by Katie Thompson
In November, Norwich is a city of two halves but no matter what you’re looking for there’s loads to look forward to. We suggest reading right to the end because this month there’s quite the mix of things to do!
Kicking off, we have an exciting new Turner exhibition at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, plus Norfolk Restaurant Week and Norwich Film Festival. Then it’s full throttle into Christmas celebrations- after all, from 16 November there are only six weekends before the big day itself!
With Norwich’s Christmas lights turning on 14 November, you can expect to see wonderfully wintry windows and seasonal décor transforming the city as festive fever begins to build.
And if that’s not enough, don’t forget to check out our What’s On page and blogs on the best Christmas markets and festive afternoon teas for even more to keep you entertained.
Visit the amazing JMW Turner exhibition at Norwich Castle!
For any art-lover, this November is the perfect time to visit Norwich Castle’s latest major exhibition ‘JMW Turner and changing visions of landscape’.
This exhibition starts the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of JMW Turner’s birth, bringing together four of his paintings of the Bridges at Walton for the first time ever! As one of the most influential artists in the history of Western art, you can discover 16 of his expressive works right here in Norwich until 23 February 2025.
Alongside, view works by celebrated British landscape artists (including those who influenced Turner), such as Claude Lorrain and Canaletto, and 20th-century and contemporary figures including Paul Nash and Govinda Sah. While you’re there, see works by Ibrahim Mahama and Emma Stibbon, creatives who continue to explore our relationship with landscape today.
Celebrate Norwich’s history at this free medieval festival!
Look around Norwich and you might notice a medieval building or two, namely Norwich Castle and Norwich Cathedral. So why not celebrate the city’s history (Norwich was England’s second largest city, after all) with their Medieval Festival?
It’s all about experiencing it for yourselves! On Saturday 2 November, you can explore two living history camps to find out about the lives of the Norman and Saxon people who lived right here in Norwich. Watch weaponry displays, listen to medieval music and meet costumed characters before joining them in hands-on crafts, including coin striking, willow sprang weaving and crafting clay pinch pots to take home.
And there’s even the chance to try on armour, hone your arrow fletching skills and play traditional medieval games (a round of Hnefatafl, anyone?)!
This special event is FREE to enter and perfect for families to end their half-term break on a high (and any history-lovers looking for an exciting way to spend their Saturday!). A special trail with Snap the Dragon, the Castle mice and Flint the Fox will help you get from one camp to the other.
WinePress at the Maids Head Hotel is taking part in Norfolk Restaurant Week
What’s a visit to Norwich without some delicious food and drink? Norfolk Restaurant Week is the perfect time to make a dent in your ‘Restaurants to Try’ list.
Taking place between Monday 4 November and Friday 15 November (excluding weekends), Norfolk Restaurant Week showcases the wonderful food and produce of our county, all at an incredibly tempting price. With 2-course lunches and dinners from £18, what’s not to love?
This is your chance to try the likes of WinePress’ fine local ingredients at the Maids Head Hotel or experience zingy Asian flavours at Rosa’s Thai. And once you’ve tried what’s on offer here in Norwich, why not experience more of Norfolk’s cuisine, for example at The Victoria on Holkham Estate, where ingredients are sourced from the Estate itself!
Just mention Norfolk Restaurant Week when you book and you’re all set for a delicious culinary experience.
Thursford is full of fun for all the family- with and without children!
A trip to Norfolk at Christmastime isn’t complete without heading over to North Norfolk to the small village of Thursford. No matter what age you are. Thursford is an experience memories are made from- to remember forever.
There’s a reason why people travel from across the world to see The Thursford Christmas Spectacular. But note there are three incredible experiences to book and enjoy. Read on for the full rundown.
Christmas Spectacular
Friday 8 November – Monday 23 December, tickets from £43, shows 2pm & 7pm
Be wowed by Thursford’s award-winning Christmas Spectacular– an all-singing all-dancing extravaganza! And with a professional cast of 130, it’s the biggest show of its kind in Europe and includes music, humour and variety. This year’s speciality acts include diablo, circus performers and extreme mountain biking! The Christmas Spectacular is the perfect festive family day or night out, and you will never forget it.
Enchanted Journey of Light (outdoors)
Various dates between Friday 29 November – Tuesday 24 December, £23 per person
Meanwhile, Thursford’s Enchanted Journey of Light will transport you into a magical fantasy world that’s sure to light up any winter evening. Don’t be fooled, this is a breathtaking, Japanese inspired experience for adults and children alike and definitely worth travelling for. We assure you. Venture through this beautiful outdoor light installation and stunning artworks to find yourself transported from gingerbread men and their houses to underwater worlds to the North Pole, spotting animals from the plains of Africa and blooming flowers along the way.
Top Tip: For the same price adults can also add on a visit to Santa’s Magical Journey. Even if you are not visiting with little ones this wonderful, colourful, endorphin inducing trail- taking you past amazing Christmas panoramas with animatronics- is a delight to experience.
Santa’s Magical Journey
Various dates between Saturday 23 November – Monday 23 December (relaxed day Sunday 1 December), adults £23 (no gift) & children £29.50 (includes gift)
This is truly a magical trail. Travel past penguins and polar bears, elves in their present making factory, snowmen and giant teddies. Children will find this utterly divine. Then they get to meet Santa himself in his gorgeous grotto and receive a special gift. And the delight doesn’t end there because your ticket also includes entry to The Enchanted Journey of Light- an incredible outdoor light trail with mesmerising installations and artworks.
