This festive period, you don’t need to look any further than Norwich Market for the perfect Christmas – from gifts to lunch on the big day, and there’ll be little activities for children too.
Councillor Adam Giles, cabinet member with responsibility for Norwich Market said: “Norwich Market is a special place all-year-round, but it has an extra sparkle at this time of year. There really is something for everyone and if you are able to support these small local businesses we look forward to welcoming you there this Christmas-time.”
Josh Worley, chair of Norwich Market Traders Association and co-owner of Water + Earth said: “Norwich Market is once again getting well into the festive spirit and hosting a number of events and activities in the lead-up to Christmas for everyone to take part in. For us traders, setting up Santa's Grotto, and the many events taking part within it, is our way of giving a little something back to the families who support our incredibly diverse group of independent traders, and help make our historic market the place to shop for ethical, thoughtful and locally-sourced gifts this Christmas.”
What’s on?
Extra festive fun – activities especially for younger customers
Traders have worked together with the markets’ team to host a number of activities to keep little ones amused while you grab what you need from Norwich Market.
Thursday 17 November – The city will attract thousands of extra visitors turning out for the Christmas Switch on. Norwich Market’s lights will be switched on that day and many stalls will be open late that evening to keep you in tea-time treats or some late-night shopping to start grabbing your gifts.
Stall 132 will be the venue for Saturday activities from 11am to 3pm, as follows:
Saturday 26 November – Father Christmas will be at the stall where little ones can say hello, get a small gift and post their letters.
The first hour from 11am to midday will be a quiet hour for children who would prefer to visit Santa at a quieter and calmer time.
Saturday 3 December – Bring the kids for festive face-painting.
Saturday 10 December – the lovely people from And Eat it and Cuppie Hut will have baked cookies for little ones to decorate
Saturday 17 December – Father Christmas makes a return.
The grotto (on stall 132) will be opened daily from 1 December to post letters and will also feature a selfie-booth.
What to buy…There are too many stalls and fantastic products to list them all, but here are just some of the Christmas highlights.
From gourmet gifts for the foodies in your life…
Birchley’s has the most amazing tea advent calendars and The Little Red Roaster can cater to the tastes of any coffee lover. Sir Toby’s Beers and Substrata are the place to find new favourite tipples, and Churros for the People to sample Spanish delicacies. Don’t forget Trev’s Sweets and Treats for those with a sweet tooth. Even your furry family members are taken care with a visit to Joe’s Pets.
…To the eco-conscious
You can pick up sustainable, earth-friendly beauty products from Water + Earth and if you’re looking for pre-loved and vintage items, you are sure to find a steal from Lovering and Co, Taxi vintage clothing, No-one Famous and Supply. Give tired items a new lease of life or get those favourite trousers taken up or in at PDP and Shoes and Keys. Be sure to check out new kid on the block The Upcycle Workshop, specialising in jewellery.
Getting you and the house ready for party season…
From haircuts to weaves and eyelash extensions – Downtown Cuts, Kojak’s, ZB Hair and Mama B’s Brows have got you covered.
Get your home ready to greet your guests with seasonal centre-pieces, wreaths and garlands from Cary’s and Pond’s Flowers, or stunning succulents from Planted.
Don’t forget Mick’s Foam Stall and Norwich Electrical Stores for the DIY jobs you know need doing, or The Haberdashery and The Yarn and Craft Store for your Christmas craft supplies.
Give yourself a break from the hustle and bustle…
When you need a break from all the browsing and buying, why not let someone else take care of lunch? The hardest bit will be what to pick – traditional fish and chips, spuds, bangers, bacon butties pies and peas, or Mediterranean meals to a taste of Asia, and so much more!
What to serve on the big day…
For the freshest seasonal fayre – fruit and veg, cheeses, game, seafood and sweet treats – you’ll be totally spoilt for choice.
Find out the full list of stalls on the Norwich City Council website and don’t forget to follow the official Facebook and Instagra
Norwich City legend Grant Holt is swapping his football boots for walking shoes as part of a gruelling charity challenge.
The Canaries hero is trekking 44 miles from Ipswich to The Nook, in Framingham Earl, to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). He plans to set off at 5pm on Tuesday, 8th August and walk through the night before arriving at EACH’s hospice in Norfolk. Dad-of-three Grant is an ardent supporter of the charity and completed a fundraising skydive in January 2022.
In advance of his latest challenge, he visited The Nook and was given a tour by Corporate Fundraising Manager Caroline Allen.
This year, The Norfolk Association of Architects and The Norwich Society have been joined by Norwich University of the Arts for the 2023 Design and Craftsmanship Awards. These biennial awards are a celebration of outstanding buildings and places throughout Norfolk that positively affect our built environment and make Norfolk a fantastic place to live and work. The presentation ceremony will be held this November.
The awards will go to projects that deliver a high standard of design and craftsmanship in their construction and finishes, meet the needs of their users and contribute to the public enjoyment of places, and demonstrate that they have taken account of the wider environmental implications, including minimising any impact on climate change from their construction and use.
Norwich is gearing up for three days of summer carnival fun from July 7-9 when the Lord Mayor's Weekend takes over the city.
The packed programme includes entertainment headlined by an historic procession through the streets featuring dancers,acrobats, bands and colourful walking groups; as well as exciting shows across stages in Chapelfield Gardens and outside City Hall presenting choirs, bands, poets, world champion beatboxers and the very best of local talents. There will also be a tempting array of food on offer from Norfolk's finest producers.
Councillor Cate Oliver, cabinet member for wellbeing and culture at Norwich City Council, said: "We're inviting all our residents and visitors alike to come along over the weekend and join us in celebrating the sights, sounds, voices and tastes of the city and the county. This weekend is a key part of our yearly programme of festive community events and we are proud to support the Lord Mayor and Sheriff's civic charity appeal for 2023-2024, the Norfolk Community Foundation."
Norwich-based hand-made frozen meals brand, Farmyard Frozen, have announced they will be moving into their new premises at the Broadland Food Innovation Centre as part of their continued growth. The business which was born out of the Covid lockdowns in January 2021, has grown to the extent where they have outgrown their current production facilities and need more space to fulfil growing demand.
Farmyard Frozen is the brainchild of Chef Andrew Jones and his wife Hannah Springham, the culinary figures behind the award-winning Farmyard restaurant in Norwich and The Dial House in Reepham. Their ambition was to create refined, chef-prepared, frozen meals made with top quality, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Meals range from luxury Beef Wellington to seasonal summer party food alongside vegetarian dishes and indulgent deserts. Farmyard Frozen’s products are also stocked in delis, farmshops and independent retailers across Norfolk and Suffolk as well as nationwide retailers sold and direct to customers via their online shop.
Three young actresses from Norwich are taking their self-penned comedy play to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. Amelie Breach, Ava Borthwick & Lola Morgans are the Attendants, working for Applesby Airlines, and introduce us to the characters they meet in flight.
“Join us on Applesby airlines, where we make the headlines. We may not be as classy as Ryanair, but we’re willing to try and care.” – Quote from the play.
Having originally written the play for their drama A-level, Amelie, Ava & Lola, are now taking their comedy to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. They’ve been invited to join the programme at theSpace on the Mile (Venue 39), performing every day at 2.25pm from Friday 4th to Saturday 12th August.