Annual Events Not to Miss in Norwich

29 January 2026

Annual Events Not to Miss in Norwich

by Katie Thompson

Norwich is known for its independent buzz, inclusivity, and creativity. And when it comes to our calendar of annual events, it’s no different.  

From week-long wine, book and science celebrations to one of the country’s longest running arts festivals. No matter your age or interests, there’s loads to get involved with and enjoy. Plus, many of these events are free and low-cost, meaning they really are for everyone. 

So, no matter what time of year you’re visiting our fine city, chances are you’ll stumble across one of these fantastic events. Check out the list below for some of our favourites- it’s impossible to choose just one!

Image: Norwich Summer Sessions

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February

Norwich Science Festival 
14 – 21 February 2026, The Forum and citywide, FREE and low cost

First up, it’s Norwich Science Festival! Based in The Forum, but with events citywide, this is a week-long celebration of science and technology. With talks, interactive workshops and more on everything from outer space to food fermentation, the power of dance and rainbows, it gives science-lovers of every age something to enjoy. Norwich is known for its innovation (we’re home to Norwich Research Park, after all), making this festival informative, hands-on and fun!

Norwich Food Week
27 February – 3 March, citywide

Across 10 food-filled days, Norwich Food Week celebrates the flavours and flair our city’s mouthwatering food scene is known for! Bringing together more than 40 restaurants, cafes, bars and venues across the city, you can enjoy specially created menus and exclusive offers priced between £5 and £35.

From fine dining 3-course meals to undeniably good value coffee and cake deals, this is your chance to try somewhere new or celebrate your favourite Norwich eatery.

May 

Norwich Craft Beer Festival
1 – 3 May 2026, The Waterfront, ticketed

One of the city’s newest festivals, you’ll find Norwich Craft Beer Festival at The Waterfront this May. We’ve no shortage of great bars and breweries, so this Sir Toby’s Beers event is quite fitting! Across three days, you can celebrate local craft beers, and there will also be curation of IPAs, stouts, pale ales, and more. And with sessions taking place into the evening, you can expect street food, garden games and DJs too!

Norfolk and Norwich Festival 
8 – 24 May 2026, citywide and throughout Norfolk, FREE and ticketed

You know summer’s almost here when it’s the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. Each year starts with a bang thanks to the (free!) Welcome Weekend in our city centre! 

As one of the country’s longest-running arts festivals (not to mention the largest in the East of England), you can expect a world-class programme of music, theatre, dance, circus and more in venues like the Spiegeltent in Chapelfield Gardens (which at this time of year becomes Festival Gardens!), Norwich Cathedral, and Octagon Chapel. Plus, it’s during the festival’s final few days that also sees speakers, interactive activities, and the National Centre for Writing’s publishing fair- as well as the annual Harriet Martineau Lecture- celebrate our City of Literature Weekend.

Norwich Jazz Festival 
15 – 24 May 2026, Norwich Arts Centre and citywide, ticketed

This year, Norwich Arts Centre’s Norwich Jazz Festival returns as part of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival!

With GoGo Penguin headlining at Epic Studios (Saturday 23 May) and Balimaya Project (Friday 15 May) already announced for the Spiegeltent, the festival will showcase some of the best UK and international jazz musicians through performances, talks and film. Last year included local bands, solo artists and instrumentalists. In some of the best independent venues across Norwich, you’ll be treated to live and intimate performances of classic and tradition-defying music that will make you rethink the genre.

Norwich Games Festival 
23 – 30 May 2026, The Forum, FREE and low cost

And May’s festivals don’t stop there: Norwich Games Festival is made for budding gamers, skilled designers and anyone with a bit of retro arcade nostalgia!  

Based in The Forum, this festival isn’t just about playing the games, but also the industry behind them. You can find about games technology, games art, the role of storytelling, and even what it takes for a career in the sector. And if you’re interested in the ethics of gaming, there’s plenty of workshops and talks to take part in, too.

Out There Festival
28 – 30 May 2026, Great Yarmouth, FREE and low cost

If you’re here on holiday, want to venture further into Norfolk or are a local looking for another exciting event, then look no further than Great Yarmouth’s Out There Festival.

