Festive family time

The North Norfolk Pole Experience, Pensthorpe, from Sat 30 Nov – Mon 23 Dec

On select dates between Sat 30 Nov – Mon 23 Dec, Santa takes over Pensthorpe. Usually a sell out (the less organised among you take note) the North Norfolk Pole Experience is a wonderful festive experience for all the fam. Littlies will get to meet Santa, the elves and Freddie the flamingo, listen to festive stories, try their hand at festive crafts (including making magical reindeer food) before choosing a Christmas pressie. Round this off with a festive afternoon tea in the cafè and lo and behold the perfect Christmassy day out does exist.

An Audience with Father Christmas, Holkahm Hall, various dates

Fancy some tartan trimmed trad Christmas action? An Audience with Father Christmas at the beautiful Holkahm Hall is just that. It’ll begin in the Marble Hall, where you’ll be wowed by the big man’s band of ukulele elves (who knew?), before exploring the gorgeous state rooms until you find Santa in the Saloon, armed with Christmas tales and gifts for kiddos. Property porn for you and pressies for the kids another Christmas win. Select dates in Dec.

Bewilderwood, Hoveton, from Sat 30 Nov – Mon 23 Dec

Hold onto your Santa hats! After a successful debut last year, Christmas at Bewilderwood is back and bigger than ever, from Sat 30 Nov – Mon 23 Dec. Booking early is wise for the sparkling light trail through the woods with silly snowmen and curious Christmas crackers, which is followed by a 10-minute panto (some would argue, the perfect length!) and, new this year, a meet, greet and treat with the big man himself.

Yuletide trains

The Polar Express Train Ride, Dereham, Sat 9 Nov – Mon 23 Dec

Magical train travel will be back this Christmas, with locos getting their festive makeovers from November. In Dereham, Mid-Norfolk Railway’s The Polar Express Train Ride will once again bring the classic animated film to life – think cookies, hot chocolate, story-telling conductors and an appearance from the big man himself. This year rides will be running from Sat 9 Nov to Mon 23 Dec.

Norfolk Lights Express, Sheringham, Fri 15 Nov – Sat 4 Jan

And over at Sheringham, the North Norfolk Railway’s Norfolk Lights Express (above) is steaming back into town from Fri 15 Nov to Sat 4 Jan. Thousands of twinkling lights will illuminate the steam-hauled train – get your snaps before hopping aboard, cosying up in your vintage carriage and cruising past colourful Christmassy scenes. and Santa specials

Santa Cruise River Trip, Wroxham, Sat 30 Nov – Mon 23 Dec

For something a bit different, how about a Santa Cruise River Trip at Broads Tours in Wroxham? There’ll be gift bags for over-threes, including a juice box, activity book and festive treat, and they can visit Father Christmas in his grotto for a gift as you cruise down towards Wroxham Broad. There’s mulled wine and a festive treat for the adults, too! From Sat 30 Nov – Mon 23 Dec.

Dazzling tours and trails

Christmas Tours, Holkham Hall, various dates in December

As if fancy Holkham wasn’t grand enough already, at Christmas it takes things up another notch with some seriously impressive decorations, which are so special they inspired Channel 4’s Christmas at Holkham (just us dragging the same slightly wonky tree down from the loft every year, then?). On dates in December, you can see the state rooms decked out in their festive finery – choose to go on your own tour or have one of the guides lead the way – both options begin with a glass of bubbly and a mince pie. 

Luminate Sandringham, Sandringham, Thu 21 Nov – Tue 24 Dec

Nip over to Sandringham for the amazing winter light trail Luminate Sandringham, running nightly from Thu 21 Nov to Tue 24 Dec. A mile long (it takes about 60 to 90 minutes to walk), expect illuminated trees, impressive displays, light play and toasted marshmallows by the fire pit. Then, whizz down the helter skelter or climb aboard a horse on the carousel at the Henry Chipperfield 1906 Vintage Fairground.

