25 Jul 2014
A Real Christmas Tree Trail and Discover Norwich app to assist visitors in exploring Norwich where they will find a bustling programme of festive entertainment, Christmas markets, delightful shopping and historic wonder
2014 sees a new Christmas event and the Discover Norwich app as well as additional festive lighting which will be an extension of last year's modern filigree star-ball suspensions and cool blue uplighters in trees across the city.
This year the city will play host to a real Christmas Tree Trail! Visitors will discover narrow streets and winding paths, cobbled hills and medieval alleys as they search for the beautifully decorated trees following a Twelve Days of Christmas theme designed by local artists and schools. The trees will embellish many of Norwich's iconic buildings and popular stores and businesses.
All ages will enjoy discovering Norwich, taking in spectacular architecture, historic buildings, inviting shops, cosy coffee houses and tempting restaurants. And of course, viewing a host of real Christmas trees elaborately and attractively adorned!
Also new for Christmas 2014 is the Discover Norwich app. The app is packed full of useful information and fantastic features at the touch of a button including an interactive Norwich map, detailed event listings and directories by interest for shops, restaurants, bars and accommodation.
The festivities kick off on the evening of 20 November with an atmospheric lantern parade leading from one of Norwich's most beautiful heritage buildings, Norwich Cathedral. The parade will wind through the streets of Norwich to arrive at City Hall where spectators will be treated to live performance, winter food stalls, music and of course the big Christmas Lights Switch On.
From this date Norwich sparkles with Christmas celebration. Find emotive choral concerts and music in venues such as Norwich Cathedral, St Peter Mancroft (Norwich's largest medieval church – one of 33) and St Andrew's Hall where every year the Norwich Philharmonic play to a sell out audience.
For those looking for interesting places to indulge in Christmas shopping, the city provides a grand choice. Headline Christmas markets can be found at The Assembly House Christmas Fair, Dragon Hall's Medieval Christmas Market and The Christmas Nostalgia Fair presented by The Norwich Fleamarket, whilst the Norwich Lanes, Norwich Cathedral Quarter and Timberhill are perfect for stocking fillers, party outfits, trimmings and quirky surprises! Ardent shoppers can also feast on all the high street favourites from national brands to designer labels.
And if you love festive food and drink, the Norfolk Diet market at The Forum will provide gourmet local produce winter food suggestions and of course Norwich Market, the largest open-air 6-day a week market in the country, set in the heart of the city, offers up everything from cheese made in North Norfolk to rare breed sausages from South Norfolk.
At Norwich Theatre Royal, bookings are already in full swing for their superb pantomime, Peter Pan. Norwich Theatre Royal is one of only a handful of large venues who write, produce and perform their own production annually. Running from the 18th December to 18th January 2015, it is always a hot ticket!
Norwich Puppet Theatre's headline Christmas show is Beauty and the Beast. Be charmed and surprised by a new twist on an old tale. Featuring a skilful mix of puppetry techniques including string marionettes, film projections and an original musical score Beauty and the Beast is part adventure and part extraordinary love story inspired by the iconic era of 1920s and 30s cinema. Suitable for children aged 5 and above, this quirky and humorous production is a family treat!
The Norwich Playhouse is an intimate theatre where visitors can enjoy live music, comedy and performance plus it's a great opportunity to drink in their very cosy refurbished bar! Don't miss The Michael Bublé Christmas Songbook – 8 and 9 December. And Norwich's only art-house cinema – Cinema City - offers Christmas nostalgia in bucket loads with their annual showing of 'It's a Wonderful Life' as well as many other fantastic movies.
The newly rebranded Museum of Norwich at The Bridewell tells the story of Norwich and its people. From 15 November their Christmas exhibition opens; Fabulous 1950s Fashion. Supported with exhibits from Norfolk Museum Services' own amazing Costume and Textile Collection, this temporary, travelling show will highlight how film star glamour and couture design filtered down into everyday life. The exhibition includes costumes and accessories from the period, and a repro rock and roll jukebox as well as special themed Saturdays during December where children and visitors will be invited to make the likes of moving robots and 50s style badges for stocking fillers!
And Norwich loves man's best friend! Back by popular demand to The Forum enjoy some light hearted moments with your pooch at Santa's Grotto for Dogs!
