The colourful carnival parade will head out from Norwich Cathedral at 3pm through the streets towards Chapelfield Gardens for a full programme of family-friendly activities.
Procession route:
- Tombland
- Queen Street
- St Andrews Street
- Exchange Street
- Gentleman’s Walk past Norwich Market
- Haymarket
- Brigg Street
- Theatre Street
Entertainment
The entertainment in Chapelfield Gardens will include live music, performances and dance acts, stalls and games, a bar area and a food arena with delicious food and drinks treats from across Norfolk; plus carnival headdress-making fun, dance workshops, comedy shows and more.
From 12:15pm the evening’s music programme will rock the city, headlined by the UK Foo Fighters, who have been acknowledged by Dave Grohl of the American rock legends Foo Fighters as ‘England’s premier Foo Fighters tribute band’. UK Foo Fighters lead singer Jay Apperley has sung on stage with the real band at one of their gigs.
Other live music entertainment on the day will include a showcase of some of the best bands from Norwich’s thriving music scene, curated in partnership with Voodoo Daddy’s Showroom music venue in London Street and including the talented indie/alternative singer/songwriter Gabby Rivers.
Local blue grass skiffle band The Misfit Collective will be performing in the early afternoon; while Norfolk music charity The Black Dog Music Project, which works with people with mental health issues or other disabilities to help build confidence through music, will be offering up afternoon sessions.
Beatbox Collective, the 2015 world beatbox champions who delighted audiences at last year’s Lord Mayor’s Weekend, make a return and will perform alongside five-piece brass band Fat Brass and the female string duo Ayoub Sisters.
A variety of fun workshops will be running through the afternoon – from theatre to street music and musicals - and there will be a Family Entertainment Area with everything from facepainting, sports and crafts, to comedy and bubble shows.
The Garage and Young Norfolk Arts will also be presenting entertainment, including a flashmob performance at 5:30pm which members of the public can learn in advance of the event or on the day at workshops.To practise in advance, see https://bit.ly/3KFQDlS
At Millenium Plain, outside The Forum, Norfolk Museums will present two performances of a specially-commissioned outdoor family-friendly play by writer Shey Hargreaves and theatre company Quill & Inkling. Titled From Norwich with Love. The play is FREE to attend and tells the history of Norwich focusing on some of the key figures from the city’s history. Performances are at 12.30pm and 2pm with a running time of 30 minutes.
Full programme
Open Air Stage
- 12 noon & 12.35pm — Black Dog Music
- 1.20pm — Misfit Collective
- 2.15pm — Mama Oh No
- 3.10pm — Punching
- 4.05pm — Gabby Rivers
- 5.00pm — Invidia Voices Choir
- 5.45pm — Juliet
- 6.40pm — Beatbox Collective, Fat Brass & Ayoub Sisters
- 8.45pm — UK Foo Fighters
- 10.15pm — Finale
Bandstand Stage Area
- 12 noon until 6pm — Chapelfield Bandstand stage curated by The Garage and Young Norfolk Arts. Featuring emerging and established talent from the cream of Norfolk’s Young Artists.
- 5.30pm — The Flashmob
Workshop area
- 12 noon — My First Workshop
- 1.15pm — Theatre Workshop
- 2.15pm — Flashmob Workshop
- 3.15pm — Street Workshop
- 4.30pm — Musical Theatre
(Workshops run for 30 minutes and are organised by The Garage)
Family Area Entertainment
12 noon to 6pm — Running throughout the day:
- Sports: Streetwise Soccer, Norfolk Active Kidz, Riverside
- Crafts: Creative Planet, Creation Station, Fairyland Trust
- Family: Crazy Skins Facepainting, Library Service, Balloon Modelling
30-minute shows:
- 12.45 & 4.45 — Bubble Inc Display (Family)
- 1.15, 3.30 & 5.15 — Dressed for Dinner (Comedy)
- 4.00 & 4.15 — Bingo Bango Bongo (Comedy)
Please note: Artists and timings may be subject to change.
Charity Appeal
Collections taken during the day will go towards the Civic Charity Appeal 2024-25, chosen by the Lord Mayor Cllr Vivien Thomas and Sheriff Sirajul Islam, which is The Benjamin Foundation's BOOM! Young Carers.
Over the last 30 years, The Benjamin Foundation has worked with children, young people and families across Norfolk and Suffolk, delivering a range of services focused on tackling homelessness, supporting emotional and mental wellbeing, and youth and community support projects.
BOOM! Young Carers delivers regular positive activities for young people in Norwich. The staff team works closely with local community groups and organisations to provide young people with access to opportunities they would otherwise not have, giving them the chance to take a break from the day-to-day demands of being a young carer and helping them on their own journey to independence.
For more information on the weekend, please check back on the website at www.norwich.gov.uk/lmw or keep an eye on our social media channels as the weekend approaches.
