Norfolk

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mark-your-diaries">Mark your diaries</h2>



Cor blimey, there’s LOADS to get excited about in Norfolk in 2025! As well as the likes of <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/latest-news/film-sets-strictly-stars-and-buble-its-all-going-on-in-norfolk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Bublé, Sting, The Script, Rag&#8217;n&#8217;Bone Man and Stereophonics</a> coming to our &#8216;hood for various festivals next year, gird your loins because even more exciting names and events have just been announced. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Showdown-Credit-Andy-Phillipson5A75Showdown-Credit-Andy-PhillipsonShowdown-Credit-Andy-Phillipson-2048x1365.jpg-copy.jpg" alt="Upswing circus group" class="wp-image-59774" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Showdown-Credit-Andy-Phillipson5A75Showdown-Credit-Andy-PhillipsonShowdown-Credit-Andy-Phillipson-2048x1365.jpg-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Showdown-Credit-Andy-Phillipson5A75Showdown-Credit-Andy-PhillipsonShowdown-Credit-Andy-Phillipson-2048x1365.jpg-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Showdown-Credit-Andy-Phillipson5A75Showdown-Credit-Andy-PhillipsonShowdown-Credit-Andy-Phillipson-2048x1365.jpg-copy-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



First up, arts and culture phenomenon, the <a href="https://nnfestival.org.uk/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norfolk &amp; Norwich Festival</a> (Fri 9 &#8211; Sun 25 May) have leaked deets of the first few events, and it&#8217;s shaping up to be another corker. Headlining the coveted Spiegaltent is Upswing, a contemporary circus troupe, with their new show, <a href="https://nnfestival.org.uk/whats-on/showdown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Showdown</a>. Dubbed a mix between a talent show, a beauty pageant and, um, The Hunger Games, seven extraordinary acrobats will battle it out for your vote, (Wed 14 &#8211; Sun 25 May). Juggler, magician and illusionist <a href="https://nnfestival.org.uk/whats-on/heka/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gandini</a> (Tue 13 &#8211; Wed 14 May) and mezzo soprano, <a href="https://nnfestival.org.uk/whats-on/voice-electric/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lotte Betts-Dean</a> (Thu 22 May) and her electric voice are also on the docket along with author <a href="https://nnfestival.org.uk/whats-on/harriet-martineau-lecture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Val McDermid</a> who will be delivering this year&#8217;s Harriet Martineau lecture (Sat 24 May).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Darcey-Bussell-and-Peter-Lovatt-1538.jpg" alt="Darcey Bussell and Dr Peter Lovatt" class="wp-image-59769" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Darcey-Bussell-and-Peter-Lovatt-1538.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Darcey-Bussell-and-Peter-Lovatt-1538-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Darcey-Bussell-and-Peter-Lovatt-1538-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



OG Strictly fans contain your excitement as Dame Darcey Bussell is set to take the stage at next year&#8217;s <a href="https://norwichsciencefestival.co.uk/news/nsf-returns-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwich Science Festival</a> (Sat 15 – Sat 22 Feb). That&#8217;s right, the prima ballerina will be exploring the transformative impact of dance and movement with Dr Peter Lovatt aka Dr Dance in the annual celebration of science. A must watch for dance (and Darcey) fans. Also set to appear is wildlife expert, presenter and author Steve Backshall MBE, River Cottage’s Rachel de Thample and comedian, presenter and physicist Lieven Scheire along with festival favourites Dr Adam Rutherford, Dr Jess French and Prof Ben Garrod. Tickets go on sale Thu 28 Nov with more events set to be announced soon.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/hall-way-1.jpg" alt="the band James" class="wp-image-59777" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/hall-way-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/hall-way-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/hall-way-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