Norwich Originals
Fabulous 1950s Fashion
From Sat 15 Nov
http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/Visit_Us/Museum_of_Norwich_at_the_Bridewell/index.htm
Supported with exhibits from Norfolk Museum Services' own amazing Costume and Textile Collection, this temporary, travelling show will highlight how film star glamour and couture design filtered down into everyday life. The exhibition includes costume and accessories from the period, and a repro rock and roll jukebox
- Saturday 13th December visitors can take inspiration from the style of the period and take part in a felting workshop, making a felt flower brooch or sputnik rocket badge for a Christmas gift.
- Saturday 20th December moving robots making for the Christmas tree and 50s style badges for stocking fillers.
The NORWICHRISTMAS, Real Christmas Tree Trail
Thu 17 Nov – 1 Jan 2015, around Norwich city centre
Enjoy discovering Norwich this year by following the Real Christmas Tree Trail! Discover narrow streets and winding paths, cobbled hills and medieval alleys as you search for the beautifully decorated trees adorning many of Norwich's iconic buildings and popular stores and businesses. Trail maps available online at www.norwichristmas.co.uk (from November).
The Assembly House Christmas Fair
The Assembly House, Theatre Street, Norwich, NR2 1RQ
10am to 5pm Sat 29th Nov, 11am to 4pm Sun 30th Nov 2014 FREE entry.
http://www.assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk/
Enjoy a wonderful festive atmosphere in the beautiful surroundings of the Assembly House, a stunning Georgian building located in the centre of Norwich. As always, The Assembly House will be decorated in fabulous festive style and this popular event will feature a host of seasonal stalls, perfect for finding Christmas presents and stocking fillers, as well as delightful decorations and tempting edible treats. Enjoy; Christmas food, crafts and decorations for sale, plus live carols, mulled wine, mince pies and much more.
Dragon Hall's Medieval Christmas Market
115-123 King Street, Norwich NR1 1QE
Sat 6 and Sun 7 Dec 2014, 10 am – 4 pm. Adults £2.50, children under 16 £1.00, under 5s free
www.dragonhall.org.
Don't miss the annual spectacular, season defining Medieval Christmas Market as it returns to the magnificent medieval trading hall in the company of costumed stallholders and period musicians.
With over thirty stalls selling toys, gifts, clothing, wreaths, food, jewellery, pottery, glass and much more, the market is now an eagerly anticipated Christmas market in Norwich with the ancient hall tastefully decorated in traditional seasonal splendor. Enjoy a glass of mulled wine and food inspired by German Christmas markets.
Carols with The King
The Forum , Norwich
Sun 7 Dec | http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/
The evening will be a fantastic festive mix of Elvis' Christmas songs, plus some of his greatest classic hits and of course a carol or two for you to sing and dance along with.
Michael Bublé Christmas Songbook
The Norwich Playhouse
Mon 8 Dec – Tue 9 Dec | http://www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk/
Following last year's sell-out shows, popular vocalist Joe Ringer and his Orchestra return to the Norwich Playhouse.
The Norwich Fleamarket presents The Christmas Nostalgia Fair
St. Andrew's and Blackfriars' Halls, St. Andrew's Street, Norwich NR3 1AU 01603 630763
Sat 13 Dec 2014, 9.30 am to 4.30pm. Entry £2 U18 free. www.norwichfleamarket.com
The most original Christmas market shopping in Norwich! Discover over 100 stalls all with one thing in mind –recreating an old-fashioned Christmas! As well as live music adding to the festive atmosphere shop for; antiques, vintage and retro items and paraphernalia, children's books, toys, games, puzzles, dolls, dolls' houses, dolls' clothes, prams, teddies, ephemera and Christmas cards.
Discover delightful; decorations, old-fashioned table settings, linens, lace, cutlery, china, glass, silver, furniture and kitchenalia. And for the big day itself; beautiful vintage clothes, accessories, gorgeous precious and costume jewellery, and so much more! Plus all the stalls you expect from our normal Fleamarket for unique Christmas gifts.
Norfolk Diet (Farmers Market)
The Forum, Norwich
13 December, 9am – 3pm | http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/
This vibrant farmers' market has grown to be a regular feature outside The Forum with a wide selection of hot and cold treats to taste and buy. Smell the hot pork pies as you get closer to The Forum, warm your hands on a freshly baked sausage roll and sample meats and cheeses made in our county. There's also fruit, fresh bread, vegetables, beers & cider and some very tempting sweet treats!
