15 Traditionally Different Things to do in Norwich at Christmas

23 October 2024

15 Traditionally Different Things to do in Norwich at Christmas

by Katie Thompson

At Christmastime, Norwich is a magical city filled with welcoming cheer. It’s full of independent spirit where glowing shopfronts transform our award-winning Lanes into a cobbled winter wonderland and old meets now in the hustle and bustle of our iconic Norwich Market.

Here, we’re traditionally different yet full of festive flair.

So, if you’re visiting our fine city this festive season, you’ve made a great choice- expect the experience you know, with the twist that you don’t.


A Christmas dinner from a fish bar!

One thing is for certain – good, seasonal food is one of the best parts about Christmastime, right? Whether you love a hearty Christmas dinner topped with all the trimmings, or you’re tempted by an array of deliciously sweet treats, this city has it all.

And this year, you can mix the quintessential ‘chippy tea’ with the best parts of that festive roast with Grosvenor Fish Bar (open Monday – Saturday). For just £11, tuck into turkey sausage with chips, gravy, battered stuffing balls, and cranberry sauce! Our mouths are watering already.

Visit the Grosvenor Fish Bar for a tasty twist on Christmas dinner! Photo credit ©Simon Finlay Photography.

Gluhwein and empanadas from Norwich Market

What’s a visit to the City of Stories without a trip to Norwich Market? Here, 900 years of history meets in a marvellous melting pot of fantastic flavours and hidden gems. Add in a little merrymaking during the festive season and you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.

To add a little Christmas spice to your lunch or dinner, we’d highly recommend a festively warming glühwein from Sir Toby’s Beers and an empanada from Cocina Mia. Glühwein is a German mulled wine, and Sir Toby’s is delicious – one of the best in the city! And empanadas from Cocina Mia are popular for a reason, these tasty little Chilean pastries are the perfect meal while you browse the rest of the Market.

A visit to the Norwich Market paired with a mulled wine and empanada is an ideal Christmas treat!

A walking tour- with cocktails!

We can’t wait to join Cheryl Cade’s NEW Winter Spirits tour, commencing from 8 November (£45.58). There’s no better way to discover a medieval city like Norwich than with an expert tour guide, especially when there’s food and drink involved! And that’s exactly what you can expect from Beer Sommelier & Educator Cheryl on her fantastic tours of Norwich.

This is the perfect winter warmer- it’s a chance to enjoy some great local produce at different destinations across the city. Think seasonal cocktails, gin, rum and even a flaming spirit!

As an experienced and friendly tour guide, Cheryl has a great range of tours available which are traditionally different – tours with food and drink, stops at bars and pubs and all with a bit of Norwich history thrown in for good measure. We’d say this is a good way to spend your Christmas visit!

Cheryl Cade Tours: a group sit at an outdoor table with drinks in hand

Cheryl Cade Tours are the perfect way to see the city.

Santa’s Grotto, but for dogs

For anyone with a furry friend, The Forum has Christmas covered with a day dedicated to every dog-lover. On this one-day-only event (Sunday 15 December, 11am – 3pm, free but donations welcome), you can bring your beloved pooch to join the festivities at Santa’s Grotto for Dogs!

Come and meet Santa Woof Woof himself before posing for a family ‘pawtrait’! All this supports and raises money for the local RSPCA charity- it’s the season of goodwill, after all. Live music is included, and Christmas costumes for your dog (and yourself!) are encouraged! It’s the paw-fect way for the whole family to celebrate.

Everyone can get involved in the fun this Christmas – including your dog!

Fondue in an igloo, with a Georgian ballroom for a view

You’ll find it hard not to get into the Christmas spirit with a visit to The Assembly House. Swap snowy mountain views for Georgian architecture this year as their famous pop-up igloos are back for another uniquely magical dining experience. Please take a seat for dinner in your own snow globe and get together with the people you love to tuck into an indulgent after dark apres-ski fondue menu.

Start your evening with a glass of fizz, olives, mixed spiced nuts and truffle crisps, before settling down with a three cheese Swiss fondue, accompanied by focaccia, charcuterie meats and so much more! As always, The Assembly House’s winter wonderland dessert board of sweet treats is undeniably delicious.

