What's On this Summer 2025 in Norwich

You can look forward to live DJ sets in historic locations, music festivals, a new urban safari through Norwich’s charming streets, free summer live performances and music in Norwich city centre, and big brewery garden summer vibes. 

al fresco at Yalm (Friday and Saturday evenings) NEW.

Summer evenings at Yalm sees more seating spilling into the Art Nouveau Royal Arcade along with an outdoor bar giving this a real summer terrace appeal. DJs and live music, including classical Spanish guitar, will provide atmosphere along with delicious dishes from Yalm’s eight local kitchens and three bars inside. Find out more.

Rock N Roll Circus (14 – 16 August 2025) NEW.

Where incredible live music from some of the UK’s most-loved artists comes together with phenomenal circus performances from high wire, acrobats, aerialists, stilt walkers, jugglers and fire performers for a show like no other. Having taken place in Sheffield, this is the festival's first outing to Norwich and promises to be spectacular. Headliners include McFly, Courteeners and Olly Murs with other performances from Pixie Lott, Sam Ryder, Blue, Scouting For Girls and more. Find out more here.

DJs at Sir Toby’s Beers on Norwich Market (Friday eves) NEW.

Catch the evening sun and with plenty of benches and seating, enjoy summer Fridays with DJ Hot Pickle's Spicy Summer Sessions outside Sir Toby's Beers! Possibly Norwich’s smallest and most popular bar,find Sir Toby’s located on Norwich’s historic Market. It’s the place to be between 5.30pm and 9pm every Friday until September. Playing a mix of soul, jazz and funk music throughout the evening, enjoy a choice of nine beer lines, two beer slushies, a fridge full of beer and Aperol Spritz too. Find out more here.

Norwich Summer Sessions (selected dates July & August).

Norwich Summer Sessions kicks off on Hay Hill with free, live music between 5pm and 7pm on every Thursday in July. You can see acts and live performance across three stages, with four stages when Summer Sessions moves to Sundays in August between 12.30pm and 4.30pm. Find out more here.

GoGoSafari (up to 30 August 2025). 

This is an urban safari like no other. This summer for 10 weeks, explore the streets of Norwich looking for gorillas, elephants, giraffes, rhinos and lions- large sculptures individually hand painted with no two alike. Find out more here.

Redwell Brewery.

With the largest by far beer garden in Norwich seating 350, every weekend at Redwells (Friday – Sunday) is the perfect reason to gather for great beer, live music and pop-up local food trucks all in one place. Find out more here.

Gonzo’s roof terrace Sunday Saver Sessions.

Bringing the party, these £5 sessions are what summer Sundays are all about. This is affordable live music, drinks and roof top dancing like no one is watching! Ticketed event.-Find out more here.

Norwich Pub Tours.

After a hiatus of 7 years, Norwich Pub Tours return for monthly outings telling the fascinating stories of Norwich's history through the lens of its most famous pubs. Expect entertaining hosts, hidden gems and a few drinks along the way. Tickets £20. Find out more here.

Sea Inside at the Sainsbury Centre.

The third of three exhibitions in a programme centred around the fundamental question Can the Seas Survive Us? has opened. Curated by Dr Sarah Wade and Dr Pandora Syperek, Sea Inside turns our gaze from the vast expanse of the open sea towards its more intimate spaces – whether physical, psychological or imaginary – and dives into shared watery origins, Indigenous ways of life, and the items we remove from the sea to display on land. Artworks showcase a range of contemporary artistic approaches, and traverse personal and cultural histories.

Finally, the Sainsbury Centre has just welcomed ‘Lightning Rod’- a 12-foot piece by Danish artist Kirstine Roepstorff. Crafted from cast bronze and natural sarsen stone. ‘Lightning Rod’ explores the speculative potential of energy transfer, how it’s used for creation and destruction, and a wider look at humanity’s place in a shifting world. Find out more here.

Strangers' Hall.

Strangers' Hall is offering free entry to their beautiful Knot Garden which is a great place to take a picnic or just have a rest and let the children run around. This will be open 5-days a week during the school holidays (23 July – 31 August 2025). The museum will also be open five days a week on Wednesdays – Sundays, 10am – 4pm (you have to pay to go into the museum). Find out more here.

Norwich Theatre Royal Open Day.

Norwich Theatre Royal has its annual Open Day on Saturday, 9 August 2025. This event offers a unique chance to go behind the scenes and discover how the magic of theatre is brought to life. Open Day runs between 10am and 3pm and is completely free to attend. The day includes: guided, access-all-areas tour of Norwich Theatre Royal and Stage Two | go backstage, explore beneath the stage, peek into dressing rooms, and even stand on the stage itself | a self-guided route is also available | accessible for everyone, audio-described, level-access, and quiet tours are available | see fly rail demonstrations, try your hand at lighting the stage, or check out the prompt desk | tech talks with the technical department | explore Norwich Theatre's archive and learn from our volunteer archivist about the theatre's rich history | try on some of the fabulous costumes from past pantos, or consider getting your face painted | prizes to be won. Find out more here.

Events at Norwich Castle Quarter.

Norwich Castle Quarter this summer (Norwich’s leading social, leisure and lifestyle destination), has planned lots of fun activities. All free to take part. Up to 30 August join in with the Castle Quarter Rhino Safari for a chance to win £100 to spend in Castle Quarter! On Thursday 7 August, between 12pm and 4pm, Castle Quarter will be visited by a life-sized elephant puppet. Led by a team of skillful puppeteers, watch the giant elephant as it wanders through the centre. There will be four 20-minute performances happening throughout the afternoon. Thursday 28 August, enjoy a wild encounter with another giant friend.  The legendary King Kong will be let loose for the afternoon. Towering tall at a mighty nine feet, visitors to Castle Quarter will have the chance to meet this iconic gorilla throughout the afternoon, with three 25-minute performances happening between 12pm and 4pm.  Approach with caution! Find out more.

Go to Visit Norwich for more events.