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Ice Skating at Christmas, The Forum Norwich
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Christmas Events
in the Norwich Area

This could quite possibly be your busiest and most sociable Christmas yet! The Norwich area has been blessed with an amazing choice of seasonal festivities and activities that will keep the whole family happy for a very long time. Events for all ages and budgets to excite, celebrate and inspire during November and December are listed here covering Norwich, South Norfolk and Broadland.

See the Christmas lights, listen to carols, visit Christmas Tree Festivals, shop at Festive markets and fayres, explore the Ice Trail, make Christmas stockings, take festive boat trips, the list is endless.

There are many street fairs and craft events, the Dickensian evening in Wymondham gets the crowds into the town with its procession, lights switch on and street fair. The Ice Sculpture Trail in Norwich city centre is a welcome interlude from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. Stately homes and heritage sites have special Christmas events from Victorian weekends to wreath making and rides in carriages.

And Christmas wouldn’t be the same without skating on the real ice outdoor ice skating rink situated in front of The Forum, Norwich. Here are some of the season’s highlights.

Christmas Lights
Christmas Markets
Christmas Tree Festivals
Other Seasonal Events
Carol Services
Church Services

Christmas Lights

30 November – Diss, South Norfolk
The Diss Christmas Lights Switch on and late night shopping event is being held on Friday 30th November in the Market Place and town centre of Diss. The event starts at 5.30pm with the actual switch on, performed by Rick Wakeman, at 6.30pm.. Entertainment includes hand bell ringers, a performance by the South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band, ice sculptures, entertainers circulating around the town and various stalls, rides etc in the Market Place.

1 December – Aylsham, Broadland
Christmas Lights switch-on and farmers market 9am to 2pm followed by a Christmas Fair.

6 December – Wymondham, South Norfolk, 6pm
Annual Dickensian Evening will start from Back Lane with a lantern procession which moves off at 6.15pm. In the lead will be the Town Crier followed by the City of Norwich Pipe Band and Father Christmas with the Mayor in a open Victorian landau coach. The procession will arrive at the Market Cross for the turning on of the Christmas lights at 6.30pm. Father Christmas will then open his grotto in Whartons Court and the Wymondham Churches together will lead carol singing accompanied by the Wymondham Area Schools Brass Band.

There will be children’s entertainment including face painting and a painting competition, whilst in Wharton Court there will be a group of Barber Shop singers. In the Market Cross area there will be trade and charity stalls with a Hog Roast and a Grand Hamper Draw, sponsored by Waitrose together with children's fairground rides.

6 December – Reepham, Broadland
Christmas Lights switch-on with Father Christmas, carols, Norfolk brass band and market stalls.



Christmas Markets

NORWICHRISTMAS – The City’s Festive Fayre, 28 November–5 December
Over 80 speciality Christmas stalls in Norwich, real ice rink, reindeer, entertainment and fantastic shopping between 28th November and 5th December 2007. Full details.

Gressenhall, 2-9 December
Christmas Past and Present - Join us for a Christmas Fair with traditional music, historic re-enactment, Santa in his 1950s grotto and stalls selling wonderful presents and festive food. More details.

Dragon Hall, Norwich 8-9 December
Medieval Yuletide Market. Even bigger and better than last year, with food and refreshments concessions in the courtyard garden. 10.00am - 5.00pm both days. £2.50 adults (£1.00 under 16s, under 5s free). More details.

Blickling Hall, 8-9 December
Vast selection of quality Christmas gift ideas in one large heated marquee. A variety of crafts including ceramics, jewellery, clothing and pictures. More details.

Norwich Cathedral, 13-15 December
Visit the historic Christmas Market in the atmospheric cloisters of Norwich Cathedral from 13 December to 15 December. Costumes, musicians and mulled wine! More details.


Christmas Tree Festivals

Dickleburgh Nr Diss, South Norfolk, 2-9 December
See around 60 individually decorated Christmas trees in a 15th C. church. Crafts and refreshments also available. Admission charge applicable. More details 01379 854245.

Wymondham, South Norfolk, 15-16 December
Taking place at the Fairland Church Centre. A large number of trees will be decorated by 14 local charities, schools and voluntary organisations. Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 2pm-3.30pm. This event will end with a carol service on Sunday at 4pm. Admission free. More details 01953 851796.


