by Katie Thompson
The City of Stories is full of Christmas cheer come the festive season. There’s nothing quite like Norwich’s warm welcome and independent spirit, especially when our cobbled streets are decked out in sparkling lights. Here, we’re traditionally different, where the experience you know and love comes with a little Christmas twist. Keep reading for 5 festive things to do in Norwich this Christmas.
And if you’re visiting for the day or for a weekend, Norwich is easy to get to.
You can travel by train- the station is only a 15-minute walk from the city centre, by the way- with Greater Anglia from London, Essex, Cambridge and Suffolk. Or, if you’re from further afield, then trains are direct with East Midlands Railway, too.
If you’re driving, we suggest using one of our 5 Park and ride sites. This is a quick and easy option: parking is free and the bus costs £3 return (it’s only £1 extra with another full-paying passenger).
Enjoy a festive afternoon making a Christmas wreath for your front door!
If you’re a Christmas crafts-lover, then you’ll be spoilt for choice with the wreath making workshops on offer in Norwich and Norfolk this Christmas! These are a fun and festive few hours where you can embrace your creative side while you sip on a glass of fizz and nibble at a mince pie. And you can spend some quality time with friends, family or yourself while you do it.
Spread across select dates in November and December, there are workshops for every budget. How lovely to adorn your front door with a homemade wreath! Click here for more details.
And once you’ve caught the Christmas crafting bug, there are plenty of other wonderfully wintry workshops to try! Why not create your own Christmas cards or decorate your home with natural willow weaving?
Holkham Hall by Candlelight is a magical experience
Holkham Hall comes into its own at Christmas. This grand Palladian-style house sits along North Norfolk’s breathtaking coastline and is well worth the drive from Norwich. For a fantastically festive visit, you can tour Holkham Hall by Candlelight on various dates between 29 November and 30 December (tickets start from £32 for adults and £16 for children).
It really is a magical experience. Every one of its opulent state rooms are beautifully decorated with towering trees, glowing lights and stunning ornaments. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas card! And if you book a guided tour, it’s an even more intimate experience. Make sure to see the amazing Marble Hall. On previous years, the central staircase has been lined with ornate Christmas trees with golden baubles floating overhead. Visit Holkham’s website to book your place!
Discover our quirky Christmas traditions with The Shoebox Experiences
Norwich is known as the City of Stories for a reason. Whether you’re new to the city or a local, you’ll always learn something about Norwich with The Shoebox Experiences. And their Chronicles of Christmas Walking Tour is no different!
As you’re led through the city’s gorgeous, cobbled streets, discover our quirky Christmas celebrations, from Roman times to present day. We’ve always been traditionally different here. The Shoebox Experiences experts are full of fun festive facts, so many in fact, you’ll find it hard to remember them all! What’s more, this 90-minute tour is fully accessible, so everyone can admire the dazzling lights.
Enjoy the tour on various dates throughout November and December. Tickets cost £15 per adult, £8 per child, and under-4s go FREE.
There are few better places to celebrate Christmas than the atmospheric Norwich Cathedral
There are few better places to celebrate Christmas than the atmospheric Norwich Cathedral. You can enjoy their special services and festive concerts throughout December. And some of these events are FREE, so you can turn up and embrace the festive spirit whenever you’re visiting.
One of our favourites is Carols in the Cloister (Saturday 14 December, 4pm), where you can join a carol singalong with the girl choristers in a stunning surrounding. Colourful and festive clothing encouraged! Or try Christmas at the Movies by Candlelight (Friday 29 November, 7.30pm). This one’s full of heartwarming and cherished family favourites like Love Actually, White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life. You’re sure to leave feeling merry!
You can find a full list of fantastic events on the Cathedral’s website.
The Forum’s Victorian carousel is a timeless tradition for all the family!
Everyone enjoys a timeless tradition, especially at Christmastime. This year, we’re lucky to be welcoming back a magical Victorian carousel outside The Forum and Norwich’s largest medieval church, St Peter Mancroft (Friday 20 December – Wednesday 1 January).
When the sun has set, The Forum’s twinkling with gold lights and the carousel’s hundreds of bulbs illuminate the church, it’s easy to fall in love. This is a joyful way to end or start your evening and remember to keep an eye out for a horse that shares your name! Plus, it’s just £3 per person for a go on this fun and festive ride- not that you’ll be able to ride just once! We’re already queuing up.
Have we tempted you to visit yet? There’s a wonderful range of festive things to do this Christmas- you’ll probably want to return next year, too! So, if you want to find out more about things to do for families, Christmassy nights out and what’s on in December, then make sure to check out City of Stories blog!
