What's On in July
What’s On in July
by Katie Thompson
We can all agree that summer has officially started. And luckily, July in Norwich is jam-packed with exciting events!
The real question is where to start? Think festivals like Pride, Lord Mayor’s Weekend, Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre and Norwich History Festival! Plus, there’s captivating outdoor entertainment and an all-new family trail.
Meanwhile, in Norfolk, there’s something for everyone. From maize mazes, knitted creations and the chance to unwind surrounded by beautiful scenery. And on top of that, this month marks the start of the school summer holidays and Norfolk Day (27 July). (You can mark the occasion with Castle Quarter’s Made in Norfolk Market and Bure Valley Railway’s Norfolk Day offer!) Phew!
Read on for what’s on in July.
Norwich
Summer Organ Festival at Norwich Cathedral
8 – 12 July, various times, FREE and ticketed
Celebrating Norwich Cathedral’s magnificent organ, the Summer Organ Festival has something for everyone
Did you know that Norwich Cathedral is home to one of the largest pipe organs in the country? (That’s 5,767 pipes ranging from 32 feet to 1 inch long!)
To celebrate this magnificent instrument, Norwich Cathedral is holding a special Summer Organ Festival with a 5-day programme of events. From A Night at the Movies (8 July, 8pm, £15, children FREE) and special BBC Radio 3 broadcast (9 July, 7pm, from £15) to a concert by Notre-Dame’s titular organist (10 July, 8pm, £15, children FREE) and a Battle of the Organs (11 July, 11am, FREE), this is a musical extravaganza that will set your spine tingling.
Lord Mayor’s Weekend
10 – 12 July, citywide
The Lord Mayor’s Celebration Weekend is always popular
As one of the most anticipated events in the Norwich calendar, the Lord Mayor’s Weekend is a riot of music, entertainment and family fun!
Kicking off the weekend is Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at The Halls (10 July, 5.30pm – 7pm, 0 – 8 years, adults £11, children £9), packed with themed crafts, confetti, bubbles and more! Then, the city comes alive with the celebration’s centrepiece- the Lord Mayor’s Procession (11 July), a colourful carnival (the second oldest in the UK) which parades past iconic city sights. Not to mention a Local Makers Market at The Forum (1oam – 4pm) and family activities in Chapelfield Gardens, as well as live music on Hay Hill (also on Sunday). Wow!
Then it’s all about The Great Norwich Duck Race and the Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre (12 July, 11am – 5pm), a unique one-day event that showcases our city’s incredible indies with live music, pop-up markets, street food and street acts!
Norwich History Festival
14 – 24 July, various times, FREE and ticketed
The theme of this year’s Norwich History Festival is ‘Why History Matters’
With over 1000 years of stories to tell, Norwich History Festival is a rich showcase of the people, places and events that have shaped our city.
This year’s theme is ‘Why History Matters’, explored through a programme of over 30 talks, 30 walks and a variety of events across Norwich- think film screenings, musical performances and even debates.
Our top picks include Norwich: City of Mavericks and Pioneering Women (14 July, Old Meeting House 1pm, £5), shining a light on VisitNorwich’s 20th anniversary series ‘Twenty Stories. One City’, Why Silent Cinema Should Be Remembered (17 July, Octagon Chapel, 8pm, £8), with composer and broadcaster Neil Brand, and A Bus Tour of WW2 American Air Bases with the American Library (21 & 22 July, 10am, £10).
Outdoor Theatre at Plantation Garden
Select dates from 18 – 24 July, various times, from £8
In the summer, Plantation Garden holds a whole host of events- including live theatre!
Every summer, Plantation Garden holds a brilliant programme of outdoor events– live music, cinema (make a note in your diary for August), afternoon tea and theatre!
For families, get lost in the magical puppet fairytales of Hansel & Gretel and Red Riding Hood with a double bill from Strange Fascination Theatre (18 July, 4.30pm, adults £8, children £10). Told in verse and comedy, acted out with handmade puppets and delightfully funny characters, you’ll leave with a smile on your faces.
And for literary lovers, Moving Parts Theatre brings to life Jane Austen’s classic Gothic tale Northanger Abbey (23 & 24 July, 6pm, adults £25, children £20). This new adaptation perfectly blends Gothic thriller with Regency romance.
Norwich City of Stories Summer Trail
18 – 31 July, citywide, FREE
Uncover Norwich’s literary legacy to find the clues and crack the code on the City of Stories trail
This summer, you can take part in a family-friendly treasure hunt across Norwich!
Celebrating the National Year of Reading and Norwich’s rich literary legacy, look out for storybooks in shop windows and crack the code to be in with a chance of winning exclusive prizes, as well as special book-themed activities in venues citywide throughout the summer holidays.
