UK & Ireland

The Thursford Spectacular, the UK’s largest Christmas show opens on Wednesday, November 9, with Santa’s Magical Journey for families, also at Thursford opening on Saturday, November 26.

Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre’s Christmas Seaside Special launches for its seventh season on Saturday, December 3, followed by Great Yarmouth Hippodrome Theatre’s 11th Christmas Spectacular, featuring its unique water show, on Saturday, December 10.

A shopping destination

Norwich is a top 10 shopping destination with lots of events and activities in the shops and historic attractions in the city, notably Dragon Hall, which is staging its Medieval Christmas Market (December 3 and 4) and two special Dragon Hall at Christmas events (December 11 and 18).

Santa Specials on the county’s heritage railways, Christmas Tree Festivals and traditional pantomimes, including Sleeping Beauty at Norwich Theatre Royal and Cinderella at King’s Lynn Corn Exchange, all add to Norfolk’s special seasonal mix.

Lydia Smith Director, Norfolk Tourism commented, “We have a wonderful range of special Christmas events in the county. The Thursford Spectacular is unique, a one-off packed with music, song, humour and real Christmas spirit. But there is much more to enjoy in Norfolk from Yarmouth Hippodrome’s show to the traditional pantomime at Theatre Royal Norwich and Christmas tree festivals in historic churches, not to forget Christmas shopping in Norwich.”

Norfolk’s Christmas Events Calendar

Thursford Christmas Spectacular  - Wednesday, November 9 to Friday, December 23, two shows a day at 2pm and 7pm, www.thursford.com Tel: 01328 878477.

Santa’s Magical Journey, Thursford - Saturday and Sunday November 26 and 27 and December 3 and 4, then Saturday, December 10 to Friday, December 23, 9.30am to 6pm, www.thursford.com Tel: 01328 878477.

Sandringham Christmas Craft Show - Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27, 10am to 6pm, www.sandringhamestate.co.uk Tel: 01553 612908.

Bure Valley Railway, Aylsham, Steam Trains to Santa - Saturdays and Sundays from 26 November to 11 December and daily 17-24 December www.bvrw.co.uk Tel: 01263 733858.

Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre - Wednesday, November 30 to Sunday, December 4, at Great Yarmouth market place and St Nicholas Church www.greatyarmouthchristmasfayre.co.uk   Tel: 01493 745828.

11th Christmas Tree Festival, Fakenham Parish Church - Thursday, December 1 to Thursday, December 8, www.fakenhamparishchurch.org.uk  Tel : 01328 862268.

Dragon Hall Norwich Medieval Christmas Market - Saturday. December 3 and Sunday, December 4, www.dragonhall.org   Tel: 01603 663922.

North Norfolk Railway, Sheringham, Santa Specials - Saturdays and Sundays December 3 to December 18 and daily December 21-24, www.nnrailway.co.uk  Tel: 01263 820800.

Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre, Christmas Seaside Special - Now in its 7th year, the show features Norfolk comedian Olly Day, singer Lulu Alexander, a youth choir, the Christmas Quartet and dancers choreographed by Di Cooke, Saturday, December 3 to Saturday, December 31 (no performance Christmas Day), www.cromer-pier.com Tel: 01263 512495. Cromer Pier was voted Britain’s best-loved pier 2011 by Coast magazine.

Mid Norfolk Railway Santa Specials - December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23 and 24, www.mnr.org.uk  Tel: 01362 851723. Join the train at Wymondham or Dereham, for a round trip with reserved seats.

50 Christmas Trees in a Church, Dickleburgh Church, Dickleburgh - Sunday, December 4 to Sunday, December 11, www.50christmastrees.com  Tel:  01379 854245.

Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, Pantomime – Cinderella - Wednesday, December 7 to Saturday, December 31 (no performances Christmas Day), www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk  Tel:. 01493 662832.

Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, Smile it’s Christmas with Nigel ‘Boy’ Syer & Friends -  Wednesday, December 7, Thursday, December 8 and Saturday, December 10, www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk  Tel: 01493 662832.

King’s Lynn Corn Exchange, Pantomime – Cinderella - Thursday, December 8 to Tuesday, January 3 (no performance December 9, 16, 19, 25 and 31) www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk Tel: 01553 764864.

Great Yarmouth Hippodrome 10th Christmas Spectacular - With its special water show and top international circus acts, runs from December 10 to January 8 (no shows December 12, 13, 14, 15, 25 and January 4, 5 and 6), www.hippodromecircus.co.uk  Tel: 01493 844172. The historic hippodrome (built 1903) is Britain’s only surviving sole circus building and is one of four venues in the world that converts to stage a water spectacular.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham  - Sunday, December 11, 11am to 5pm, visit Father Christmas in his magical woodland grotto and meet his reindeer, children's crafts and live music, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk  Tel: 01603 270449.

Dragon Hall, Norwich – A Dragon Hall Christmas - Sundays December 11 and 18, Christmas tours of Dragon Hall, with Medieval and Victorian carollers/storytellers and musicians, meet St Nicholas himself with gifts for children and adults alike, and enjoy some Medieval or Victorian Christmas refreshments.  www.dragonhall.org  Tel: 01603 663922.

Theatre Royal, Norwich Pantomime – Sleeping Beauty - Wednesday, December 14 to Sunday, January 15 (no performances Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk  Tel: 01603 630000.

Norwich Puppet Theatre – Red Riding Hood - Saturday, December 17 to Saturday, December 31 (no performances 18 and 25 December), www.puppettheatre.co.uk  Tel: 01603 629921

The Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich – A Christmas Carol - Saturday, December 17 to, Monday, January 2 (no performances December 24 and 25), www.maddermarket.co.uk   Tel: 01603 620917

For information on other events and activities and accommodation

 see www.visitnorfolk.co.uk.