From the Fairy Fair to the World Snail Racing Championships, here's a guide to some of the most interesting and exciting events taking place in Norfolk over the next few months.

May 2016

• Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival, 21-22 May

Two North Norfolk coastal towns, traditionally considered to be rivals, will come together for one weekend to celebrate their local seafaring heritage and active fishing community. The fun lasts all day from 10am to 5pm (4pm on Sunday) and will include live cookery sessions, live music, theatre and dancing.

• Houghton International Horse Trials, 26-29 May

Set in the beautiful grounds of Houghton Hall, the Horse Trials are packed with sporting action, entertainment and shopping, with over 70 trade stands, more than 700 horses and over 350 international competitors. This year the event's official charity is Walking With the Wounded, a military organisation who will be hosting a cricket match on the 28 May with teams consisting of a mixture of top international riders and wounded veterans.

• Fairy Fair, Sennowe Park, 29-30 May

A magical day out for the whole family, the Fairy Fair encourages people to reconnect with nature and features two days of magical workshops, activities, live music, food, drink and entertainment such as story tellers, craft stalls and walkabout performers.

• City of Ale Festival 26 May–5 June

City of Ale is a ten day celebration focused on local pubs, breweries and real ale in Norwich. Follow the trail around 45 different venues to discover the best ale the fine city has to offer and attend fun BBQs, curry nights and live music events along the way.

• Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios, 28 May–12 June

For 16 days, artists across the county open the doors to their studios and welcome the public in to view, buy and learn about their work. Last year over 450 artists took part in the event and 10 Norfolk schools were also involved. All studios are free to visit and many artists may organise additional events.

June 2016

• Steampunk Weekend, Bressingham Steam Museum, 4-5 June

If you're a fan of all things Steampunk then this is an event you won't want to miss - a whole weekend dedicated to celebrating steampunkery. Attractions include a market, magic, storytelling, Victorian games, antiques, tea duelling, small guage railways and portrait photography.

• Symmetry Festival, Sennowe Park, 9-12 June

Set in the stunning Norfolk countryside, the Symmetry Festival is comprised of six stages covering different genres of music and features a mix of well known artists and undiscovered local talent. There's something for everyone to enjoy, with the festival also offering, live art displays, walkabout acts and a creative children's area.

• Festival Too, King's Lynn, 25 June-9 July

Created in 1985, Festival Too is a free event held in King's Lynn each year featuring fireworks, street entertainment, shopping and live performances. Previous acts that have joined the festival have included Scouting For Girls, The Hoosiers, Blue, Atomic Kitten and The Stranglers. This year's line up will be released on the 27 May.

• Royal Norfolk Show, Norfolk Showground, 29-30 June

Celebrating the best of Norfolk heritage and agriculture, the Royal Norfolk Show promotes the growers, the breeders, the farmers and businesses with over 650 trade stands, 3,000 animals and over 80 hours of action spread across two days.

July 2016

• Lord Mayor's Celebration, Norwich, 1–3 July

The Lord Mayor's Celebration is comprised of three days of fun activities in the centre of Norwich, including a street procession, fireworks, live music, dance, theatre, a funfair, street fayre, duck races and more.

• Wymondham Music Festival, 1-16 July

Wymondham's fortnight of music returns for its 21st year in 2016, kicking off on Friday 1 June at Central Hall with the Festival Ceilidh and followed by a busy programme of concerts and recitals.

• Great Ellingham Teddy Bear Festival, 2-17 July

The Great Ellingham Teddy Bear Festival is a fortnight filled with fun in South Norfolk. Several different events take place throughout July, all centred around the famous Teddy Bear Trail.

• Shakespeare Festival, Norwich Cathedral, 15-16 July

Celebrate the year that marks the 400th anniversary of The Bard's death with a performance of his famous comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, in the picturesque Cathedral Cloisters.

• World Snail Racing Championships, Congham, 16 July

Ever wanted to watch snails race against one another? Well you can at the World Snail Racing Championships this July. Held in Congham, the championship sees snails take on a 13inch race course. The current World Champion is a snail called George, who is owned by Dale Thorne from Gayton. His time was 2 minutes and 45 seconds.

• Trunch Open Gardens and Scarecrow Festival, 17 July

Enjoy a day in the village of Trunch, admiring art, gardens, classic vehicles, sculptures and quilting. Lunch will be served at the village hall and all proceeds from the day will ho to Trunch Village Projects. Wristbands are needed for the event and are available from the Village Hall or Methodist Church.

