An Insider Norfolk Guide to What's on 2021

Anish Kapoor at Houghton Hall is opening on the 12th July and runs through until the 1st November 2020.

The Houghton Hall exhibition of the internationally acclaimed artist and 1991 Turner Prize winner Anish Kapoor. Kapoor is regarded as one of the most influential and pioneering sculptors of his generation and is celebrated for works which enter into a profound spiritual engagement with the viewer.

The Houghton exhibition will feature 21 sculptures as well as a selection of drawings and smaller works representative of Kapoor’s groundbreaking body of work created over the past 40 years. Presented together, this series of works will challenge the classical architecture of the house and the idyllic beauty of the grounds, whilst being in continuous dialogue and engagement with Houghton’s history.

Curated by Mario Codognato, the exhibition at Houghton will feature some of Kapoor’s major works in mirror and stone, including Sky Mirror (2018) – a 5-metre diameter mirror of stainless steel that reflects and transforms the space around it, turning the world upside down – and a series of carved marble sculptures created in 2001 – 2003 which will be displayed across the grounds. A number of works will also be shown inside the house, including a series of dramatic sandstone sculptures which will be presented in the gallery spaces.

Presented together, this series of work will challenge the classical architecture of the house and idyllic beauty of the grounds, whilst being in continuous dialogue and engagement with Houghton's history.

Kapoor is one of the most influential sculptors working today, known for creating ambitious public sculptures adventurous in both form and engineering across vastly different scales and materials.

If Houghton Hall opens later this year, "A Fine Balance" will appear alongside the exhibition by Anish Kapoor. The pop-up exhibition explores narratives original to natural life forms and processes that distinguish different aspects of our environment. They reveal the fragility of unusual topographies and celebrate the cyclical process of a coastal landscape alternating between erosion and renewal. You can see an online preview of a Fine Balance featuring almost 50 artists from across the region here

“Anish Kapoor is a magician.” Lord Cholmondeley, Houghton Hall

In 2019 over 400 riders took part in this cycling event based loosely on the previous haunts of the legendary black shuck hound. There are three routes of approx 28 - 30 miles each + a family friendly up to 10 mile route to get the under 16's and their families out on their bikes. The family route has been designed to have low traffic, not too many hills and also be rewarding. The routes have a very good mix of beautiful countryside rolling hills and unspoilt views.

PrimEvil, Norfolk's biggest scare experience, returns to the dinosaur park Norwich on the 9th October 2020 with a new format called Route 666 with a host of characters and scares. This is certainly not for the faint of heart!  In social bubbles of no more than 6 and no less than 4 you will book a time slot to experience Route 666, you will be sent off on a continuous journey lasting between 1 to 1.5 hours. You will need to bring a face mask to wear on Route 666.

Tickets are limited for each night and each time slot, anyone aged under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. A BBQ and bar will be available for you to use up to an hour before your booked time slot.

From clowns to the dark, small spaces to spiders, there is something to spook everyone at Prime Evil and it is no surprise that is attracts tens of thousands of thrill seekers young and old every Halloween. Enjoy a cabaret of forgotten circus and ghost stories, gallows humour and lost souls, set to devastating beats and mesmerising tunes to make you dance till you drop.

Also new this year is PrimEvil Extreme, two nights dedicated to those over the age of 18, with a firework display, heightened haunts and an exclusive, exciting, immersive experience.

With online ticket prices ranging from £21. Minimum of four maximum of 6.

The Holkham Hall Antiques Fair is Norfolk's most prestigious antiques fair with 30 of the U.K's top dealers offering an eclectic mix of items at prices suited to both new and more established collectors. The Holkham fair contain a fascinating mix of fine and country furniture, English silver, fine porcelain and art as well as arms and armour, figurines, bronzes and more. The fair will be staged in the magnificent Lady Elizabeth Wing which is the new “state of the art” event facility in the heart of the Holkham Hall estate. There should be plenty to tempt you with a chance to pick up something a little different.

