Christmas show for all the family with a 6-piece live band.   

Notes to Editors

For more information and high res images please contact Melanie Cook PR Manager, 01603 559574 melanie.cook@visitnorwich.co.uk. 

Digital channels: www.norwichatchristmas.co.uk, www.visitnorwich.co.uk
Social Media: Instagram: My_festive_favourites #myfestivefavourites, #cityofstories, #visitnorwich

Competition – how to enter
Upload your best festive picture to www.norwichatchristmas.co.uk/competition/  between 5 November and 16 December. See your best festive face on Norwich Castle between 1st December – 24 December 2018.   

• Competition - details
  Images will be shortlisted in each category 17 December by a panel. The shortlists will be published on edp24.co.uk for the public to then vote for the best picture in each category plus the one overall winner of the competition. Voting closes 20 December. There are three competition categories: Best Portrait | Best Group | Best Animal with an overall prize of Best Picture from all categories which will be projected on Norwich Castle on Christmas Day. The winner of each category wins a £100 shopping voucher to spend in Norwich. The top prize is a 2-night luxury stay for two adults in Norwich in 2019 including dinner, attractions passes, shopping vouchers, a guided walking tour of Norwich and a case of Woodforde's award-winning local beer. https://www.norwichatchristmas.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/.

About VisitNorwich

• VisitNorwich is the destination marketing organisation for the Norwich area and is the tourism destination marketing function of Norwich Business Improvement District - www.visitnorwich.co.uk and www.cityofstories.co.uk.
• VisitNorwich is a membership organisation within Norwich BID and its activities are funded by members, 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 members through collaborative marketing, research, information and business advice.
• Total value of tourism in Norwich is £751,665,375 (up 2.5% on 2016) including 12,278,200 trips (day and staying) - Destination Research: Economic Impact of Tourism report 2017.
• In 2018 Norfolk/Norwich featured in The Guardian's hotlist for Where to go on holiday in 2018 – the hotlist.