by Katie Thompson
Not only does June mark the beginning of summer (hooray!), but here in Norwich (and Norfolk) June is a time to go out and experience the best of what’s on offer in our city.
From the end of half term to Father’s Day and beyond. Whether you’re tasting local tipples at Norwich Wine Week, making the annual pilgrimage to the Norfolk Show or experiencing our attractions after dark, there’s something for families, friends and everyone in between.
Read on to find out what’s on in Norwich this June!
Image Credit: Gonzos- their roof terrace is a great place for drinks in summer!
Taste the best local and international tipples at Norwich Wine Week
Celebrate all-things wine with the return of Norwich Wine Week (19 – 29 June). Showcasing the best from across East Anglia (as well as internationally), this 10-day Showcase will entice you to an array of exciting events hosted by local bars, pubs and restaurants. Plus, they’ll be in partnership with some of the region’s best winemakers and experts!
Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or curious newcomer, this is a week of celebration where you might even find a new favourite tipple! Think wine tastings, pairings, limited-edition recipes and offers fit for all tastes, from an evening with friends to date night. Cin cin!
Grad Fest is packed with creativity- from textiles to photography to animation
Norwich is a city that’s proud of its creativity. And one of the best chances to celebrate future creatives’ work is at Norwich University of the Arts’ Grad Fest (13 – 26 June). Across this 12-day showcase, you can explore end-of-degree shows from every one of the university’s undergraduate courses (the postgraduate show will be held in September). On 14 and 16 June, you can also visit the Student Marketplace for one-of-a-kind pieces.
From budding filmmakers, actors and architects to fashion designers, photographers, illustrators and sculptors, you’ll truly experience the breadth of our city’s creative landscape and feel excited (and maybe inspired) by the next generation of artists.
Immerse yourself into our relationship with the sea at the Sainsbury Centre’s museum late
The Sainsbury Centre is known for its innovative approach to art, curation and exhibitions. At their museum late ‘Hydromancy’ (Thursday 12 June, 6pm – 8pm, FREE, book essential), you can explore yourself in our relationship to the sea through an evening of contemporary performance, music and film.
With contributing artists including Harun Morrison, Sian Fan and Giulia Damiani, you’ll immerse yourself in the heritage and folklore that surrounds water with alternative mediums such as poetry, meditation and interactive video.
And if you want to understand a little more about how we connect with the sea, the Sainsbury Centre’s third exhibition of Can the Seas Survive Us? ‘Sea Inside’ is open from 7 June – 26 October (pay what you can).
Will you find all 50 sculptures?
For ten weeks this summer, Break’s GoGo trail is back (23 June – 30 August 2025, FREE to take part)! And this time it’s the Big 5 you can spot throughout the city. Think a safari of gorillas, giraffes, lions, rhinos and elephants! With almost 50 to discover designed by talented artists, not to mention over 60 mini Gs hiding out in shopfronts and venues across the city (designed by local schools and community groups), you’ll be supporting young people living in and moving on from care.
This is an adventure for all ages. Follow the trail with the interactive GoGoSafari app or pick up a map at Safari HQ in The Forum! Throughout the 10 weeks, Safari HQ will also play host to pop-up events, activities and exclusive merchandise.
The Royal Norfolk Show is one of the biggest agricultural shows in the country!
One of the biggest events in the county calendar, not to mention the largest two-day agricultural show in the country, is The Royal Norfolk Show (25 & 26 June, from 7am, adults from £32.50, children from £16). With 700 stands, over 3000 animals and live entertainment at the Norfolk Showground each day, this is a wonderful chance to discover Norfolk names you might not already know.
Including Norfolk’s biggest food and drink showcase (we’ve got our eyes set on the Norfolk Wine and Cheese Experience), local musicians and more, you’ll need both days to make the most of it!
Why not combine a visit to Pensthorpe’s Summer Fayre with their nature reserve?
A true marker of British Summertime has got to be the return of village fetes and summer fayres. This year, why not combine this tradition with a visit to one of Norfolk’s sprawling nature reserves?
Pensthorpe’s Summer Fayre (Saturday 21 June, 10am – 4pm, £2pp, FREE under 16s, add reduced entry to the reserve £14.95pp) is a celebration of artisanal suppliers- whether that’s delicious food and drink or creatives and artists. As you wander past stalls selling the likes of handcrafted jewellery or local wine, tuck into tasty street food and listen to live music before treating yourself to a unique gift.
Dinos at Night is a totally different way to experience ROARR!
Norfolk certainly isn’t short of amazing family attractions. So, if you think you’ve done them all, think again!
This month, Banham Zoo’s Zoo Do is back for another wild late-night opening (Saturday 14 June, 5pm – 9pm, £15pp)! While you’ll get to see your favourite animals settling in for the night, it’s also a chance to experience the nocturnal hunting habits of prowling tigers, maned wolves and more. And with an array of food vendors, evening entertainment, fairground rides and keeper talks to enjoy alongside, you’ll (quite literally) see Banham Zoo in a whole new light!
If one after-hours adventure isn’t quite enough, then why not experience ROARR!’s Dinos at Night? This award-winning event (Saturday 28 June, 6pm – 10pm, £9.95pp) is perfect for the whole family. You’ll get to enjoy all of the park’s fantastic attractions, as well as live music (great for the adults), local street food and more.
