Norfolk & Norwich Festival

Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2026

From 8 to 24 May 2026, Norwich and surrounding Norfolk towns come alive with the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, a vibrant celebration of arts across historic theatres, village halls, and outdoor spaces.

Music and Performance

The festival features a diverse programme of music concerts, theatre, contemporary dance, and street performances. Highlights include jazz, classical, folk, rock bands, DJs, and large outdoor spectacles like parades and lantern processions.

Family and Community

Rooted in local community and education, the festival offers hands-on workshops, interactive exhibitions, and family-friendly performances. Activities include puppet-making, dance workshops, and storytelling sessions, ensuring creative opportunities for all ages.

Festival Setting

Events are hosted throughout Norwich and Norfolk, from city markets to coastal and countryside venues, showcasing the region’s culture and heritage and encouraging exploration beyond the city centre.

Norwich is easy to reach by train, car or plane. Greater Anglia trains run frequently from London’s Liverpool Street to Norwich (journey time about 90–115 minutes). There are also direct trains to Norwich from Cambridge (around 1 hour 10 minutes). National Express coaches link Norwich with London and other major cities (journey time about 3 hours), and up to 10 daily direct services run from London’s Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports to Norwich. By car, Norwich can be reached via the M11/A11 (from the south and London) or the A47/A14 (from the north and west). Signs for Norwich and the city centre guide you from all major routes. Once on the outskirts, look for Park & Ride sites (such as Thickthorn or Costessey) — you can leave your car and take a quick bus into town. Norwich International Airport (NWI), 2.5 miles north of the city centre, offers flights to Amsterdam, Edinburgh and holiday destinations around Europe.

The city centre is compact and flat, so most festival venues are within a short walk of one another. You can stroll between Norwich's cathedral, market, castle and riverside in just minutes, making it easy to hop from one event to the next. If you prefer wheels, Norwich has a network of dedicated cycle lanes and even a public bike hire scheme. Buses run regularly: routes from the train station, the main bus station (next to Norwich Market) and Park & Ride sites serve the city all day long. Tickets are affordable, and buses (including Norwich’s distinctive yellow design) will whisk you between venues. Taxis and ride-share services are also readily available for late-night returns or direct trips. Many visitors find that walking or cycling is the best way to soak in the historic atmosphere, but it’s easy to hop on a bus or taxi if you need to travel farther.

Norwich offers many places to stay. In and near the city centre, you’ll find historic inns and guesthouses alongside modern hotels and luxury boutiques. There are also hostels and self-catering apartments for budget or flexible options. Outside the city, nearby villages and countryside offer charming B&Bs, rural lodges and even campsites for a more outdoorsy experience. Because the festival is popular, it’s wise to book accommodation early. Staying in the city centre lets you walk to most events and enjoy the lively evening scene in pubs and cafes. If you stay farther out – for example in a village inn or airport-area hotel – Norwich’s buses, Park & Ride services and taxis will bring you into the action quickly. In every case, you’ll be met with Norfolk’s warm hospitality and a hearty breakfast before you set off each day.