by Katie Thompson
With the start of a new year comes the excitement of loads to look forward to for the next 12 months. And 2026 is already shaping up to have some memorable moments here in the City of Stories! It’s a national year of reading (so when better to visit England’s first UNESCO City of Literature?), The Forum is turning 25 and Norwich Science Festival 10. And the Museum of Norwich celebrating their 100th year!
From saunas with unexpected views to art that will make you think, there’s something for you. And, even better, they’re completely new.
So, be the first to try them. Whether you’re an avid theatregoer awaiting award-winning shows or want to discover hidden histories of Norwich’s past. Read on for what’s new in Norwich in 2026!
From the river to the city, The Lions’ Den is bringing sauna and community to Norwich’s centre
The Lions’ Den’s alfresco riverside venue is a great place for community, to unwind and recharge. And with the announcement of their new city location- with rooftop views and sauna, no less, even more of us can embrace the power of sauna and connection!
Opening in time for the New Year on White Lion Street, The Lions’ Den City truly embodies their ethos: sip, sauna, socialise. Inside you’ll find treatment rooms and a large community sauna. And when you head upstairs, discover two rooftop saunas (East Anglia’s first) and ice baths with city views of The Forum, St Peter Mancroft, Norwich Castle and more!
And that’s not all. With Norwich’s first alcohol-free late bar, The Lions’ Den’s signature coffees, tasty food and there will also be a studio for classes too. This is a place to meet likeminded people and relax.
The Shoebox Experiences’ newest tour delves into the family and legacy of Carrow House
The Shoebox Experiences’ tours immerse us into the hidden histories of Norwich, and their newest 90-minute tour is no different!
As the former home of the Colman family (of mustard fame), Carrow House is a beautiful Grade II listed building packed with stories of industry, innovation and intrigue. With The Shoebox Experiences’ knowledgeable and engaging team as your guides, you’ll discover this grand residence and influential family- from the lavish drawing rooms to quiet corners where decisions were made that shaped Norwich as we know it today. And underground are the building’s forgotten vaults, where even more secrets await.
Bowling House is a buzzing venue for bowling, karaoke and delicious food and drink! And now, thanks to their refurbished dining area, it’s an even better spot to meet friends for a catch-up over tasty dishes.
With a new booth area at the front of the building (ideal for large parties and celebrations of up to 18 people) and a space separated from Bowling House’s retro bowling lanes, the result is snug and intimate, but still involved in all the action if you’re keeping score! And with an all new cocktail menu to accompany the opening, you can sip on your chosen tipple in style.
Speaking of parties, Bowling House is also launching interactive darts! If you love some friendly competition, this is a highly-charged, energetic experience. Think supercharged technology, instant scoring, exciting games and quality visuals!
Miss Saigon is the first of two incredible shows to return to Norwich Theatre Royal in 2026!
With tickets cheaper than most West End seats, there’s no better time to visit Norwich for a series of fantastic theatre shows. And if you turn your theatre trip into a city break, you’ll discover even more of what Norwich has to offer.
The heat is on in the City of Stories! Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical Miss Saigon returns to Norwich for two weeks this spring with a spectacular new production. 37 years after it first opened, this heart wrenching show will transport us to the end of the Vietnam War into the plight of 17-year-old Kim as she is forced to work in a Saigon bar by the notorious Engineer and falls in love with American GI Chris. The score features hit songs like ‘Last Night of the World’ and ‘The American Dream’.
Or are you feeling a little bit ‘naughty’? The RSC’s multi award-winning Matilda is the joyful tale of this extraordinary little girl as she uses her vivid imagination and sharp mind to take a stand against the formidable Miss Trunchbull. Based on Roald Dahl’s classic story and with lyrics by Tim Minchin, you can expect catchy songs like ‘When I Grow Up’, heartwarming characters, a whole lot of chocolate cake and, of course, ‘revolting children’!
For their spring 2026 season, the Sainsbury Centre is asking the question ‘What is the Meaning of Life?’
Next on the Sainsbury Centre’s list of innovative and fascinating exhibition series? ‘What is the Meaning of Life?’ Chances are you’ve asked this question once or twice. The art museum’s spring season delves into the fundamental questions of human existence, from rulemaking to time and play.
‘Living by the Rule: Contemporary meets Medieval’ (16 May – 4 October) explores ideas of rules and regulation and those we live by every day, while ‘Play Power’ (16 May – 4 October) highlights the significance of play in our daily lives. Then, ‘Joy Like Time’ (20 June – 15 November) tracks a series of great artists’ work, looking at how they’ve found the meaning of life through their craft and a focus on memory, ritual and renewal.
Plus, two brand-new commissions from Libby Heaney and Ruth Ewan will explore the concept of the meaning of life with participation from Norfolk locals and museum visitors.
And from November, the Sainsbury Centre will be exploring ‘How Do We Find Love?’. It will feature ‘Love Stories’ (19 December – 30 May 2027), a photography exhibition exploring raw everyday intimacy, ‘The Last Human Kiss’ (14 November – 11 April 2027), tracing depictions of kissing from pre-history to 21st century forms, and ‘Ecstasy and the Aftermath’ (14 November – 11 April 2027), a look at love beyond romantic cliches, instead focussing on kinship and mourning, survival and resistance.
