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 from 17 to 22 December. It's the perfect festive event to put the sparkle into Christmas early this year for children of all ages! £7.95 per child (adults free), includes gift and entry into the grotto to meet Santa. Find out more.
Christmas at Holkham Hall. There are lots of festive events taking place at Holkham this year. Try your hand at wreath making (4 December), willow weaving workshops (30 November and 5 December), oil painting workshops (6 and 7 December) and silver smith workshops (2 and 16 December), children's crafts (3 and 13 December) and a candlelight musical tour and concert (1 December). Father Christmas will be in residence in December. Visit the Holkham website for dates and to book.
Set sail with Broads tours on the Santa River Cruise from 3 to 22 December 2022. 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 from £22.00 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. Find out more and book.
A Felbrigg Christmas. Felbrigg is the perfect place to get into the festive spirit this winter. Visit the house lit up for Christmas and head out on the Christmas tree trail in the grounds. The ground floor of the House is open and dressed for Christmas between 12-3pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays between 3-19 December. Last entries 2:30pm. Carols in the Courtyard are now a Christmas tradition at Felbrigg. Come and join in the carol singing accompanied by the Cromer and Sheringham Brass Band on Sunday 18 December from 2:30pm. Find out more.
Santa Experience at Wroxham Barns. Norfolk’s sell-out Christmas experience is back and it's bigger, better and more immersive than ever before! It takes place every weekend in December as well as 19 to 24 December. The Christmas Experience offers activities throughout the day including visiting Mrs Claus to help her cook up a storm in her kitchen and, of course, meeting Father Christmas. Help sort through the Christmas mail, make reindeer food and lots more! Chldren will receive a golden coin to spend in the HUGE toyshop. Find out more and book.
Dippy's Christmas Celebration at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure. Father Christmas has teamed up with Dippy to spread some Christmas sparkle to the Park. Jingle all the Day (selected dates in November and December) is when you can visit Father Christmas and choose your favourite toy from under the tree. Sparkle in the Dark (available on selected evenings in November and December when the rest of the Park has closed) is when you can meet Mother Christmas at her Gingerbread kitchen and pay Father Christmas a visit to collect your golden ticket (swap it for a toy of your choice from the toy shop). Running 26 November to 24 December 2022. Find out more and book.
Christmas morning at Blickling hall, 28 November – 18 December, 11am–2pm, last entry to the house and garden is 1pm. Step inside the Hall for a fantastical 1930s Christmas party and explore rooms decked with nutcrackers and festive splendour. Soak up the sights and sounds – write a vintage Christmas card, decorate a tree, see the cooks prepare for Christmas Day in the kitchen and take a whirl on the dancefloor of the Ice Ball. There's no need to book tickets for your visit during these times. Entry is free to National Trust members and non-members can pay on the door. Find out more here.
Fabulous festive shows and pantos:
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Cromer Pier Christmas Show (26 November to 30 December 2022). This variety show will warm your hearts and get you in the mood for the Christmas season with a whole heap of festive fun. It’s fast becoming one of the ‘must see’ family festive shows in Norfolk, with laugh-out-loud comedy, amazing dance routines and glitzy costumes. Find out more and book.
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Hunstanton Princess Theatre (3 December 2022 to 1 January 2023). Cinderella is a magical pantomime featuring great songs, dazzling dance toutines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and amazing special effects. Cinderella has always dreamed of leaving her dull life as a servant to meet a handsome prince. Will she make it to Prince Charming's royal ball or will the ugly sisters get in the way? Will Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother come to the rescue? Find out more and book.
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Thursford Christmas Spectacular (suitable for 8+ years). Christmas Spectacular is 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 it’s kind in Europe! Running from 8 November to 23 December 2022 (2pm and 7pm). Prices start at £41 (weekday evenings). Find out more and book.
Hansel and Gretel is back at Wells Maltings this Christmas (16 – 18 December 2022). Featuring fun songs and puppetry with a distinctive Norfolk twist on the classic tale, Wells Maltings is proud to present Nick Lane’s funny, festive show for families, produced in collaboration with North Norfolk’s own fEAST theatre. This Christmas, join a girl called Gretel and a boy called Hansel as they journey through the forest on a daredevil adventure that’s a sweet treat for children and their grown-ups. Find out more.
