by Katie Thompson
There’s always something to look forward to in the City of Stories- sometimes it’s hard to keep up! From anniversary launches to art-themed announcements and the arrival of one of the UK’s most popular authors to the City of Stories. And on top of that, some amazing news from the Broads National Park!
Whether it’s an exciting new family attraction or the return of unmissable sell-out shows, keep reading for a quick catch-up on the latest news in our fine city! (And for those of you who are really organised- Christmas 2025 is on its way slowly but surely and the first events are now on sale!)
Take note! Norwich Castle keep fully reopens on 7 August!
Hot of the press! It’s time to dust off your crowns because Norwich Castle’s Royal Palace reopens on Thursday 7 August! Step back in time to explore this Norman palace, including Henry I’s lavishly decorated, period-accurate royal apartments and the Great Hall, brought alive by immersive audio-visual projections. There will be over 900 objects in the Gallery of Medieval Life- the British Museum’s first medieval gallery outside of London- and breathtaking views from atop the battlements! Norwich Castle will be the UK’s most accessible castle from basement to battlements.
Tickets for Norwich Castle’s Royal Palace go on general sale from 24 July 2025. You can book via their website.
Celebrate The English Distillery’s 18th birthday with a limited-edition bottle!
This summer, The English Distillery are launching not one, but three, new products in honour of their 18th birthday celebrations! Their new limited-edition Chapter 18 was launched on 7th June, while two other special products- one from Cask 001, the other part of their Founders’ Private Cellar Range- will launch on 11th and 25th September, respectively. These really are collector’s items!
Explore The English Distillery’s bottles via their website.
See the Sainsbury Centre’s new piece Lightning Rod in their Sculpture Park
The Sainsbury Centre has welcomed a new sculpture to their Sculpture Park. ‘Lightning Rod’ is a 12-foot piece by Danish artist Kirstine Roepstorff. Crafted from cast bronze and natural sarsen stone, ‘Lightning Rod’ explores the speculative potential of energy transfer, how it’s used for creation and destruction, and a wider look at humanity’s place in a shifting world.
The Sainsbury Centre’s Sculpture Park is free to visit daily. Pay what you can to visit the art museum from Tuesday – Sunday.
Debra Shipley’s residence at the Julian Shrine will use pieces from the church itself!
From July, The Julian Shrine is welcoming Debra Shipley as their Artist in Residence for the next two years! As part of her residence, Shipley will create a monthly series of art pieces especially for display at St Julian’s Church in response to the building’s restoration project and using recycled materials from the Shrine itself.
Debra Shipley’s residence launches on 5 July. You can visit The Julian Shrine daily.
When you thought Pensthorpe couldn’t get any better, they launch a Maize Maze!
There’s so much to see and do at Pensthorpe and now there’s something else to tick off your list with the nature reserve’s new Migration Maize Maze (open from 22 July)! Included in general admission, see if you can successfully find your way through the maize as you face challenges migratory birds hit on their voyages across the globe.
Pensthorpe is open daily throughout summer, 10am – 5pm. Adults and children £17.95 during the school holidays.
Ranworth Broad is home to East Anglia’s first breeding pair of Ospreys in 250 years
The Broads National Park is known for its amazing array of wildlife, especially when it comes to birds. And now, Norfolk Wildlife Trust has announced that a resident osprey pair at Ranworth Broad and Marshes have successfully hatched at least two chicks- the first in over 250 years!
Ranworth Broad is free to visit and open daily from dawn ‘til dusk.
The heat is on at Norwich Theatre Royal with the return of Miss Saigon!
The heat is on! Norwich Theatre’s latest line-up announcement sees three of the most iconic and popular musicals return to the city in 2026. Tudor pop princesses SIX is always a sell-out here in Norwich, so make sure to get your tickets for 3 – 7 March, while from 12 – 23 May, a spectacular new production of Miss Saigon arrives for one week only. And in July (30 June – 11 July), Norwich will be transported to an idyllic Greek island for Mamma Mia!
Norwich Theatre’s latest shows are on sale to the general public from Friday 27 June.