Christmas at the Blicking Estate, from Sat 30 Nov – Sun 15 Dec

Blickling’s spectacular Garden of Lights event will be back with a bang from Sat 30 Nov – Sun 15 Dec. The gorgeous grounds of the National Trust gem will be transformed into a multi-sensory wonderland taking visitors on a trail through the seasons. The Walled Garden will be your slice of summer (remember her?) while the Parade will be giving autumn, the Acre, winter, and spring will be found along the walk to the Temple culminating in all four seasons on the pretty parterre. There’s also the Journey Through the Stars to see inside as well as festive nibbles, and stocking fillers available in the second hand bookstore. Always a lovely Christmassy evening well spent, tickets are available here but get in quick, they are selling faster than chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

Shows and spectaculars

Thursford Christmas Spectacular, Thursford, Fri 8 Nov – Mon 23 Dec

The Thursford Christmas Spectacular is the big daddy of festive shindigs in Norfolk and for good reason – it’s the biggest show of its kind in Europe, with a cast of 130 people and three hours of singing, dancing, music and comedy (and some very glitzy costumes). Last year’s outing was its biggest to date, though it consistently attracts people from all over the country. In 2024 it’s back from Fri 8 Nov – Mon 23 Dec – there are 2pm and 7pm showings, and it’s suitable for over-eights.

Christmas Spectacular Circus & Water Show, Gt Yarmouth’s Hippodrome, Sat 7 Dec – Sun 5 Jan.

Over in Great Yarmouth, join hosts Jack Jay and Ben Langley at the Hippodrome’s Christmas Spectacular Circus & Water Show to see the international cast blend Christmas with circus (a winning combo, if you ask us) in a pretty unique festive extravaganza. This year it’s running from Sat 7 Dec to Sun 5 Jan.

Cromer Pier Christmas Show, Cromer, Sat 16 Nov – Sun 29 Dec

And don’t forget to snap up tickets to the Cromer End of Pier Christmas Show – on from Sat 16 Nov to Sun 29 Dec – where we can expect a professional West End-inspired experience, with speciality acts, powerhouse vocals and spellbinding dance with a generous serving of Christmas cheer.

Christmas markets

The Norfolk Festive Gift & Food Show, Norfolk Showground, Fri 8 – Sun 10 Nov

If the thought of chokka high streets and missing Amazon parcels makes you feel a bit queasy (us too), take the stress out of Christmas shopping and head to one of the fab gift markets lined up for winter. Bonus points for shopping local, too! The Norfolk Festive Gift & Food Show will kick off the season when it returns to the Norfolk Showground from Fri 8 – Sun 10 Nov. Think dozens of stalls selling everything from jewellery to toys and delish food and drink. Last year Santa and his sleigh even joined the festivities! 

 Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair, Sandringham, Fri 15 – Sun 17 Nov

The following week, Sandringham’s fab Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair (Fri 15 – Sun 17 Nov) will see its food hall packed with talented artisans, alongside over 100 craftspeople and designers, chefs sharing their top Christmas Day tips and gift marquees. Mooch around the huge site to the sounds of harpists, a swing duo and a jazz band (if the kids are in tow, there’s the Singing Santa, above, and Elf on a Bubble Bike to keep them happy).

Christmas Market, Holkham Estate, Fri 13 – Sun 15 Dec

Finally, in December gorgeous Holkham will put on its Christmas Market (Fri 13 – Sun 15 Dec), where there’ll be over 60 local and regional producers selling everything from salami to shortbread and cushions to choccies, local bands bringing the tunes and street food to keep the energy levels up. 

Great days out

 The Assembly House, Norwich, from Thu 14 Nov

If there’s a place that knows how to celebrate an occasion it’s Norwich’s The Assembly House, and Christmas is no exception. As well as a Nutcracker themed Afternoon Tea, their cosy Assembly House Igloos (above) will be back this winter – snap one up with pals for a special night out tucking into its hearty fondue menu, or opt for a Beforenoon Tea (the brekkie edition of the classic). The delightful domes are heated, come with Bluetooth speakers and are decked out with fairy lights so, naturally they get booked up quickly.