The holidays have arrived in Great Yarmouth! Check out our guide for all the best events and activities. For Great Yarmouth experts and novices, our guide is the key to unlocking the city's holiday treasures.
One highlight of the festive season is the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, a dazzling performance that combines music, dance, and festive cheer, making it a significant attraction just a short drive away. The Norwich Christmas Light Switch-On lights up the streets with stunning displays, marking the official start of festive spirit in the area. And the Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a charming array of stalls featuring handmade gifts and seasonal treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Great Yarmouth
- Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Thursford)
- Norwich Christmas Light Switch-On (Norwich)
- Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre
- Hippodrome Christmas Spectacular
- Blickling Estate's Christmas Spectacular (Blickling)
- Holkham Hall by Candlelight (Holkham)
- Wroxham Barns Christmas Experience (Wroxham)
- Bewilderwood Presents Christmas (Hoveton)
- Santa River Cruise at Wroxham (Wroxham)
- A Sparkle For Christmas at Gorleston Pavilion (Gorleston)
See these and even more events listed below!
Great Yarmouth Holiday Light Displays
Norwich Christmas Light Switch-On
What to Expect:
Unique LED lighting scheme powered by renewable energy.
Description:
Norwich's Christmas Light Switch-On features live song and dance performances, including Framtastics gymnastics group and Garage Invidia Voices choir. Special guest Millie O'Connell will lead the light switch-on, accompanied by a 12-strong Junior Ensemble. The event includes a 100 LED lighting scheme powered by renewable energy, festive decor in shopping streets, and a brass band performance outside Jarrolds department store.
Where: Norwich | More Info: Norwich Christmas Light Switch-On
Blickling Estate's Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and family-friendly activities in a historic setting.
Description:
Explore Blickling Hall's Jacobean mansion, featuring a traditional Victorian Christmas with a wild twist. The house is decorated with animals preparing for Christmas, and visitors can enjoy Christmas shopping, seasonal food, and family activities in the garden.
Where: Blickling | More Info: Blickling Estate's Christmas Spectacular
Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound experience with fantasy land characters and luminous sculptures.
Description:
Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light is a festive event featuring a 1-kilometer trail of millions of lights, including a Fantasy Land Building with polar bears, giant teddy bears, and a wondrous wrapping machine. The journey continues outside to a Lantern Light Extravaganza with luminous sculptures and fantasy creatures.
Where: Thursford | More Info: Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light
Great Yarmouth Holiday Markets and Shopping
Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre
What to Expect:
Unique handcrafted gifts and local food offerings.
Description:
The Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre is a three-day event featuring over thirty specialist handcraft, food, and gift stalls in the historic Great Yarmouth Minster and St. Nicholas Church. The event offers a variety of festive goods and delicious food, making it a great place to find unique gifts and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
Where: Great Yarmouth | More Info: Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre
Norwich Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans and boutique vendors.
Description:
The Norfolk Festive Gift & Food Show is the region's biggest festive shopping fair, featuring Christmas gifts, presents for all ages, and delicious festive food and drink. It offers a wide range of Christmas treats, including handmade decorations and inspirational gift ideas, along with exclusive show discounts and special offers.
Where: Norwich | More Info: Norwich Christmas Market
Great Yarmouth Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Thursford Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Large-scale Christmas performance with over 2000 costumes and complex choreography.
Description:
Thursford Christmas Spectacular is a grand Christmas show featuring 130 professional singers, dancers, and musicians in a three-hour extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour, and variety. The show includes a diverse mix of seasonal and year-round favourites, with famous chart toppers performed alongside traditional carols.
Where: Thursford | More Info: Thursford Christmas Spectacular
Hippodrome Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Breathtaking circus magic with synchronized swimmers.
Description:
The Hippodrome Christmas Spectacular is a grand Christmas production featuring an incredible international circus cast, including Jack Jay and Ben Langley. It combines the festive spirit of Christmas with breathtaking circus magic, offering a unique alternative to traditional pantomime shows. The event includes synchronized swimmers during the ring drop, making it one of the biggest and most spectacular Christmas productions in Europe.
Where: Great Yarmouth | More Info: Hippodrome Christmas Spectacular
Bewilderwood Presents Christmas
What to Expect:
Christmas-themed activities in a woodland setting.
Description:
Celebrate the magic of Christmas at BeWILDerwood with festive activities and special events.
Where: Hoveton | More Info: Bewilderwood Presents Christmas
A Sparkle For Christmas at Gorleston Pavilion
What to Expect:
Heartwarming Christmas show with festive music and dance.