The Holkham Hall Antiques Fair on the 16th - 18th October 2020 is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to this beautiful area of North Norfolk to meet some of the U.K.’s most prominent dealers and hopefully find something special amongst the antiques on offer. The Courtyard Cafe adjacent to the fair is a perfect place to relax and chat.

Free tickets to the fair are available to download Lomax Fairs site, please note these do not cover the small parking charge (£3/car) which gives the whole family access to the grounds of this wonderful stately home which covers over 3000 acres of deer park, lake, forest and conservation area.

The dawn flight of up to 40,000 pink-footed geese that make their way from Iceland and Greenland to gather on the The Wash in one of the best nature spectacles in Europe..

The arrival of the Pink-footed Geese in Snettisham has come to herald the start of the Autumn and Winter season for many bird-watchers and nature lovers.

Every year this unique bird visits our shores in greater numbers with thousand blackening the winter sky as they head to their night roost.   Their numbers increase steadily throughout October, and by the end of November most of the geese will have arrived. The Pink-footed Goose is not only attracted to Norfolk for the Brancaster mussels or Cromer crabs, but for a rather less well known delicacy - the sugar beet. By February most will be returning home to their breeding ground in Spitsbergen, Iceland and Greenland.  The sight of tens of thousands of geese taking off and landing en-masse at the Snettisham reserve is one of Norfolk's natural wonders.

This popular Christmas Craft Show held on the 20th-22nd November 2020 at Sandringham, bringing the opportunity to shop in comfort for all your Christmas food and gifts. New attractions include an Ice Skating Ring (synthetic) for the more energetic visitor and the Alternative Cabaret Tent with a varied bill of Magic & Illusion, Comedy and Balloon Science Show by Balloonatic.

Be met at the gate with a warming glass of seasonal punch, and stroll in comfort around the show.

Live music, excellent craft demonstrators, food halls and Christmas presents.  Santa’s owl show, live reindeer and so much more.

Adults £9, Seniors £8, Children £3 and a Family Ticket which includes 2 Adults and 3 Children £24.  Advance tickets and further information

The annual Christmas lights switch on is accompanied by a Christmas market with artisan stalls that spread the whole way through the centre of this well-known Norfolk village. This year will be held on Saturday the 21st November 2020.

There is also live entertainment, food stalls and all the local businesses join in the fun. Opens from 10am with the lights being switched on a couple of hours after dark,

The Burnham Deepdale Christmas Fair returns for the 12th year and can get very busy indeed. Look out for tasty treats, wreaths, cheese, penguin pictures, soaps, homewares, biscuits, chutneys, jewellery, accessories, toys, books, salamis, tea, beer, cordials, glass, bags, photographs ... Something for every budget, every present list, and every taste.

This year there will be lots more food. Deepdale Cafe, pizzas, pies, crepes, duck wraps, mulled wine, hot chocolate, burgers, real ales, sloe gin, Christmas punch, brownies ... You definitely won’t go hungry or thirsty, plenty of places to refuel to continue with the Christmas shopping.

The Hunstanton Christmas Day Swim has been staged from the main beach for over 50 years and draws over a hundred swimmers and many hundreds of spectators who cheer on the very game participants. Many swimmers not only brave the icy water but also fancy dress to raise money for charity. The swimmers will parade into the sea at 11am. Refreshments available from the Waterside Bar on Hunstanton Central Prom. The event raises money for the Round Table. For a registration form, visit Hunstanton Round Table Christmas Day Swim. Present the registration form at the Oasis Leisure Centre at 10.30am on Christmas Day.

For an evocative winter walk head to Walsingham Abbey in Norfolk from the 2nd January 2021, where snowdrops cast a new light upon the crumbling stone of the old abbey. This is a perfect spot, tucked away with a beautiful stream which can run fast and high. Glorious hellebores and aconites as well as the carpets and carpets of snow drops.

A Saxon noblewoman, Richeldis de Faverches had a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1061.  de Faverches was instructed to build a replica of the house in Nazareth where Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce the birth of Jesus. It was to contain a statue of the enthroned Virgin with the child Jesus on her lap.

