North Norfolk is home to many magical Christmas events, Santa's grottos and festive cheer this winter. There’s plenty on for all the family. See our event round up below.
Santa's Grottos and Events:
The North Norfolk Pole at Pensthorpe. Santa Claus has decided to set up his home at The North Norfolk Pole at Pensthorpe on selected dates from 2 to 23 December 2023. The North Norfolk Pole Experience is a magical place where Christmas really comes to life. Children will love meeting Santa and his elves, listening to stories about Christmas, making a festive craft creation, along with making their own magical reindeer food. After that, they will get to visit the present room to choose their own Christmas gift. Adults £10.95, children £13.95 and under 2s £6.95. Find out more.
BeWILDerwood - A Sparkly Light and Panto Trail. Explore brand new areas of BeWILDerwood as you follow The Sparkly Light Trail through the woods. Discover silly snowmen, curious Christmas crackers, a giant Christmas pudding and lots, lots more as you venture through the festivities. The enjoy a BeWILDermas Pantomime where you will learn what Santa Claus is doing visiting the WILD woods! Will the curious characters of BeWILDerwood be able to save Christmas before it’s too late?! And just why does that reindeer have bunny ears?! Full of family fun and festive cheer, enjoy our unique spin on a traditional pantomime. Tickets £15.50 per person. Find out more here.
Christmas at Holkham Hall. The Hall’s state rooms are decked magnificently each year, making them truly magical, and it’s even better in person! Be amazed as you take it all in on this self-led tour this Christmastime. Self-led tour dates will allow you to explore the rooms at your own pace, but don’t worry – Hall Guides will be on hand to share inspiration behind each room and answer any questions. Peruse the beautiful state rooms slowly, enjoying the stunning scenes and decorations and taking photos to inspire your own Christmas decorating! Enjoy a glass of prosecco and mince pie before visiting the gift shop. Self-led tours are taking place on 3 - 6, 12, 13, 17 - 21, 27 - 30 December 2023. Adults - £32, children - £16 children (2-16), and under 2s free. Find out more here.
Set sail with Broads Tours on the Santa River Cruise on selected dates between from 2 and 22 December 2023. Santa’s Elves will have a gift bag for all children aboard over 3 years old and a festive treat. Children will be able to visit Santa in his new grotto and receive a present from Santa himself! Adults will receive a glass of mulled wine and a festive treat. Listen to festive music as you cruise down to Wroxham Broad. The Santa Cruises leave from Wroxham and trips are 1½ hours at 11am and 2pm. Tickets are £23 per person. Find out more.
Santa's Magical Journey at Thursford (includes the Enchanted Journey of Light). Visit Father Christmas in the magical setting of Thursford. Your journey takes you from penguins and polar bears to giant sized teddy bears ready to load Santa’s sleigh and then past the busy elves hard at work in the toy factory with the wonderful wrapping machine. You’ll meet lots of fantasy characters including the snowman’s family but watch out for the snowballs! Your journey continues as you venture outside to the Lantern Light Extravaganza. Prices from children – £22.50 and adults – £15. Find out more and book.
A Felbrigg Christmas - The Wolves of Wild Wood Hall. This winter, discover the tale of Norfolk’s last wolf pack and its secret hideaway under the flagstones of Felbrigg. In a bid to survive, when their natural habitat was ravaged by human activity, the wolves made an unexpected pact with their fellow furry and feathered creatures. Each year, this promise is celebrated by the animals with a feast of foraged delights, parlour games and festive cheer. Follow a trail through a series of ground floor showrooms and marvel at the festivities, brought to life through exquisite illustrations, soundscapes and an abundance of natural decorations sourced from the estate. Dates: 24 to 27 November, 1 to 4 December, 8 to 11 December and 15 to 18 December 2023. For ticket prices and information visit here.
Carols in the Courtyard are now a Christmas tradition at Felbrigg. Join in with the carol singing accompanied by the Cromer and Sheringham Brass Band on 17 December 2023 (time tbc). Find out more.
Christmas Experience at Wroxham Barns. Hop aboard an enchanting train ride to the North Pole and meet Santa Claus himself from 25 November to 24 December 2023. Each family will get a personal experience with Santa and children will be given a special gold coin to spend in Santa’s Toy Factory. Immerse yourself in a world of wonder as you journey through twinkling lights, snowy landscapes and festive cheer. There's also live shows, reindeer food making, crafts and a teddy workshop. Find out more and book.
Dippy's Christmas Celebration at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure. From 25 November 2023, at weekends and on selected days leading up to Christmas, ROARR! will be transformed into a winter wonderland with Dippy’s Christmas Celebration, full of seasonal surprises and amazing activities that will melt the hearts of even the grumpiest of grinches – all for the purse-friendly price of just £15.95 per person which includes a whole host of special activities. Find out more here.
New for 2023, ‘Sparkle’ will be hosted exclusively at ROARR! Add some extra Sparkle to your year with an evening of festivities, a synthetic ice skating rink, Christmas stalls, delicious food, carols and an award-winning Grotto Experience. Find out more here.
