A Christmas show is a December fixture for many Norfolk families, and the county has a good spread: a seaside rep theatre with a traditional panto, candlelit concerts in a medieval church, and big-room Christmas nights in Norwich. This guide lists the festive performances in our events listings for 2026, grouped by venue. Ticket prices and times come from the organisers' listings and can change, so check before booking.
Sheringham Little Theatre
Sheringham Little Theatre on Station Road is one of the busiest small venues in north Norfolk, with step-free access, a hearing loop and a café, The HUB, for drinks before the show. Its Christmas programme for 2026 includes:
- A Christmas Carol, from Wednesday 25 November, with evening performances at 7:30pm through to Saturday 28 November. Dickens's ghost story is a good first theatre trip for older children.
- Santa's Grotto on Sunday 29 November, from 10am, for younger visitors who want to meet Father Christmas.
- Christmas Crooners on Friday 11 December at 7:30pm, an evening of carols and seasonal standards.
- Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime, the theatre's annual panto, from Saturday 12 December into the new year, with matinees for families. Expect the usual audience participation.
- André Rieu's 2026 Christmas Concert: Let It Snow, the Dutch violinist's annual Christmas concert film, shown on Friday 18 December at 7:30pm.
The theatre is a short walk from Sheringham station, so a show can be combined with a ride on the Norfolk Lights Express on the same evening.
St Peter Mancroft, Norwich
The medieval church of St Peter Mancroft, beside Norwich market on Hay Hill, makes a striking setting for candlelit concerts:
- Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Christmas by Candlelight, Saturday 5 December, 7pm.
- Christmas Classics by Tim Burton, performed by the Mystery Ensemble, Saturday 12 December at 6pm, with music from Burton's films. Tickets were listed at £19 to £34.
Epic Studios, Norwich
Epic Studios on Magdalen Street hosts several of the city's bigger Christmas nights:
- Heart Club Classics: The Christmas Bash with Toby Anstis, Saturday 12 December, 7:30pm to 11pm. Dance anthems and club classics for a Christmas night out.
- The Unthanks In Winter, Monday 14 December, 7:30pm, presented by Norwich Arts Centre. The folk group's winter programme draws on traditional seasonal songs.
- Massaoke Christmas, Thursday 17 December, 7:30pm. A live band plays Christmas hits with the lyrics on a big screen, so the whole room sings along.
- The Santa Show, Monday 21 December, 12:30pm to 3pm. A "Santamime" for young children, with Mrs Tinsel, Jingle and Jangle, and a meet-and-greet with Santa.
Thursford Christmas Spectacular
The biggest Christmas show in the county is the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, which runs from 10 November to 23 December in the village of Thursford near Fakenham. It is a large-cast variety show of music and dance, and coach parties come from across the region, so book well ahead for December dates.
Choosing a show
- Under fives: The Santa Show and the Sheringham grotto are short and built around meeting Santa.
- Families with older children: the Sheringham panto or A Christmas Carol.
- A grown-up night out: the candlelit concerts, The Unthanks, or one of the Epic Studios parties.
- Grandparents and groups: Thursford, which is seated, daytime-friendly and well set up for coaches.
For festive days out rather than shows, see our guide to Christmas days out in Norfolk, or browse events in Norwich and events in Sheringham.