It was a simple wooden structure, but her son Geoffrey left instructions for the building of a Priory in Walsingham which passed into the care of Augustinian canons sometime between 1146-1174. Over the next four centuries Walsingham became a major centre of pilgrimage, rivalling Rome and Santiago del Compostela, and was visited by every reigning monarch from Henry III in 1226 to Henry VIII. A few years later in 1538 he ordered the destruction of the entire monastery as part of the Great Dissolution. The Prior and canons were pensioned off. The site was sold to Thomas Sidney for £90 pounds and he built a mansion on it, which was, and still is, referred to as ‘The Abbey’.

Walsingham Abbey is famous for the beautiful ruins of the Priory of our Lady of Walsingham, and nowadays it's spring snowdrop walk around the ruins that stand among the lawns, with woodland and river walks extending to 18 acres.

Traditionally the opening to the travelling season, King's Lynn Mart has a special place in the hearts of the travelling showpeople. During the later half of the nineteenth century the King's Lynn Mart was a spectacular event in which Frederick Savage of King's Lynn displayed his latest roundabouts and fairground attractions to the showmen. This display of new machines and amusements continues today with the showmen vying to display the latest amusements. Traditionally, this is the first funfair in the Showmen’s calendar where new rides are tried out and old favourites brought out from winter storage.

The 817th Kings Lynn Mart which opens on the 13th February 2021 includes the same traditional rides and stalls as well as new rides called the Tornado, Over the Falls and the Fighter, which is a smaller version of the popular ride, Extreme. The 'Booster' pendulum ride will be back, as will the ride he calls the 'Crazy Shake' after it was introduced 'with success last year'. For two whole weeks from Valentines day, the town will see thousands of people come and experience all the fun of the showman's travelling fair. The mart is still due to be held at the Tuesday Market place.

Children's Day, in which all rides are reduced to £1 except for the Booster, dodgems and cars, will be taking place on Monday, February 18 of half-term.

Magazine 2 Massingham Fun Run -

Sunday February 21st 2021

RUN, WALK or CYCLE 10 miles along the Peddars Way on this great family day out.
£20 an adult and £10 a child donation asked for ~
Starting at 9.30am at Magazine Wood, heading south along the Peddars Way to the finish at the Massingham Dabbling Duck pub, who will be providing a bacon butty and hot drink on your arrival!

In 2020 raised money for EAAA in memory of Caroline Sanderson
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/suzy-martin2

The Lord Nelson pub in Burnham Thorpe will reopen in March 2021 after a closure of more than four years.  Brewery Greene King used to own the Lord Nelson, but they closed it in September 2016 the pub was registered as an asset of community value later that year. The buildings were purchased by the Holkham estate. The original building have been rebuilt, the 20th century extension is being fitted out with a kitchen, bar, cellar and plant room, while the new parts of the building will house toilets and a 'Victory' dining room. Once complete, the pub will have around 70 covers inside, and another 64 in the outdoor seating area. When war against France was declared in 1793 and Nelson was given command of the Agamemnon, he celebrated by laying on a dinner for the villagers at the pub. The pub was renamed the Lord Nelson, after it's local resident's victory over the French at the Battle of the Nile in 1798.

For many years the pub was an famous for it's specially brewed sailors drink called 'Nelson's Blood'

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Over 60 pop-up shops, artisan and craft stall and loads of food exhibitors to tempt your taste buds! Market runs from the 27th to the 29th March 2020. This is a great opportunity to stock up on great food, find a special gift or just enjoy a great day out.

Deepdale Spring Market is part of the Deepdale Hygge, our celebration of the beautiful North Norfolk Coast, with live music (Friday & Saturday), the North Norfolk Coast Hygge Fair (Saturday) and activities throughout the weekend.

A very different way to enjoy the dramatic Blickling Estate. The Night run goes through the ancient woodlands that surround the house that some say is still haunted by Anne Boleyn. Choose from two routes, a 3km and 7km traffic free exploration. Head torches are essential and you could still have time for supper after if you get a move on!

Pensthorpe has for many years been home to the very popular SpringWatch series on the BBC.