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Sheringham Little Theatre (10 - 31 December 2022). Snow White: The Pantomime is coming to the stage. Look into the magical mirror to see that full scale Pantomime has returned! The Evil Queen thinks she is the most trending topic on Instagram, but Snow White’s beauty stands in her way. Snow White, along with her hilarious Nurse Jolly Jabs, must escape into Sheringham Woods to get away from the Queen and her bumbling henchman Igor. Snow White will be spectacularly brought to life with an apple full of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and stunning effects. A treat for all age. Find out and book.
Light shows and experiences:
Thursford's Enchanted Journey of Light. When twilight falls the magic begins! The Lantern Light Extravaganza will have 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! Find out more and book.
Garden of Lights at Blickling Estate. Enjoy the colours, smells and sounds of Christmas at Blickling. Begin your evening visit through the magically lit walled garden, before discovering the Parterre and Orangery gardens illuminated with colour and light. Head towards the Temple for warming mulled wine, spiced apple juice, mince pies and gingerbread, or enjoy something more substantial from the outdoor food offers on the front drive. Running 28 November to 18 December 2022. Find out more.
Luminate Light Trail at Sandringham. Nestled deep within the Royal family's private estate, awaits a spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses. As darkness descends, go on an enchanting journey and weave a captivating light trail through the Country Park 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 18 December 2022. Tickets must be pre-booked online in advance.
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. 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:
At Wroxham, you can hop aboard the Bure Valley Railway Festive Express. Take a ride on Norfolk’s longest narrow-gauge railway, all the way to Aylsham to see Santa in his grotto where each child will receive a present from Santa himself. Enjoy the one hour experience including festive treats. Find out more and book.
The Norfolk Lights Express with North Norfolk Railway is an illuminated magical steam train journey from Sheringham to Holt and back. You will see the countryside in a whole new light as the onboard lights shine on to the scenery in a series of changing colours as you pass colourful lit-up dioramas. Running 11 November 2022 to 2 January 2023. Find out more and book.
Santa Specials with North Norfolk Railway. Running from 26 November to 23 December 2022. Enjoy a magical Christmas journey aboard a traditional steam-hauled train. The journey runs from Sheringham to Holt, before travelling back to Weybourne where you will make your way through an enchanted Christmas Tree Kingdom before meeting Santa and receiving a special gift. Complimentary onboard refreshments served to your table and activity packs for each child and a team of elves to help keep you entertained! 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.
On 10 and 11 December, head to Holkham to do a spot of shopping at the Christmas Food, Drink and Gift Market. The market takes place in the Lady Elizabeth Wing. New for 2022: you can enjoy live music as you browse the stalls, before heading to a street food court to tickle your taste-buds!
Creake Abbey Christmas Fair (26 November 2022, 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 17 30 food stands and 15 gift stands to see you through the Christmas holiday period.
Norfolk Creations at The Loft, Blickling. Featuring a wide range of artisan crafters from across the county, Norfolk Creations will be exhibiting in The Loft Gallery at Blickling from 28 November – 18 December between 10am-2pm and 4-8pm*. Perfect for those festive gifts or perhaps a little treat for yourself. *Ticketed entry between 4-8pm as part of the Garden of Lights event. Find out more.
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Sandringham's Christmas Craft and Food Fair is taking place 18 to 20 November 2022. 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 – £10.00, Child (5-15) – £4.00).
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 27 November 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. £2 entry, free entry for Annual Members and Under 16s. Find out more.
Race along to Fakenham Racecourse on 19 and 20 November 2022, 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 4 November and 22 December 2022 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.
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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. And of course Norfolk is famous for turkeys; Rob Morton has been producing award winning free range turkeys on his Norfolk farm for the last 25 years. Place your order for free range bronze, available in a range of weights, along with turkey crowns, breast joints and cockerels. Order online here.
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