Each igloo caters between 8 and 10 guests, is heated and comes with your very own personal service staff! And you’ll be feeling even more Christmassy thanks to twinkling fairy lights, glowing trees and classic Christmas tunes (plug in your own playlist and let the festivities begin!). Book for your own taste of Alpine flavour by calling 01603 626402 between 9am – 5pm. Igloos are available from 14 November 2024 to 2 January 2025.

The Assembly House’s popular igloos are a great way to get your loved ones together and celebrate.

A panto with a cast of puppets

No Christmas is complete without a festive performance! For a real treat this year, take a trip to Norwich Puppet Theatre to see a magical puppet pantomime of Sleeping Beauty. With this cast of merry marionettes, you can expect hilarious jokes and witty humour, which is perfect for adults and children alike!

This year’s performance features cleverly crafted puppets in beautiful costumes and captivating sets. And for a fresh re-telling of this classic fairytale, what would the panto be without a catchy song or two?

Sleeping Beauty is on from 14 December – 31 December. Tickets cost £14 for adults and £12 for children– book your visit to the Norwich Puppet Theatre here!

Norwich Puppet Theatre

Sleeping Beauty’s merry marionettes are sure to keep you entertained!

A Christmas carousel beneath church bells

A Christmas delight is making its return to The Forum this year! A real vintage affectation, you and the family will absolutely fall in love with this magical Victorian carousel (20 December 2024 – 1 January 2025) over the Christmas holidays.

For just £3 per person, you can hop on and enjoy the ride. And its position is perfect, located beneath the tower of Norwich’s largest medieval church and next to the glittering, shimmering lights of The Forum! A perfect example of old meets new.

Take a look if you share a name with any of the horses, or simply pick one that stands out and get going! One thing is for sure, you’ll be back for more than one ride because this is SO joyful.

The Christmas Carousel at The Forum is seriously good fun!

A Clutter Christmas Market filled with treasures

Here in Norwich, we like to do Christmas markets a little differently. So, look no further than the Clutter City Winter Market at Norwich Arts Centre, which features over 25 carefully selected stalls featuring the best local makers, artists, illustrators, and designers. You’ll find jewellery, prints, ceramics, clothing, and homeware! Which makes it the place to be for those one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.

The Clutter City Winter Market is open on Saturday 7 December from 11am – 4pm with FREE entry! And if you’re a foodie, fashionista or nature lover looking for even more Christmas markets, we’ve got plenty on throughout Norwich & Norfolk.

The Clutter City Winter Market has plenty of great gifts on offer!

A Christmas supper club with a parade of puddings

After a delicious Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, there’s always room for dessert! What better way to limber up for the big day than with The Assembly House’s Christmas edition of their Pudding Parade Supper Club?

Start with a small cup of delicious parsnip soup, followed by roast Norfolk turkey. Then it’s time for the main event. And you can eat as much pudding as you like. The only rule? Your bowl must be clean before you return for more!

And when it comes to this menu, you’re going to want to try them all! Christmas pudding and brandy custard, spiced winter crumble, jam sponge, steamed syrup sponge, bread and butter pudding, black forest meringues, trifle… This menu is full of all your favourite British classics (and ends with mince pies and coffee, if you still have room!).

Book now for 4th, 11th and 12th December at £36 per person via The Assembly House’s website.

You’ll want to keep room to try every pudding on offer at The Assembly House!

Festive carols outdoors in a cloister

If you’re looking for an enchanting Christmas service this year, then Norwich Cathedral’s doors are open to anyone and everyone. As you’d expect, there is a huge range of events on at the Cathedral for this festive time of year, including their incredibly popular and FREE to enter ‘Carols in the Cloister’ (14 December, 4pm).

Enjoy a carol singalong with the girl choristers in the stunning surrounds of the Cathedral’s beautiful cloister (which happens to be the largest in the country), featuring all your traditional favourites. Embrace warm, colourful, and festive attire always for this magical afternoon!

