Headlining this season
16th November 2025
Byfords in Holt © Brad Damms Photography
Christmas can add up but there’s still plenty to do at this time of year that doesn’t have an admission charge. Here’s where to celebrate the festive season for free (though do note, many events encourage voluntary contributions for charity)
WELLS CHRISTMASTIDE FESTIVAL
Father Christmas knows how to make an entrance, arriving at Wells harbour by boat for the Christmastide Festival on 22 November. The seaside town marks his visit with street entertainers, festive lights, a glittering procession and an even more dazzling fireworks display. You can visit Santa on the Saturday evening and on Sunday 23 November in his grotto at Wells Maltings (tickets cost £12 and must be booked in advance, www.wellsmaltings.org.uk) and browse the craft stalls during the day. Don’t miss both the crab pot Christmas tree on the quay and the Christmas Tree Festival in the Congregational Hall, which is open 21 to 23 November.
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FAKENHAM CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
No yuletide would be complete without a visit to Fakenham Parish Church for the Christmas Tree Festival, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. Over 50 trees (all donated by Fakenham Garden Centre) will twinkle in the church from 27 November to 4 December, each one individually decorated to raise money and awareness for a specific charity. In addition, there are four ‘prayer trees’ in the Sanctuary. 10am to 8pm every day, except Sunday when it is open midday to 8pm.
www.christmastreefestival.co.uk
TWINKLING TREES
Aylsham’s Christmas Tree Festival takes place in the Parish Church, with trees decorated by local charities to raise funds (28 November to 2 December). Cromer Parish Church will be transformed into a pine-scented display of trees and wreaths created by local schools, businesses and community groups (1 to 6 December). Hunstanton’s Christmas trees are set to dazzle in the Town Hall, with choirs, stalls and Santa’s grotto (5 to 7 December) – and not forgetting the Christmas Tree Festival in the Congregational Hall at Wells-next-the-Sea (21 to 23 November). All are free entry, with donations encouraged where applicable.
FAKENHAM CHORAL SOCIETY’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT
This popular annual concert at Fakenham Parish Church on 13 December from 5.30pm will include Benjamin Britten’s Saint Nicolas and Vivaldi’s lively Magnificat, together with other festive music performed by the choir and the chance for audience participation in some well-loved carols. The concert is free entry on a first come first serve basis with doors opening at 4.45pm. There will be a retiring collection at the end.
ST MARY’S, SNETTISHAM
Snettisham’s St Mary’s church is always a joy to behold at Christmas, with the tower, spire and windows bathed in multi-hued light from 13 to 31 December. To mark this festive tradition, there’s a free Big Light Concert at 6pm on 13 December, where visitors can join in a singalong of Christmas favourites, before the light display is officially switched-on.
LITTLE WALSINGHAM CRIB
One of the loveliest traditions in North Norfolk at this time of year is the installation of the nativity on Common Place in Little Walsingham. The beautifully lit crib scene is in situ from the first week of December until Tuesday 6 January, with a village lights switch-on and carols singalong on Saturday 6 December. While you’re in the village, pay a visit to the Walsingham Farm Shop, with its seasonal edible delights.
SEE THE LIGHTS AT HOLT, BURNHAM MARKET…
North Norfolk shines bright from mid-November until early January, with thousands of lights twinkling on shops, cafes, trees and more. Be dazzled by Holt’s warm glow from 14 November, which precedes a weekend of festivities around the town including a Christmas market on Sunday 16 November (Instagram @festiveholt). You can trip the light fantastic in Burnham Market, too, as the village green is decked out in co-ordinated lights from 15 November. The lights are switched on in Hunstanton on 30 November and Fakenham on 29 November.
CHRISTMAS THE CANINE WAY
If you’re a pooch owner, check out the Hunstanton Christmas Dog Walk and Jumper Competition on 30 November at 3pm in aid of local charity Quackhouse Rescue. Meet by the Bandstand on the Green to embark on a loop to the Ski Café and back, with prizes for the best-dressed canine.
CHORUS UNDER THE CANOPY
The Canopy of Light is back from 20 November on Norwich’s Hay Hill with its 32,000 energy efficient twinkling LEDs. On Saturdays from 29 November to 20 December you can enjoy music from local choirs and live acoustic performances, from 4pm to 4.30pm.
CHRISTMAS IN CLEY-NEXT-THE-SEA
Cley promises plenty of (free) yuletide cheer, starting with the Cley Advent Windows, when residents reveal their festive displays every day from 1 to 24 December, all of them illuminated from 4pm to 8pm. Maps are available from the website, as well as pubs and shops in the village (remember your torch). On Saturday 6 December, it’s Carols on the Quay from 5pm to 7pm. Gather by the windmill for carol singing, live music from Fakenham Town Band, a bar, raffle and an appearance from Father Christmas, who’ll be arriving by boat at around 6.45pm. Parking is in the free village carpark.
Please note, parking charges may apply at some events
