7 new things to look forward to in Norwich in 2024

Here is a roundup of seven new things to look forward to in the coming year.

1. West End shows

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be on in Norwich in September (Image: Norwich Theatre)

The city will welcome plenty of well-known West End theatre shows in 2024.

Norwich's Theatre Royal will be home to shows such as The Wizard of Oz (February 27 to March 3), Jesus Christ Superstar (April 8 to April 13), Grease (June 3 to June 8) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (September 24 to September 29). 

All these shows still have tickets on sale, but be quick as they are selling fast. 

2. Norwich Castle reopening

The Royal Palace Reborn project should be completed in 2024 (Image: Denise Bradley)

The long-awaited reopening of Norwich Castle's medieval keep is expected in the summer after a £15m revamp.

The Royal Palace Reborn project started in the summer of 2020 and was initially intended to be completed in 2023 before the coronavirus pandemic and other delays.

The works include reinstating original medieval features and a new permanent Gallery of Medieval Life showcasing artefacts from the Norman Conquest to the reign of Henry VIII.

3. Chantry Place cinema 

Chantry Place will welcome an Everyman Cinema (Image: Sonya Duncan)

A four-screen Everyman Cinema will be moving into three units at the centre, including the former Pizza Hut restaurant and the existing Escape Hunt venue on the ground floor. 

An opening date for the cinema has not been confirmed but a spokesman for Escape Hunt confirmed it would be closing its premises in Chantry Place on January 8 and relocating the games to its second site in Castle Quarter.

Everyman is a chain of boutique cinemas with screens across the country in London, Manchester and Liverpool. 

4. Hay Hill transformation

A 2022 artist's impression of the Hay Hill transformation plans in Norwich (Image: Norwich City Council)

The works to Hay Hill, which will see planters, more seating, and a water feature installed, are set to be completed by early 2024.

The city centre square has been undergoing a major transformation since January 2023. 

While most of the work is set to conclude early next year, fresh plans have recently been submitted for a new home for Giuseppino Ices.

5. Take That at Carrow Road

Take That will return to Norwich with a bang on May 28 (Image: Jamie Honeywood)

Take That, consisting of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, are returning to Norwich on May 28.

It follows their other sell-out concerts at Carrow Road Stadium in 2017 and 2019.

This Life on Tour comes after the release of their ninth album This Life and the show will feature special guest Olly Murs.

6.  New Ryanair flights

Ryanair will run new flights to and from Norwich in April 2024 (Image: Newsquest)

Ryanair has announced new flights from Norwich Airport in 2024.

There will be one departure and one arrival from Malta, Alicante and Faro on Mondays and Fridays from April 1.

Passengers have previously been able to fly to Malta and Spanish port city Alicante from Norwich Airport with KLM and the now-dissolved Flybe.

However, these services were cancelled shortly before the coronavirus pandemic.

7.  East Anglian derby

Jonathan Rowe and Cameron Burgess compete for the ball (Image: PA)Norwich City will take on Ipswich Town at Carrow Road on April 8 in what will be the first East Anglian derby in the city since 2019.

The recent derby match at Portman Road in Ipswich on December 16 ended in a 2-2 draw.

Ipswich have not beaten Norwich since April 19, 2009.