Things to Do for Families at Christmas

Things to Do for Families at Christmas

by Katie Thompson

There are so many fun and festive things to do in Norwich and Norfolk this Christmas. So much so, the build-up is sure to be as exciting as the big day itself!  

This special season is made for spending quality time with family. From pantomime performances to Christmassy crafts and Yuletide trails, it’ll be hard not to get in the spirit!   

One thing’s for certain- it’s best to book in advance. Spreading Christmas cheer from the start of the season to the school holidays, these are the best things to do for families in Norwich this Christmas!

Image: VisitNorwich

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Norwich 

Pantomimes and Family Shows

What’s Christmas without a show? Luckily, Norwich has a plenty to choose from, whether it’s your first-ever panto or you love to go year after year. Expect plenty of laughs and cheers (and a few boos and hisses)!  

At Norwich Theatre Royal, The All New Adventures of Peter Pan are flying to the stage (5 December – 3 January 2027, from £10)! With a stellar cast of well-known actors, West End performers and Norwich regulars, you’ll be hooked as Peter and his friends take on the dastardly Captain Hook in this original quest full of magic, mayhem and mischief. 

For younger audiences, try The Garage’s My First Panto: Goldilocks and the Three Little Bears (6 December – 1 January 2027, adults £17.50, children £10.50). Created especially for under 7s, this interactive show is an exciting introduction to the theatre, combining engaging storytelling, live music and play! 

And for a less traditional- but equally heartwarming- family show, how about Box of Delights at the Maddermarket Theatre (18 December – 3 January 2027, adults £18, children £12)? Young orphan Kay Harker has become the guardian of the Box of Delights. Will he use its secret powers to stop the forces of darkness and save Christmas?

Festive Love Letters Trail
19 November – 10 January 2027, FREE 

Head out along cobbled streets and twinkling paths this Christmas as you take part in the family-friendly Festive Love Letters Trail. 

There are 30 hidden ‘love letter’ clues to find in festive windows across the city centre. Follow the trail found on leaflets in businesses taking part across the city. Your job is to collect the letters, uncover the secret message and you’ll be in with the chance to win a prize!

Big Fish, Little Fish Family Rave (Xmas Special) at EPIC Studios
Saturday 28 November, 2pm – 4pm, adults £11, children £9 

Unleash your Christmas excitement with this family-friendly rave!  

Returning to EPIC Studios for a seasonal special, you can expect classic dance songs from 2 Bad Mice and DJ Trax, alongside themed crafts, a giant mural, giant balloons, bubbles and the popular Big Fish, Little Fish parachute dance reminiscent of primary school parties. Ideal for ages 8 and under, there will also be snow machines and glitter cannons!

Santa’s Tea Party at the Maids Head Hotel
Sunday 13 December, 1pm – 3pm, children £30, first adult FREE then £5 

Before Father Christmas sets out on his Christmas-Eve adventure, he’ll be leaving gifts for everyone attending Santa’s Tea Party at the Maids Head Hotel!  

This festive family treat will see children enjoy a traditional tea party, with cake decorating and entertainment, as parents watch on, well-deserved hot drink in hand.

Christmas Carousel & Big Wheel at The Forum
19 December – 3 January 2027 (excluding Christmas Day), £3.50 

Galloping into Norwich for the Christmas holidays, The Forum’s Christmas carousel returns! This golden gallopers has been seen in the likes of Half a Sixpence, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and even Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. So, embrace this seasonal tradition, take your pick of the horses and hop on! 

Then take a seat on the big wheel for incredible views across the glittering lights of Norwich Market. Back for its second year, this 50-foot-high ride offers unforgettable vistas in the build-up to the big day.

Family Film Screenings at The Forum
Select dates from 19 – 23 December, various times, adults £3, children FREE 

 Everyone loves a family film at Christmas, right? Especially when you can don your favourite jumpers and get lost in the adventures of classic tales. Plus, kids go free! 

There’s Paddington, following the journey of the eponymous young bear as he adventures through London with his adopted family the Browns (19 December, 10.30am & 1.30pm). Then laugh out loud at the antics of eight-year-old Kevin against thieves in favourite Home Alone (20 December, 2pm), before channelling your Christmas spirit alongside Buddy the Elf to save Santa in Elf (23 December, 5.30pm)!

Cupcake Decorating Workshop at Yalm
Monday 21 December, 10.3am – 12pm, children £15 

Calling all little bakers! Get creative with Leni Bakes’ Cupcake Decorating Workshop at Yalm this December. 

This guarantees to be a morning filled with icing and festive fun. Get hands-on to create your own Christmassy design (which you can take home or eat as soon as possible!). Follow fun, step-by-step guidance and top your cake with colourful, seasonal decorations.