This international festival of outdoor arts and circus takes places across the town- including on its iconic golden sandy beach. Think breathtaking spectacles and quirky comedy combined with quality performance, family-friendly atmosphere and that all-important traditional seaside silliness!

May & June 

City of Ale
21 May – 22 June 2026, citywide

Norwich City of Ale is Britain’s original Beer Week. Since 2011, the city’s wonderful array of pubs and bars have been serving Norfolk’s finest beers- we’re arguably home to some of the best malting barley in the world!  

City of Ale is the perfect excuse for visitors and locals alike to experience Norwich’s rich brewing history, following unique trails and discovering new pubs and pints along the way. You might even find a new favourite! And for a bit of fun (and friendly competition), you can collect stamps at every venue to claim a badge for each trail!

June

Norwich Wine Week 
19 – 28 June 2026, citywide

Did you know Norfolk’s wine heritage can be traced all the way back to Roman times? So, what better than a festival where you can sip, savour, and share our local tipples?  

During Norwich Wine Week, venues across the city offer specially designed events, tastings and offers – this is an event made for both wine novices and aficionados. Plus, it’s a little more than a week, giving you 3 extra days to celebrate Norwich’s wonderful wine scene!

Norfolk Deaf Festival
26 – 28 June, The Forum, FREE

Joining The Forum’s fantastic line-up of in-house festival and events, Norfolk Deaf Festival is a joyful celebration of the local D/deaf culture and community.

Promoting deaf awareness and accessible communication through sign language and technology, you can join others in learning about hearing loss through role models, exhibitions, workshops and more. And on the Sunday, support deaf-led or deaf-related makers showcasing items or putting on making activities at the Craft Fayre.

July

Lord Mayor’s Weekend 
11 & 12 July 2026, citywide, FREE

The Lord Mayor’s Weekend is Norwich’s biggest street party– and free for all! Across the weekend, the city is abuzz with vibrant colour and energetic entertainment. Think family activities, music and, of course, the historic mayoral procession, a colourful parade through the city centre past iconic sights like Norwich Market and Norwich Cathedral. Look out for costumes, marching bands, acrobats, giant puppets, flags and more- you might even spot someone you know!

Norwich History Festival
14 – 24 July 2026, citywide, FREE and ticketed

Norwich History Festival returns for its second year in 2026!

This year’s theme is ‘History Matters’. Taking place in venues across the city, you can get invovled with a plethora of events, including talks, performance, film showings, workshops, exhibitions and more.

And thanks to Norwich’s rich history and heritage, there’s something for all ages. Previous events include, fascinating walking tours, children’s crafts and an insight into writing historical novels with national authors.

Norwich Pride 
25 July 2026, citywide, FREE

Norwich is a fine city- and it’s also an inclusive one. We’ve got a rich history of welcoming Strangers, refugees, and diversity in our City of Sanctuary. Norwich Pride personifies this, celebrating everyone who identifies as part of the LGTBQIA+ community.  

There’s a real sense of community spirit. It’s an infectious event, full of positivity! And with activities, performances, and the all-important Pride March, you can’t help but get swept away by the joyous atmosphere. On top of that, the Makers Market offers support and information, glitter bars, crafts, food and more- perfect for a keepsake of this celebration.

Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre
July 2026, Norwich Lanes, FREE

This unique one-day event is loved by locals- and we can see why! There’s nowhere better to showcase our city’s incredible indies than the Lanes, and with live music, pop-up markets, street food and street acts, you’ll easily spend the whole day here. And that’s before you’ve explored some of Norwich’s most beautiful historic buildings- many usually closed to the public. End your day dancing away to a DJ set under the sun! 

Shakespeare Festival 
3 & 4 July 2026, Norwich Cathedral, £24pp

If music be the food of love, play on. Every July, Norwich Cathedral’s atmospheric cloisters play host to mid-summer performances of Shakespearean classics in the Shakespeare Festival. From the Bard’s best-loved comedy to the world’s ‘most famous play’, The Lord’s Chamberlain’s Men, a modern-day reincarnation of Shakespeare’s own travelling troupe of players, perform shows like Hamlet and Twelfth Night.