Description:
A Sparkle for Christmas at Gorleston Pavilion is a feel-good celebration of Christmas, featuring singing and dancing to all your favourite classics. It's a joyous event that captures the essence of the holiday season, with a possibility of a visit from the big man himself.
Where: Gorleston | More Info: A Sparkle For Christmas at Gorleston Pavilion
Cinderella at Gorleston Pavilion
What to Expect:
Classic pantomime with traditional characters and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Join us for Cinderella, a traditional family pantomime at Gorleston Pavilion. This classic tale follows Cinderella as she finds love with the help of her fairy godmother. The show features Buttons, the Good Fairy, and the Ugly Sisters, all set against a backdrop of festive fun.
Where: Gorleston | More Info: Cinderella at Gorleston Pavilion
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs at Princess Theatre
What to Expect:
Interactive pantomime with a new cast and traditional festive elements.
Description:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Princess Theatre features brilliant special effects, amazing dance routines, and exciting musical numbers as Snow White battles the Evil Queen.
Where: Hunstanton | More Info: Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs at Princess Theatre
Santa’s Magical Journey
What to Expect:
Interactive light and animatronic displays with Father Christmas.
Description:
Santa's Magical Journey at Thursford features a visit to see Father Christmas, accompanied by the Enchanted Journey of Light, a festival of luminous sculptures. The event includes captivating Christmas animatronics and breath-taking lantern scenes, making it a memorable experience for all ages.
Where: Thursford | More Info: Santa’s Magical Journey
Great Yarmouth Other Holiday Activities
Holkham Hall by Candlelight
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of opulently decorated state rooms.
Description:
Explore Holkham Hall's beautifully decorated state rooms at your own pace, enjoying stunning scenes and festive decorations. Hall Guides are available to share inspiration behind each room and answer questions. The event includes a glass of Prosecco and a mince pie with your ticket.
Where: Holkham | More Info: Holkham Hall by Candlelight
Wroxham Barns Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Private Santa meetings and themed activities across Junior Farm and Fun Park.
Description:
At Wroxham Barns, immerse yourself in a day filled with themed Christmassy activities. Explore Junior Farm and the Fun Park, decorate gingerbread with Mrs. Claus, create magical reindeer food, and write letters to Santa at the North Pole Post Office. Enjoy a private meeting with Santa in his grotto, and let your children collect stamps as they go through the activities.
Where: Wroxham | More Info: Wroxham Barns Christmas Experience
Santa River Cruise at Wroxham
What to Expect:
Santa visits children aboard a river cruise with festive treats for all.
Description:
Join Santa Claus on a festive river cruise at Wroxham, where children over 3 years old receive a gift bag and can visit Santa in his grotto. Adults enjoy mulled wine and festive treats while cruising down to Wroxham Broad.
Where: Wroxham | More Info: Santa River Cruise at Wroxham
Ascarium: Tricks & Treats
What to Expect:
Spooky underwater adventure with interactive sea creature challenges.
Description:
Join us at SeaLife Great Yarmouth for Ascarium: Tricks & Treats, where you can meet a Sea Witch, enjoy spooky photo opportunities, and participate in fun games and activities. Fancy dress is encouraged, and there will be a Halloween Afternoon Tea and spooky gourd decorating activity.
Where: Great Yarmouth | More Info: Ascarium: Tricks & Treats
Joyland's Spooky Snail Trail Halloween Nights
What to Expect:
Family-friendly Halloween event with unlimited rides and spooky activities.
Description:
At Joyland's Spooky Snail Trail Halloween Nights, younger children and families can enjoy unlimited rides on beloved attractions, a trick-or-treat trail, spooky photo ops, children's face painting, and meet friendly spooky characters. The evening concludes with a marquee stage show and disco.
Where: Great Yarmouth | More Info: Joyland's Spooky Snail Trail Halloween Nights
Yarmouth Stadium Gala Night
What to Expect:
Fireworks display following stock car and banger racing.
Description:
Yarmouth Stadium's Gala Night features stock car and banger racing, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. The event offers a variety of viewing options, including the Raceview bars and Trackside area, along with dining and betting facilities.
Where: Great Yarmouth | More Info: Yarmouth Stadium Gala Night
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Lowestoft (9 miles)
- Norwich (18 miles)
- East Dereham (34 miles)
- Stowmarket (42 miles)
- Thetford (43 miles)