Easter is nearly here, and this year we can finally go and see friends and family, fill the holiday with fun things to do, and make the most of the spring! And WOW – there’s a whole lot happening in Norwich and Norfolk to get excited about. So, get ready for an Easter you won’t forget.
1. Easter Eggstravaganza Trail
Hop along to Chantry Place this Easter, from Saturday 2 April – Tuesday 19 April for a FREE Easter Eggstravaganza trail. Hunt all 12 eggs and solve the clues on this self-led trail around the shopping centre to be in with a chance of winning a prize worth over £120!
2. Theatre
Don’t miss out on a trip to the theatre this Easter because there is so much to see! Head to the Norwich Puppet Theatre to catch Red Riding Hood from 2 – 10 April. This retelling of the classic folktale contains a rich mix of puppetry, music, song, inventive staging and witty dialogue. Or catch The Elves and the Shoemaker on 16 April. Elvis Schumacher has worked all his life creating the most beautiful footwear, but now he’s hit hard times, can anyone help him? Featuring magical puppets, intricate design and original music, this show is great fun. Both shows have morning performances for all ages and afternoon showings for ages 4+. Tickets £9 / £32 for a family of four.
Red Riding Hood at Norwich Puppet Theatre
There’s also lots to shout about at Norwich Theatre Royal this Easter. Family classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe plays from 5-9 April. Step into a magical frozen far away land and watch the noble king of Narnia, Aslan, stand up to the evil White Witch. Tickets £23 – £42. Prefer a show with a bit more music? Why not check out Wuthering Heights from 12-16 April. Shot through with music, dance, passion and hope, this adaptation transforms Emily Bronte’s masterpiece into a unique theatrical experience. Tickets £25.50 – £37.50. You can also book your ticket for Milkshake Live! On 17 April, this spectacular new show comes to the stage with two Milkshake presenters and Milkshake Monkey’s Musical!
And don’t forget to pay a visit to Norwich Theatre Playhouse to see The Smartest Giant in Town from 16-18 April. A musical adaptation of the bestselling book, this heartwarming tale will surely put a smile on your face. Tickets £12.
3. Workshops
Do something fun and creative this Easter with a family friendly workshop! At Norwich Theatre Royal on 5 and 8 April there’s several different workshops to take part in. Delve into the dressing up box, explore children’s books and create your own stories with puppets at Play Your Way. No booking required for this free drop-in activity for ages 2+. Also on 5 April is Tot’s Tales and Drama with stories and imaginative play, exploring themes from The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Tickets £5. How about an Imagination Workshop with theatre-based activities for the kids? Tickets £8.
Get stuck in with a theatre workshop
Get crafty with workshops at the Norwich Puppet Theatre. At the Mythical Mates Children’s workshop, you can create your own mermaid, minotaur, fairy or troll puppet and take it home with you! 6 & 7 April, ages 6+, tickets £9.50. What Comes Out of an Egg? Family workshop takes place on 8, 9 & 15 April for ages 4+. Get in the springtime spirit with this Easter themed activity and make some mini puppet characters. Tickets £9.50.
4. Escape Games
Another great way to spend some family time is with a good old escape game. And there’s plenty to choose from in Norwich! Enjoy a jaunt across Norwich and get some fresh air with City Escape Games outdoor challenges. History Mystery has fun outdoor and indoor games to choose from, and Cryptic Escape and Escape Hunt have plenty of themed games to enjoy too!
Norfolk
5. Holkham Hall
Holkham Hall is always a great day out, but this Easter there’s even more reasons to visit! With standard admission to the hall, you can also take advantage of great activities from 2 – 19 April. Such as spring inspired storytelling with Paul Jackson in the saloon, Easter crafting in the old kitchen, an Easter hunt and Charlie Cheesecake and his magnificent magic show taking place over the Easter weekend!
There are also a range of events you can book tickets for. Fancy a Tractor Trailer Tour of the park for only £5.50 per person? How about some kid’s yoga in the walled garden, £5.50 per child? There’s so much to discover. Check the website for dates, times and more information.
Tractor trailer tour at Holkham
6. Easter Eggspress
Hop on board the Easter Eggspress at Bure Valley Railway! This is sure to be an ‘eggciting” day out for the whole family. And the best part? There’s a free Easter egg for every child at the end of the Easter trail! Tickets £16 adults, £8 children, under 5’s free.
7. The Great Easter Eggsploration
Spring has sprung and the wildlife gardens at Pensthorpe Natural Park have hidden treasures to be found… This family-fun Easter egg hunt comes with plenty of other activities to keep you busy, including free arts and crafts activities, tours of the park and more. 2-19 April, £13.95 adults, £11.95 children, under 3’s free.
What will you see at Pensthorpe Natural Park?
8. Deepdale Farm
The critically acclaimed Pantaloons theatre company present Great Expectations in the Brick Barn at Deepdale Farm. Bring some folding chairs and a picnic (or grab some delicious food from the café) and sit down to enjoy this comedy-theatre performance of Charles Dickens’ captivating coming of age story. 16 April at 7pm, adults £13.50, children £8, family tickets £37. It’s recommended to bring blankets and warm clothes as the barn is not heated.
