It’s that time of year again and the festival season is well and truly upon us. These days there are so many to choose from it can be difficult to decide which ones are the best. With everything from day events to week long extravaganzas there are plenty to suit all tastes. Here we have a few to get you started on where to go this festival season.
Latitude
21-24 July, Henham Park
Set within the stunning surrounds of Henham Park, Latitude has been creating unforgettable memories for over 15 years. Let your curiosity guide you through the very best in music, dance, comedy, poetry, theatre, literature, podcasts, family activities and wellness. Your summer adventure awaits.
Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival
4 – 25 Sept, Snape Maltings
A celebration of Suffolk’s thriving food and drink scene. The Festival features all-things foodie with live cooking demonstrations, talks, debates and discoveries.
www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk
Noirwich
8-10 Sept, Norwich
The Noirwich Crime Writing Festival is the region’s largest annual celebration of crime writing and one of the fastest-growing literary festivals in the UK. Many incredible crime writers have attended the festival in recent years, including Val McDermid, Attica Locke, Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Louise Doughty, James Runcie, Lee Child, Ian Rankin, Peter James, Anthony Horowitz, Nicci French, Paula Hawkins and Benjamin Black.
Noirwich is about the reading and the writing of crime fiction. They explore how the genre works and where it is going, thanks to their unique connection with the University of East Anglia’s creative writing department.
Wide Skies & Butterflies Festival (NEW)
5-7 Aug, Raynham Estate
This year sees the first Wide Skies and Butterflies festival coming to Raynham – the gateway to North Norfolk. Festivalgoers can enjoy a fabulous three days and nights of live music, partying, dancing, comedy, culture and fun activities for all ages.
www.wideskiesfestival.co.uk
National Country Show
8-9 Oct, Norfolk Showground
There’s going to be something for everyone at the National Country Show Live 2022! Enjoy live music and entertainment in the Village Green, watch stunning displays in the Main Arena, meet the animals and have-a-go at activities. Bring the whole family along and let the kids loose in the Kids Fun Zone, take part in the Fun Dog Shows, have a look around the Country Shopping Village and enjoy some amazing food in the Festival of Food & Drink LIVE.
JULY
Norwich Cathedral Shakespeare Festival
8-9 July, Norwich Cathedral
Great Yarmouth Arts Festival
8 July-17 Aug, Great Yarmouth
The Legends Festival
15-16 July, Cromer Hall
Norfolk Garden Show
15-17 July, Norfolk Showground
Kings Lynn Festival (70th)
18-31 July, Kings Lynn
Holkham Country Fair
20-21 July, Holkham
Holt Festival
23-30 July, Holt
Wells Carnival
29 July-7 Aug, Wells Next The Sea
Norwich Pride
30 July, Norwich and Online
Clifftop Festival
30-31 July, Gorleston-on-Sea
AUGUST
Hunstanton Sunset Festival
12-14 Aug, Hunstanton
Holkham Festival of Sport
12-15 Aug, Holkham Estate
Cromer Carnival/Festival Week
13-19 Aug, Cromer
Maui Waui Festival
25-28 Aug, Hill Farm, Gressenhall
All About Dogs
28-29 Aug, The Norfolk Showground
Aylsham Agricultural Show
29 Aug, Blickling Park
SEPTEMBER
North Norfolk Food & Drink Festival
3-4 Sept, Holkham Hall
Foodies Festival (NEW)
9-11 Sept, Earlham Park, Norwich
Heritage Open Days
9-18 Sept, Various Locations
Out There International Festival of Street Arts & Circus
16-18 Sept, Great Yarmouth
Deepdale Festival
22-25 Sept, Deepdale Camping, Norfolk
OCTOBER
African & Caribbean Market
30 Sep-1 Oct, The Forum, Norwich
Wild Paths Festival
13-16 Oct, Norwich
You have booked the tickets and you are all ready to enjoy the event… but are you prepared? To fully enjoy a festival and get the most out of it you should make sure you have the essential kit to hand. Whether you are heading out for the day or camping out for a long weekender it is always best to go ready for anything the festival gods can throw at you. Here are a few items that should be on your essential kit list.
Your ticket
Kinda obvious… but you would be amazed at how many people turn up to the gate without one. Then you just look like you are trying to blag your way in whilst stood next to the gent who claims to be Ed Sheeran’s cat.
Cash
Make sure you have enough money with you, digital or otherwise. Food and drink can be notoriously expensive at a festival so make sure you have budgeted enough. Also, and this goes without saying, keep it safe. Bum bags are not the style icon they once were, however a slight fashion faux pas is worth it when you have kept your money safe. You can also stash your phone in there along with anything else you want to keep with you.
Wellies
You don’t have to go for a classic pair of Hunter’s, you can always opt for a good pair of sturdy hiking boots. Go for just a pair of flip flops and you might just regret it… a blister where it goes between your toes and sunburnt feet are the casualties.
Mobile phone & charger
From calling home, finding which stage your friends are at and taking those all important festival selfies your phone will see a lot of action over the course of the event. Make sure you phone is charged before you go and invest in a portable charger to keep you powered up for the whole festival.
Baby wipes & toilet roll
If you are camping over the weekend then a pack of baby wipes will feel like an en-suite. Toilet roll, this kinda explains itself.
Sun cream & medicines
Don’t get burnt. It is unpleasant, painful dangerous and causes premature aging of the skin… enough said.
Another thing to remember is any medication you may need over your time at the event. Everything from over the counter stuff like hay-fever tablets and paracetamol to prescriptions such as inhalers and other medication you may be taking. Forgetting to take it with you can see you heading home prematurely.
Water bottle
Don’t get sunburnt and don’t get dehydrated. Probably two of the most important things on the list. Get yourself a good quality refillable water bottle. Something that doesn’t leak. You can always go the whole hog and get one of those military style ones which attaches to your belt. Keep your fluid intake up and not just the alcohol!
A home from home
We are not suggesting you take the kitchen sink, but if you are camping over the weekend then you need to have the kit; tent and sleeping bag will be at the top of the list. Check out the restrictions on the festivals website to make sure your traditional Mongolian yurt you drunk-bought on Ebay will be allowed in.
Clothes
One of the most important bits of kit, even if you are just going for a day, is a rainproof jacket. The British weather is notoriously unpredictable. We have all seen the pictures of the mud at festivals so make sure you have the gear to cope with the environment. It is alright to be sporting a bikini top and Daisy Duke’s but when the temperature drops in the evening and a light drizzle starts wafting in from the east you will start dreaming of that jumper Auntie Sharon knitted for you last Christmas.