Sainsbury Centre, Norwich
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Arts and Culture
in Norwich and the countryside

Norwich is known as the capital of East Anglia, and as a cultural centre it is firmly on the map. According to new research*, Norwich has more cultural activity than anywhere else in the UK relative to population size, making it a great place for a citybreak or day trip.

Take in fine art, treasures from the past and contemporary ideas at one of the many galleries, such as the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts, home to an outstanding collection of contemporary and world art, and museums like the Bridewell. Take a trip to one of our many theatres, including Norwich Theatre Royal or end the day listening to music in one of our many venues, ranging from the Waterfront to the Assembly House.

You can also visit one of the many festivals and arts events held in Norwich, with themes as diverse as drama, music, film, animation, comedy, food, beer and the Lord Mayor’s celebrations each July. The Norfolk & Norwich Festival is the oldest, single city festival in the country and a leading international festival which brings some of the world's finest artists and performers to the city for 10 days in May.

To look for festivals, arts events and venues in Norwich and the countryside use the search facility below. If you are looking for a particular event using lists, please change the search type to "Events" using the drop down menu.

search for arts and culture venues and events using maps
search for arts and culture venues and events using lists
Go 4less - the free Norwich sport and leisure discount card for Norwich City Council residents
Norwich Castle and Art Gallery
Museums

There are plenty of museums in Norwich and the countryside to satisfy your thirst for knowledge. Many museums offer fantastic children's school holiday events and workshops.

Norwich Theatre Royal
Theatre & Cinema

There are a plethora of theatre groups and lots of interesting venues in the Norwich area. The Theatre Royal hosts major companies from West End Productions to ballet from St Petersburg. The Red Card Club and Comedy Store provide the laughs and both contemporary and classical dance are featured throughout the year.

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich
Art Galleries

One of the major movements in landscape art originated in Norwich, The Norwich School became an international phenomena and people still flock from all over the globe to admire the paintings that originated from that era, and it is in art in all its forms that the strength of the city lies.

Aynsley Lister at Norwich Arts Centre
Popular and Classical Music

The Norwich area has always been one of the best places to catch up with the latest in the music scene - The Arts Centre is packed with up and coming bands; there is a thriving jazz scene launching the first Norwich Jazz Party in May 2007 and The Britten Sinfonia perform a season of concerts every year.

Jeniffer Pike credit Tom Bangbala
Arts Events Highlights

Norwich is justifiably regarded as the arts capital of East Anglia boasting a truly vibrant arts scene comparable with much larger cities. Norwich has more cultural activity per head than anywhere else in the UK (locallife.org) from permanent and visiting exhibitions to lunchtime recitals and outdoor concerts.


Les Grooms credit Helle Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Festival Highlights

Norwich and the countryside holds over 20 festivals throughout the year. The festivals range from literature, music and puppetry to animation, food and beer and even scarecrows!



*Research in January 2008 by local information website locallife.co.uk shows Norwich has 10.96 art galleries, bookshops, museums, theatres, dance and drama schools, film venues, music studios, opera, ballet, arts and crafts shops and musical instrument retailers for every 10,000 residents. (Cambridge is in second place with 7.38 and Liverpool - the current Capital of Culture since 11 January – is ranked 124th in the UK, with a mere 2.97 cultural pursuits per 10,000 Liverpudlians.)

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