by Katie Thompson
Here at VisitNorwich, we all agree that summer has officially started. And thanks to this glorious weather, we’re anticipating July even more than usual!
For starters, Norwich’s festival calendar is buzzing- there’s Pride, the Lord Mayor’s Celebration Weekend (which includes the much-loved Lanes Summer Fayre), the return of Norwich Summer Sessions and more! (It’s also your last chance to see two of the Sainsbury Centre’s Can the Seas Survive Us? exhibitions, closing 3 August.)
In Norfolk, attractions across the county are holding fun-filled events for all the family. And on top of that, this month marks the start of the school summer holidays and Norfolk Day (27 July). Phew!
Read on for our round-up of the best things to do this July!
Outdoor Dining | Top Things When the Sun’s Out | Best Green Spaces
Norwich Summer Sessions is a great time to experience amazing street entertainment!
What could be better than an exciting programme of FREE street entertainment to bring some cheer to your week? Thanks to Norwich Summer Sessions, we’ll be treated to some brilliant performances across the city in July (17, 24 & 31, 4pm – 8pm) and August (10, 17, 24, 31, 12.30pm – 4.30pm).
There are 3 stages on Thursdays and 4 on Sundays lined up with first class acts (Brigg Street, St Gregory’s Green, Gentleman’s Walk and Westlegate (Sundays only)), including music from jazz bands, indie tunes, street theatre and Latin dance. What’s more, it’s the perfect excuse to explore Norwich’s shops, eateries and attractions before, after or in-between!
And on Friday 11 July, you can enjoy a special bonus event to mark the beginning of the Lord Mayor’s Celebration Weekend where music from local favourites will take place on Hay Hill from 5pm – 8pm!
The Lord Mayor’s parade is one of Norwich’s most popular annual events
Speaking of the Lord Mayor’s Weekend (Friday 11 – Sunday 13 July), Norwich is celebrating with FREE music, entertainment and family fun!
After kicking off the weekend with Summer Sessions (Friday 11 July), the city will come alive with more buzzing entertainment on Saturday 12 July. In Chapelfield Gardens and Hay Hill, you’ll find loads of hands-on family activities like crafts, face painting and inflatable challenges, as well as a jam-packed schedule of live music.
Next comes the celebration’s centrepiece- the Lord Mayor’s Procession, a colourful carnival (the second oldest in the UK) which parades past iconic city sights like Norwich Cathedral, Norwich Castle and Norwich Market.
And if you don’t want the party to stop there, there’s an official afterparty at The Waterfront- a DJ Set from Blur’s Dave Rowntree no less (£13.20, 9pm – 1am, 18+)!
Then on Sunday 13 July, it’s the long-awaited return of Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre!
Norwich locals love the Lanes Summer Fayre!
After missing 2024, anticipation is high for Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre. Taking place on Sunday 13 July (11am – 5pm, FREE), this unique one-day event is loved by locals- and we can see why!
There’s nowhere better to showcase our city’s incredible indies than the Lanes, and with live music, pop-up markets, street food and street acts, you’ll easily spend the whole day here. And that’s before you’ve explored some of Norwich’s most beautiful historic buildings- many usually closed to the public. End your day dancing away to a DJ set under the sun!
Norwich Pride is a wonderful way to celebrate our inclusive community
Norwich is a City of Sanctuary known for its welcoming community. So, it’s no wonder that Norwich Pride (26 July, FREE) is one of the biggest events in the city’s cultural calendar. Celebrating everyone who identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, this inclusive event is full of positivity and joy.
On the day you can expect activities, performances, drag brunches and the all-important Pride March with its infectious atmosphere and spectrum of colour. Not to mention a Makers Market with over 120 different stalls, all supporting charities, organisations, and creatives who are part of or support the LGBTQIA+ community.
Norwich History Festival’s inaugural theme is ‘Rebels and Radicals’
If we weren’t already lucky enough to be home to a number of exciting festivals, now there’s another one to take note of!
Thanks to the brand-new Norwich History Festival (17 – 25 July, ticketed), you can unravel the rich tapestry of our city’s history with an enticing series of walks, talks and events that showcase the city’s remarkable past.
We’re a city of mavericks, so it’s no surprise their inaugural theme is ‘Rebels and Radicals’. With talks delivered by experts alongside an intriguing mix of tours, theatre, cinema and more, you can discover all the details about the likes of Robert Kett, Thomas Browne and Harriet Martineau.
Celebrate Norwich’s thriving poetry scene at the European Poetry Festival
On Thursday 3 July, the National Centre for Writing will play host to the European Poetry Festival (£6 – £10, pay what you wish, 6.30pm -8.30pm). This festival celebrates poetry, performances and collaboration by pairing some of Norwich’s finest poets with visiting writers from across Europe where they’ll present brand-new works crafted especially for this one evening!
Spanning different literatures, genres and even languages, this festival is certain to be energetic, playful and a coup for the city’s thriving poetry scene.
Pensthorpe’s popular poo trail is back for the summer holidays
Pensthorpe’s ever-popular Poo Trail returns for the summer holidays this month (23 July – 2 September). And this time it’s bigger, better and smellier!
For any curious youngsters, Pensthorpe’s Poo Trail is a whole lot of fun and you’re sure to learn loads along the way. Included in general admission (adults and children £17.95 during summer holidays), there will be intriguing facts and insights as well as a series of special activities- including river dipping, owl pellet dissection and bug hunting!
Did you know Thursford is home to the world’s largest collection of steam engines and organs?
Whilst you may know Thursford for its incredible Christmas Spectacular, did you know it’s also home to the world’s largest collection of steam engines and organs (which you can visit Sunday – Wednesday until 3 September)?
Thursford’s Steam Museum Gala Day (Sunday 6 July, 11am – 5pm, £15), in honour of founder G.T. Cushing, will transform the grounds into a showcase of mechanical organs, classic vehicles, vintage steam engines and more! Back with their biggest line-up of exhibitors, you can expect 3 live Wurlitzer shows with Robert Wolfe (who marks 45 years at Thursford in 2025), a vintage fairground, food vendors and a brand-new aerobatics display.
Cromer Pier’s Summer Show is an amazing spectacle
This July, see sensational variety performances at Cromer Pier’s Summer Show (28 June – 20 September, from £25, 2.30pm & 7.30pm)– part of the world’s only full-season end of the pier show! Think classic seaside wit, combined with speciality acts and a palpable passion for independent performance.
With cheeky British humour, powerful vocals, jaw-dropping illusion and a production that rivals the West End, Cromer Pier’s Summer Show is one you won’t want to miss!
Make it a summer to remember with Great Yarmouth’s summer firework displays!
Great Yarmouth’s annual summer fireworks are known as Big Wednesdays for a reason.
This is a truly wonderful event, whether you’re here on holiday or a Norfolk native- just imagine each burst of colour reflected in the sea below! Every Wednesday from 23 July – 27 August, this FREE family event stages an evening packed with entertainment and excitement from 6pm – 9pm, with the celebratory fireworks taking place at 10pm each week.
And if you’ve still got some space in your calendar, don’t forget to get involved with and visit everything else our city has to offer this summer! For families, there’s the GoGoSafari trail, for art lovers, the Sainsbury Centre’s Can the Seas Survive Us? latest exhibition, Sea Inside. And if you want a peaceful day on the river, hop in a canoe with Pub & Paddle or mosey into the Norfolk Broads with Bishy Barney Boats.