The Bird and Wildlife Fair, which will run at Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham, on May 16 and 17, was previously known as the Norfolk Bird and Wildlife Fair. Pensthorpe Bird & Wildlife Fair will feature guest speakers, demonstrations, walks and talks, and book signings. The event is a celebration of nature-spotting in Norfolk and will bring together experts in the fields of optic equipment, wildlife-inspired art and crafts, books and wildlife and nature holidays.

Historically, it’s been pincers at dawn between neighbouring fishing towns Cromer and Sheringham. For the past eleven years, Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival has brought the two towns together to celebrate the bounty of the North Sea and the world-famous seafood produced by both coastal resorts. Recently hailed by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the best food festivals in the UK, the seafood spectacular stars local delicacies from the deep and attracts more than 20,000 people to north Norfolk every year.

2021 festival runs from May 15 until May 16 2021, starting with the Grand Opening Variety Concert at the Pier Pavilion Theatre in Cromer. There’s a host of events, including heritage demonstrations, a cookery theatre, the “Bootiful” Boat Art Trail and the Scrumptious Seafood Trail which includes more than 35 local restaurants, cafés, pubs and snack bars.

There’s also a street market packed with local produce, live music during the day and at night, street performers, heritage and seafaring crafts and children’s activities.

The Houghton International Horse Trials from Thursday 20 May through to Sunday 23 May 2021  incorporating the FEI Nations Cup has it all; exhilarating sporting action, a spectacular setting, entertainment for young and old, plus shopping at over 70 trade stands.

Past contenders include Badminton Horse Trials winner Piggy French, Gemma Tattersall, Ingrid Klimke, Pippa Funnell, Zara Philips and Lucinda Green.

Set in the magnificent grounds of Houghton Hall, Norfolk, this truly is one of the most outstanding venues within the sport of eventing

One of the most successful open studios’ schemes in the country, the Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios, is celebrating its 25th year this year with 430 artists taking part across 250 venues.

The 16-day celebration of Norfolk’s artistic community runs from Saturday 22 May to Sunday 6 June 2021. This free event will see artists throughout the county opening their doors to the public to exhibit, sell and talk about their work and practice. Now established as one of the largest open studios’ schemes in the country, visitors will have the opportunity to see new art, meet artists, and - with many of the works on display being for sale - buy original artworks directly from their creators. It’s a great opportunity for the artists to meet with the public and talk about their work and for people to have the chance to see artists at work first hand.

Fashion, food and having a flutter – it has to be the annual Fakenham Races Ladies Day on the 30th May 2021. A key date in the Norfolk calendar, thousands of people stream through the gates to witness the thunder of steeds bearing down on the finish line and the roar of the crowds interspersed with the popping of corks and the rumble of conversation as visitors enjoy the day. One of the most exciting horse racing fixtures, the all-important Ladies Day fashion at Fakenham is as dramatic as the live horse racing. Chic outfits and beautiful Ladies Day hats will be in abundance as thousands of racegoers put their best Jimmy Choo forward to impress the judges of the striking Style Competition; with the winning Ladies Day outfit taking home a prize, plus other treats.

If you're new to watching live horse racing or if you've been to many horse racing fixtures before, the atmosphere can't be beaten; soak it up as your horse thunders down the home straight and join in with thousands of racegoers cheering on their horses in each of the six thrilling horse races. As well as exciting races and fabulous Ladies Day fashion, there will be plenty of delicious food and drink available to purchase. Enjoy glasses of summer Pimm's, sparkling prosecco and of course glasses of smooth Champagne. To tempt your taste buds, they'll be delicious artisan food served and various other street food-style vendors. A great day out.

The Norfolk Superhero Challenge on the 26th June 2021 is a unique quadrathlon event that has raised huge sums for local charities. The Norfolk Superhero Challenge combined courses across land and sea, centred around the coastal village of Burnham Overy Staithe. More than 130 resilient racers take on the best of Norfolk’s scenery – and the worst of its weather – before crossing the line in a gruelling quadrathlon

The quadrathlon consists of swimming 1 mile from Gun Hill to the quay at Burnham Overy Staithe with the incoming tide. Kayak a 4 mile course through the creeks of Burnham Overy Staithe. Cycle a 45 mile circular route on North Norfolk’s most scenic roads. Finally run -8 miles across tracks, sand, mud and marsh. Come and cheer on the returners from around 2 hours after the start. It restores your faith in the human spirit!