Along the way, uncover tales from Norwich’s incredible past, stopping at local landmarks, welcoming shops or for a tempting treat at our many independent eateries.
On the Huh! 900 Years of Norwich Market
21 – 26 July, 7.30pm – 9.30pm, FREE
Immerse yourself in the story of Norwich Market with On the Huh!
Created by community theatre The Common Lot, On the Huh! is an immersive ‘docu-panto’ investigating and showcasing the 900-year history of Norwich Market.
Across a week of summer evening performances, immerse yourself in tales of people from all walks of life- where buying, selling, debating and sharing go hand in hand. This joyful and inclusive event boasts a large cast of participants, so you can really discover the stories behind this constantly evolving centrepiece to our fine city.
Oyster & Champagne Festival at Melville & Sons
24 – 27 July, from 12pm
Enjoy summer in style at Melville & Sons’ Oyster & Champagne Festival
Embrace sultry summer evenings and sunshine-filled weekends with Melville & Sons’ Oyster & Champagne Festival.
Starting on Thursday 24 July, you can enjoy a champagne tasting alongside different oysters, followed by a set dinner by Roger Hickman paired with a selection of Telmont champagnes.
The festival continues across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with oysters shucked alfresco all day on Melville’s terrace. So, while you’re here, why not pair them with a mouthwatering selection of small plates to enjoy alongside?
Norwich Pride
Saturday 25 July, citywide
Delve into the life and struggles of Alan Turing with the Maddermarket’s play Breaking the Code
Norwich is known for its welcoming community. So, it’s no wonder that Norwich Pride 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 the LGBTQIA+ community.
Elsewhere, there’s the Passing Pride art exhibition at The Assembly House (21 – 25 July) and Breaking the Code at the Maddermarket Theatre (21 – 26 July, 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £16), a biographical drama of mathematician Alan Turing- exploring both his work cracking the Enigma Code and his personal life in a society that criminalised homosexuality. Jez Pike, who plays Alan Turing, hopes that “[the audience will] connect to him because the many shades of his character feel relevant to them, and to our world today.”, underlining the importance of Pride this month and beyond.
Norfolk
Margaret Seaman at Wroxham Miniature Worlds
1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 July, 11.30am – 1.30pm, included in admission (adults £13.95, children £10.95, from 25 June – 1 September Great British Summer Savings adults £12.95, family ticket £10.85)
Marvel at this wonderful knitted Sandringham Estate and meet the maker behind the masterpiece!
You can meet ‘Norfolk’s Queen of Knitting’, Margaret Seaman (now 97!), at Wroxham Miniature Worlds every Wednesday in July and discover the woman behind the UK’s largest indoor modelling attractions’ amazing, knitted installations!
From her woolly version of Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile to knitted Sandringham Estate (that made national news headlines) and Buckingham Palace (not to mention an Enchanted Garden, Koi Carp Pond and NHS Knittingale), you’ll be amazed by her attention to detail! Fundraising for Addenbrooke’s Children’s Hospital, you can take home your own mini knitted cottage, beach hut or flower arrangement at this exciting meet and greet.
Natural Recharge at Fritton Lake
Friday 3 July, 2pm – 5pm, from £30
Join Fritton Lake and Norfolk Natural Living for a relaxing retreat celebrating Norfolk’s nature
Fritton Lake has paired up with Norfolk Natural Living to create a unique and calming wellness experience at the heart of our county’s breathtaking scenery. Be immersed in the Norfolk-based, British perfumery’s beautiful products, whilst slowing down and reconnecting with the local nature that inspires each one.
Expect a curated programme of wild swimming, sauna therapy and sensory experiences, including a discovery session and hand treatment! (And if you want to make a day or night of it, you can even upgrade with a seasonal lunch or bed and breakfast in Fritton’s Clubhouse!)
Maize Maze at Goat Shed
17 July – 6 September, 10am – 4.30pm, adults £8, children £9
This July, the Goat Shed’s Maize Maze returns with an exhilarating racing theme!
Just in time for the summer holidays, the Goat Shed’s Maize Maze is back- and with a brand-new experience!
Dubbed the G1: Summer of Speed, this summer’s maze combines high-speed challenge with full-throttle farmyard fun. Expect big maize trails, racing-themed team boards, code-cracking missions and the return of G.O.A.T Karts, with their very own dedicated G1 Circuit.
Whether you’re a big kid or little ‘un, the Goat Shed’s maize maze is packed with exciting puzzles and thrilling experiences. For every explorer, racer and maze lover, it’s time to get your engines ready!