Our suggestion: Book your tickets for as it’s getting dark to give you an utterly incredible visit.
The Draughtsman’s Contract (35mm) is the first non-digital film screening in the city for almost a decade!
Norwich is a city known for its independent spirit and Norwich Film Festival is no different! Back for another year this November, the international film festival is a celebration of all the best local, national and international short films.
Alongside this, you can expect panels, workshops and features to discover new and existing filmmakers. Norwich Film Festival champions the art of filmmaking, whilst supporting original and culturally rich pieces that have even gone on to become award winners!
Our choices would have to include Shakespeare in Love (11 November), followed by a Q&A with the film’s lead actor Joseph Fiennes and director John Madden, and The Draughtman’s Contract (35mm) (18 November), the first non-digital screening in Norwich for almost a decade!
Norwich Film Festival is taking place from Monday 11 November – Sunday 24 November with tickets starting from £3 (plus booking fee).
Watch the lights get turned on outside city hall before joining in with the festivities! Photo credit ©Simon Finlay Photography.
It’s the Christmas moment we’ve all been waiting for! On Thursday 14 November, Norwich’s Festive Lights Switch-On will take place in front of City Hall for a wonderfully festive evening.
This year’s switch-on will take place from 5.30pm, with the main event at 7pm. The lights will be turned on by Norfolk comedy legend Owen Evans, one half of double act The Nimmo Twins and this year’s panto dame in Norwich Theatre Royal’s Aladdin!
Elsewhere, there’ll be entertainment from YouTube sensation ‘East Anglian Boy’ Leon Mallett, Triple Threat Theatre and more. And, of course, Father Christmas himself! Plus, on the evening, Norwich Market stalls will stay open until 8pm and there’s a funfair from 4.30pm ‘til late.
And if you can’t wait until then, Chantry Place will be launching their spectacular Christmas lights on Saturday 2 November!
Experience Northern Ballet’s magical reimagining of A Christmas Carol at Norwich Theatre
Think of a classic Christmas tale and you’re bound to think of A Christmas Carol, right? From Tuesday 19 November – Saturday 23 November, you can experience a magical performance of one of Dickens’ most famous novels at Norwich Theatre Royal.
Northern Ballet have beautifully reimagined A Christmas Carol through ballet to bring Ebenezer Scrooge and his visits from three mysterious ghosts to life. Set in Victorian Leeds to a wonderfully festive score, this is an uplifting and heartwarming retelling.
What’s more, Norwich Theatre Royal will be offering an audio described performance and Touch Tour Insight Workshop with descriptions of the movement and set and the chance to feel costumes and props. Truly, everyone can enjoy this magical show- it’s sure to get you into the Christmas spirit!
Tickets start from £10 and are available to book on Norwich Theatre’s website.
Explore the Sainsbury Centre’s thought-provoking exhibitions this November
When it comes to the Sainsbury Centre, you can forget what you know about traditional art museums. Reacquaint yourself with art through their exhibition programme- here, you can hug a Henry Moore and immerse yourself into Amazonian life with VR and light installations.
As part of the Sainsbury Centre’s unique thought-provoking six-month exhibition series, they seek to explore questions we may have asked but don’t know the answers to. Until 27 April 2025, you can join them and explore ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’.
From everyday drinks like alcohol and caffeine to the power of plants, this November sees two new exhibitions open as part of this wider theme. Whether it’s stigma-addressing sculptures in ‘Lindsey Mendick: Hot Mess‘ or documentary photography in ‘Heroin Falls’, you’re sure to leave feeling engaged and informed.
Discover local indie makers in John Lewis Norwich this November!
Everyone loves a department store at Christmas and even better when there’s a Christmas market involved!
This November, you can shop John Lewis Norwich’s Indie Pop-Up Christmas Market for unique products you won’t find anywhere else! Meet the makers and discover some lovely small brands- it’s perfect for one-of-a-kind presents for friends, family or yourself!
From new Norwich names like Ozabelle, who offer bespoke and permanent welded jewellery, to local Norfolk makers Crafty Gifts and family-run business Sozni Kashmir offering handwoven cashmere pashminas and scarves, here you’re sure to find something special.
The Festive Fair at The Forum is one of the city’s most popular Christmas markets!
The Forum is no stranger to playing host to a variety of Norwich’s Christmas markets and, this Christmas, probably the most popular market is back for four days full of festive cheer!
The Festive Fair is one of Norwich’s busiest Christmas Markets for a reason! Here, you will find stalls indoors and out offering delicious local food and drink (including treats for your furry friends!) and quality East Anglian-made products, including jewellery, pottery, preserves, chocolates, cakes, clothes, prints and more.
And to get you into the spirit, enjoy live entertainment including carols from Norfolk’s jovial brass band the Pavilion Brass Quintet and possibly a guest appearance from some very cute mini-donks!
If you want to take this chance for a wonderful city break in the City of Stories, visit our ‘Stay’ page and ‘Where to Stay in Norwich at Christmas’ blog for our top recommendations!