Other Seasonal Events

Outdoor Ice Rink, Norwich from 10 November
The Forum 10 November to 6 January. Twizzling, twirling, slipping and sliding under the sky on the beautiful outdoor real-ice skating rink is a fun, frosty, seasonal activity for all the family. As dusk falls, 30,000 twinkling lights stretched out over the rink light up the skating arena creating a magical winter wonderland. The rink is open daily until 9pm with special sessions for Parents and Toddlers on Mondays and Thursdays at 11am and 2pm. More details.

Classical Concerts at St Andrews Hall – the Norwich Philharmonic Society, 1 December
Orff's Carmina Burana 1 December. Telephone 01603 628319.

John Lewis, Norwich, 1 December
Meet the reindeer and get in the Festive Spirit with carol singers from 10am-4pm. More details.

The Bear Shop, 2 December
Christmas open day - meet bear artists and manufacturers who will be showcasing their new ranges. Enjoy refreshments and special money saving vouchers available to be used on the day.

John Lewis, Norwich, 8 December
Christmas stocking making 12.30-2pm adults and children welcome. More details.

How Hill, Nr Wroxham, 9 and 16 December
Discover How Hill National Nature Reserve on Sunday 9 and 16 December. Take a boat trip aboard the ‘Electric Eel’ then warm yourself up in Toad Cottage with a glass of mulled Norfolk cider and a mince pie. More details – 01692 678763.

Norfolk Fire Service – Christmas Community Fire Safety Week, 12 – 15th December
Norfolk Fire Service will be in The Mall to offer shoppers advice on fire safety in the home this Christmas. Alongside information and displays, teams of Firemen will be selling toy helmets and fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Care.

Ice Sculpture Trail, Norwich, 16 December
Unveil memories of our city's past and see them illustrated in carved ice. This amazing icy trail takes you through a labyrinth of streets from the Norwich Lanes to Westlegate. There are 10 sites to visit plus a competition to win one of three prizes of £100 worth of vouchers, donated by Chapelfield Shopping Centre, John Lewis and The Mall Norwich!

Blickling Hall
This National Trust property has a number of seasonal events taking place including; wreath making workshops, Magic of Christmas evening, festive lunches and December estate walks. More details.

Felbrigg Hall
This National Trust property has a number of three-course Christmas lunches on selected dates in December plus 2 festive suppers using the finest quality local produce. Booking essential. Join in with the Carols in the Courtyard on Sunday 16th December (3.15-4pm) free admission. More details.

Oxburgh Hall
Another National Trust property with several Christmas work shops: making puddings, chocolates, wreaths and garlands. Christmas estate walks and a Victorian Christmas where the hall will be dressed for the festive period, there will be Santa and carriage rides in the park. Enjoy an evening with The Phoenix Singers in the Saloon on 19 December including hot punch and mince pies. All on various dates in December – more details.

Roys of Wroxham, Wroxham various dates December
Local Food Fayre with Food Tastings in conjunction with local suppliers on Thursday 6th, Friday 7th & Saturday 8th December and again on Thursday 13th, Friday 14th and Saturday 15th December.

The Norfolk Wherry Brass Band will be playing Carols outside the Department Store in Wroxham on Saturday 1st, 8th and 22nd December

Russian circus performers, Norwich, various dates in November & December
Russian circus performers to the City, highlights of a spectacular event at Sandringham. Performances take place; Pottergate (next to St Gregory’s Church), at the junction of London Street and (in front of Habitat), and on the top of Timberhill outside Castle Mall (28 November-5 December). More details.

Classical Concert at St Andrews Hall – the Norwich Philharmonic Society, 18 December
Norwich Philharmonic Society Family Christmas Concert with Matthew's Norfolk Brass, 18 December. Telephone 01603 628319.

Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden
Boxing Day Walk and New Years Day walk 11.am with mulled wine & mince pies. More details.


Norwich and Wymondham Carol Services

St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich, 2 December
Join in the Advent Carol Service at 6.30pm.

St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich, 16 December
Join in the Carols by Candlelight at 6.30pm.

Wymondham Abbey, 16 December
Christmas Christingle Service at 3pm. More details.

Norwich Cathedral, 20 December
Christmas Carol Concert at 7pm. More details.

St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich, 20 December
Thirty minute Lunchtime Carol Service for shoppers and city workers at 1.30pm.

St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich, Christmas Eve
Midnight Mass 11.15pm.

Norwich Cathedral, Christmas Eve
Midnight Eucharist 11.15pm. More details.

Wymondham Abbey, Christmas Eve
Midnight Mass 11.15pm. More details.


Norwich, South Norfolk and Broadland Church Services

Download the Church Services PDF to find out when services will be held in your area.
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