Organisers of Holkham Country Fair, which sees around 40,000 visitors, have released a statement confirming 2019’s fair was the last under the current arrangement.

Celia Deeley, Holkham enterprises manager, said: “As an estate, we have greatly enjoyed hosting the Holkham Country Fair over the last 42 years, and during that time thousands of visitors have relished the entertaining day out it provided.

“However, recent years have shown that we can no longer continue with the country fair in its current format, and so after much contemplation we have agreed not to renew our working arrangement with the organiser for 2021.”

The two-day fair is well known in the Norfolk events calendar for its high-octane entertainment in the grand ring, hundreds of trade stands, a food village and a cookery demonstration theatre showcasing local Norfolk talents.

The Holt Festival will return in 2021 from Sunday 25 to Saturday 31 July 2021.  The festival is an annual arts festival, which comprises a range of events, from food and theatre to music, fine art and more

“A visit to Holt Festival begins with the visual impact of a lovely Georgian town with special character. From comedy to cuisine, politics to pop Holt Festival brings you the best in music, theatre, fine art and the spoken word in a glorious celebration of the arts.

During festival week, briefly and dazzlingly, it is home to musicians, poets, actors, dancers, artists and comedians.

There are venues all over town, in pubs and hotels, in tents and school halls. There are performances at the church, the Auden Theatre, in the bookshop, and the magnificent open-air Theatre in the Woods.

If you are looking for a quiet time in the countryside, this is not it. If you're looking for cultural nourishment, some belly laughs, and the pleasure of seeing some top-flight internationally recognised performers, you're in the right place.

The 140th Sandringham Flower Show will be held on Wednesday 28th July 2021. The Sandringham Flower Show is one of the most prestigious horticultural events in the East of England. The show attracts around 20,000 visitors each year including a visit from the royals, so if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. The attendance of royalty at the Sandringham Flower Show is definitely one of the main draws for this event, but the origins of the show go right back to 1881. The display gardens are always a very popular attraction, built as they are to a standard which can rival any of the major horticultural shows. There is a large catering marquee with seating, and in addition there are numerous catering stands on the showground providing a wide range of hot and cold food and drinks.

The show has around 200 trade stands around the grounds or in marquees, along with some of the leading nurseries and horticulture specialists exhibiting their plants. You can also see steam engines, displays of old farm machinery, dog displays and much, much more. A wonder around the grounds of Sandringham House, gardens and church is also a must and is included in the entrance fee.

Parking is free of charge and dogs are welcome. Entry is £12 for adults and children under 16 are free. Entrance is on the gate and is cash only.

Wells-next-the-Sea in the heart of North Norfolk has for over a 100 years enjoyed a traditional summer Carnival for residents and visitors. A week of family fun and events including a Carnival Day procession around the town featuring floats, fancy-dress, pull-and push-along vehicles and much more. The carnival will run from the Friday 30th July through to Sunday  8th August 2021. Traditional seaside activities include a sand-castle competition, town crier competition, gillying on the Wells-next-sea quay and the crowning of the Carnival Royals. In addition you will find stalls selling everything from local delicacies to exotic street food.

The Urban Soul Orchestra conducted by Stephen Hussey 2020 return for another sell-out performance of classic Ibiza anthems has been postponed to Saturday 7th August 2021. The event will once again take place under the stars, with live DJ and vocalists.

​​This will be Norfolk’s biggest dance party of the Summer full of iconic Ibiza anthems. A chill-out set in the first half will be followed by a half hour interval with the DJ playing the latest Ibiza tunes.

