7 major Norfolk events and things to do in May 2024

Riders enjoying the Crazy Mouse rollercoaster at the Funderworld theme park at the Norfolk Showground Picture: Newsquest (Image: Archant 2021)

1. Funderworld, New Costessey

Where: Norfolk Showground, Dereham Road, New Costessey, NR5 0TT

When: May 2-12, May 20-June 2, various opening times 

Price: Up to four hours of unlimited riding: £10-£20 (half-price tickets on May 2 when booked online), spectator tickets: £5, funderworld.com

This touring theme park features more than 25 rides and attractions, ranging from the teacups to the Crazy Mouse rollercoaster.

The new additions for 2024 are a giant observation wheel and the 'Magic Circus' funhouse. 

READ MORE: Norwich pub hosting Take That 'pre-party' with tunes and pizza

Phil Vickery will be doing a demonstration at the Sandringham Food, Craft and Wood Festival Picture: Living Heritage Events (Image: Living Heritage)

2. Sandringham Food, Craft & Wood Festival, Sandringham

Where: Sandringham Estate, PE35 6EN

When: May 4-6, 10am-6pm

Price: Advance day ticket - adults: £13, over 65s: £12, children (5-15 years): £4, under 5s: free, family ticket (two adults and up to three children): £34, more on the gate, livingheritagecountryshows.com

This popular festival is back for 2024 and it will feature food halls, quality crafts and demonstrations from famous chefs, including Rosemary Shrager, Phil Vickery and Galton Blackiston.

The English Open Chainsaw Competition also returns and there will be auctions of pieces created in the speed carving arena. 

L’Homme Debout are bringing a giant puppet parade to Norwich city centre Picture: Supplied by N&N Festival (Image: Eric Combeau)

3. Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Norwich and beyond

Where: Various Norfolk venues

When: May 10-26

Price: Various, with many free events and activities, see the full programme and book tickets (if required) at nnfestival.org.uk

Expect a mix of local, national and international acts at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2024, which opens with a giant puppet parade through Norwich city centre. 

Columbian circus troupe Circolombia presents the world premiere of Corazón as the centrepiece in the Adnams Spiegeltent in Chapelfield Gardens from May 15-26. 

READ MORE: Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2024 full line-up announced

The Crab and Lobster Festival is returning to Cromer Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

4. Cromer Crab & Lobster Festival, Cromer

Where: Festival Field, Evington Lawns, Cromer, NR27 9HT

When: May 18-19, 10am-4pm 

Price: Free entry

This celebration of seafood will feature a cookery theatre, market, live music and family entertainment. 

Ahead of the weekend event, on Friday, May 17 at 7.30pm, there is a ticketed opening concert in the Cromer Pier Theatre.

The line-up includes Olly Day and The Sheringham Shantymen - tickets cost £15pp, book at cromerpier.co.uk.

Richard Mosse, Poison Glen, 2012 Picture: Richard Mosse (Image: Richard Mosse)

5. The Camera Never Lies: Challenging Images Through The Incite Project, Norwich

Where: Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia, Norfolk Road, Norwich, NR4 7TJ

When: May 18-October 20

Price: Pay-what-you-can from free entry up to £20, buy a Universal Ticket at the front desk on arrival 

This exhibition will explore the impact and influence photography has had on shaping, and in some cases distorting, the narrative of major global events.

It will feature more than 100 works by photographers including Don McCullin, Stuart Franklin, Robert Capa and Dorothea Lange.

READ MORE: Market with up to 40 stalls a hit at venues near Norwich

The Norwich Distinguished Gentleman Ride 2024 will end at Stody Lodge Gardens Picture: Supplied by the Iceni Chapter Norfolk Harley Owners Group (Image: Supplied by the Iceni Chapter Norfolk Harley Owners Group)

6. Classic Vehicle Day, Melton Constable

Where: Stody Lodge Gardens, Melton Constable, NR24 2ER

When: May 19, 11.30am-5pm (classic vehicle owners to arrive between 9.30am and 11.30am, no need to pre-register)

Price: £9pp at ticketsource.co.uk/stody-lodge-gardens, classic vehicle drivers and under 12s go free

Marvel at hundreds of pre-2000 classic cars, tractors, motorbikes, campervans and coaches at this annual event.

Stody Lodge Gardens will also be the finishing point for the Norwich Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) 2024, with motorcyclists dressed smartly setting off from The Mid Norfolk Shooting Ground in Taverham earlier in the day - donate at gentlemansride.com

READ MORE: Five top free acts at this year's Out There Festival

Insect Circus promises to show off the skills of 'the finest performing insects in the known world' Picture: Out There Arts (Image: Out There Arts)

7. Out There Festival, Great Yarmouth

Where: Various outdoor spaces in Great Yarmouth

When: May 30-June 1

Price: Free, donate and see the line-up at outtherearts.org.uk

Out There Festival returns to Great Yarmouth for its 16th year with a jam-packed free programme of outdoor arts, circus and much more. 

Expect some of the world's finest performers at the event, which attracted around 65,000 people in 2023.