And injecting a bit of Nineties nostalgia into <a href="https://www.forestlive.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thetford Forest Live</a> this year are indie-rockers James. The cult band who wrote the anthems Sit Down and She&#8217;s a Star, just celebrated their 40th anniversary and will be rocking the forest Thu 19 Jun with the one and only Shed Seven (we know, another throwback) supporting. Tickets are on sale now. Electronic dance more you vibe? Basement Jaxx will be doing their thing at <a href="https://www.latitudefestival.com/artists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Latitude Festival</a> next year in what will be their first live gig in a decade, (Fri 25 Jul). Tickets available <a href="https://www.latitudefestival.com/tickets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-delia-smith-where-are-ya">Delia Smith, where are ya? </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2122" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/2021_07_15_DeliaSmith_S03_562.jpg" alt="Delia Smith" class="wp-image-59759" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/2021_07_15_DeliaSmith_S03_562.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/2021_07_15_DeliaSmith_S03_562-566x800.jpg 566w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/2021_07_15_DeliaSmith_S03_562-707x1000.jpg 707w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/2021_07_15_DeliaSmith_S03_562-768x1086.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/2021_07_15_DeliaSmith_S03_562-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/2021_07_15_DeliaSmith_S03_562-1448x2048.jpg 1448w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Canaries icon, chef extraordinaire and Norfolk treasure, Delia Smith, is set to make a star turn in Norwich Theatre Royal&#8216;s panto this year. She will be voicing the Great Spirit and already joins a stellar cast which includes Joe Tracini, Lisa Maxwell and Owen Evans, alongside West End darlings Meesha Turner and Tarik Frimpong in this year&#8217;s production of <a href="https://norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/aladdin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aladdin</a> (Sat 7 Dec – Sun 5 Jan). For all the goss, check out <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/interview-lisa-maxwell-panto-villain-aladdin-norwich-theatre-royal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our interview</a> with this year&#8217;s panto baddie, Lisa.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paw-fect-plans">Paw-fect plans</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Westleton-Crown_Sept-122-small.jpeg" alt="dog behind the bar at The Lifeboat Inn in Thornham" class="wp-image-59835" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Westleton-Crown_Sept-122-small.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Westleton-Crown_Sept-122-small-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/Westleton-Crown_Sept-122-small-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Dog mums and dads take note! The Lifeboat Inn in Thornham will be hosting the UK&#8217;s first ever <a href="https://www.chestmutts.co.uk/denzels-apres-ski-celebration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aprés-ski event for dogs</a> on Fri 22 Nov, 4pm-6pm. The pedigree event will be hosted in <a href="https://www.lifeboatinnthornham.com/winter-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Winter Garden</a> in all its faux fur, fairy lit, undercover, heated glory. The garden which officially opens daily from Wed 20 Nov will serve boozy hot chocs and a seasonal menu (hello Tartiflette pizza and hot sweet pretzels) for those of us with two legs, and your furry four-legged family members will get to enjoy the same treatment this Friday. Alongside plenty of dog treats from premium dog brand Denzel&#8217;s, there will be a doggy fashion show, massage stations for your mutt to relax and plenty of photo ops plus Yappy hour for us humans with half-priced mulled wine and ales available between 4pm &amp; 5pm. Though dogs are always welcome at <a href="https://www.lifeboatinnthornham.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lifeboat Inn</a>, and all pubs making up the Chestnut Group, this marks the first event of its kind &#8211; we can just hear all those tails wagging now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-on-up">Moving on up</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="861" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/349822617_798737111494454_4046357244546958774_n.jpg" alt="Simply Beauty " class="wp-image-59811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/349822617_798737111494454_4046357244546958774_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/349822617_798737111494454_4046357244546958774_n-800x689.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/349822617_798737111494454_4046357244546958774_n-768x661.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



We have long been a fan of <a href="https://www.simplybeautynorwich.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Simply Beauty</a>&#8216;s rose wall, neon sign, and Prosecco-fuelled pampering which is why we are super excited about their impending move from Norwich to a larger site in Thorpe St Andrew. The team are set to open their spangly new doors from Mon 2 Dec ready for some pre-Christmas beautification. See you there!



Also moving to bigger digs is two-time Muddy Award winner, <a href="https://the-scented-barn.square.site" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Scented Barn</a>. Currently found in Holt&#8217;s Hoppers Yard, the one stop shop for all things home fragrance will be kicking off the New Year in style with a move to the High Street in January. Best of luck.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-openings">New Openings </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/465779337_17982154457774042_4579888325348508819_n.jpg" alt="The Shopkeeper Store in Norwich" class="wp-image-59830" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/465779337_17982154457774042_4579888325348508819_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/465779337_17982154457774042_4579888325348508819_n-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/11/465779337_17982154457774042_4579888325348508819_n-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Norwich Lanes have recently welcomed not one but two new store openings and already we&#8217;re eyeing them up for a Christmas shopping spree. First up, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the.shopkeeperstore" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Shopkeeper Store</a> (above), a gorgeous lifestyle, homeware and mens fashion shop, has just opened on Upper St Giles. Stocking a gorgeous collection of goodies inspired by travel, slow living and craftsmanship, we&#8217;re adding to our own Christmas lists as we type (check out this gorgeous <a href="https://www.theshopkeeperstore.com/collections/homeware/products/kashi-handloom-killim-rug" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hand-loomed rug</a>). And joining the already <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/fashion-lifestyle/secondhand-september-top-places-to-shop-vintage-in-norfolk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superb collective of vintage shops</a> in Norwich we&#8217;d like to give a warm welcome to Sams in the Lanes. A particularly cool retro outpost from the Samaritans Charity &#8211; check out the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCZGCCLsM2n/?img_index=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">baby pink frontage</a> &#8211; selling high end second hand gems. Open now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sad-closures">Sad closures</h2>



And Norwich institution <a href="https://www.instagram.com/philipbrownemenswear/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philip Browne</a> will be closing its doors after Christmas this year. The menswear shop on Guildhall Hill has been kitting out Norfolk gents with Levi&#8217;s, Moncler, Vivienne Westwood and the like for the last 40 years and will be sorely missed from the high street.

Roll on 2025! Cool events, BIG names and the latest local goss

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