Christmas in North Norfolk: Festive fun and Christmas events
September 15, 2025 | Winter | 14 minute read
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and a truly special time to visit North Norfolk! Forget sunny summer days in the sand — ‘tis the season for twinkling lights in historic towns, festive markets, stately homes decked and adorned, and roaring pub fires to welcome you in from the cold. Whether you’re planning a Christmas break, a December getaway, or a festive day out, here’s our festive guide to magical days out and wonderful wintry evenings on the North Norfolk coast.
And if you’re looking for somewhere to stay this festive season, Pinewoods Holiday Park in Wells-next-the-Sea is a perfect choice. With our cosy caravan holiday homes and luxury lodges, we’d love to welcome you to Wells this Christmastime.
11 Best Things to Do in North Norfolk at Christmas
So what can you get up to along the Norfolk coast at this time of year? Well, rest assured, there’s plenty to help you and your partner, friends or family get into the festive spirit! Here are our top 11 things to do in North Norfolk at Christmas.
1. Explore stately homes dressed for Christmas
There are several stunning stately homes across the region that are well worth a visit whatever time of year you’re holidaying in North Norfolk, but they pull out all the stops at Christmas!
Just a couple of miles from us at Pinewoods, Holkham Hall’s Candlelight Tours (pictured) are truly magical! Be amazed by the state rooms dressed to the nines — each room is dressed in its own theme, with recent years seeing a Pop Art themed dining room, impressive light and sound displays, the Old Kitchen full of gingerbread models of Holkham’s landmarks and so much more. Ideas are kept quiet for now, but you’re sure to be wowed!
Blickling Hall will also be lit up and decorated with twinkling trees and festive displays, and Sandringham’s Luminate light trail is a popular festive attraction!
2. Visit Christmas markets and craft fairs
Throughout late November and December, you’ll find festive markets across North Norfolk, with stalls brimming with artisan gifts and local produce (and the wonderful aroma of mulled wine in the air!).
With over 60 stalls, Holkham’s Christmas Market is one of the local area’s largest, and will take place from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th December 2025.
Other local and popular festive markets include:
Holt Market (pictured) – Sunday 16th November and Sunday 3rd December 2025
Pensthorpe Christmas Market – Sunday 23rd November 2025
Creake Abbey Christmas Gift Fair – Saturday 22nd November 2025
Get stuck into your Christmas shopping, enjoy festive tunes as you browse, and perhaps pick up a treat or two for yourself along the way!
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3. Meet Father Christmas
It turns out, Santa is a big fan of Norfolk in December too, so there are a number of opportunities for your little ones to meet him.
Holkham’s Audience with Father Christmas (pictured) is a much-loved event in the hall’s state rooms, with families returning year after year. You could also see him at events including The North Norfolk Pole at Pensthorpe and The Christmas Experience at Wroxham Barns.
4. See the lights in Norfolk’s towns and villages
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North Norfolk’s towns sparkle at Christmas. Wander the pretty streets of Holt, Wells-next-the-Sea or Burnham Market (pictured), all lit with festive decorations and independent shop windows dressed for the season. It’s the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!
If you’d like to be there for the Christmas light switch-ons, these are the dates:
Burnham Market – Saturday 15th November 2025 – with stalls, music, food and festive fun, and perhaps a sighting of Father Christmas himself!
Wells-next-the-Sea – Saturday 22nd November 2025 (part of Wells Christmas Tide Festival)
If you or your family love Christmas lights, consider taking a ride on the Norfolk Lights Express. This magical train journey takes you past numerous railside light installations along the North Norfolk Railway Poppy line between Sheringham and Holt.
5. Spot seals and their pups
One of the best things to do on a visit to North Norfolk is to enjoy a boat ride out to Blakeney Point to see the seals, and it just so happens that the festive season coincides with grey seal pupping season.
Blakeney is home to England’s largest grey seal colony, and over 4,000 pups are expected to be born between late October and mid-January each year.
Wrap up warm and take a boat trip from Morston to Blakeney Point to see the pups on the shore or seals swimming near your boat.
Find out more about seal spotting in Norfolk here.
6. Take a winter walk on the coast
You might be lucky enough to see the beach covered in snow!
