It is now the season to be jolly and with Christmas just around the corner, there are plenty of things taking place in Great Yarmouth town centre to get you in a merry mood.
1. Christmas Lights switch-on and fireworks
Where: Great Yarmouth Market Square, by the Christmas Tree
When: Friday, December 2 from 5.30pm
Price: Free
Join the mayor of Great Yarmouth and special guests for an evening of live music and entertainment celebrating the arrival of Father Christmas, who will be on hand to help switch on the town’s festive illuminations at 7pm.
2. The Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre and Market
Where: Great Yarmouth Minster and Brewery Plain car park
When: Friday, December 2 until Sunday, December 4
Price: Free
The annual three-day Christmas Fayre will feature a selection of handicraft stalls. Both venues will remain open until 8pm on Friday for the Christmas lights switch-on. Then from 10am until 5pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
3. The arrival of Father Christmas at Santa’s Grotto
Where: Market Gates shopping centre
When: Saturday, December 3 from 10.30am
Price:
Welcome Santa as he arrives on the Christmas Road Train to open his grotto in Market Gates shopping centre. The arrival will be at the Regent Road entrance to the shopping centre. The official opening of Santa’s Grotto will be at 11am.
4. Lardal Kantori Norwegian Choir Christmas Carol Concert
Where: Great Yarmouth Minster
When: Saturday, December 3 at 7.30pm
Price: Advance tickets are £10, available on Visit Great Yarmouth's website.
Visiting the town for the first time since 2019, the Norwegian Choir, Lardal Kantori, will be providing a special Christmas production.
The concert will finish around 9.30pm, followed by a buffet and a chance to meet the choir.
5. The 11th Annual Christmas Tree Festival
Where: Great Yarmouth Minster
When: Saturday, December 10 to Saturday, December 17 from 10am to 3pm daily (4pm on Saturdays)
Price: Free / Guides are £2.50
A spectacular display of Christmas trees and cribs created by local community groups, schools and businesses in aid of the fabric and organ of the Minster.
6. Christmas Lantern Parade
Where: The Priory Centre (the parade will begin outside Great Yarmouth Minster)
When: Saturday, December 10 from 4pm
Price: Free
The Out There Arts team has joined up with the Town Centre Partnership to hold several lantern-making workshops during November. Some 200 lantern-bearers are expected to participate in this eye-catching festive parade around the marketplace.
Free weekend parking in the town centre
There is now free weekend parking in most council-run town centre car parks this festive season.
Starting from Saturday, November 26 until Sunday, January 1, 2023, there will be free weekend parking at King Street, Market Place, George Street, Brewery Plain, Stonecutters and Fullers Hill car parks.
Parking remains free in most town centre car parks every weekday from 4pm and noon on Wednesdays at King Street, Brewery Plain and George Street.
Brewery Plain car park is closed from 8am from Tuesday, November 29 until Monday, December 5, as it hosts Great Yarmouth's Christmas Market.
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