From a colourful carnival procession to a duck race, here is all you need to know ahead of Lord Mayor's Weekend in Norwich.
The event returns to the city centre from Friday, July 7 until Sunday, July 9 2023, with a jam-packed programme of free entertainment.
What can I expect at Lord Mayor's Weekend 2023?
Locals and visitors alike are invited to join in with this three-day event celebrating the sights, sounds, voices and tastes of Norwich.
It will include an exciting and eclectic programme of music and spoken word performances and the Lord Mayor’s Procession through the city streets.
Funds raised will go to the Lord Mayor and Sheriff’s civic charity appeal for 2023-24 - the Norfolk Community Foundation.
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What is happening on Friday?
Sounds of the City- Chapelfield Gardens
Mysabar: 4pm - 9.45pm
Leon and Gav Play Records: 4pm – 7pm
The Marvel Records: 7pm – 9.45pm
Carnival dress-up photo booth: 4pm – 9pm
Mini Tastes of the City (a selection of food vendors): 4pm - 9:45pm
Funfair: 4pm – 10pm
What is happening on Saturday and when is the Lord Mayor's Procession?
The Lord Mayor's Procession starts at around 3pm and it will parade from Surrey Street to Norwich Cathedral.
It will feature local organisations, community groups and businesses, alongside acrobats, samba dancers and tumblers.
City Hall Stage - Voices of the City
Toasties Family Poetry: 1pm–3pm and 5pm-7.50pm with the likes of Lewis Buxton (various performances throughout the day) and Luke Wright (7pm-7.50pm).
Lord Mayor’s Announcements: 7.50pm – 8.05pm
Voices of Norwich Allstars featuring the Beatbox Collective, Invidia Voices Choir, the Norwich Jnr MCs and compered by Robin Evans Esq: 8.05pm – 10pm
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Chapelfield Gardens, Sounds of the City Stage and Bandstand
The Norwich City Community Showcase in collaboration with Young Norfolk Arts and The Garage presents a cabaret of performers: 12noon– 5.45pm.
Wild Paths Festival presents:
New Movement Ensemble: 6.30pm – 7.20pm
The Nimbus Sextet: 7.45pm – 8.35pm
Oscar Jerome (Event Headliner) 9pm - 10.15pm
Family activities in Chapelfield Gardens from 11am will include circus shows, make your own musical instruments, carnival dress up and a funfair.
The Tastes of the City street food area, featuring Louisiana deep-filled baguettes, bao buns, Asian-style chicken, oysters and more, will be open all day.
The funfair will be open from 11am-10pm.
Theatre Street Racing
Race against your friends in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Norwich Theatre Royal’s giant video screens: 12pm-3pm and 5pm-8pm.
The Garth (behind NUA)
The Common Lot presents The Great Estate - 100 years of Mile Cross: 6pm
The show is also on Friday, July 7 at 7.30pm in Anglia Square and Sunday, July 9 at 3pm in Peterson Park, Mile Cross.
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What events take place on Sunday?
Great Norwich Duck Race
The Great Norwich Duck Race takes place at Lady Julian Bridge at Riverside, along the River Wensum, at 2pm and it costs £2 a duck.
It is organised by the 1st Norwich Sea Scouts and funds raised go to participating scout groups and projects, with a donation to the Lord Mayor’s charity and East Anglia's Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre
Organised by the Norwich Lanes Association and running from 11am until 5pm, there will be live music, pop-up markets, DJ sets, street food courts, performances and workshops at the Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre.
The funfair will also be in Chapelfield Gardens from 11am-4pm.
Is the Lord Mayor's Weekend accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes, for the procession there will be a designated viewing area on Castle Meadow opposite the junction of Opie Street, with an accessible and baby-changing toilet available for use.
There will be an accessible viewing area at the front of the stages at both City Hall and Chapelfield Gardens.
All three accessible areas can be booked in advance - email events@norwich.gov.uk or call on 01603 989300.
At Mysabar in the park, there will be a lowered bar service point.
How do I get there?
Visitors are encouraged to use public transport as the city will be busy and there will be some road closures, which will be updated at norwich.gov.uk/lmw
Park & Ride will be running late buses until 10.45pm between Norwich Airport and Thickthorn on July 8.
All city centre car parks will be open as usual and buses will be operating a normal timetable but will be diverted away from Castle Meadow between 2pm and 6pm on July 8 for the procession.
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