The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk has announced its programme of King’s Lynn free-to-attend events for 2025.
Popular events in town, organised by the borough council and partners, will return starting with the 20th anniversary of the Hanse Festival and the Hanseatic Festival of Watersports in June, followed by a schedule of events through the school holidays from July onwards that include returning favourites Folk in the Town, Mods and Rockers, and Classic Car Day. There will be a few new events added to the roster this year as well.
Cllr Sue Lintern, Cabinet member for Events and Culture, explains: “Our events programme is always well received by residents, and are well attended. It has been fantastic to work with the small team that organise these events and appreciate the tireless work, dedicated planning, and many hours of work that go on behind the scenes to make them as successful as possible.
“We have expanded this year on our excellent partnership work, which already includes Discover King’s Lynn, the organisers of the Hanseatic Water Ski, Hanse Festival, King’s Lynn Festival and Festival Too. We are now also working with King’s Lynn Round Table on a new street food event to enhance our offer to the public.
“This year the team has a tighter budget to work to and we have to cut our cloth accordingly, so I thank them for their creativity in putting together a full schedule that will give residents and visitors something to enjoy when they pop into King’s Lynn town centre over the summer months. The aim of this activity is to support our local retailers and hospitality businesses.”
The full programme will be regularly updated to the events page of the borough council website and can be viewed here: west-norfolk.gov.uk/events. Borough council social media channels will also be updated.
Events organised or supported by the borough council announced so far are:
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June: Hanse Festival – 20th Anniversary. South Quay, King’s Staithe Square and town centre.
To celebrate King’s Lynn’s rich Hanseatic heritage, the town celebrates with fun and festivities, in and around the town centre and on the historic riverfront.
Organised by the Hanse Festival committee. Find out more at kingslynnhansefestival.co.uk
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June: Hanseatic Festival of Watersports, South Quay.
Motorboats race up to 100mph along the Ouse, in this high-octane spectacle. People can watch the action from the historic waterfront of King’s Lynn. Find out more at facebook.com/hanseaticskirace
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June: Festival Too, King’s Staithe Square.
The borough council is pleased to be supporting Festival Too once again. A free, unticketed, event held in King’s Lynn over three weekends. More details about acts this year will be given by the Festival Too committee.
Friday 4, Saturday 5, Friday 11 July and Saturday 12 July: Festival Too, Tuesday Market Place.
The final two weekends of Festival Too are on the Tuesday Market Place. Visit festivaltoo.co.uk for the latest information.
13 – 26 July: King’s Lynn Festival, several historic buildings in town.
Supported by the borough council, this festival features stars of the international stage, television celebrities and prize-winning young musicians. Performances require booking in advance, a small amount are free to attend. Find out what’s happening and when on their website kingslynnfestival.org.uk
Friday 18 July: Discover King’s Lynn Free Film Night, Tuesday Market Place.
Visit discoverkingslynn.com to find out what film is being shown free.
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July: Folk in the Town, Tuesday Market Place.
Two days of traditional folk, Americana, folk rock, bluegrass and everything in between, all live and free.
Sunday 27 July: King’s Lynn Round Table Street Food Sunday, Tuesday Market Place.
Sit in the sunshine and sample something new. Many vendors will be lined up in the Tuesday Market Place.
Friday 8 August: Discover King’s Lynn Free Film Night, Tuesday Market Place.
Another free film screening in the Tuesday Market Place. Visit discoverkingslynn.com to find out more.
Sunday 10 August: Soulful Sunday, Tuesday Market Place.
A day of soulful music in the Tuesday Market Place hosted by DJ Mark Purdy with performances by Tidal Jam and The New Mojos.
Saturday 16 August: Pride Party in the Park 2025, The Walks.
Organised by King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Pride. Starting with the parade through the town that begins in the Tuesday Market Place and then an afternoon of activities in The Walks.
Sunday 17 August: Mods and Rockers, Tuesday Market Place.
Scooter and motorbike enthusiasts gather for a look back at these 60s subcultures.
Saturday 23 August: Uniformed Services Day, The Walks park.
A new event featuring and celebrating our uniformed services officers.
Sunday 24 August: Ukraine Independence Day, Tuesday Market Place.
We mark Ukraine’s independence once again in the Tuesday Market Place.
Sunday 31 August: 40/50’s Day, Tuesday Market Place,
Music and fashion from the 40’s and 50’s in the TMP.
Friday 5 September: Discover King’s Lynn Free Film Night, Tuesday Market Place.
Visit discoverkingslynn.com to find out what film is being shown free.
Sunday 7 September: September Sunday Session in the Market Place.
Live music on offer throughout the day from DNA, Jessie’s Ghost & Vex.
Sunday 14 September: Classic Car Day, Tuesday Market Place.
This very popular event returns, as part of Heritage Open Day organised by King’s Lynn Civic Society. Sign up now at west-norfolk.gov.uk/classiccardayFollow the borough council social channels or visit west-norfolk.gov.uk/events for updates.