And this year, Othello takes to the stage. This captivating story of jealousy, deception and the power of love will be performed by an all-male cast, with traditional music and dance, and Elizabethan costumes. Expect an evening of incredible performance!

August

Norwich Summer Sessions 
2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 August 2026, citywide, FREE

What could be better than an exciting programme of free street entertainment to bring some cheer to your week? Thanks to Norwich Summer Sessions, we’ll be treated to some brilliant performances across a number of stages on Sundays in August (12.30pm – 4.30pm).  

These brilliant open-air performances have previously included music, comedy, dance and theatre! With four stages to choose from, take advantage to soak up some sun, sit al fresco at your favourite café and enjoy some first-class acts!

Rock N Roll Circus
21 – 23 August 2026, Earlham Park, ticketed

Rock N Roll Circus is a show like no other, combining the best of musical talent and circus entertainment to deliver an incredible spectacle and it’s back in Norwich after its inaugural event in 2025!

This year, The Streets will be performing their landmark album A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full for the very first time (Friday 21 August). Then, The Kooks, The Vaccines and The Fratellis will be celebrating individual landmarks with their most popular albums and singles (Saturday 22 August). And on Sunday 23 August, it’s all about the ’80s and ’90s. Headliners Madness will be joined by The Selecter, The Wailers and Ocean Colour Scene.

Plus, you can expect daily circus workshops (in case you didn’t already want to join!), a huge food and drinks village, and other stages to enjoy.

September

Heritage Open Days 
11 – 20 September 2026, citywide and throughout Norfolk, FREE

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture– and Norfolk’s programme is the largest outside of London! That means there’s loads of hidden gems to discover that you might not normally know about. From heritage sites, homes and gardens to museums, exhibitions, talks and more. This is your chance to learn more about our wonderful city and county!

Run Norwich 
6 September 2026, citywide, FREE to spectate

While you may not be a runner, it’s hard to deny the anticipation that comes with an energetic event like Run Norwich. Run by Norwich City Community Sports Foundation, this popular road race is always a sell-out, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cheer on friends, family, and everyone else on the day!

Norwich Cocktail Week
25 September – 4 October 2026, citywide

Norwich Cocktail Week is a celebration of creativity, flavour, and flair, showcasing the very best of the city’s vibrant cocktail scene. From independent bars to stylish restaurants, venues across Norwich come together to serve up signature drinks and unforgettable experiences. So, raise a glass and discover new favourites! Enjoy exclusive cocktails, special discounts and unique events, all in celebration of our city’s ever-evolving cocktail culture.

October

Norwich Book Festival 
24 – 30 October 2026, The Forum and citywide, FREE and low cost

Now firmly part of Norwich’s festival calendar, Norwich Book Festival is the ultimate celebration of stories in the City of Stories! So, when you’re visiting Norwich, you can rest assured there will be plenty of literary heritage and events to explore.  

Taking place in England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, this fantastic festival is for all ages and every type of book lover. Across the week, you can expect readings, signings, panels, and interactive experiences across genres like crime, science fiction, politics, and history. Not to mention free family activities in The Imaginarium. Phew!

November

Norwich Film Festival
November 2026, citywide, FREE and ticketed

Showcasing the best in local, national and international filmmaking talent, Norwich Film Festival is a champion of independent films and exciting new works.

From features to shorts, experience new genres or discover tales from your favourite film styles. With the film festival’s themed mixes, you can discover selections of sci-fi, horror, LGBTQ+, comedy and more, not to mention engaging Q&As and films like classic Thelma & Louise or silent film The Phantom of the Opera (1925).

Festive Lights Switch On
November 2026, citywide, FREE

Mark the beginning of the countdown to Christmas with Norwich’s Festive Lights Switch On.

Across the city centre, embrace seasonal cheer as a dazzling display of lights illuminates our cobbled streets. In previous years, there have been funfair rides, brass bands and more. And you can make the most of our unique independents and mouthwatering market stalls with their late night openings- go on, treat yourself!