September is almost here, which means it’s nearly time to wave off the shorts and t-shirts, sunbathing, and ice creams melting far too quickly and welcome in cosy autumnal days filled with hot chocolates, warm jumpers, and plenty of delightful events to enjoy here in the City of Stories!
That’s right, the coming month is bound to be as busy as ever here in Norwich. So, if you’re looking to fill that calendar with exciting days or nights out, look no further. We’ve rounded up the best of September right here in one place. Read on for our recommendations!
Norfolk Heritage Open Days (Friday, September 6 – Sunday, September 15) is England’s biggest festival of history and culture, and here in our fine county, we’re spoiled to have such a vast wealth of both! So much so that Norfolk’s programme is the biggest in the country outside of London! Which means it’s definitely worth taking a look at and getting involved in a little bit of exploration.
In this annual festival, coordinated by The Forum Trust, hundreds of venues, organisers, community partners, and volunteers bring the city to life for thousands of residents and visitors by opening the doors of lesser seen sides of the city for FREE! It’s the perfect activity for anyone into their history, especially locally.
This year, there’s nearly 300 events to choose from and just 10 days to fit it all in! So be sure to find out what takes your interest, when it’s on, and where, it might be the only time you can ever see some of these sights! Did we mention every event is totally free? Some of this year’s highlights in Norwich include:
60 Years of RSPCA Mid Norfolk & North Suffolk. Celebrating six decades of rescuing and rehoming animals, the RSPCA Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk will be celebrating this milestone with a special exhibition at The Forum from Tuesday, September 10 – Sunday, September 15. The exhibition, ‘Celebrating the past, building our future: An RSPCA Story’ will explore the history of the branch, the charity’s impact on the local community, and share stories of their work from the past 60 years. It will also tell all about how the RSPCA was formed, their work in both World Wars, and so much more, including three talks at The Forum on Saturday, September 14. It’s a must for any animal lover! Find out more and book your spot in their talks on the Heritage Open Days website here.
Bee Roads at Saint John’s. The Cathedral has its own collection of beehives, and its own team of bees! On this ‘Bee-Roads’ trail learn about the paths that our bees take to-and-from their hives to pollinate our flowers. Bees also appear repeatedly in Sacred Scripture, in one way or another. Several saints have strong associations with bees – from miracles performed, to nicknames, and to quotes associated with them! Collect the free trail guide from the Garden Café, all are welcome, and the event will be running throughout the week!
For the full calendar of events, check out the Heritage Open Days brochure here!
Heritage Open Days is full of great days out for any and all ages! Image Credit: Luke Witcomb
As part of the Sainsbury Centre’s mission to activate art to help visitors answer some of life’s biggest questions and challenges, September will see the start of a new 6-month season of interlinked exhibitions and programming exploring ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’ (Saturday, September 14 – Sunday, April 27, 2025). From alcohol and caffeine to ayahuasca and heroin, this season will invite audiences to explore the world of cultures from illegal to familiar across just one mind-blowing museum landscape. Trust us, based on their previous seasons, this isn’t one to miss out on.
Across these 6 months, five unique exhibitions will come through the Sainsbury Centre doors, outlining the impact of different drugs throughout society – from binding people together to tearing communities apart. Their programme will include ‘Power Plants: Intoxicants, Stimulants, and Narcotics’ (Saturday, September 14 – Sunday, February 2), ‘Ayahuasca & Art of the Amazon’ (Saturday, September 14 – Sunday, February 2), ‘Heroin Falls’ (Saturday, November 23 – Sunday, April 27), ‘Lindsey Mendick: Hot Mess’ (Saturday, November 23 – Sunday, April 27), ‘Ivan Morison: Towards the Weird Heart of Things’ (October 2024 – February 2025).
Find out more about this new season and its individual exhibitions on the Sainsbury Centre website here.
Ayahuasca & Art of the Amazon is one of the exhibitions to kick-off this new season, and it looks fantastic.
Following the success of their inaugural event, Banham Zoo are back with their second after-hours evening at the park with ‘Zoo Do 2’ this Saturday, September 7! And on a special occasion like that, you can bet there’ll be plenty of surprises and additions exclusive to the evening, making it truly unforgettable for any visitor.
Not only will you have the chance to wish goodnight to the giraffes, watch maned wolves hunt, and marvel at their amazing tigers after dark, but you’ll also be able to join feeding talks, watch fire eaters and stilt walkers in awe, take part in carnival games, tuck into a range of tasty food, and so much more. The best bit? Entry costs just £12.50 per person! But be quick, Zoo Do 2 is likely to sell out, and soon! Secure your spot on this magical evening on the Banham Zoo website.
Zoo Do was so nice, they had to do it twice! Don’t miss out on this evening of fun at Banham Zoo.
Norwich’s annual, award-winning 10-kilometre road race, Run Norwich, is back on Sunday, September 8 and as always, we can’t wait! Every year, this wonderful run, organised by the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation, brings a great community atmosphere across the City of Stories, and it raises thousands of pounds for a range of amazing charities too!