​​As dusk falls, the lasers will hit the Blickling skyline as the Urban Soul Orchestra return to bring some of the best of the White Island’s dance tunes to orchestral life. The track-list packed full of some of dance music’s most iconic anthems. Performed by The Urban Soul Orchestra, DJ Goldierocks and a host of live vocalists, the gig is split into two halves - starting with a chill-out set followed by a series of dance-floor fillers. The first set starts at 8pm followed by an interval with DJ Goldierocks at 9pm before the second set at 9.30pm. The concert is expected to finish at around 10.45pm.

Classic Ibiza is a heady mix of iconic dance tunes, a classical orchestra and a music festival in a stunning setting. Whether you want to sit back and relax with a glass of bubbly over a picnic in the evening sun, or get up and dance the night away, everyone is guaranteed a great time.

The North Norfolk Music Festival has been established for 17 years bringing internationally known musicians as well as introducing new talent at the beginning of their careers. With 17 concerts, a film, talks and an array of pianists, singers, a choir, even a consort of viols and no less than three quartets.

The festival for 2021 will go ahead with a revised programme running from Wednesday 11th through to Saturday 21st August. An impressive programme of classical music with renowned performers and up-and-coming talent. it’s no wonder the audience returns to North Norfolk each summer.

After Houghton  made the sad announcement that it was impossible for the festival to go ahead in 2020 ,  new dates of the 12th -15th August 2021 have been announced.

This will be the first time this great event will be restaged since since 2018. Despite this Houghton Music & Arts Festival has gained a reputation as one of the must-go-to  electronic festivals. Curated by British electronic wizard Craig Richards who also  produces the much loved Gottwood, Houghton has won praise on basically all counts – lineup, scheduling, sound quality, location, atmosphere.

With extended set times and an enthusiastic crowd, artists  can dare to be different  and this is where  some very special sets can be created.

Craig Richards created this utopic festival in 2017 and it's been all the rage every since. This festival is unique in that the venue has a 24 hour license so the party truly never stops and the sets are extremely long. In conjunction with the wild energy of the festival, there are also sculptures and art to look through in the gardens of the estate that the festival takes place. Gates open at midday on Thursday, August 6, and music begins at 5pm. Entry on the first night stops at 1am, and the music ends at 2am, and gates open on Friday at 9am. After music begins at 10am, it continues to 3am on Monday morning, with all campsites finally closing at 2pm the same day.

The 101st week-long Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament commences on the 15th August 2021 and is said to be Britain's largest event of its kind after Wimbledon, taking place on 38 grass courts. Sadly the 2020 centenary was cancelled following the Coronavirus pandemic. Starting at the Hunstanton Recreation Ground on Sunday, play will continue each day, through to all the finals on Saturday.

The competition has attracted just short of 1,000 individual players, competing in 40 different events.This will be boosted by around another 150 juniors with the mini Gresham’s round-robin event for under-12s and under-10s commencing on the Wednesday. Hunstanton's tournament has attracted players from eight-years-old through to some senior veterans, with some competitors in their 80s, from all over the country and also from abroad.The standard ranges from those entering their first competition to very good county players. South Wales-based Three Castles Cover has signed a three-year deal to support the tournament.

Established in 1920, the tournament takes place on 38 tennis courts on the towns recreation ground, over seven days from Sunday 15^th to Saturday 21st August. The tennis tournament is open to players of all ages and ability from six-year olds to sixty-year olds. It is second only to Wimbledon in size, attracting thousands of competitors every August. The tournament will be celebrating its centenary in 2021, a year after the actual date due to the Coronavirus epidemic.

Entries for the 2021 Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament open on March 1st 2021.

Jools Holland and his hs Rhythm and Blues Orchestra return on Sunday 29th August 2021 and is of the most popular events in the Sandringham 2021 events calendar. Pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, television presenter and multi-platinum-selling recording artist Jools Holland will bring his sensational Rhythm & Blues Orchestra back to Sandringham as part of their much-loved 2021 tour. The current 19-piece Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and three trombones.Jools Holland and his band celebrate the golden age of big band music from the 1930s to the 1950s, with interpretations of standards from the likes of Count Basie and Woody Herman. The event will take place on the West Lawn and is part of a musical weekend at Sandringham by kind permission of HM The Queen.

