What's On in May
What’s On in May
by Katie Thompson
Take our word for it when we say Norwich (and Norfolk!) has so much to offer this May. From a fantastic variety of festivals (not to mention the fantastic Out There Festival in Great Yarmouth (28 – 30 May)) to captivating performances, thought-provoking exhibitions and more, your diaries will soon fill up!
And May is also National Walking Month. So, don’t forget to make the most of the balmy spring weather and get outside, exploring the lovely trails and green spaces that blanket our county. You might even spot the Great Norwich Duck Race (17 May) bobbing past on our riverside walk!
This is what’s on in May. (You can rest in June. Probably.)
Image: Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Norwich
Norwich Craft Beer Festival
1 – 3 May, 12pm – 10.30pm, from £11 (18+)
Try a wealth of East Anglian brewers at Norwich Craft Beer Festival, presented by Sir Toby’s Beers
Perfectly timed for the May Day bank holiday, Sir Toby’s Beers are bringing Norwich Craft Beer Festival back to The Waterfront after the success of 2025!
Sip on a fantastic range of beers- from tasters to pints, real ales to IPAs, and everything in between, before meeting East Anglia’s best brewers, including Ampersand, Duration and Three Blind Mice. Then enjoy live music from local DJs Cheers and Hot Pickle outside in the garden alongside tasty food from BoHo Nachos!
Kiss Me Kate at the Maddermarket Theatre
6 – 9 May, 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £25
‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’ for this Cole Porter musical classic!
This May, the Maddermarket Theatre is bringing Cole Porter’s ‘Too Darn Hot’ musical classic Kiss Me Kate to Norwich!
Expect a ‘Wunderbar’ shows that sees the passions of leading lady Lilli Vanessi and her ex-husband, actor-director Fred Graham clash both onstage and off in a musical production of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. You’ll be ‘So in Love’ with its energetic mix of romance, wit and high jinks- time to ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’!
SOUP Presents ‘The Bowl’ at Norwich Arts Centre
Sunday 10 May, 7pm, from £10
Enjoy a hilarious night out with Norwich arts Centre’s showing of SOUP CREATIONS ‘The Bowl’
Norwich Arts Centre’s resident artist SOUP CREATIONS are putting Norwich at the forefront with their brand-new sitcom The Bowl.
The Bowl is all about the little moments of everyday, that become events themselves when you’re with a ground of friends who are unapologetically themselves. Whether it’s the cost of living, working full time or reaching the over 25s category on X-Factor, it won’t take long to be invested in tales of lost socks and the perils of looking for love. With quirky local personalities in ridiculous situations, you’ll be laughing non-stop all evening!
Julian Festival
8 – 12 May, various times, FREE and low cost
Uncover more about pioneering mystic Julian of Norwich at her dedicated festival
As a pioneering mystic, Julian of Norwich is one of the city’s most important and enduring figures, not to mention the first woman published in English!
The Julian Shrine’s Julian Festival celebrates the life of this extraordinary woman. Launching with a special Festival High Mass (8 May), you can then explore the beautiful and intimate details of Julian’s Sensory World with the Annual Julian Lecture at Dragon Hall (9 May, 1pm – 2.30pm, FREE), followed by a Sketch & Talk Workshop with Julian Shrine artist-in-residence Debra Shipley (12 May, 10.30am – 12pm, £5) where you’ll be encouraged to contemplate this historic site.
Norfolk & Norwich Festival
8 – 24 May, citywide, FREE and ticketed
Circa headline Norfolk & Norwich Festival with their powerful performance of Wolf
As the biggest international arts festival in the East of England, you can expect 17 days full of fantastic events during the Norfolk & Norwich Festival! Taking place in venues across the city (and the county!), enjoy amazing international, national and local acts right on your doorstep, including Norwich Jazz Festival and City of Literature Weekend.
Our top picks include Wolf by Circa (13 – 24 May, The Spiegeltent, from £10), The Harriet Martineau Lecture with Rachel Clarke (23 May, The Spiegeltent, from £10) and a performance of Shakespeare’s Henry V by Alex Jennings with Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra (23 May, The Halls, from £25).
What is the Meaning of Life? at the Sainsbury Centre
16 May – 15 November, pay what you can
Part of the Sainsbury Centre’s ‘What is the Meaning of Life?’ season, ‘Play Power’ explores the concept of play in human cultures
Delving into the age-old question What is the Meaning of Life?, the Sainsbury Centre’s latest exhibition season will explore fundamental questions of human existence- from rulemaking to time and play.
As part of Living by Rule: Contemporary Meets Medieval, the art gallery explores ideas of routine and regulation and compares Benedictine rule with modern living, while Play Power highlights how play- whether board games, chance, creativity or otherwise- shapes society. Then, Joy Like Time is about the intersection of memory, ritual and renewal and how three internationally renowned artists have found life’s meaning.
