With only a few days until Norfolk and Norwich Festival kicks off for 2023, we have rounded up some of the best free events happening in the city and beyond.
The N&N Festival runs from May 12 to 28 and you can see the full programme at nnfestival.org.uk.
1. Welcome Weekend
May 13 and 14, various times, locations across Norwich
Kicking off the festival in style, an action-packed weekend of free pop-up performances takes place across Norwich.
This includes a huge aerial spectacular high above Chapelfield Gardens, temporarily renamed Festival Gardens, as Gorilla Circus presents Unity at 9pm on May 13.
Other highlights include a promenade performance called Pravaas, inspired by the climate migrations of people from India and Bangladesh, at Norwich Cathedral and Teabreak, outside Zizzi restaurant in Tombland, is an interactive show in a TukTuk - both at various times.
READ MORE: 9 major events at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2023
2. The Band Stand
May 18-21 and 25-28, various times, Festival Gardens (Chapelfield Gardens).
Returning to Festival Gardens, Norfolk and Norwich Festival presents a full residency of outdoor music.
Watch the sunset and enjoy a beer while watching the likes of Soul Stew, Gabby Rivers, LA NUCCI and Nyree Williams, as well as Heffrey Smith, Bella Askew, MAMA OH NO and I Am Afiya, presented by BBC Music Introducing in Norfolk.
3. Visual Arts Programme
Throughout the festival and beyond, various times and locations
As ever, the festival presents an impressive array of visual arts to enjoy for free.
Highlights include the first UK solo exhibition by local illustrator Gemma Correll at The Corn Hall in Diss (May 12-June 24) and a vivid exploration of book design, zines and radical pamphlets called Make Books Not War at the East Gallery at NUA (now until June 3).
READ MORE: Bands and premieres to see at Norfolk & Norwich Festival
4. YoungNNF
Various times and locations
If you are aged between 18-25, you can become a YoungNNF Member for free, which offers tickets for £7.50 to almost every event.
New for this year, thanks to the CAVATINA Music Trust, YoungNNF Members can get a free ticket to all chamber music concerts across the festival.
This includes performances by Solem Quartet (May 17 and 25 at Octagon Chapel and May 24 at Adnams Spiegeltent) and violinist Geneva Lewis (May 23 at Octagon Chapel).
5. Compline by Candlelight
May 19, 9pm, Norwich Cathedral
Enjoy an intimate evening of choral music in the stunning candlelit surroundings of Norwich Cathedral.
The Girl Choristers, Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars of Norwich Cathedral Choir perform the ancient monastic office of night prayer, including music by Anna Lapwood and Jonathan Dove.
READ MORE: Back your favourite in acrobatic show at Norfolk and Norwich Festival
6. Anne Bean: In Search of the Miraculous
May 26-28, 12noon-6pm, Walsingham Parish Hall
Walsingham is widely known for a miraculous happening and has provided the inspiration for paintings, moving images, installations and sculptures across the village.
Artwork by the likes of Anne Bean, Ansuman Biswas, Reverend Gyoro Nagase and Richard Wilson RA will be on display - pick up a programme and map in the Parish Hall.
On May 27, audiences are invited to participate in a guided ‘pilgrimage’ encountering performances, actions and demonstrations - this will run from 12.30pm until 8pm outside of the Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of our Lady.
7. City of Literature Publishing Fair
May 28, 10am-4pm, National Centre for Writing
Celebrating ten years of Norwich UNESCO City of Literature, the City of Literature Weekend returns featuring workshops, talks and events with some of the most exciting contemporary writers.
The ever-popular Publishing Fair celebrates the most vibrant independent publishers across the East of England.
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