• King's Lynn Festival, 17-30 July

Founded by Lady Fermoy in 1951, the King's Lynn festival attracts big names from the worlds of classical, jazz, choral and folk music as well as artists, exhibitions and other entertainment. Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie have all performed at the festival during their careers. This year will see performances from The Unthanks, Lau, Angela Hewitt and Suzannah Lipscomb.

• Holt Festival, 23 – 31 July

Founded in August 2009, Holt Festival features a range of musical performances, literature, theatre, comedy and art. Notable acts this year include, Mariola Cieniawa, a prize-winning pianist, contemporary fiction author Joanna Trollope and forensic mind reader Colin Cloud. A children's festival will also be taking place from the 25-29 July.

• Sandringham Flower Show, 27 July

One of the most prestigious horticultural events in the East of England will be taking place in July for the 135th time. Set in the incredible surroundings of Sandringham Park, this one-day show has exhibits from most of the region's leading nurseries as well as display gardens by leading designers, around 200 trade stands, children's entertainment and a military band.

• Old Buckenham Air Show, 30-31 July

Last year, the team succeeded in putting Pussy Galore back in her Goldfinger Helicopter after 50 years. This year the team are planning a show that is bigger and better than ever before with spectacular air displays, tank rides, classic cars and a fun fair.

• Worstead Festival, 30-31 July

The first Worstead Festival was held in 1966 in order to raise funds to repair the village church. Each year since then there has been a mixture of unmissable entertainment such as heavy horse displays, dog shows, medieval encampment, live music and traditional sideshows such as a coconut shy.

August 2016

• Blickling Proms, 12-13 August

In the fifth year of the Blickling Proms, two very different events will be taking place – a Classic Ibiza evening and the Last Night of the Blickling Proms. The first of these will feature sets from DJ Goldierocks, Stephen Hussey and Urban Soul Orchestra, while Brit-Award winning harmony trio Blake will be performing at the latter.

• Downham Market Water Festival, 14 August

The Water Festival brings together teams from across Norfolk to compete in a Dragon Boat Race on the Great Ouse Relief Channel, and if that's not enough, plenty of other entertainment will be on offer, including face painting, a fun fair and various stalls.

• North Norfolk Music Festival, South Creake, 15-27 August

The North Norfolk Music Festival is a classical musical festival that has now been running for over ten years. Many of the performances will be taking place at St Mary's Church, a 15th century structure with an 'angel roof'. New performers for 2016 include, Alexande Melnikov, The Ferio Saxophone Quartet and Gareth Brynmore John.

• Thetford's Great Festival, 19 August–4 September

A series of events will be taking place in Thetford through the last week of August and into the first week of September, including Thetford's Great Pantomime, Folk in the Garden, Ramblers Walks and a performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night' Dream.

• Hunstanton Kite Festival, 21 August

This year Hunstanton Kite Festival and Classic Car Rally will be celebrating their 20th year with fantastic kite and air displays, a craft fair, a classic motorcycle display, classic car rally and various stalls.

September 2016

• Sundown Festival, Norfolk Showground, 2-4 September

The popular music festival returns to Norwich for the sixth year with an incredible line up of artists, including Jason Derulo, Years&Years, Jess Glynne, Chase&Status and Fleur East.

• Wells Pirate Festival, 9-11 September

For three days in September, Wells is taken over by swashbuckling shipmates as they hold their annual Pirate Festival. Themed activities, from boat trips to weapon demonstrations will be taking place as well as a photography exhibition, live music and a treasure trail. Guaranteed fun for the whole family.

• Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival, 10-11 September

The famous Maritime festival is a free two-day event on the historic South Quay, with ships to explore, live shanty music, street theatre performances and demonstrations.

• Norwich Crime Writing Festival, 15-18 September

The Fine City's deadly festival returns in September to celebrate the sharpest in crime and noir writing over four days of author events, master classes and a very bloody brunch. Confirmed guests for 2016 include Ian Rankin, Peter James, Denise Mina and Dreda Say Mitchell. The full programme will be announced on 27 May.

• Out There, Great Yarmouth, 16-18 September

Out There is a festival of International Street Arts and Circus Entertainment that will be taking place in Great Yarmouth for the eighth time this year. Last year's show featured acrobatics, pyrotechnics and many other unusual acts.

• Which event are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below.