Cley Advent Windows
1 December – 6 January
Cley Advent Windows opened with seven village businesses revealing their advent windows on December 1st; Artemis, Made in Cley, The George and Dragon, Cley Mill, Cley Smokehouse, Picnic Fayre and finally the Three Swallows which generously offered pizza, mulled wine and mince pies. Father Christmas was there to inspect the window too! Many more windows will be revealed throughout December and a map listing these participating windows is below
Carols on the Quay at Cley
10 December
Always the best way to start Christmas, with the Fakenham Town Band and carol singing, bar including mulled wine and hot chocolate, fabulous raffle prizes, and FATHER CHRISTMAS arriving (and leaving) by boat! Wrap up warm and bring your family and friends. Parking is available at the Cley Village Hall car park.
Humbacks off Norfolk - Whatever Next?
13 December
Carl Chapman is a tour guide and cetologist and is Norfolk’s cetacean recorder. His talk entitled ‘Humpbacks off Norfolk – whatever next!’ not only gives an introduction to cetaceans and how to identify them to species but also covers historically what has occurred off Norfolk. Given climate change and other influences Carl goes on to explain what we may see in our waters during the future.
Enjoy mince pies with mulled wine or spiced apple juice during the break in addition to the usual tea and coffee
Christmas Market at Holkham
9 and 10 December
Holkham’s popular Christmas Market returns this December with over 60 local and regional producers featuring artisan food, drink and gifts.
Helping you get into the festive spirit, Fakenham Town Band and Nelson’s Shantymen will be playing live music, and there’ll be plenty of tasty street food to tempt you.
The Norfolk Lights Express
10 November – 1 January
The Norfolk Lights Express is an immersive, wintertime experience that is fun for the whole family! Arrive after dark at Sheringham Station and you’ll be greeted by the magical sight of a steam-hauled train illuminated by thousands of tiny lights.
The Old Luggage buffet will be open for you to purchase hot soup, hot drinks, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, delicious homemade cakes and savoury refreshments. A licensed bar will also be on board each train and can be visited before departure and during the intermission.
As your train steams from Sheringham to Holt and back, you will literally see the countryside adjoining the track in a whole new light as the onboard lights shine on to the scenery in a series of changing colours.
Santas Specials, North Norfolk Railway
25 November – 23 December
Sit back and relax as your train steams non-stop from Sheringham up the whole length of the line to Holt. Get into the festive spirit and make merry with complimentary onboard refreshments served to your table. There are festive children’s activity packs too, plus entertainers and balloon modellers who will stroll through the train spending time in each carriage for part of the journey.
Your journey will break at Holt giving you the chance to hop off. On the return journey, the train will stop at Weybourne Station where you will make your way through an enchanted Christmas Tree Kingdom with a magical seasonal theme, a snowy model railway and Santa’s friendly helpers before you meet Father Christmas himself who will present every child with a special, wrapped gift before you rejoin the train for the short journey back to Sheringham.
North Norfolk Pole Experience, Pensthorpe
2 – 23 December
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and that is why, Pensthorpe Wildlife Park are super excited that Santa Claus has decided to set up his home there at The North Norfolk Pole from 2nd Dec – 23rd Dec over 9 special dates. The perfect festive event to put the sparkle into Christmas early this year for children of all ages! The North Norfolk Pole Experience is a magical place where Christmas really comes to life. Children will love meeting Santa and his elves, listening to stories about Christmas, making a festive craft creation, along with making their own magical Reindeer Food. After that, they will get to visit the present room to choose their own Christmas gift.
Holkham Hall by Candlelight - self-led visit
Selected dates in December
Holkham Hall’s state rooms are decked each year, making them truly magical, and it’s even better in person! Be amazed as you take it all in on this self-led tour this Christmastime.
Self-led tour dates will allow you to explore the rooms at your own pace, but don’t worry – their Hall Guides will be on hand to share inspiration behind each room and answer any questions.
Please check in at the Visitor Reception on arrival before heading over to the Hall for your Candlelight experience. Peruse the beautiful state rooms slowly, enjoying the stunning scenes and decorations and taking photos to inspire your own Christmas decorating! Enjoy a glass of prosecco and mince pie before visiting the gift shop.
Thursford Christmas Spectacular
8 November to 23 December
Escape back into the world of Thursford this Christmas.
Set in the magical surroundings of mechanical organs and fairground carousels, with a cast of 120 professional singers, dancers and musicians – most of whom are straight out of the West End. The three hour performance delivers an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. With a cast of 130 this is the biggest Christmas show of its kind in Europe!
Book early to avoid disappointment!
Fakenham Weekly Market
Every Thursday throughout the year
A weekly market held by Fakenham Town Council in the market place in the centre of town. There are stalls selling plants and flowers, books, crafts, bread and cakes, clothes, newspapers, jewellery, foods such as cheese and fish as well as refreshments.
The James Beck weekly auction also takes place on Thursday’s in Fakenham at Cornhall, Cattle Market Street. It starts at 11am with viewing from 8.30am.
Sunday Market, Holt
First Sundays of the month
The Holt Sunday Market is on from 10-3 on the first Sunday of the month from April to December.
It’s a chance to shop from a lineup of over 40 artisan makers and local creatives. Everything from small-batch artisan gin, ceramics, upcycled bags and jewellery brings its own energy and dynamism to the Market.
There’s also a tasty range of street food to sink your teeth into and live music.
(Note there is not a market on Sunday 5 June – It’s the community ‘Jubilee Big Lunch’).
Holkham Park Run
Every Saturday morning at 9am
Come along and join many others to run or walk the 5k course in the beautiful grounds of Holkham Estate. This event is growing every month and visitors are always welcome. Other park runs take place nearby at Sheringham Park and Blickling Estate. A fabulous way to start your Saturday morning and then back to your cottage for a healthy breakfast.