Holland formed the band in 1994. It has gone on to tour the world and promises a tremendous collection of Jools tunes and his styling of ska, boogie woogie and blues – always an unforgettable night out that will have audiences on their feet.

The Proms in the Garden will be held at  Sandringham House on the 29th August 2021 The atmosphere is usually  one of an enormous party, with many of the audience in evening dress. Music is performed by the English Symphony Orchestra with compere Brian Blessed OBE. Expect to hear Wagner's Overture to Die Meistersinger, proceeding through popular classics and show music such as My Fair Lady.  There will also be a Spitfire flypast and the Firework display is often a good time to hear  Land of Hope and Glory and the Dambusters March. Expect to see the night sky explode with a dazzling fireworks display. Undoubtedly the National Anthem will feature somewhere!

The event will take place on the West Lawn and is part of a musical weekend at Sandringham by kind permission of HM The Queen.

The North Norfolk food festival takes place in the spectacular setting of the Walled Garden at Holkham Hall on the 4th and 5th September 2021. Historically filled with vegetables and flowers grown for the Hall, nestled within huge brick and flint walls that offer protection from the elements, this is an ideal setting to celebrate the abundance of Norfolk produce and culinary skill.

What can you expect? Well a lot of local artisan businesses showcasing their products including fresh meat and game, vegetables, cakes, local brewery beer, exotic burgers, international food and local treats including speciality bread, tarts, juices, cakes and bakes, chocolates and much more. This is the place to find all the ingredients for speciality ingredients that you can cook later at home. A dazzling array of concessions also offer delicious food for eating on the day and entertainment ranges from the ever popular cookery theatre to children’s activities and face painting.

Sandringham Country Fair on the 11th and 12th September 2021. The fair showcases a range of crafts and food stalls as well as many outdoor demonstrations of country sports and activities.

Three  main arenas, including the Countryside Arena and  World of Dogs, displaying the best in exciting equine sports, country pursuits and the wonderful world of dogs; a huge steam and vintage area, have a go falconry, fishing, fieldsports and more. A great countryside day out for the whole family.

There is also food arena, children's activities, a shooting village, falconry arena and lots to eat!

Norfolk Restaurant Week 2021. This is Norfolk’s largest dining event, a culinary celebration of our vibrant restaurant scene, fine food, and the people who produce it. Provisional dates for 2021 see the event kick off on the 31st October 2021.

It is the opportunity to sample those restaurants you have always wanted to try, or revisit existing favourites, all at unmissable prices. Every restaurant who takes part will offer their usual high standard of food but at an incredibly tempting price.

Last year saw hungry diners making the most 40 unmissable priced menus at some of North Norfolk’s best restaurants. “The event has become hugely popular over the last five years, and menus, which are now available to view online, are much anticipated. The most popular places fill up quickly, which is why we always encourage people to book well in advance,” confirms founder and organiser Martin Billing

Hunstanton Cliffs is the perfect spot for a Guy Fawkes night celebration and the fireworks are big, loud and go on and on and on! They say that nowhere are the skies bigger than in Norfolk but these fireworks do a great job at filling it. Doors open at 5.30pm on Saturday 6th November 2021 and the  giant bonfire before is lit at 6pm.

Wrap up warm for this amazing bonfire, laser and fireworks spectacle. Previous displays have combined fireworks with a laser show and pounding atmospheric music to thrill the many people who attend the Cliff Firework Extravaganza. The video below gives a little insight into the thrills that you can expect on the night.

The main firework display kicks off just after 7.30pm but we recommend getting there at least an hour in advance.

Hunstanton Firework Aerial Movie

Food stalls, a fairground, children's entertainment and a bonfire will accompany the fireworks display. If you are looking to book a meal afterwards then reserve early.

Checkout Love Norfolk's Good Food Guide for good local places to book.

