Culture in Norwich: Norfolk Deaf Festival
Culture in Norwich: Norfolk Deaf Festival
This summer sees the return of Norfolk Deaf Festival to The Forum (26 & 27 June)!
Following a short hiatus- the festival last took place in 2023, this is a celebration of D/deaf culture and community. Bringing joy, empowerment and inclusion to the city centre, everyone is welcome, no matter your age, whether you’re deaf or hearing.
Launched in 2017 and originally run by volunteers, Norfolk Deaf Festival is now another anticipated member of The Forum’s family of festivals and it promises to be an exciting one! Almost every event is free- all you need to do is book your space!
Here’s what to expect…
Norfolk Deaf Festival is back and you’re invited!
No matter your age or level of hearing, everyone is invited to experience Norfolk Deaf Festival!
Hot on the heels of a cracking Norwich Games Festival, The Forum team is making final preparations to the next festival in our programme.
Norfolk Deaf Festival, a two-day joyful celebration of D/deaf culture and community, returns to The Forum on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June, promising to be bigger than ever before, and you’re invited!
We’ll bring you entertainment from the likes of world-renowned comedian John Smith, whose lived experience of being deaf in a ‘hearing world’ is said to be “redefining comedy with fearless wit and unstoppable energy.”
John will be performing a ticketed show on the Friday evening for adult audiences and will also welcome visitors to the festival on both days, as official host.
The amphitheatre (outside of The Forum) will get a takeover, with not one but two showcase events, courtesy of Deaf Rave, with an opening and closing party. MC Geezer will command the mic, joined by Storm in a Teacup with bubble displays and sign-song performers. Haptic (vibrating) vests will be available to help you feel the beat (literally!) in this multi-sensory day-rave.
For the festival’s youngest visitors, bring along your teddy to the Bear Ear Clinic!
Anyone who wants to unleash their own inner MC will have an opportunity to jump on the decks and have a go in our DJ taster workshops, or why not try your hand at being a roving reporter through the filming workshops, delivered by The Offshoot Foundation.
Younger ones will have plenty to do too, from story-times in British Sign Language (BSL) with a guided draw, to colouring competitions; or they can bring along their teddies to the Bear Ear Clinic and get them fitted with toy hearing aids.
Visitors to the festival can soak up the spectacular one-person circus show: Now I am Become d/Deaf (Destroyer of Words), or have a go themselves, with circus and poi artist, Terry.
Discover how AI is transforming BSL from the innovators shaping the future of interpretation in an exclusive panel discussion, or take part in BSL and lipreading workshops. Deafblind visitors can book a guided tour of the festival with interpreters Kim or Sarah and everyone is welcome to enjoy the various choir performances.
See local young people’s lived experiences with short film premiere between the programme
In April, young people took part in a filming workshop, hosted by The Offshoot Foundation, supported by Deaf Connexions and funded by Norwich Freeman’s Charitable Trust, centered on their own lived experiences. The mini films worked on will get their premieres in between the programme.
We have so many inspiring deaf talents joining us, lots of opportunities to learn and take part in raising deaf awareness and, of course, having lots of fun. Everyone is welcome, whether you are deaf, deafblind, hearing or just curious – this festival is for everyone.
The programme is live on The Forum’s website. All but one event or activity are totally free to come and take part in, although some do require pre-booking.
Browse the line-up and we’ll see you there next month!
Norfolk Deaf Festival (NDF) returns to The Forum on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June 2026.
Norfolk Deaf Festival is supported by Norwich Freemen’s Charity and Anguish’s Educational Foundation, alongside R C Snelling Charitable Trust, Birkdale Trust and Ovingdean Hall Foundation. Our gold sponsors are National Deaf Children’s Society, Deaf Connexions and Rotary House. Silver sponsors are Signly and Lipspeaker UK.