The route passes some of Norwich’s most iconic landmarks, including Norwich Castle, The Forum, Norwich Cathedral, and many more. It’s a unique experience for both runners and spectators alike, with both locals and those who have come from afar taking part. And while it’s too late to get involved in the race itself, why not show up, support the runners and their charities, and enjoy Norwich once again coming together for a good cause?
Come and support Run Norwich 2024! Photo credit: Community Sports Foundation
There’s a whole wealth of entertainment to be found at Norwich Theatre this month, so if you’re looking for a night out to enjoy something unique, from the spooky to the outright iconic, then you’re in luck!
Start your September off with ‘Most Haunted Live with Yvette Fielding’ (Monday, September 2), the world’s top paranormal show. This is the perfect night out to catch for anyone who likes a good scare or is into their spirituality. Join Yvette Fielding, Karl Beattie, and the Most Haunted team, who promise to take you on ‘the darkest, most terrifying journey of your life’… Expect unseen video footage, Ouija boards, ghostly investigations, and more. Sounds like a unique night out! Tickets cost £31.50 per person and can be purchased on the Norwich Theatre website.
Or enjoy the classic work of Agatha Christie with ‘Murder on The Orient Express’ (Tuesday, September 17 – Saturday, September 21), where you’ll head back in time to the winter of 1934, when an avalanche has stopped The Orient Express in its tracks. There’s been a murder. There’s a train full of suspects. And it’s an impossible case to crack. Trapped in the snow with the killer still on-board, watch as Hercule Poirot tries to solve the murder before it’s too late. Tickets are available from £15 per person and can be booked on the Norwich Theatre website!
And lastly, we can’t forget about the iconic ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ (Tuesday, September 24 – Sunday, September 29). As the ‘most fantasmagorical’ musical of all time flies into Norwich, you can meet the absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts, who restores a broken-down racing car with the help of his children, Jemima and Jeremy. They soon discover the car has magical powers, which takes them on a fantastical adventure in far-off lands! It’s a seriously good show, so is not one to miss out on. Tickets are on sale from just £10 – snap them up on the Norwich Theatre website!
The iconic ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ is just one of the fantastic shows on at Norwich Theatre this coming month!
Have you ever taken part in a murder mystery dinner? If you have, you’ll know they’re great fun and if not, then you absolutely need to try one! And this September, there’s no better chance to try it than with ‘Murder on Board’ at Carrow Road (Friday, September 13). Embark on the getaway cruise of the year with the seasoned captain and his dazzling crew of entertainers, which promises to be a voyage of luxury, until… there’s a murder on board!
Tensions are palpable, some guests are behaving mysteriously – are they really who they claim to be? You’ll have to navigate through high seas, icy waters, and a sea of red herrings to ensure the ship’s safe return to land. Don your finest black-tie attire, team up with friends and family, and unmask the killer – if you can! Tickets are available for £55 per person, with the evening also including pre-dinner drinks and canapes before a two-course dinner curated by Delia’s finest chefs. Book your tickets on the Delia’s Canary Catering website!
Fancy yourself as a detecitve? Prove your skills at Murder on Board at Carrow Road!
Last, but by absolutely no means least, why not spend your September supporting an independent venue and the small artists plying their craft with Norwich Arts Centre’s September programme? There are some fabulous evenings on offer!
Start with the band who have made ‘the best rock album of the year’ with ‘Eat Your Own Head’ (Friday, September 20). As one of the bands spearheading a new wave of UK rock music, Eat Your Own Head veer from stomping riffs to tender moments of dark tranquillity. They’re an incredibly exciting band and this is your chance to say, ‘I saw them before they got big!’, so don’t miss out. There’s also supporting acts from Takeda and Red Mar, which makes it even more enticing! Tickets can be booked online for £12 per person or bought on the door for £14 per person.
And if live music isn’t your thing, you can still get involved with events like their regular ‘Swap-O-Rama!’ (Sunday, September 22), which not only helps reduce waste and save the environment, but also means you can find new-to-you treasures for your wardrobe! Help build the slow fashion community in Norfolk, enjoy talks and workshops championing DIY, learn new skills, and meet like-minded people. Tickets are limited, so book in advance on the Norwich Arts Centre website!
Finally, you can’t miss one of Norwich Arts Centre’s biggest events of the year, the ‘End of Summer Party’ (Saturday, September 28). After months of fantastic music and events coming through their doors, join the Arts Centre with one last hurrah before the autumn with a lineup of hot local bands and an infectious atmosphere all-round. Tickets are just £8.50, £4.50 if you’re a student, or £3 for Under-26 NAC Supporters (which is FREE to sign up for!).
September is an exciting month to visit the Norwich Arts Centre, especially for acts like Eat Your Own Head!
Main Image Credit: Keiron Tovell
