_The best festivals when you visit Norfolk

There are festivals, events and activities throughout the year when you visit Norfolk. Just take a look at this lot… something for everyone!

As well as these look out for seasonal events at Cromer Pier, including the famous Summer Show, and at Great Yarmouth’s Hippodrome, as well as venues such as Sandringham, Blickling Hall and the Holkham Estate.

Spring

Norwich Science Festival: A celebration of science! Exciting exhibitions, sensational shows and inspiring hands-on science. For all ages and all levels of knowledge every February at The Forum. Expect intriguing discoveries, inspiring talks, engaging exhibitions, deep dives and debates, cutting-edge research, and lots of hands-on family fun!

Sheringham Viking Festival: The Vikings once sowed terror in the hearts of those living on our shores, but this return to the Norfolk coast will be very welcome. The festival in April culminates in the burning of a model longship.

King's Lynn Mart: Enjoy traditional fairground rides, food stalls and games in the historic market place. The fair, which has been pitching up in the centre of King's Lynn for more than 800 years, was granted a Royal charter by King Henry VIII in 1537 and takes place in February.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival: Norfolk’s biggest arts event, every year in May, offers a culturally diverse programme of music, dance, theatre and visual arts.

Out There: An international two-day streets arts and circus festival bursts out onto the streets of Great Yarmouth in May, with lots of entertainment on the seafront, in St Georges Park and the town centre. Details

Houghton International Horse Trials: A four-day May festival of show jumping and eventing in the beautiful setting of Houghton Hall.

Burnham Market Horse Trials: Gaining international status in 2003, this April attracts some of the best national and international riders.

Cromer & Sheringham Crab & Lobster Festival: A long weekend of food, fun, art, music, heritage and entertainment in mid-May.

Folk On The Pier: Norfolk’s largest festival of its kind, you’ll find folk rock and acoustic acts at the Pavilion Theatre, Cromer and across the town in May.

Royal Norfolk Show: Two days in late June when it seems as if all of Norfolk descends on the showground outside Norwich. Traditional country pursuits abound, with judging of livestock, equestrian activity and performances in the main ring.

Norwich City Ale of Festival: A ten-day celebration of beer straddling May and June. Norwich’s brewing heritage began with Benedictine monks making ales in Cathedral Close in the 11th century – and the city hasn’t stopped drinking since.

Summer

King’s Lynn Festival: In July you'll find concerts, shows and events for all taste across the town.

Festival Too: A more populist take on the above, and also in July, Too aims to provide free music for the people of West Norfolk and visitors.

Festival of Bowls: Hosted by the Great Yarmouth Britannia Bowling Greens for four weeks every late-summer, August and September, more than 1700 bowlers compete.

Lord Mayor’s Celebration: Four days in July when Norwich city centre is taken over by funfairs, processions, fireworks, outdoor theatre and more. Look out for the Snapdragon at the Procession.

Hunstanton Kite Festival: As well as expert kite fliers, you can try it for yourself when you’re not looking at the fun dog show, the classic motor bikes and car rally at this great August event.

Big Tuesdays Fireworks: The summer holidays are kicking off with a bang at Hemsby with a host of free entertainment of outdoor arts performance from Out There Arts and then into the evening, fantastic fireworks for the whole family to enjoy.

Big Wednesdays Fireworks: This summer Wednesday fireworks in Great Yarmouth every Wednesday are big. Big on performance, big on fireworks, big on food, big on things to see and do on the seafront.

Wymondham Music Festival: In July, the quaint market town and historic abbey hosts events of all musical varieties.

Holt Festival: An eclectic mix of international music, drama, comedy, visual art, street theatre, workshops and cinema in July in the gorgeous north Norfolk Georgian town.

 North Norfolk Music Festival: Held in August, events include a gala concert at Holkham Hall and performances in many churches, including St Mary’s Church in the grounds of Raynham Hall.

Worstead Festival: A weekend in July that grew from a village show into a celebration of traditional country pursuits, such as heavy horses and tractors, with fun for the kids, craft stalls, and the best of Norfolk food.

Wayland Agricultural Show: Livestock, motorcycle displays, sheepdogs, arts and crafts... you name it, it's at this August show.

Shakespeare Festival in the Cloisters: The GB Theatre Company perform The Bard in the beautiful surroundings of the Norwich Cathedral cloisters in July. Pack a picnic or order one from the Refectory.

Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival: Head to Great Yarmouth's seafront for two days in July when an array of bikes, classic and contemporary cars will be lining up to star in a seafront wheels festival.

Gorleston Clifftop Festival: Two days in July when family fun and activities take over the town’s seafront. 

Sandringham Flower Festival: Set in the magnificent surroundings of Sandringham Park with Sandringham House and Sandringham Church as a backdrop, this one-day Show attracts around 20,000 visitors each year. In 2026 the Royal Horticultural Society are taking over for a one-off.

Classic Ibiza at Blickling: An open-air celebration of White Isle-inspired house music, reinvented by the Urban Soul Orchestra, live vocalists and headline DJs.

Autumn

North Norfolk Food & Drink Festival: The festival in the grounds of Holkham Hall has grown into a highly successful event with visitors from across the county and beyond. Featuring an ever-growing team of local food and drink producers who grow, rear, produce, supply and sell food in North Norfolk. It takes place each September.

Sheringham and Holt 1940s weekend: You'd be forgiven for thinking you've stepped back in town when these two towns are taken over for a weekend in September.

Thursford Christmas Spectacular: What do you mean, ‘That’s not a festival’? It’s a festival of remembering everything you love about Christmas and is a fantastic reason to come to Norfolk in the winter.