The Thursford Christmas Spectacular returns on the 5th November 2021 and has become one of the most anticipated festive events in East Anglia, having attracted audiences from across the country since opening on Christmas Eve 1977.  2019 saw 112,000 visitors from across the world entertained by 65 musical numbers. Fantastic sets and colour, the choreography, the singing and dancing, and a very special ‘Christmassy’ atmosphere. The show has a 130-strong cast and has a budget of £1.8m, and there is so much happening on the huge stage that it is  hard to decide what to focus on. The overall effect is quite breath-taking.

From rock ‘n’ roll, showtunes, the can can and carols, the Vegas-style variety show is Europe’s biggest Christmas performance, with a budget of £1.8m. Each year the family-run Thursford Collection serves up 35,000 mince pies, almost 19,000 mulled wines and 24,000 tubs of ice cream.

For 2020 In place of the Christmas Spectacular there will be a Thursford’s Enchanted Journey of Light will be a magical walk-through experience for all ages and run from 19 November 2020 until 3 January 2021. An all new indoor Wonderland Trail: a maze of engines, fairy-tale characters and an immersive experience of light and sound including one of the UK’s biggest kinetic light displays, will lead outside to a 4 acre Lantern Light Extravaganza: a beautiful, breath-taking festival of luminous sculptures, from a fantasy forest of jungle animals to the wilds of the North Pole.

The 2020 Christmas spectacular was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the first time the Spectacular hasn't taken place in its 44 year run.

The North Norfolk Railway will be transformed into The Norfolk Lights Express on selected evenings during November and December. The railway version of the Northern Lights will see trains decorated with multi-coloured lights gliding through the winter darkness from Saturday 20th November 2021.

From the comfort of vintage carriages, passengers will be able to watch a light show of illuminated festive scenes alongside the rails, and at the railway stations at Sheringham, Weybourne and Holt. The trains' external lights create technicolour effects for the passengers as they pass through the cuttings along the route.Sheringham, under the cover of darkness, The Norfolk Lights Express, fully decorated with multi-coloured lights, will steam it’s way through the countryside between Sheringham and Holt.

A complete range of refreshments including a licensed bar will be available on board. Tickets restricted to 6 or less.

Celebrate the magic of Christmas at Holkham from the end of November in 2021 with a Candlelight Tour of the Hall and Christmas Fair. See each stateroom beautifully adorned with sweet-scented pine trees, greenery, sparkling decorations, and twinkling lights. Each room will have its own theme and your guide will tell you all about the inspiration behind each magical setting.

Make your visit extra special with a Champagne, Candlelight, and Creators of Christmas tour - your unique chance to meet the faces behind Christmas at Holkham. How about extending the Christmas magic by joining us in the beautiful Chapel in Holkham Hall between Christmas and New Year for a Candlelight Experience with ‘Nativity’: a moving-image artwork by Martha Fiennes.

Have they been naughty or nice? Treat the children to our sell-out event, An Audience with Father Christmas, where they will meet our singing band of Ukulele Elves before sitting down for stories and surprises with Father and Mother Christmas.

There is also the annual Holkham Festive Food Fair. The fair showcases the best of local and regional food and drink, and a live cookery theatre will feature demonstrations from renowned local chefs. The Holkham Christmas Food fair also features numerous stalls with great gift ideas from local producers.

Wells Christmas Tide Festival is traditionally held over a weekend, the first week in December each year, but depends on the Tides and in 2021 will be on Saturday 4th December..

Wells Christmas Tide Festival regularly pulls in thousands of families lured by the unique prospect of seeing Santa Claus arrive in Norfolk from the North Pole by sea.

The town’s main shopping street will then remain the focus of the festive fun as a whole host of acts keep visitors entertained from 10.30am to 8pm. A fair will be operating on The Quay from 10am onwards and the annual Christmas Tree Festival will take place in the Congregational Hall in Clubbs Lane from 10am to 4pm.

Christmas lights switch on is at 4.45pm. Santa is due to arrive on the Quay at around 6.15pm before heading for his grotto at Playland amusements to see children from around 7pm onwards.

The crowds will then be further entertained by a spectacular fireworks display over the Wells Marshes.The Quay will be closed to all traffic from 4.30pm to 8pm.