Make a date
8th August 2025
Sheringham 1940s Weekend © Gareth Gabriel, www.garethgabriel.com
Diaries at the ready! Here’s our guide to some of the leading cultural events and activities taking place in Norfolk in 2025
September
Now until 20 September: Cromer Pier Show
The annual summer variety show bursts into life on 28 June and runs until 20 September. It brings a touch of the West End to the seaside with a packed programme of magic, comedy, dancing, singing and general mayhem! It’s a terrific family show and spiced up with great special effects including the eight-metre video wall. The host is Ben Nickless, pictured, who excels at keeping everything on track, while the specialist act is Duo Douell who promise thrilling stunts! You can read our review here
Now until 28 September: Houghton Hall
Houghton is hosting the largest ever retrospective of acclaimed British sculptor Stephen Cox. Running until 28 September, ‘Stephen Cox: Myth’ features around 20 sculptures in marble and stone across the landscape and in the house’s Stone Hall, along with smaller works in the State Rooms. Spanning more than 40 years, the exhibition includes work conceived and produced all over the world. Open select dates, Houghton Hall is one of the country’s finest examples of the Palladian style and is renowned for its annual contemporary art exhibitions. It also boasts a permanent world-class outdoor sculpture collection, including the immersive ‘Skyspace: Seldom Seen’ by James Turrell. Read more about Houghton here
Now until 2 November: ‘Sea State’ an exhibition of new work by Maggi Hambling and Ro Robertson at Wolterton Hall
This 18th century Palladian hall is open to the public for the first time in a generation, with its inaugural Arts & Culture Programme. Expect a contemporary art exhibition – ‘Sea State’ – a site-specific show featuring the work of Maggi Hambling and Ro Robertson; an artist residency for Dutch artist collective De Onkruidenier in collaboration with the Sainsbury Centre, as part of the latter’s Can the Seas Survive Us? season. Wolterton is also hosting the Norwich-based Clay Research Group, a collective of artists, lecturers, potters, and researchers dedicated to exploring locally sourced ceramic materials. Both groups will create new artworks from materials found onsite. Alongside enjoy visiting the house (there’s a Breadsource café in the library) and grounds, plus workshops, musical and theatrical events over the summer. Read more about Wolterton here
Now until 7 September: Summer programme at Maritime Heritage Centre, Stiffkey
Rescue Wooden Boats are playing host to a series of monthly events this summer from talks and workshops, to demonstrations, all with some link to North Norfolk’s maritime heritage. 20 July: ‘Life on the Edge – important objects on Norfolk’s coast and their historical importance’ talk by Dr John A Davies, archaeologist and former Chief Curator of Norfolk Museums; 17 August: ‘Inshore fishing North Norfolk Coast’ – local history researchers Dr Robin and Linda West illustrate their talk with film clips from the 1960s -1990s; 24 August: ‘Knots and more’: knot maestro Andy McBride holds a drop-in demonstration and workshop; 7 September: ‘Sunsets Sea and seagulls’ – intensive felt making workshop for adults with Connie Flynn.
Now until 14 September: Summer Circus & Water Spectacular
If you’ve never seen the summer show at the Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, then you’re in for a treat. Running from 9 July to 14 September, the annual Summer Circus & Water Spectacular, hosted by Jack Jay and Johnny Mac, offers the best international circus acts including trapeze artists, acrobatics, slapstick comics, and, of course, the amazing water routines.
Now until 6 September (select dates): Concerts at St Mary’s, Houghton-on-the-Hill
Hidden down a bridleway, St Mary’s Church at Houghton-on-the-Hill near Swaffham hosts a series of concerts to raise funds for its care and upkeep. High Summer’s programme includes soprano Joanne McGahon performing on 19 July, classical guitarist Estevão Devides on 10 August, cellist Leo Popplewell on 16 August, violist Mathew Lee on 24 August and The Pot of Gold Shanty Crew on 6 September.