Norwich Book Festival is back with a bang with an event with Dame Jacqueline Wilson
Ahead of Norwich Book Festival this autumn (24 – 31 October), iconic author Jacqueline Wilson will be in the City of Stories for a special event on Monday 1 September! Discussing her brand-new novel for adults, Picture Imperfect, this is a sequel to childhood favourite The Illustrated Mum, only the characters, like us readers, are all grown up!
Tickets for Jacqueline Wilson: Picture Imperfect (16+) on Monday 1 September are on sale now via Norwich Book Festival’s website.
Celebrate summer with Rock N roll Circus this August
For the first time this August, Rock N Roll Circus is arriving in Norwich. Across three days (14 – 16 August), this event will bring the best of musical talent and circus entertainment to Earlham Park. And with headliners McFly, Courteeners and Olly Murs, as well as a stellar line-up of artists, daily circus workshops and more- you’ll want to make sure to get your ticket!
Rock N Roll Circus will take place at Earlham Park from Thursday 14 August – Saturday 16 August. Tickets are available now via their website.
Enjoy these warm evenings with Sir Toby’s Beers’ Friday DJ sets
What better way to make the most of the balmy weather than with a summer evening DJ set? Luckily, Sir Toby’s Beers has it covered. Every Friday until September (5.30pm – 9pm), local DJs will be at their stall on Norwich Market for DJ Hot Pickle’s Spicy Summer Sessions. You can expect soul, jazz and funk, accompanied by a beer of course!
Sir Toby’s Beers’ DJ Hot Pickle’s Spicy Summer Sessions are running every Friday from now until September.
Discover our city’s history through the eyes of its pubs
After a 7-year hiatus, the popular Norwich Pub Tours are back! Telling the fascinating stories of Norwich’s history through its most famous pubs, you can expect entertaining hosts, hidden gems and a few drinks along the way. Well, it is a pub tour!
Norwich Pub Tours’ public tours are available to book now via their website at £20pp.
This summer, you’ll have even more opportunities to discover the secrets of Strangers’ Hall
As one of Norwich’s top attractions, Stranger’s Hall is a 14th century house that will transport you across 100s of years of Norwich life- from Tudors to Georgians to Victorians. And in honour of the school holidays (23 July – 31 August), the museum will open 5 days a week on Wednesdays – Sundays, 10am – 4pm. And that’s not all- Strangers’ Hall are offering free entry to their tranquil garden only during this period too!
Strangers’ Hall will be open Wednesdays – Sundays, 10am – 4pm, from 23 July – 31 August.
Christmas 2025 Events Now On Sale in Norwich and Norfolk
Christmas is coming at Norwich Cathedral!
What do you mean you haven’t wrapped all your presents yet? It’s June and that means it’s time to start planning Christmas, of course! Jokes aside, everyone loves having something to look forward to- especially at ‘the most wonderful time of year’, so to ensure you don’t miss out on this sell-out events, make sure to book a ticket in advance!
At Pensthorpe, the 5-star North Norfolk Pole Experience is back for another year! For 10 days in November and December (check their website for specific dates), Father Christmas and his Elves will be at Pensthorpe for a magical 1.5 hour journey. Think Christmas crafts, the festive Elf Academy (new for 2025!) and a toy shop!
Suitable for all ages, tickets go on sale on Friday 27 June via Pensthorpe’s website.
In the City of Stories, Norwich Cathedral’s ever-popular Christmas concerts are back for the 2025 festive season! On Friday 12 December, you can join Christmas with Norwich Cathedral Choir for a festive feast of seasonal music, carols and a 12 Days of Christmas sing-along (7.30pm – 10pm, from £15). Then on Saturday 20 December, Norwich Cathedral Choir and Norwich Baroque are teaming up (with yet-to-be-announced acclaimed soloists) for their annual performance of Handel’s Messiah by Candlelight (7pm – 9.30pm, from £15).
Christmas with Norwich Cathedral Choir and Messiah by Candlelight are on sale now via Norwich Cathedral’s website.
