A vibrant year of free events is coming to King’s Lynn and Hunstanton in 2026, as the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk unveils a packed programme designed to celebrate local heritage, support businesses, and bring communities together.
Working with a growing number of partners, the council has created a full line-up of activities spanning spring to Christmas—from live music and theatre to watersports, family fun days, and much‑loved annual favourites.
Cllr Sue Lintern, Cabinet Member for Events and Culture, said: “Events in Hunstanton and King’s Lynn are always warmly received, and it has been a pleasure to work with the small, dedicated team behind them. With a modest budget, they’ve used real imagination to create a full programme for 2026. Our focus is on supporting local retailers and hospitality businesses, and I’m looking forward to another enjoyable and memorable year.”
Highlights in Hunstanton include the brand-new Hunny’s Beer & Gin Festival (11 July), the return of the Open-Air Cinema (12 July), six weeks of Family Fun Days from 23 July, Beats by the Beach(15 August), Battle of the Bands (16 August), and the ever-popular Soapbox Derby (20 September).
King’s Lynn’s programme features the Hanse Festival (24 May), Music in the Bandstand in The Walks every Sunday from June to September, the Hanseatic Festival of Watersports (21–22 June), Folk in the Town (18–19 July), Pride Parade & Party in the Park (15 August), Heritage Open Day & Classic Car Day (13 September), and the region’s largest free fireworks display, Fawkes in The Walks (6 November).
Cllr Lintern added: “There is so much to enjoy in both towns throughout the year. We haven’t even touched on the many events planned by the St George’s Guildhall team, Discover King’s Lynn, Hunstanton Town Council or the brilliant community groups across the borough, but I’ll do my best to ensure residents hear about them.”
Full details: west-norfolk.gov.uk/events and west-norfolk.gov.uk/hunstantonevents. Updates will be shared on the council’s social media channels.
Hunstanton Highlights
Saturday 11 July – Hunstanton’s Beer & Gin Festival
A brand-new addition for 2026. Visitors can enjoy Norfolk-based producers, a mocktail station for children, family entertainment, and live music on the Bandstand.
Sunday 12 July – Open-Air Cinema
A returning favourite featuring three films in one day:
- A family-friendly screening perfect for a picnic on The Green
- A public-vote film (Downton Abbey (2025), Superman (2025), or Freakier Friday (2025))
- An evening film aimed at older audiences as the sun sets
Updates will be shared on the council’s social media channels.
Family Fun Days – Every Thursday from 23 July (six weeks)
Weekly activities on The Green, including performances by Strange Fascination Theatre (Hansel and Gretel, Red Riding Hood), sessions with Hunstanton Library, the RNLI, Punch and Judy, Quack House Rescue, and more.
Thursday 23 July – Peter Piper Picked Some Litter
A new environmentally focused family event with litter-picking kits, stalls, competitions, children’s activities, and the launch of the Borrow, Play, Return beach toy box.
Thursday 13 August – Hunny’s Mad Tea Party
Celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week with a whimsical tea party on The Green. Bring a picnic or pick up treats from local businesses. Strange Fascination Theatre will perform Alice Through in Wonderland.
Saturday 15 August – Beats by the Beach
Following last year’s success with headliners Wild Boys, this year’s line-up will be announced via the Hunstanton events newsletter.
Sunday 16 August – Battle of the Bands
Local bands compete for a coveted performance slot at Festival Too in 2027. Entries open at the end of March.
Sunday 20 September – Soapbox Derby 2026
A thrilling finale to the summer season, with more than 50 teams expected to race and new twists planned for 2026.
Sunday 29 November – Christmas Dog Walk & Jumper Competition
Returning after a successful debut, this festive event runs alongside Hunstanton Town Council’s Christmas lights switch-on.
King’s Lynn dates for your diary
Saturday 25 April – Merchants Market
Organised by Discover King’s Lynn. The first of the monthly Merchant’s Markets. Held in the Tuesday Market Place between 9am and 3pm.
Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 3 May – Circus Ginnett
The circus comes to The Walks.
Sunday 24 May – Hanse Festival
Hanse House hosts the annual celebration of the town’s Hanseatic heritage.
