Norwich Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK)

Many people have come to regard the city of Norwich as the actual arts capital for East Anglia, and this status is reflected in its array of vibrant entertainment, annual festivals and things to do. Events in the city include seasonal beer festivals, concerts and exhibitions at the Forum, theatrical performances at the Theatre Royal, and various sporting events, such as Norwich City FC football matches at the stadium on Carrow Road.

Many further festivals are staged at the University of East Anglia campus, at St. Andrew's Hall, at Norwich Cathedral and also at the city's Norfolk Showground, which is to be found on Dereham Road, close to the Bawburgh Golf Club and on the north-westerly outskirts. One of the biggest yearly events in the region is the Norfolk and Norwich Festival each May, which was established as long ago as 1772 and lasts 16 days, attracting more than 70,000 people and comprises over 100 different events.

Norwich Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015: General Information

• Norwich Dragon Festival - late January to early February, staged at venues across the city
• Valentine's Day Dinner - February 14th, at Blickling Hall
• Spring International Literary Festival - March to June, held at the University of East Anglia
• Spring Craft Fair - late March, at Blickling Hall
• Easter Funfair - late March / early April, at Chapelfield Gardens
• French Market - mid-April, based along the Gentleman's Walk
• Choir Recitals - mid-April, at Norwich Cathedral
• Norfolk and Norwich Festival - early May, with a host of performing arts and open-air concerts
• Late Shift, Museums at Night Special - mid-May, a themed event at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
• Norfolk Open Studios - mid-May to early June, with more than 200 local artists around Norfolk opening their private art studios to the general public
• Art Alive - late May, held at 24 different churches across Norfolk
• Pleasure Gardens - late May, theatrical event at Rainthorpe Hall
• Norwich 100 / 50 - Cycle Ride - mid-June, an annual bike ride starting in Norwich city centre and taking in the Norfolk Broads
• Mid Summer Picnic - mid-June, at the Whitlingham Country Park
• Wymondham Music Festival - late June to early July, in the market town of Wymondham
• Norwich Philharmonic Society Concerts - late June, at St. Andrew's Hall
• Royal Norfolk Show - early July, at the Norfolk Showground
• Lord Mayor Celebrations - mid-July, based in Norwich city centre
• Contemporary Art Norwich (CAN) - mid-July to late August, biennial visual arts event
• Abraham Lincoln Festival - mid-July, at the town of Hingham
• Caistor Roman Day - late July, at Caistor St. Edmund
• Worstead Festival - late July, in the village of Worstead
• Norfolk Open Churches Week - early August, at churches throughout Norfolk
• Aylsham Agricultural Show - late August, at Blickling Hall
• Garden Opera - early September, at Ditchingham Hall
• Heritage Open Days - mid-September, local heritage attractions open their doors to the public
• Autumn International Literary Festival - October to December, at the University of East Anglia
• EDP Bidwells Norwich and Norfolk Food Festival - early October, at restaurants and other venues throughout Norfolk
• Norfolk Black History Month - throughout October, with live entertainment and music
• Aylsham Food Festival - early October, at the market town of Aylsham
• Speciality Craft Market - mid-October, based along the Gentleman's Walk
• Norwich Beer Festival - late October, at St. Andrew's Hall and Blackfriars Hall
• Halloween Trail - late October, at the Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden in South Walsham
• Aurora Festival - throughout November, with live music, film screenings and exhibitions at venues in central Norwich
• Sparks in the Park - early November, fireworks display at Earlham Park
• Christmas Lights - late November, in the city centre
• Norwich Christmas - early to mid-December, seasonal fayre with market stalls, hot food and lots of entertainment
• Ice Sculpture Trail - mid-December, in the city centre