7 major Norfolk events and things to do in April 2024

Comedy duo Johnny Mac and Jack Jay (L-R) star in Pirates Live! (Image: Hippodrome Circus)

1. Pirates Live!, Great Yarmouth

Where: Hippodrome Circus, St George's Road, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2EU

When: Until April 14

Price: Children: £14-£18, concessions: £20-£28, adults: £22-£30, hippodromecircus.com or call 01493 738877

Set on Snake Island, comedy duo Jack Jay and Johnny Mac race against evil pirate Captain Blackeye to lift the curse on ancient treasure.

There will also be an international cast of circus acts and the centrepiece of the staging is a huge 40-foot galleon. 

READ MORE: Trio team up to launch loaded hash brown business in Norfolk

Chloe Chambers (Orchard Toys) and Paul McCarthy (Chantry Place) celebrate the launch of the Peter Rabbit Word Trail Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

2. Peter Rabbit Word Trail, Norwich

Where: Chantry Place, Norwich, NR1 3SH

When: Until April 14 during centre opening hours

Price: Free

This free trail is a collaboration between Chantry Place and Wymondham-based Orchard Toys, who recently launched The World of Peter Rabbit collection.

Pick up a booklet from Langleys or The Works on the lower ground floor and collect letters around the centre, with the chance to win a bundle of prizes. 

READ MORE: Peter Rabbit free trail launches at Chantry Place Norwich

Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Ian McIntosh in the title role, is coming to Norwich (Image: Mayflower Theatre)

3. Jesus Christ Superstar, Norwich

Where: Norwich Theatre Royal, Theatre Street, Norwich, NR2 1RL

When: April 8-13

Price: From £41.50, norwichtheatre.org or call 01603 630000

Featuring music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this reimagined production, first performed at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in London, won an Olivier Award in 2017 for best musical revival.

The show is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks of the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas, and Ian McIntosh stars in the title role. 

READ MORE: Jesus Christ Superstar's Ian McIntosh on Norfolk roots

The Norfolk Makers Festival returns to The Forum in April Picture: Keiron Tovell (Image: Keiron Tovell)

4. Norfolk Makers Festival, Norwich

Where: The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, NR2 1TF

When: April 13-21

Price: Free, some paid-for ticketed events, norfolkmakersfestival.co.uk

The Forum will be packed with artists, artisans and crafters, who will be giving live demonstrations and offering visitors the chance to have a go at activities for free.

Alongside this are ticketed workshops led by local makers, where you can learn how to spin, crochet, print, draw, make jewellery and much more.

The first Wymondham Spring Arts Festival starts in April (Image: Supplied)

5. Wymondham Spring Arts Festival, Wymondham

Where: Various venues in Wymondham

When: April 20-May 6

Price: Various with some free entry events, see the full programme at wymondhammagazine.co.uk/springartsfestival

The first Wymondham Spring Arts Festival takes play in April and May and the full programme has now been announced.

Highlights include the Wymondham Players' run of Noël Coward's Waiting in the Wings (April 24-27) and the Creative Wymondham Arts and Crafts Fair (May 4) - both in the Central Hall. 

READ MORE: Nine-hole adventure golf course to launch at Norfolk farm

Sir Antony Gormley and Lord Cholmondeley, owner of Houghton Hall, at the installation of Time Horizon (Image: Pete Huggins)

6. Antony Gormley’s Time Horizon, Houghton

Where: Houghton Hall & Gardens, Houghton, PE31 6TY

When: Select dates from April 21-October 31

Price: Adults: £22 online at houghtonhall.com or £24 at the gate, students: £10, ages 18 and under: free

Time Horizon, one of Antony Gormley’s most spectacular large-scale installations, will be shown across the grounds and through the house at Houghton Hall.

It is the first time the work will be staged in the UK and it features 100 life-sized sculptures. 

The East Anglian Game and Country Fair Picture: Steve Adams (Image: Steve Adams 2021)

7. East Anglian Game and Country Fair, Euston near Thetford

Where: Euston Hall Estate, Euston, Thetford, IP24 2QH

When: April 27-28, 8am-6pm

Price: Advance day tickets - adults (17+): £21, children (5-16): £8, family (two adults, two children): £55 (all plus fees and more on the gate), camping weekend tickets also available, book at ukgamefair.co.uk

Just across the county border, the East Anglian Game and Country Fair returns to Euston Hall, near Thetford, this spring.

The annual two-day event will feature main area displays, from motorcycle stunts to a dog and duck show, cookery demonstrations, live music and much more.