Winter Craft Workshop at Yalm
Wednesday 30 December, 10.30am – 12pm, children £12 

Beat the lull between Christmas and New Year with a relaxed morning of creative crafts at Yalm from Creative Planet. 

Packed with colouring, making, sticking and imaginative activities designed to inspire young creators, this workshop is sure to keep little hands busy. Not to mention it’s a great way to make new friends and you get to take your masterpieces home!

Norfolk 

Santa’s Magical Journey at Thursford
Various dates between 21 November –23 December, children from £25, adults from £18 (includes child’s gift and entry to Enchanted Journey of Light) 

Surely there’s nowhere in Norfolk as festive as Thursford? 

Step into the enchanting world of Santa’s Magical Journey. This must-do is Christmas lore in Norfolk, a wonderful memory to pass onto children and grandchildren. (For the bigger kids, it’s full of nostalgia!) Follow the path to Father Christmas and cherish every moment as you pass teddies, penguins and polar bears to his grotto!  

And outside, awaits the Enchanted Journey of Light. Through this lantern light extravaganza, marvel at larger-than-life creatures and breathtaking luminous sculptures. Think fantasy underwater worlds, festive scenes, creatures of the North Pole and a train with real steam!

Christmas Lights Walk at Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden
Select dates from 21 November – 23 December, 4pm – 8.30pm, children £5.95, adults £8.95, under 4s FREE 

Immerse yourself in a shimmering woodland at Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden with their Christmas Lights Walk. See your little ones’ faces light up as your follow the trail past glowing trees, magnificent oaks, twinkling deer families and colourful illuminations. (Followed by a warming hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, of course!) 

If you’re returning throughout the season, how many elves will you be able to spot as part of Fairhaven’s Great Elf Hunt (21 November – 31 December, children £9.95 (includes garden entry))? Follow the themed trail around the garden and unscramble the puzzle to be in with a chance of winning a chocolatey prize.

Magical Father Christmas Experience at ROARR!
Select dates from 4 – 23 December, 2pm – 8pm, children £22, adults £10 

Head to ROARR! in December for a Magical Father Christmas Experience.  

As you arrive, pick up a passport to the North Pole, where you’ll be greeted by Candy Cane Elf, tasty treats on hand. From here, a personal visit with Father Christmas awaits! Once you’ve told him your wish list, make your way along the Enchanted Winter Trail before being let loose in the Toy Emporium (where you can choose a gift to take home).

North Norfolk Pole Experience at Pensthorpe
5 – 23 December, 10am – 4.30pm, adults from £19.95, children from £27.95, under 2s £15.95 (includes visit to Santa and build-a-teddy) 

At Pensthorpe, be transported to the North Norfolk Pole!  

Explore the Christmas Village at your own pace- filled with twinkling lights, festive surprises and interactive experiences, before joining Elf Training sessions, completing special challenges to become an honorary Christmas helper. Take your place in the Build-a-Teddy workshop to create your own bear to take home and become an official toy maker.  

Then it’s all about meeting Santa. In a personal one-on-one meeting in his festive grotto, make a wish to see if it comes true on Christmas Day. Before heading home, gather around the fire for warming marshmallow toasting!

Festive Express at Bure Valley Railway
Select dates from 5 – 24 December, 11am – 6pm, £27 (includes visit to Santa, present and festive snack box) 

All aboard the Festive Express!  

Chug along our beautiful wintry countryside in Bure Valley Railway’s traditional steam engine (30 minutes), where you can admire the view and munch on homemade festive treats from the warmth of your own private compartment (pick them up from Aylsham station’s Whistlestop Cafe). 

Back at the station, see the sleigh before entering the grotto to meet Santa and his elves- they’ll be waiting to greet you with a personalised present!

Festive Family Days at Holkham
19 & 20 December, 11am – 6pm, adults £32, children £16, FREE parking 

The weekend before the big day, Holkham is inviting families to explore the Hall in all its fabulous festive finery!  

Enter the beautiful Palladium Marble Hall, decked out in impressive displays, and listen to the cheerful tunes of live music. Then wander at your own pace, finding out more about each installation and its inspiration. Along the way, meet Father and Mother Christmas with their mischievous, singing and dancing Jingle Elves- don’t forget your letters! 

And for even more magical memories, you can experience An Audience with Father Christmas (21 & 22 December, 10am – 4.45pm, £40, FREE parking) (and Mother Christmas!) in front of the Hall’s huge tree to make sure Santa gets your last-minute wishes before Christmas Eve arrives. Journey through the spectacular State Room, before meeting the festive couple and receiving a small gift.