City of Ale
21 May – 22 June, citywide
The Rumsey Wells is just one of many of the city’s pubs taking part in City of Ale
Taking over the city for a brilliant beer-themed month, ‘Britain’s Original Beer Week’, City of Ale, returns!
Follow walkable ale trails which will take you ‘off-road’ through our historic city streets and into Norwich’s rich brewing heritage- Norfolk is home to some of the best malting barley in the world. At each pub, make sure to get a stamp and claim your badge when you reach the final stop. This year’s destinations include Beer Hatch, Bier Draak and The Trafford Arms.
Norwich Games Festival
23 – 30 May, citywide, FREE and ticketed
Norwich Games Festival is back over the May half term!
The Forum’s Norwich Games Festival has May half term covered, celebrating all-things gaming with a series of activities, talks and workshops! Anyone can get involved, whether you’re a seasoned gamer, board game lover or want to learn more about what makes a game successful. There’s even a Sunflower Snug designed with SEND attendees in mind (26 – 30 May, 10am – 4pm, FREE).
Try live events like interactive comedy game show Wifi Wars (28 May, Norwich Theatre Playhouse, 3pm – 4.30pm & 7pm – 8.30pm, adults £15, children £9), get creative with motion capture in Discovering Your Video Game Character (28 May, The Garage, 12.45pm – 1.45pm, £10) and enter the Albion Arena for an epic 2-day competitive tournament (23 & 24 May, The Forum)!
Gin & Golf at City Greens Golf
Thursday 28 May, 5.30pm – 7.30pm & 8pm – 10pm
In collaboration with Gyre & Gimble and Thrive Autism, City Greens Golf’s Gin & Golf evening combines curated gin cocktails with fun, competitive indoor golf!
Across a two-hour session, you can sip on bespoke cocktails from Norfolk’s very own Gyre & Gimble (you’ll find them in the Royal Arcade) whilst experiencing high-tech TrackMan play and enjoying team challenges and simulator games. Plus, there’s the chance to win prizes! The menu includes a coastal-inspired Norfolk Tom Collins, classic G&T elevated with a distinctive juniper twist, and the City Greens Spritz with strawberry and elderflower. Whether you’re a pro or looking for a fun night out with friends, this event is designed to be social, relaxed and accessible for all.
Open Air Cinema: Notting Hill at Fritton Lake
Saturday 30 May, screening at 7.30pm, £40 (includes full day access to the estate)
Popcorn at the ready for Fritton Lake’s outdoor cinema screening of Notting Hill!
“I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy…” In collaboration with Cinema City and Norwich Film Festival, Fritton Lake will transform into an outdoor cinema under the stars with an open-air screening of Notting Hill!
Whilst the film starts at 7.30pm- this classic rom-com tells the tale of the unexpected romance between Hugh Grant’s bookshop owner and Julia Roberts’ world-famous actress, your ticket gives you access to Fritton Lake for the whole day, meaning you can experience 1000 acres of rewilded landscape at your own pace. From wild swimming in the lake to the floated sauna, heated outdoor pool, clubhouse, tennis, walking trails and more.
Brew & Friends Makers Market at The Halls
30 & 31 May, 10am – 4pm, FREE
This May, The Halls welcome Brew & Friends Makers Market, supporting Norwich creatives
What better way to discover our city’s many creative than with Brew & Friends’ Makers Market?
Taking place in The Halls, peruse a hand-picked selection of local makers, artists and small businesses showcasing unique handcrafted pieces. Think hand thrown ceramics, quirky jewellery and detailed prints ideal for treating yourself or picking up a present.
Norfolk
All American Barbecue at The Grain Kitchen
Friday 1 May, from 5pm, £10
What could be more tempting than an all-American BBQ at The Grain Kitchen?
Surrounded by sun-kissed Norfolk countryside, tuck into a feast of succulent, sauce-drenched All-American Barbecue at The Grain Kitchen– yum!
With dishes like smoked beef brisket with chimichurri and feta, BBQ sweet potato, hummus and halloumi, and cowboy beans with maple syrup and chilli, it promises to be a melting pot of smoky, salty and rich flavours. Take a seat under wide-open skies, tuck in and listen to the country-inspired sound of live music from Bill Downs.
Folk on the Pier at Cromer Pier
8 – 10 May, 2pm & 7.30pm, from £26
Folk on the Pier returns to Cromer Pier with a packed three-day line-up
Taking over Cromer Pier’s Pavilion Theatre, Folk on the Pier is a celebration of folk music. Known as ‘the best gig on the North Sea’, the festival is known for attracting a plethora of well-known and up-and-coming artists. Celebrate the festival’s 26th year with a line-up that includes The Laurel Canyon Project, Feast of Fiddles and Spiers & Bowden of Bellowhead.
And later in the month, why not head to Cromer Pier for the exciting launch of the town’s long-standing Crab & Lobster Festival (15 May, 7.30pm, £20)?