Now until 13 September (select dates): Binham Priory summer concerts
Binham Priory’s annual summer concert series kicks off on 19 July, with a performance by Norwich Baroque, followed on 9 August by classical guitarist Xuefei Yang, who’ll take the audience on a musical journey across the globe. 30 August brings ‘Airs and Dances – ancient and modern’, a reunion concert by Guildhall Strings and a return to their North Norfolk roots – this classical group formed at Gunthorpe Hall in 1981. The series continues with trombone quartet Bone-afide on 6 September and North Sea Voices and Ely Collegium, conducted by Dr Susannah Self on 13 September, performing Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and Self’s composition ‘Stabat Mater’.
Now until 22 October: ‘Inspired by Nature: Mary, Maria, Marianne’, Blickling
This installation by Rebecca Stevenson in Blickling’s Upper Ante will feature three busts depicting imagined portraits of artists and botanists Mary Delany (1700-1788), Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) and Marianne North (1830-1890). These three pioneers made important contributions to the world of science, recording plants and insects at a time when it was difficult for women to receive formal training in either art or science. The resin busts, with wax floral details referencing their work, will be on display along with Blickling’s copy of Maria Sibylla Merian’s book ‘Dissertation sur la generation et les transformations des insectes de Surinam’, 1726.
Now until early September: National Trust Summer of Play
The National Trust’s ‘Summer of Play’ is back, bringing a family-friendly festival atmosphere to more than 175 of its places, including Felbrigg, Morston Quay and Oxburgh in Norfolk. Running throughout the school summer holidays, select a venue and see what’s on offer. There will be much for little explorers enjoy at Blickling from 23 July to 2 September, such as self-led activities, with different ‘zones’ including nature, construction, sports (think hula hoops and parachutes) and art, or put on a show with fancy dress and a stage. Older children can test their skills at tennis, badminton and football. Head into the house for a botany and insects trail, inspired by Rebecca Stevenson’s sculptures which are on display in the Upper Ante. Be an artist and add to the growing installation artwork of flowers and insects extending down the Long Gallery. Summer of Play activities are included within standard admission and are free for National Trust members and under-fives.
Now until 7 September: Sunset Sessions, Fridays and Sundays, Cromer Pier
Cromer Pier’s Sunset Sessions are back every Friday evening from 25 July to 5 September with DJ Roy Kelly providing a soundtrack of Ibiza tunes and greatest hits. New for this summer are Chillout Sunset Sessions on the pier, on Sundays from 27 July to 7 September, with a mix of laid-back tunes. Both are free outdoor events.
Now until 6 September: Sheringham Little Theatre’s summer rep
This is the 65th year that this theatre has hosted a summer season of drama, and it opens with Ding Dong, where two couples get caught up in a web of adultery, mistaken identity and plot twists (8-16 August). Next up is Ladies Day, which sees four fish filleters swap their overalls for posh frocks at the races (20-26 August). The programme will be rounded off with Alan Ayckbourn’s bittersweet comedy Absent Friends (28 August to 6 September).
www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com
Now until 7 September: At the Cliff Edge
Artist Elizabeth Inger explores erosion of the cliffs and landslides at Happisburgh and Overstrand in this collection of her paintings on show at Chequer House Gallery in King’s Lynn (open Wednesday to Sunday). ‘The paintings are inspired by the fragile beauty of the landscape and the wonderful shapes, textures and colours of the eroding cliffs,’ Elizabeth tells me. ‘They are my personal tribute to all those working to protect and support the people in these coastal villages.’
www.chequerhousegallery.com; www.elizabethingerart.com
12 to 21 September: Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, offering free access to participating heritage events and activities, including some places which aren’t normally open to the public. Norfolk highlights include a backstage tour of the Pavilion Theatre on Cromer Pier (14 September) and a tour of RNLI Happisburgh Lifeboat Station (14, 15, 18 and 21 September). And In Aylsham, the town’s Heritage Centre will host eight events, including two trails round the town which will run throughout the event.