Beauty and the Beast
Norwich Puppet Theatre, St James, Whitefriars, Norwich NR3 1TN
20 Dec – 2 Jan (various dates) http://www.puppettheatre.co.uk/
What happens when two extreme opposites meet? Will Beauty come to understand and accept the Beast? Our story starts in a desert wasteland where our young heroine Beauty is panning for gold with her frugal father. She is discovered by a greedy film producer who plucks her from a life of poverty with promises of fame and fortune in the movies. Caught up in the glitz and glamour Beauty forgets her roots and is ensnared by a world obsessed with good looks - but looks aren't everything right?
Expect a journey of discovery, which explores perceptions of physical beauty and how two strangers can overcome their differences. Be charmed and surprised by a new twist on an old tale. Featuring a skilful mix of puppetry techniques including string marionettes, film projections and an original musical score Beauty and the Beast is part adventure and part extraordinary love story inspired by the iconic era of 1920s and 30s cinema. Suitable for children aged 5 and above, this quirky and humorous production is a family treat.
Santa's Grotto for Dogs
The Forum, Norwich
Dates TBC | http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/
Dogs love Christmas too. And The Forum's Santa loves dogs! Bring your beloved pooch and your camera to The Forum, Norwich, to take a picture of your pet with Father Christmas. The RSPCA will be there too to give your dog a little treat. A must for all dog lovers and a silly seasonal spectacle for Christmas shoppers!
Norwich Philharmonic Family Christmas Concert
St Andrew's Hall, Norwich
16 December 7.30pm www.norwichphil.org.uk
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.
Peter Pan
Norwich Theatre Royal
Thu 18 Dec - 18 Jan2015 | www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
This year's Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime will be Peter Pan! CBeebies favourite Sid Sloane will take on the role of the Dame whilst Richard Gauntlett will return by public demand to take on the role of Smee, as well as writing and directing the festive spectacular.
(Signed performances on Saturday 17 January at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Audio-described performances on Sun 11 January at 1pm and Friday 16 January at 6.30pm. Relaxed performance especially suited for those with autism on Wednesday 14 January at 5.30pm.)
Notes to Editors
For media information and images contact Lisa Howard at VisitNorwich on 01603 727943 or lisa.howard@visitnorwich.co.uk. Discover Norwich app: Download on iOs | Download on Android.
- VisitNorwich is the destination management organisation for the Norwich area. It is a private/public sector partnership and a not for profit organisation whose sole focus is to promote and develop the destination and support its membersthrough collaborative marketing, research, information and business advice.
- For the benefit of the area as a whole, VisitNorwich strives to achieve: better profile and reputation locally, nationally and internationally; increased visitor spend; more investment; more jobs and better quality experiences for both visitors and residents.
- Tourism is worth around £700 million per year to the Norwich area, supports over 9,000 jobs (Tourism South East, 2010).
- Norwich was placed 6th in volume of tourism day visits in England in 2011 (after London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool) and ahead of popular destinations like York, Brighton, Bristol, Sheffield and Chester. 17 million day visitors spent over £1/2 billion in 2011. Data from the 2011 Great Britain Day Visits Survey (GBDVS 2011).
- In 2012 Norwich became England's first UNESCO City of Literature and the sixth in the world joining other great cities; Edinburgh, Dublin, Melbourne, Iowa City and Reykjavik. This accolade is a permanent status.
- Norwich was in the top 10 of UK places to shop (Venuescore 2011-12, The Javelin Group), having also been previously ranked 9th in the Experian Goad retail index and 8th on the CACI index. The outstanding quality and diversity of the city's retail offer presents a major draw for visitors to the Norwich area.
- Norwich was a finalist in the Group Leisure Awards 2012, in the Best UK City category.
- Norwich was short-listed as one of the UK's best destinations for shopping in the 2010 Group Travel Awards.
- In 2010, Norwich achieved finalist status for the UK City of Culture bid 2013.
- VisitNorwich Ltd is a company limited by guarantee, a private/public sector partnership and a membership organisation representing the interests of a broad range of businesses across the visitor economy. Its principal public sector stakeholders are Norwich City Council and South Norfolk Council.
- VisitNorwich has been operational from 1st April 2005
- For further information on Norwich and its surrounding area visit www.visitnorwich.co.uk
