Father Christmas
The Mall Norwich from 6 November
Santa is visiting The Mall Norwich again this year. He will be arriving in his grotto in White Lion Square (Level 1, outside Boots) in The Mall on Tuesday 6th November where he will be in residence every day until Christmas Eve. For further information, including opening hours, please call 01603 766430.
Debenhams, Norwich from 17 November
Saturday and Sunday during November, daily during December, cost £2.50
St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich 22 November
Enjoy an afternoon of fun and entertainment from 3pm leading up to the switching on of the Norwich Christmas lights (7pm). See Father Christmas and live reindeers at St. Peter Mancroft Church.
More details.
Co-op, Norwich from 24 November
Daily Christmas Grotto, cost £2.50 including wrapped present
Roys of Wroxham, Wroxham from 24 November
Se Father Christmas on selected dates throughout November and December.
Jarrolds, Norwich from 2 December
Visit Father Christmas at home in his snowy log cabin where you can see him from 11am – 4.30pm.
Tickets are available from the Toy or Christmas departments and are just £3, including a gift. Santa will be in residence daily from 2 December until Christmas Eve on floor 3.
More details.
BeWILDerwood, Nr Wroxham, various dates December
BeWILDerwood will be transformed into a magical festive kingdom, with a visit from Father Christmas and snow guaranteed throughout December. In the forest, our enchanted world takes on the look and feel of a wonderful wintry scene. Christmassy craft making, storytelling and a Christmas present trail that will have you chasing through the forest looking high, low, under and over to find the perfect route to the prizes throughout the forest.
More details.
Felbrigg Hall, National Trust from 8 December
Children will enjoy a visit to Santa’s Grotto on Saturdays 8, 15; and Sundays 9, 16 December admission charge applicable.
More details.
Oxburgh Hall, National Trust from 15 December
Meet Santa and his elves for a Victorian Christmas on Saturdays 15, 22; and Sunday 16 December.
More details.
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, 16 December
Father Christmas and entertainment from 4pm-6pm, price £4.25 each.
More details. Santa Specials & Other Children's Events
John Lewis, Norwich, November – 14 December
Letters to Santa - children can post their wish lists to Santa in our lifesize postbox in the Toys Department and they will get a personalised response back from Santa!
More details.
Chapelfield, Norwich, 22 November from 5-9pm
Roll up! Roll up! See the greatest show in a shopping centre! The fantastic Foolhardy Folk circus will take over Chapelfield for the evening providing a veritable feast of festive entertainment for all. Bump into the hilarious clown family as they try to do their Christmas shopping, marvel at the breathtaking acrobats, see Norbi, the world’s no.4 diabolist and be amazed at the skills of a whole range of superb circus performers while you shop.
See the twinkly Christmas lights and soak up the atmosphere as the City switches on to Christmas. These events take place as part of Norwich City Council’s Christmas Lights Switch On.
Chapelfield, Norwich, 1-2 December 11-4pm
Chapelfield Plain - face painting, circus workshop, balloon modelling.
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.
Chapelfield Shopping Centre, 8-24 December
Brass bands, carollers and family entertainment, times and locations throughout the shopping centre vary. Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a range of Christmas entertainments including carol singers, brass bands, face painters and circus workshops.
Barton House Railway, Wroxham, 16 December
Ride aboard the train and meet Santa. More details 01603 782470.
Bressingham Steam Experience and Gardens, various dates December
Christmas weekends and daily from Thursday 20-23 December, take a train to meet Father Christmas, ride on the carousel and enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Carriages.
More details.
Bure Valley Railway, Alysham/Wroxham, various dates November/December
Steam train rides to Santa plus festive refreshments. Also Mince Pie Specials. Pre booking essential.
More details.
Classical Concert at St Andrews Hall – the Norwich Philharmonic Society, 18 December
Family Christmas concert, 18 December. Telephone 01603 628319.
Wroxham Barns, 23 December
Children’s nativity, 1pm Sunday. Watch the Christmas story performed by the Junior Farmers and animals of Junior Farm. Complimentary refreshments and seasonal music.
Mid-Norfolk Railway, Dereham/Wymondham, various dates December
Santa Specials where children can visit Santa on-board in his grotto. Pre-booking essential. More details 01362 851723.
Broads Tours, various dates December
Santa Specials aboard double decker paddle boat The Broadsman.
More details.
City Boats, Norwich, various dates December
Join Santa and his Elf for a cruise on the River Yare. Each child will receive a present whilst all adults will receive a glass of mulled wine and mince pie.
More details.
BeWILDerwood, Nr Wroxham, various dates December
BeWILDerwood will be transformed into a magical festive kingdom, christmas for the Twiggles and Boggles of BeWILDerwood is a very special time. With a visit from Father Christmas and snow guaranteed throughout December. In the forest, our enchanted world takes on the look and feel of a wonderful wintry scene. Christmassy craft making, storytelling and a Christmas present trail that will have you chasing through the forest looking high, low, under and over to find the perfect route to the prizes throughout the forest.
More details.
Norwich Puppet Theatre, Norwich, various dates December
Puppet Making Workshops; Fairies and Monsters and Christmas Characters £7 per child.
More details. Pantos
Puppet Theatre - Babes in the Wood from 29 November – 2 December
Babes in the Wood at the Norwich Puppet Theatre (note this is not a puppet show).
More details.
The Maddermarket – Puss in Boots from 15 December – 2 January
Come and see: Sword fights - an ogre - kings - princess - ghouls - magic - hermits - talking birds - the antics of the magical puss himself and of course our hero Jacques.
More details.
Theatre Royal - Dick Whittington from 19 December - 20 January
Starring Colin Baker as King Rat and Nicky Adams as Dick Whittington.
More details. Thank you to Norwich City Council marketing and promotions for permission to use the title photograph. Credit: Norwich City Council Events and Photographer Keith Whitmore.