Christmas at Blickling Hall, 2 to 23 December 2023, 10am–3pm (last entry to the house is 2.30pm). Spend the day exploring the house decked up for a traditional Victorian Christmas with a wild, magical twist! Visit again in the evening for a fundraising Wild Nature After Dark event (2 to 17 December 2023, 5pm-8pm). Begin your evening journeying through the magically lit walled garden, before heading into the garden illuminated with colour and light. Listen out for the sounds of nature as you explore, take in the natural scent of the trees in the illuminated Arboretum and look out for tracks and footprints along the way. Enjoy a spot of Christmas shopping in the shop and tuck into delicious seasonal food and warming drinks in the Stables and Muddy Boots cafés. For prices and information visit here.
Fabulous festive shows and pantos:
Cromer Pier Christmas Show (25 November to 30 December 2023). The Cromer Pier Christmas Show will warm your hearts and get you well and truly in the Christmas spirit with lots of festive fun. Expect all the usual West End production values including a jaw-dropping 8-metre video wall delivering sensational special effects to a whole new level, alongside the much loved traditional scene sets and dazzling bespoke costumes. You will have plenty of laughs and enjoy thrilling speciality acts, powerhouse vocals as well as spellbinding dance routines, delivered in Cromer Pier's special trademark way, worthy of the only full season end of pier show in the world! Find out more and book.
Hunstanton Princess Theatre (2 December 2023 to 1 January 2024). Jack and the Beanstalk is a magical pantomime. Come and watch this exciting adventure unravel, as Jack embarks on a journey through land and sky. Accompanied by fun audience participation, spectacular costumes, and lots of laughs, this panto can’t be missed! Find out more and book.
Thursford Christmas Spectacular (suitable for 8+ years). Escape back into the world of Thursford this Christmas with the Christmas Spectacular; an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. It’s a fast moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year round favourites. With a cast of 130 this is the biggest Christmas show of its kind in Europe! Running from 8 November to 23 December 2023 (2pm and 7pm). Prices start at £43 (weekday evenings). Find out more and book.
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Little Red Riding Hood at Wells Maltings (15,16 and 21 to 24 December 2023). A co-production between fEAST Theatre and Wells Maltings. That wolf’s got a bad temper, hasn’t he? When he’s not blowing little pigs’ houses down or eating seven little kids, he’s frightening girls in woods, hiding their grannies and trying to turn them into snacks. Or is he? He’s now on trial for his supposed crimes – but is Red Riding Hood really all she seems …? A rib-tickling alternative to pantomime for all the family. Find out more and book.
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Sheringham Little Theatre (15 December 2023 to 2 January 2024) is putting on Cinderella: The Pantomime. Polish off your pumpkin, dust off your gowns, and join Prince Charming as he hosts the biggest Christmas party of the year in search of his one true love. Will he succeed before the clock strikes twelve? Will the hilarious Ugly Sisters, Beeston and Bump steal his heart? Will Cinderella’s evil Step Mother, the Baroness of Blakeney lock her away? Or will the Fairy Godmother and Buttons ensure we all live happily ever after? Find out more and book.
Light shows and experiences:
Thursford's Enchanted Journey of Light. The fading light of the Winter’s sun, starts the magic of Thursford. Your journey will progress into the Fantasyland Building, as you travel past the penguins and polar bears to the giant-sized teddy bears! Get ready to see how the elves have loaded Santa’s sleigh, then past the busy elves hard at work in the toy factory using the wondrous wrapping machine! Throughout your journey you’ll meet lots of fantasy land characters including the snowman family, make sure you watch out for their snowballs! Your journey continues as you venture outside to the Lantern Light Extravaganza, with lots of creatures to marvel at – a beautiful, breath-taking festival of luminous sculptures, from a fantasy underwater world to the wilds of the North Pole. Watch out for the naughty mushroom gnomes! There is also an outside bar, food and funfair. Find out more and book.
Luminate Light Trail at Sandringham. Nestled deep within Sandringham Estate, awaits a spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses. As darkness descends, enjoy an enchanted journey, weaving along a captivating light trail through the Royal Parkland at Sandringham. Immerse yourself in the mesmerising mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous light play, all set to ambient music. Running nightly from 11 November to 24 December 2023. Find out more and book.
Christmas Lights Walk at Fairhaven. Enjoy the magic of the gardens after dark, lit up by glowing Christmas lights. Follow the lights trail around the gardens and spot the hidden twinkles through the trees. From the sensory garden to the crocodile walk, you will get the sense of Christmas. Finish up with a warm cup of hot chocolate or a lovely mulled wine to sip under the lights in the picnic area. Maybe even grab a marshmallow to toast on the fire pit. (Parental assistance required). Find out more and book.
Heritage Rail Experiences:
Bure Valley Railway Festive Express. Hop aboard one of the Festive Express steam trains from 2 to 24 December 2023. Enjoy a one-hour experience from Aylsham Station including festive treats, a 30-minute steam train ride and a visit to see Santa in his grotto. Each child will receive a personalised present from Santa himself. Find out more and book.
