T'is the season... at The Forum!

Well, we're ready to celebrate the season here at The Forum with a whole host of brilliant events, celebrations and activities so you can enjoy the festive season however you wish to.

Whether you're looking to shop shop shop, supporting local makers, artisans and businesses at one of the (many) markets taking place, or perhaps pop along with your pooch so they can meet Santa Woof Woof in his grotto — The Forum is a space that does it all!

Read on for dates and details of what's on and when, and some BIG news...

Jump to: Markets and fairs

Creative events and workshops

Forum favourites and family fun

Markets and fairs

Enjoy stalls from your favourite local artists and makers, and discover some new ones! We are delighted to welcome the brand-new indie Norwich Ceramics Market by the Homegrown Pottery Society on Sunday 7 December. We'll also see the return of favourite regulars to The Forum, Local Makers Market on Saturday 22 November, Norwich Vegans on Sunday 23 November, and the Global Village Christmas Market from Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 December. The Global Village Markets focus on fairly traded and eco-conscious products from around the world, and host live music and food stalls on the Saturday, making for a wonderful atmosphere!

Don't forget to head into The Gallery between Thursday 6 November and Sunday 21 December to pick up your charity Christmas cards from the Cards for Good Causes shop, also with gift wrap and festive knick-knacks.

Norfolk Creations are a passionate group of quality crafters from around Norfolk who visit different venues across the county to showcase and sell their work. Their shop will be open at The Forum Wednesday 5 to Sunday 16 November, and Friday 12 to Tuesday 23 December (varying opening times).

Make sure you pop by on the evening of the official city Christmas Light Switch-On (Thursday 20 November) as we will have an extra special market event on by Jabbawocky Crafts with food and drink stalls, ponies, owls, crafts and gifts. Jabbawocky Crafts markets will also be here on Fridays and Saturdays throughout November and December.

One of the biggest events of the whole year at The Forum is the 4-day Festive Fair. Attracting thousands of visitors, with over 70 stands, there's so much to enjoy at this annual event taking place this year from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 November. You can browse the huge array of East Anglian stalls and the gifts on offer, but also enjoy your favourite festive drink while listening to Christmassy tunes from Norfolk’s own Pavilion Brass Quintet and watching dance performances from the Busybodies Stage School.

There'll be all sorts of seasonal food and drink stands outside on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and even festive treats specially made for dogs. And, if you're visiting on the weekend, you'll get to meet some adorable miniature donkeys and Evie's Owls.

Creative events, exhibitions and workshops

Kick off the festive season with Fine City Events’ Mistletoe Makers Market & Workshops on Sunday 9 November - which promises to be a celebration of creativity with hands-on festive workshops, stalls from local artisans and makers offering unique gifts, plus international street food. There's also a free Father Christmas meet and greet, with donations supporting the Social Moments Enterprise charity. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday!

Art Norfolk gathers an eclectic group of local artists for a 2025 Christmas Show from Tuesday 18 to Friday 21 November. There will be artwork on display and for sale from 14 artists who work in a range of mediums and styles, from abstract to photography and sculpture, really showcasing the wealth of art talent in the region!

Love vintage treasures and sustainable fashion? The ReDo Norfolk pop-up shop on Wednesday 19 November is for you! Shop stylishly and sustainably for unique fashion, gifts, and homeware made from reclaimed and repurposed materials — treasures that don’t cost the earth!

We're always happy to see the folk from the Wayward Adventurers Guild with their wonderful fantasy drawing and worldbuilding activities for adventurers aged 12 - 1,200! They will be here on Monday 24 November to celebrate their new edition of the Adventurers Post, newspaper — come and pick up a free copy of the newspaper, and enjoy the activities with the guild or take it home to enjoy.

Festive favourites and family fun

There's plenty to entertain the whole family over the festive period at The Forum, and you'll see the return of some faves and silly traditions...

Got a little one that needs entertaining? Looking for easy, free, no-stress fun for them? Head to the Millennium Library for Bounce Rhyme! Catered especially for babies on Tuesday afternoons, toddlers on Thursday mornings, and little ones aged 3-5 on Friday mornings, the library staff share their favourite rhymes, songs and stories.

TOASTies is back with their silly, giggly poetry event specially designed for kids! Award-winning poet Benjamin MacPherson will take the audience on an adventure through snow covered story-worlds, sharing the magic of poetry in this fun, festive show. TOASTies is aimed at 5-11 year olds but is suitable for younger or older siblings as well. And better still, tickets are 'Pay What You Can' at £2.50, £5 or £10. Come and join in the fun on Saturday 13 December 1pm-2.30pm.

A giant Christmas tree will be adorning the Atrium throughout the month of December, lovingly decorated by The Forum team. Make sure you come and snap your festive family photo in front of it! (Inspo below.)

We’ve partnered with our friends at Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub again this year to bring the community together and treat visitors to The Forum to some live music performances. Whether you’re just passing through, know a performer, or just want some festive cheer, come along and show support for the acts, and listen to some fantastic sets on selected Mondays and Tuesdays throughout December. 

And our four-legged friends don't have to miss out on all the Christmas fun, as after all, they are part of the family too. On Sunday 14 December, our silly tradition, Santa's Grotto for Dogs returns! The RSPCA Norwich team will be on hand with plenty of treats and goodies for humans and dogs alike, and to help you capture the moment they meet Santa Woof Woof. And don't forget your pooch’s favourite canine costume for the occasion, festive dressing up is very much encouraged. This event is completely FREE, but we'll be accepting donations and raising money for animal-friendly charities.

From Saturday 20 December, we're really in the spirit of things and into the holidays! So we're very pleased to welcome back the super popular Traditional Christmas Carousel from Steam Fair Hire. But this is where we get to the BIG news... new for this year, the carousel will be joined by a Big Wheel! Standing a whopping 50ft high, it gives you the best view of the Norwich Christmas lights! The Big Wheel was imported from Eli Bridge of America in 1935, and operated at Butlins holiday camp at Bognor Regis until 1970. Now, it tours the length and breadth of the county!

Rides on the carousel and wheel are £3.50 per person per ride, the perfect Christmas treat.

We're also bringing back our family-friendly film screenings for the holidays. This year, we will be showing The Polar Express - including a Relaxed Screening (Saturday 20 December), Labyrinth (Sunday 21 December), and The Nightmare Before Christmas (Tuesday 23 December). Just £3 a ticket, and kids go FREE! So it's ideal for a cheaper time out, or a nice break from Christmas shopping. Booking will be open early November.

We hope you enjoy celebrating the season with us!