Saturday 30 May – Merchants Market
Organised by Discover King’s Lynn. Browse a fantastic selection of local makers, producers and crafters. Held monthly throughout that summer in the Tuesday Market Place between 9am and 3pm.
Every Sunday, 7 June–13 September – Music in the Bandstand
Fifteen weeks of live music in The Walks, 2pm–4pm.
Sunday 7 June – Lions Family Fun Day
Lots of family friendly activities to enjoy in The Walks, organised by King’s Lynn Lions Club.
Saturday 13 June – Manifest Summer Festival
Organised by TKG Church. A music festival and funday in The Walks.
Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 June – Hanseatic Festival of Watersports
One of Europe’s biggest watersport events returns to the River Great Ouse, featuring boats reaching speeds of up to 100mph, quayside viewing, live music, and Saturday night fireworks.
Saturday 27 June – Merchants Market
Organised by Discover King’s Lynn. Browse a fantastic selection of local makers, producers and crafters. Held monthly throughout that summer in the Tuesday Market Place between 9am and 3pm.
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 June – Festival Too (King’s Staithe Square)
The first of three weekends of free live music organised by the Festival Too Committee.
3, 4, 10 & 11 July – Festival Too (Tuesday Market Place)
Four more nights of live music with well-known headline acts. Updates at festivaltoo.co.uk.
Friday 17 July – Open Air Film Night
Organised by Discover King’s Lynn. Enjoy a free film screening in the Tuesday Market Place.
Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 July – Folk in the Town
Two days of free live music in the Tuesday Market Place, from traditional folk to Americana, folk rock, and bluegrass.
Saturday 25 July – Merchants Market
Organised by Discover King’s Lynn. Browse a fantastic selection of local makers, producers and crafters. Held monthly throughout that summer in the Tuesday Market Place between 9am and 3pm.
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July – The 2026 Food Festival
Organised by King’s Lynn and District Round Table 54. Two full days, featuring 32 food stalls in the Tuesday Market Place across the weekend.
Saturday 1 August – Brest Feeding Awareness Picnic
Organised by the NHS in The Walks.
Sunday 2 August – Music in the Marketplace
Live bands performing in the Tuesday Market Place between 11am and 4pm
Friday 7 August – Open Air Film Night
Organised by Discover King’s Lynn. Enjoy a free film screening in the Tuesday Market Place.
Sunday 9 August – Soulful Sunday
Live soul music in the Tuesday Market Place. 11am to 4pm.
Saturday 15 August – Pride Parade & Party in the Park
Organised by King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Pride, with a parade through town and full day of activities and live music in The Walks.
Saturday 22 August – Frontline Festival in The Walks
A family-friendly event organised by Norfolk Fire and Rescue and Norfolk Constabulary.
Sunday 23 August – 40’s and 50’s Weekend
Step back in time in the Tuesday Market Place. From 11am until 4pm.
Saturday 29 August – Merchants Market
Organised by Discover King’s Lynn. Browse a fantastic selection of local makers, producers and crafters. Held monthly throughout that summer in the Tuesday Market Place between 9am and 3pm.
Sunday 30 August – Music in the Marketplace
More free live music to enjoy in the Tuesday Market Place between 11am and 4pm.
Friday 4 September – Open Air Film Night
Organised by Discover King’s Lynn. Enjoy a free film screening in the Tuesday Market Place.
Sunday 6 September – 60’s and 70’s Weekend
Step back in time to the 1960’s and 1970’s in the Tuesday Market Place. From 11am until 4pm.
Sunday 13 September – Heritage Open Day & Classic Car Day
More than 50 historic buildings opened last year, many normally closed to the public. Meanwhile, the Tuesday Market Place hosts over 200 classic cars and live entertainment.
Saturday 26 September – Merchants Market
Organised by Discover King’s Lynn. The last one of the year in the Tuesday Market Place from 9am.
Friday 6 November – Fawkes in The Walks
Nearly 20,000 people attend this spectacular free fireworks display—one of the most popular in the East of England.
Sunday 22 November – Christmas Lights Switch-On
Live music, a lantern procession, and the lighting of two 32-foot Christmas trees alongside the town’s festive displays.