Wrap up warm and enjoy the fresh sea air on a coastal walk. Wells (pictured), Holkham and Brancaster beaches are peaceful and invigorating in winter, and there’s nothing quite like blowing away the cobwebs with a bracing stroll after a jovial festive evening the night before!
If you’re heading to Wells beach for a wander this Christmastime, we’d recommend picking up a hot chocolate or other hot drink at our neighbour, Wells Beach Café — they’re open daily (except Christmas Day) and a cuppa from them will help keep your hands toasty as you stroll on the sand.
Check out our guide to seven great countryside and coastal walks in North Norfolk.
7. Cosy up with festive food and drink
One of the highlights of the winter season is cosying up with a hearty pub lunch or dinner after a blustery walk, isn’t it, so of course, our next suggestion had to be just that!
The Victoria (pictured) offers a scrumptious seasonal menu with a range of dishes to enjoy alongside a roaring fire and views of Holkham National Nature Reserve, where thousands of pink-footed geese will be flying in to spend the winter.
Other favourites include The Hoste in Burnham Market, the Three Horseshoes in Warham, The Carpenters in Wighton and The Globe in Wells-next-the-Sea. See more of our team’s favourite places to eat in and near Wells here.
8. Watch a Christmas show or pantomime
For many, a Christmas performance is a must!
Cromer Pier is one of just five UK pier’s with a working theatre, and their famous Christmas Show is always full of fun and fabulous festive sparkle. This year, it’s running from 15th November until 28th December, so there’s plenty of time to catch the show.
Thursford’s Christmas Spectacular is described as “A festive feast for all the senses,” and is a popular yuletide tradition for many locals and holidaymakers in North Norfolk. It’s on from 8th November to 25th December 2025.
Alternatively, head into Norwich to catch the panto at the Theatre Royal. 2025’s panto is Cinderella and it’s on from 6th December to 4th January.
9. Enjoy a winter sunset and stargazing
The “big skies” of North Norfolk are just as magical in December, when the long nights provide ample opportunity to enjoy the darkness.
Catch an early sunset over the marshes, then stay out for some of the UK’s clearest night skies. Stargazing on a crisp winter night is the perfect way to round off a festive day.
Remember to look out for Father Christmas’ sleigh travelling through the sky, too!
10. Browse festive shops and galleries
North Norfolk’s independent shops come into their own at Christmas! With fabulous selections of unique gifts, handmade crafts and local produce, there’s plenty to tempt you, whether you’re Christmas shopping or browsing for yourself.
Holt, Burnham Market, Aylsham and Wells-next-the-Sea are lovely market or quayside towns full of boutiques, independent brands, galleries and delis (with several fantastic coffee shop stops along the way!)
11. Relax and recharge at Pinewoods
After exploring the festive delights of North Norfolk, return to Pinewoods Holiday Park for a cosy night in. With snug accommodation and everything you need for a comfortable stay, it’s the ideal base for a Christmas getaway. With family, friends, or enjoying a quiet solo winter break, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy North Norfolk this yuletide, whether you’re with us in the run up to Christmas, for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, or for the Twixmas period.
Christmas in North Norfolk — FAQs
Is North Norfolk a good place to visit at Christmas?
Yes! With festive markets, decorated stately homes, cosy pubs and winter wildlife, North Norfolk is a wonderful destination to soak up the Christmas atmosphere.
What Christmas markets are in North Norfolk?
Holkham, Holt, Pensthorpe and Creake Abbey all host fantastic festive markets, where you can shop for local crafts, gifts and seasonal treats.
Are pubs and restaurants open over Christmas?
Many pubs and restaurants in North Norfolk offer special Christmas menus and are open throughout December. We’d recommend booking ahead, particularly if dining on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
What can families do at Christmas in North Norfolk?
From the Cromer Pier Christmas Show to visiting seal pups or exploring decorated stately homes, there are plenty of festive activities for families to enjoy together.
Can I stay at Pinewoods Holiday Park at Christmas?
Yes, Pinewoods Holiday Park is open for festive breaks! Whether you’re planning a pre-Christmas getaway or want to escape over the bank holidays themselves, our luxury lodges and contemporary caravans offer a lovely, cosy base for your winter break. Check Christmas availability here.
Please note that our touring park for motorhomes, caravans and campervans closes from the start of November.
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