The Norwich Cathedral is the perfect place to go to keep busy this Christmas, like the Messiah by Candlelight (pictured).

Award-winning whisky. Made in Norfolk.

So, you may think, English Whisky? This traditionally different distillery was England’s first for over 100 years when it opened 18 years ago. And it hasn’t stopped winning awards since, including this year’s World’s Best Single Malt Whisky for their English Sherry Cask at the World Drinks Awards. It was a story that was reported around the world!

Only a 30-minute drive southwest from the city centre, rekindle some traditional Christmas spirit with their annual festive shopping event (28 November, 5pm – 8pm)! Here, you’ll discover a variety of artisanal crafts in The Grain Store as well as carol singers on the lawn while you enjoy a complimentary glass of warming mulled wine.

Or book tours which run regularly, or even join a cocktail masterclass. Finally, visit their incredible shop which also sells whisky from around the world and is perfect for serious whisky connoisseurs or generous stocking fillers.

English Whisky Company

English Whisky is award-winning and the perfect Made in Norfolk stocking filler!

Shop decadent slippers handmade in Norwich. With a piano. 

Did you know Norwich is home to the only store in the UK where they ‘make in the back and sell in the front’? You can understand why Bowhill & Elliott’s have just celebrated 150 years in the business!

From chic black slippers lined with jewel-toned satin to hand-embroidered statement styles, these beautifully handcrafted shoes are delightfully decadent and an extra special treat for men and women alike (especially if you opt for a monogrammed pair!). And when we say slippers, we mean ones that can be worn indoors and outdoors– choose a leather sole or a soft one. It’s no wonder their customers are worldwide- you might even have seen them in cinematic hits Saltburn and Darkest Hour.

This is a fabulous shopping experience– the sort of special trip you’d expect at Christmas (but can get all year round!). You’ll be offered a drink and feel valued and relaxed. They even have a piano which anyone is welcome to play- how Christmassy!

For an extra special present, personalise these wonderful Bowhill & Elliott slippers!

Bingo at a Bowling House

Christmas is the time of year when our board games get dusted off for their annual appearance. But instead of the usual family favourites, why not try Boho Xmas Bingo? This year, the Bowling House plays host to Bingo, Bango, Bongo (19 December, £16 per person)- where you’re sure to find that same friendly competition but with added funkiness. H

Think all the excitement of prize bingo, but with a fabulously fun soundtrack and a few surprises along the way! There’s even karaoke for those who are feeling brave enough. Plus, every ticket comes with a glass of fizz! Book via the Bowling House website.

Bowling House

Upgrade your Christmas games night with Boho Xmas Bingo at the Bowling House!

Classic Christmas tales reimagined for the stage

At Christmastime, we all return to the traditional tales that we know and love. And while many get a makeover for the panto, why not see them translated through dance?

Well, you’re in luck. This November, Norwich Theatre Royal will welcome two Christmas classics reimagined through ballet. First, Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana (1 November – 3 November) brings a little spice to The Land of Sweets by transporting us to Cuba. Then, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (19 November – 23 November) is beautifully retold by Northern Ballet and incorporates a familiar festive score. You’ll leave the theatre uplifted and full of Christmas spirit!

Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana brings a little spice to The Land of Sweets

A uniquely personal performance with no script

Christmas is a time for giving, sharing and spreading Christmas cheer, so why not hear people’s unpredictable, moving and true stories in True Stories Live: Rituals?

Performed at Norwich Arts Centre (22 December, from £6.50) and based loosely on a set theme, speakers come from all backgrounds. Some might be regular orators, while others may not have performed since primary school, they just have an anecdote to tell and they want you to hear it.

Everyone is welcome to join!

Hear people’s unpredictable, moving and true stories in True Stories Live: Rituals Photo credit ©True Stories Live

These are just a few traditionally different things to do in Norwich this Christmas. And there’s plenty more where that came from! Check out our Christmas in Norwich page and plan your visit to suit you- whether you’re a lover of Christmas markets, looking for a festive twist on traditional afternoon teas or sorting your Christmas shopping.