16 September to 25 October: Hamilton
At Norwich Theatre Royal for a massive six weeks is Hamilton, the smash hit hip hop musical from Lin-Manuel Miranda. It is the first time the production has toured, and it tells the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the very foundations of the America we know today.
17 to 20 September: Ruddigore
Cambridge University Gilbert and Sullivan Society are bringing this comic operetta to Binham Priory, with outdoor performances in the priory ruins (each evening and a Saturday matinee too). Hiding in a Cornish village from an ancestral curse that forces each baronet to commit one crime per day, Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd has fallen in love with the fair Rose Maybud. His prospects are ruined when his foster brother Dick Dauntless betrays him to Sir Despard Murgatroyd, the current baronet. Ruthven must take on the baronetcy and its curse, enforced by a portrait gallery of ghastly ancestors. A must-see for Gilbert and Sullivan fans.
www.tickettailor.com/events/cugands
19 September: Craig Ogden, Music in the Burnhams
Australian guitarist Craig will perform at St Mary’s Church Westgate, Burnham Market, with a programme including pieces by Bach, George Shearing and Joaquin Rodrigo, from 7.30pm.
19 to 21 September: 1940s weekend
With its classic vehicle displays, vintage music and dancing across the town, parades, period re-enactments, fashion, and more, Sheringham’s annual 1940s Weekend is one for the diary. Steam back to the 1940s with the North Norfolk Railway, too, with activities including historic displays, 1940s dance classes, and live music at their Sheringham, Holt and Weybourne stations.
www.experiencesheringham.com; www.nnrailway.co.uk
26 September: Nik Kershaw – Musings and Lyrics
Enjoy an evening of songs, stories and silliness with singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Nik Kershaw at the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton, part of a nationwide tour coinciding with the release of Nik’s new book. He’ll be looking back over his career, which saw him explode onto the UK pop scene in 1984, have a string of global hits including ‘I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’, performing at Live Aid in 1985, and writing and producing, including penning Chesney Hawkes’ ‘The One and Only’ and collaborating with the likes of Elton John, Lulu and Gary Barlow. In 1998, Nik returned to performing and has been creating critically acclaimed albums ever since.
26 to 28 September: The King’s Lynn Literature Festival
King’s Lynn Town Hall is the venue for this annual festival, now in its 40th year. 2025’s event will see 17 well-known writers and poets gather, including Rachel Hore, DJ Taylor, Sir Anthony Seldon, Sophie Hannah, Sarah Perry, as well as the writing family Lisa St Aubin de Teran, son Alex Macbeth and daughter Iseult Teran.
Wide ranging topics will be discussed, think ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: 300 Years of British Prime Ministers’; ‘ ‘Living in an Age of Uncertainty’; ‘World War II and Literary Culture’; ‘Unusual Storytelling’; ‘Different Approaches to a Life’ plus the fascination of being part of ‘A Family of Writers. Find out more at kllitfests.com
www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk
25 to 28 September: Mannington Book Bash
This year’s literary festival, held in the pretty gardens at Mannington Hall, features a Mini Mannington programme, with 400 local primary children invited to the event for a live show with Guy Bass. Other names for 2025 include Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Sarah Perry, Esther Freud and Nigel Planer.
27 September: The Victoria String Quartet
All Saints’ Church Burnham Thorpe will play host to the Victoria String Quartet from 7.30pm, the latest concert organised by Music in the Burnhams. Accompanied by pianist Peter Hewitt and double bass player Leon Bosch, the quartet, pictured below, will perform Beethoven’s 3rd piano concerto.
27 September: Mr Burton (12A), Syderstone
It’s 1942 and Richard Jenkins is at school in Port Talbot, caught between the pressures of an alcoholic father, a devastating war, and his own ambitions. A new opportunity beckons when Richard’s natural talent for drama catches the attention of his teacher, Philip Burton. Screening at Syderstone Village Hall at 7.30pm; tickets £4 on the door, you can pre-book by emailing syderstonecinema_arvh@outlook.com
October
3 to 5 October: North Norfolk Festival of Literature and Landscape
A weekend of talks and walks to celebrate the local landscape and wildlife. The literary programme is in Wells Maltings with writers including Sir Alan Hollinghurst. Walks range from a salt marsh outing with Jake Fiennes to Nick Trend’s guide through Holkham’s picture galleries and into the parkland.