The Norfolk Lights Express with North Norfolk Railway, is an immersive, wintertime experience that is fun for the whole family. Arrive after dark at Sheringham Station and you’ll be greeted by the magical sight of a steam-hauled train illuminated by thousands of tiny lights. The Old Luggage buffet will be open for you to purchase hot drinks and delicious homemade cakes and savoury refreshments. A licensed bar will also be on board each train and can be visited before departure and during the intermission. As your train steams from Sheringham to Holt and back, you will literally see the countryside adjoining the track in a whole new light as the onboard lights shine on to the scenery in a series of changing colours. During the 5½ mile journey to Holt you’ll pass around 10 colourful lit-up dioramas on the lineside or dramatically set in the woods adjoining the track. These create an intriguing story which is brought to life by the on-board narration and music. Running 10 November 2023 to 1 January 2024. Find out more and book.
Santa Specials with North Norfolk Railway. Running from 25 November to 23 December 2023. Enjoy a magical Christmas journey aboard a traditional steam-hauled train! Sit back and relax as your train steams non-stop from Sheringham up the whole length of the line to Holt. Get into the festive spirit and make merry with complimentary onboard refreshments served to your table – mince pies and mulled cider for adults and gingerbread and hot chocolate for every child! There are festive children’s activity packs too, plus entertainers and balloon modellers who will stroll through the train spending time in each carriage for part of the journey. On the return journey, the train will stop at Weybourne Station where you will make your way through an enchanted Christmas Tree Kingdom with a magical seasonal theme, a snowy model railway and Santa’s friendly helpers before you meet Father Christmas himself who will present every child with a special, wrapped gift before you rejoin the train for the short journey back to Sheringham. The whole experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from the time your train departs Sheringham to arriving back at the station. Find out more and book.
Christmas Markets, Fairs and Shopping:
North Norfolk is great for Christmas shopping. There are lots of Christmas markets to shop for that perfect present as well as charming towns offering shopping away from the high street.
Holkham Christmas Market. The popular Christmas Market at Holkham, with free entry, returns on 9and 10 December 2023 in The Lady Elizabeth Wing and Courtyard. With over sixty local and regional producers showcasing artisan food, drink and gifts, there’s plenty to taste and lots of gorgeous gifts to buy. Live music by Fakenham Town Band and Nelson’s Shantymen will help visitors get into the festive spirit.
Creake Abbey Christmas Fair (25 November 2023, 10am to 3pm). Each year, Creake Abbey in North Creake runs a Christmas gift fair with over 60 gift and art stands as well as food and drink stands with locally produced wares. Also at Creake Abbey, there is a Christmas Farmers' Market with gifts on 23 food stands as well as gift stands to see you through the Christmas holiday period.
The regular Holt Sunday markets turn 'Christmassy' on Sunday 5 November and Sunday 3 December (10am to 3pm) so it's a great chance to get ahead on Christmas present shopping. And at the same time, you'll be supporting local businesses. Find out more here. Also Hopper's Yard in Holt (Bull Street, NR25 6LN) is hosting a late night shopping event on 30 November 2023 from 5pm to 8pm, with exclusive discounts and special offers. There will be live music, food and drink and the shopping courtyard will be decked out for Christmas - a wonderful sight!
Sandringham's Christmas Craft and Food Fair is taking place 17 to 19 November 2023 (between 10am and 5pm). There will be craft, food, gifts and festive fun; all essential ingredients of a successful Christmas event, accompanied with an array of music throughout the weekend. (Adult – £12.00, Child (5-15) – £5.00).
Christmas Market at Penshorpe. Get into the festive spirit and find the perfect presents for all your loved ones at Pensthorpe's annual Christmas market on 26 November 2023 from 10am to 4pm. Attended by the region’s best food and drink suppliers, artists and craft makers, the market provides shoppers with a welcome change of scenery from the high street, with pop-up stalls. £3 entry, free entry for annual members and under 16s. Find out more.
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden Christmas Market. The market takes place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 Novemer 2023 (9am to 4pm). Situated in the picnic area behind the tearoom, the market marquee will be full of festive delight with an array of stalls selling presents and treats from jewellery to glitter make up and from baristas to churros! Find out more here. You do not need a garden entry ticket to visit the market and there is free parking.
Race along to Fakenham Racecourse on 11 and 12 November 2023, for the Norfolk Artisan Fair. The fair will showcase the very best that Norfolk has to offer with a range of food, drink and gifts for Christmas with over 100 exhibitors. Find out more.
Dalegate Market in Burnham Deepdale, between 1 November and 24 December 2023 is a great place to go Christmas shopping without the city crowds while supporting local businesses. You'll find a wide range of shops selling unique items you can only find in north Norfolk. Perfect for Christmas gift shopping!
Visit north Norfolk's pretty market towns to find a range of shops and galleries. The towns will be decorated for Christmas with pretty lights and so it's a great way to get into the festive spirit. North Norfolk has it all; department stores, gift shops, antique shops, upmarket brands and small individual galleries and boutiques selling the wares of local artisans. Explore the town markets for local produce and unique items and stop off to enjoy some seasonal food.
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