Here in the East, our cultural calendar is packed with Festivals of all shapes and sizes, taking place in theatres, art centres and parks, spilling out onto the streets and across beaches. Below are some highlights – whether you stay overnight or come for a week – you’ll find plenty of fun, laughter, art and joy throughout the year.
NORWICH SCIENCE FESTIVAL (Science with a side of culture), February
Taking place over February Half Term, Norwich Science Festival brings together partners from across the City to celebrate science in all its glory. Sure, there’s a healthy dose of intellectual stuff, but there’s also theatre, comedy shows, talks and live music exploring everything from sex to beer making.
norwichsciencefestival.co.uk
BURY ST EDMUNDS COMEDY FESTIVAL (Comedy & Performance), February
Venues across Bury St Edmunds collaborate to bring household names and emerging comics to the town in February, injecting some cheer into cold dark nights. From stand-up and impressionists to improv and open mic nights, prepare to be amused.
visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/comedy-festival
Mo & the Red Ribbon at Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2024. Photo Mary Doggett.
TILTED WOMEN FESTIVAL, NORWICH (Multi-Arts), March
This weekend celebrating women and creativity features workshops, discussions, readings and performances of work by women, for women. Express your creativity in a safe space, experience performances from dance to theatre, and come together on Saturday night for a glorious party.
Find more about Tilted Women in the What’s On section at norwichartscentre.co.uk
NORFOLK & NORWICH FESTIVAL (Multi-Arts), May
For 17 days each May, Norfolk & Norwich Festival transforms public spaces, city streets, performance venues, parks, forests and beaches, bringing people together to experience brilliant and inspirational events. Their world-class programme spans music, theatre, literature, visual arts, circus, dance and free outdoor events.
nnfestival.org.uk
Page Against the Machine as part of the City of Literature Weekend at NNF. Photo Joanna Millington.
CITY OF LITERATURE WEEKEND, NORWICH, May
As part of the annual Norfolk & Norwich Festival, the National Centre for Writing programmes a vibrant weekend celebrating books, stories, words, and ideas, while highlighting Norwich’s prestigious status as a UNESCO City of Literature. Enjoy workshops, talks, readings and more, featuring a blend of internationally acclaimed authors and talented emerging voices, including novelists, poets, and writers of all kinds.
nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/cityofliteraturefestival
SUNRISE FILM FESTIVAL, LOWESTOFT May
Officially Britain’s Most Easterly Film Festival, Sunrise creates an inclusive platform for filmmakers in Suffolk and beyond. The festival showcases independent film made by diverse and underrepresented creatives, with a rich programme of shorts that culminates in a screening of the Judges favourites from across the four days.
sunrisefilmfestival.co.uk
Out There Festival.
OUT THERE FESTIVAL, GREAT YARMOUTH (Multi-Arts) May/June
Breathtaking spectacle and quirky comedy combine in a weekend of free performances across Great Yarmouth, from park to streets to seafront. Out There Festival has an international reputation for its exceptional, innovative and diverse programme of circus, street arts, music and more by performers from across the globe.
outtherearts.org.uk
FELIXSTOWE BOOK FESTIVAL, June
With an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, this book festival also boasts the opportunity to combine a weekend of author events with seafood suppers, walks along the seafront and even a bracing swim. You’ll get the chance to hear from award-winning writers and discover new voices across fictions and non-fiction, on subjects including environment, politics, history, science, art and economics.
felixstowebookfestival.co.uk
First Light Festival Sunrise. Photo Adam Barnes.
FIRST LIGHT FESTIVAL, LOWESTOFT (Multi-Arts), June
First Light Festival is a unique solstice festival, celebrating the First Light of midsummer in the UK’s most easterly place. Taking place on Lowestoft’s glorious south beach, the eclectic programme includes music, dance, visual arts, literature and even wild camping by the sea. A full weekend of free cultural experiences, including music late into the night on Saturday and the chance to welcome the sunrise early on Sunday morning.
firstlightlowestoft.com
PRIMADONNA, STOWMARKET (Books & Literature), July
Primadonna is a female-led literary festival for the curious and the open-minded, a nurturing and empowered community for people of all genders and backgrounds. From household celebrities to under-the-radar brilliance, the packed programme promotes inclusivity and diversity and showcases international and regional across one weekend, that also includes music, food and wellbeing workshops.
primadonnafestival.com
Primadonna Festival.
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS, ACROSS NORFOLK & SUFFOLK, September
Norfolk and Suffolk have a rich heritage, that can be found across our cities, towns, villages and landscapes. So, every year there is plenty on offer as part of this national celebration. Explore churches that have been converted into music venues and go backstage at theatres. Learn about the ghostly Black Shuck, tour streets once teeming with silk weavers, head to unusual National Trust sites. Visit a medieval castle, cathedral and trading hall all in the same city. Whether you are interested in history, architecture, art or performance, you’ll find something to pique your interest.
Find out more about Norfolk HODs at norfolkheritageopendays.co.uk and for Suffolk visit the national website heritageopendays.org.uk and filter by location.
SPILL Festival, Ipswich (Multi-Arts), October (Bi-annual 2025, 2027, 2029)
SPILL Festival brings world-class performance, visual art, film and music to venues and outdoor locations across Ipswich. Their unusual and memorable projects give audiences the chance to experience ground-breaking new commissions by artists from all over the world. SPILL also runs the Think Tank, an intimate venue and workshop space in Ipswich town centre.
spillfestival.com
A visitor exploring Dragon Hall, Norwich as part of Heritage Open Days. Photo Luke Witcomb.
NORWICH BOOK FESTIVAL, October
A city-wide festival, that brings together readers, writers, bookshops, literary organisations and libraries in a celebration of stories. Designed for every kind of reader, the Festival programme features talks, readings and book signings with internationally renowned authors, storytelling events, interactive experiences and much more.
norwichbookfestival.co.uk
NORWICH FILM FESTIVAL, November
This two-week festival includes shorts screenings, feature films, panel discussions and more, for audiences and industry professionals alike. The vibrant shorts programme covers a wide range of genres as well as celebrating women in film and LGBTQ+ creatives, showcasing new talent and providing special late-night screenings. The features programme uncovers hidden gems and forgotten classics, and brings international award-winners to the region.
norwichfilmfestival.co.uk