24 October: The Magic of The Beatles
This tribute to The Fab Four by UK-based band BEATLEMANIA is currently on a nationwide tour with its sensational cast performing hit after hit; from She Loves You, A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, I Feel Fine, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to Hey Jude, Here Comes the Sun, Get Back, and many more.
24 to 31 October: Norwich Book Festival
Back in the City of Stories for its second year, there’s a packed programme over eight days, celebrating the power of reading and writing, encompassing all genres. The city-wide festival will include author talks, films, games and workshops; there’s even a two-day family-friendly festival with free or low-cost activities with top children’s authors. Participating authors include Tristan Gooley, pictured above, Paula Hawkins, Larry Lamb and Alison Weir.
November and December
4 November: John Illsley: The Life and Times of Dire Straits
Founding member of Dire Straits John Illsley is bringing his UK tour to Norwich Playhouse where he’ll share rare insight, behind-the-scenes stories and live performances of hits like ‘Money for Nothing’ and ‘Brothers in Arms’, which turns 40 this year. Joined by co-mananger Paul Cummins and a band, the evening will blend music with conversation in a q&a format.
8 November to 23 December: Thursford Christmas Spectacular
The biggest and brightest Christmas show in the region, the Thursford Christmas Spectacular attracts thousands of people from all over the country who simply love the full-on music and dancing extravaganza.
28 November to 30 December: Holkham Hall by Candlelight
Step into the magical, festive world that is Holkham Hall by Candlelight – one of the NNL team’s Christmas highlights. The State Rooms, Chapel, Old Kitchen and Marble Hall are transformed by Lady Leicester and her talented team of creatives – think fairytale snowy forests, a starlit Night Before Christmas suite, light and sound installations, a 14-foot Christmas tree and more! Opt for a guided tour (select dates) or self-led visit and new for 2025 is the family day on 20 December – a special version of the candlelight tour for children, with jingle elves and Father and Mother Christmas!
At the time of writing, there are still tickets left for the lovely An Audience with Father Christmas (21 to 23 December). Holkham will also be hosting a series of craft workshops, from calligraphy to silver-smithing; Carols in the Courtyard (11 December), a free-to-attend festive singalong with Your Choir, raising funds for charity; a canine carol service in aid of Break Charity (22 December); their Christmas market with more than 60 local producers showcasing artisan food, drink and hand-crafted gifts (12 to 14 December).
6 December to 4 January 2026: Aladdin
Wishing for some panto fun? Join Aladdin, Widow Twankey, Wishee Washee and the crew at the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton for a magical pantomime. Expect amazing dance routines, special effects, musical numbers, fun audience participation, and lots of laughs!
6 December to 4 January 2026: Cinderella
This year’s panto at Norwich Theatre Royal is Cinderella and promises all your favourite ingredients from a baddie to boo and hiss at to those naughty ugly sisters. It’s perfect all round family fun. Georgia May Foote will star as Cinderella with Hannah-Jane Fox as her Fairy Godmother. Wicked Sisters, Anderella and Binderella, will be played by Norfolk’s Nimmo Twin, Owen Evans, and Norwich’s Kenny Moore from drag act The Squirrels, alongside Joe Tracini as Buttons. There will be a range of accessible performances, including captioned, audio described, BSL interpreted, relaxed, sensory adapted, and an over-15s performance.
12 December to 4 January 2026: Jack and the Beanstalk
You’ll be transported to a world of magic beans, a castle in the clouds and a bad tempered giant in this year’s panto at King’s Lynn Corn Exchange. Join Jack, Dame Trott and Clarabelle the cow for some fe-fi-fo-fun! There will be a range of accessible performances too, including signed, captioned and relaxed – check the website for details.
www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk
Please check websites for full details, prices and all up to date information.
