What's On in January

23 December 2025

What’s On in January

by Katie Thompson

Start the New Year right and give yourself something to look forward to in the City of Stories. From winter wellbeing to a fascinating tour that will give you a flavour of Norwich’s local tipples to your monthly arts and culture fix (that’s also a must for your wellbeing).

So, if you want to dance the night away to live music, savour our city’s winter warmers or take in Norwich Castle’s vast collection of art, you’ve come to the right place! Plus, there’s an incredible night of stargazing in Norwich’s nature and a thrilling murder mystery to solve.

Get your diaries out, here’s what’s on in January in Norwich!

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Norwich 

Specialist Tours at Norwich Cathedral
Wednesday 7 January, 11.15am & 2.15pm, £7

When you’re visiting Norwich, we always suggest a free 1-tour around one of our most iconic landmarks, Norwich Cathedral. And this January, they’re holding two specialist tours for locals and visitors alike to get to know the building even more.

The Forgotten Lives of Norwich Cathedral tour (11.15am) will immerse you in the lesser-told tales of those who have lived in, worked in and experienced the cathedral. From a medieval ‘singing man’ to an Antarctic explorer, wartime heroes and political firebrands. And in the afternoon (2.15pm), The Graffiti of Norwich Cathedral tour gives you a closer look at the cathedral’s 5000 individual inscriptions! Dating as far back as the 12th century, through the Reformation to 2024, you’ll discover, curses, prayers, images and designs that hint at Norwich Cathedral’s rich past.

Cheryl Cade’s Winter Spirits Tour
16, 23 & 29 January, 1.30pm – 5.30pm, £45.58 (18+) 

What better way to spend a crisp January afternoon than with Cheryl Cade’s warming Winter Spirits walking tour? She’s an international beer and cheese sommelier, no less, full of knowledge and top tips for serving each tipple. Wrap up in your woolly scarves and hats and head to a selection of Norwich’s best independent eateries! 

Starting at Norwich Market, you’ll amble along our festive streets, twinkling lights festooned above you. At each of the 4 venues, including the Royal Arcade and Beer Hatch, you can sip on a range of local spirits and seasonal nibbles, enjoying historic tales in the heart of our fine city.

Life on the Water at Norwich Castle
17 December – 10 May, 10am – 5pm, included in admission, adults from £15.30, children from £13.05, family discount adult with paid child from £13.95 

With recent studies showing how beneficial viewing original art and culture can be for your wellbeing, there’s no excuse to miss out on the incredible paintings in Norwich Castle’s new Life on the Water exhibition. 

These six Norwich School paintings are being exhibited for the first time since entering the collection almost 5 years ago, bequeathed by Sir Timothy Colman. In honour of Colman’s love of Norfolk, water and sailing, each of the paintings, by names like John Sell Cotman, John Crome and Joseph Stannard, depict dramatic images of boats and local bodies of water.

Winter Stargazing at NWT Sweet Briar Marshes
Thursday 22 January, 6pm – 7.30pm, FREE (18+) 

We all love the refreshing feeling of getting out in the great outdoors. Especially when it’s right on your doorstep. As a city that’s part of the Broads National Park, we’ve got plenty of wonderful green spaces, full of wildlife, that feel cut off from city life (even though their location might tell your otherwise!). 

One of these is Sweet Briar Marshes. Norfolk Wildlife Trust is holding a Winter Stargazing event this January, encouraging us get acquainted with our county’s magnificent night skies. In this introduction, see if you can find the North Star and keep your eyes peeled for Jupiter, double stars and star clusters. You’ll even use constellations to navigate the night sky.

Independent Venue Week at Norwich Arts Centre
26 January – 1 February, 8pm, from £12 

Each year, Independent Venue Week celebrates the UK’s independent music and arts venues (and the people that run them) across 7 days of exciting events and shows. Norwich is lucky to be home to many indie venues, including Norwich Arts Centre. 

Across four nights, Norwich Arts Centre is holding a series of music gigs. On Tuesday 27 January, critically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist A.A. Williams takes to the stage with her unique blend of folk-rooted heavy music. 6161 and Jesse Barrett Trio follow on Wednesday 28 January with jazz-infused drums, improvisation and electronic sounds, before energetic indie rock band The Orielles on Thursday 29 January. Gen Z punk duo The Pill close out Independent Venue Week on Friday 30 January with their riotous debut EP.

And for even more grassroots music from the UK, Wild Paths have curated an exciting line up at Voodoo Daddys across Independent Venue Week (26 January – 1 February). You can expect the likes of new-wave jazz band Ebi Soda (26 January, 7pm – 10.30pm, £13) alongside experimental folk artist Jim Ghedi (28 January, 7pm – 10.30pm, £12) and more!

Winter Wellbeing 

January is the perfect month to take a little time for yourself. And wellness encompasses everything from being active in the fresh air to arts and culture. So, we suggest a little bit of everything here in the City of Stories. 

Start off with a reinvigorating winter walk. Take a breath in. Feel your cheeks blush pink with the shock of cold air and dazzling winter sun as you stroll along our riverside walk, through our green spaces and into the Broads National Park. And when you’re staying closer to home, why not take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch (23 – 25 January, FREE, sign up via their website)? All you have to do is count the birds you see in your garden, local green space, balcony or allotment for 1 hour and submit your results. 

Then admire an array of original art across the city. Whether it’s the compelling prints of Paula Rego and ethereal watercolours inspired by East Anglia’s varied landscapes at Norwich Castle or photography, sculpture and sketches asking, ‘How Can We Stop Killing Each Other?’ in ‘Seeds of Hate and Hope’ at the Sainsbury Centre.

Norfolk 

Murder Mystery Night at The Norfolk Mead
Friday 30 January, 6.30pm – 11pm, £75 

Add a little intrigue to your new year with The Norfolk Mead’s Murder Mystery Night.  

This immersive evening is one that will get you thinking. Channel your inner detective and uncover the culprit before the night is over. Watch out as twists, turns and surprises await you. Everyone is a suspect!  

And during the night, you can tuck into a delicious three-course meal (with fizz and canapes on arrival), including wild mushroom and parmesan tartlet, smoked ham hock terrine and sticky toffee pudding. (Don’t forget to dress up for the occasion!) 

The most important question, though, is ‘Whodunnit?’