It is gearing up to be an unforgettable summer in Norwich, with many popular events set to make a 2021 comeback.

As restrictions now ease further, with the possible end to social distancing on June 21, plans are well underway for festivals and concerts this year.

As it stands, these are the dates for major 2021 events happening in the city:

Norwich Evening News: Junkyard Market is back in Norwich for summer.Junkyard Market is back in Norwich for summer. (Image: Chris Harvey)

Junkyard Market

St Mary's Works

On now, Friday to Sunday every week

From Norwich-based Christophe's Crêpes to London burger joint Nanny Bill's, this open air-street food market combines local and national vendors and also has bars in shipping containers.

Customers can book tables or two, four or six, which are free with refundable deposits to prevent no-shows, and all ordering is done online by scanning a QR code.

The event runs from 5pm to 10pm on Fridays and 12pm to 10pm at weekends, with two-and-a-half hour slots.

Norwich Evening News: Daniel Brine, artistic director and chief executive of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival.Daniel Brine, artistic director and chief executive of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. (Image: Archant)

Norfolk and Norwich Festival

Various venues across Norwich and Norfolk

May 17 to 30

The annual Norfolk and Norwich Festival is back for 2021 and once again features a diverse line-up of theatre, art, literature and live music in venues and outdoor spaces across Norfolk.

This year is a one-off adaptation created with social distancing in mind and it also features a digital strand, which includes experience packs and even a show delivered by a phone call.

Norwich Evening News: Continental Circus Berlin is coming to Norwich.Continental Circus Berlin is coming to Norwich. (Image: Continental Circus Berlin)

Continental Circus Berlin

Norfolk Showground

May 28 to June 6

From the producers of the some of the world’s finest circuses comes a brand new show.

At Continental Circus Berlin you will not believe your eyes with everything from the death-defying Globe of Death to whirlwind acrobatics.

Clowns Angelo and Eddie, will guide you through the show and it will be in a socially distanced big top tent.

Norwich Evening News: Margaret Seaman's work will be on display at the Norfolk Makers Festival Showcase.Margaret Seaman's work will be on display at the Norfolk Makers Festival Showcase. (Image: Jamie Honeywood Archant Norwich Norfolk)

Norfolk Makers Festival Showcase

The Forum

June 1 to 11

The Norfolk Makers Festival, now in its sixth year, celebrates Norfolk’s local craftspeople, artists and making heritage.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the festival has a new, one-off format for 2021 alongside a new name: Norfolk Makers Festival Showcase.

There will be displays of weaving, glass modelling, knitting, dyeing, painting, embroidery, craftwork and much more.

The centrepiece will be the ‘Knittingale Hospital’ – a recreation of a Covid-19 hospital by Margaret Seaman, which is raising funds for Norfolk's hospitals.

Norwich Evening News: Peter Marron and Ellie Edge from Break with a T. rex and mammoth model.Peter Marron and Ellie Edge from Break with a T. rex and mammoth model. (Image: Mark Benfield)

GoGoDiscover Trail

Various locations across Norwich

July 12 to September 11

To complement Dippy's visit (see below), charity Break, which supports young people on the edge of, in or leaving care, will be running its GoGoDiscover trail across Norwich.

There will be 20 Tyrannosaurus Rex sculptures, with many painted by local artists, and it follows the success of GoGoGorillas in 2013, GoGoDragons in 2015 and GoGoHares in 2018.

Maps will be available to download on an app, with hard copies available from local venues.

Norwich Evening News: Dippy the Dinosaur is finally coming to Norwich in 2021.Dippy the Dinosaur is finally coming to Norwich in 2021. (Image: Trustees of the Natural History Museum)

Dippy the Dinosaur

Norwich Cathedral

July 13 to October 30

One of the most well-known dinosaurs in the world will finally stomp its way into Norwich Cathedral, after the coronavirus pandemic twice saw its arrival postponed.

Dippy the Dinosaur, which ordinarily stands proudly as the centrepiece of the Natural History Museum, is set to arrive in Norwich this July and will be there for over three months, with a whole host of activities planned.

Norwich Evening News: Norwich Theatre's Interlude is back for 2021 in a new location, pictured in 2020 in Chapelfield Gardens.Norwich Theatre's Interlude is back for 2021 in a new location, pictured in 2020 in Chapelfield Gardens. (Image: Max Hilton)

Interlude in the Close

Norwich Cathedral Close

July 14 to August 31

Interlude was launched by Norwich Theatre, which runs the Theatre Royal, Playhouse and Stage Two, in partnership with Lost in Translation Circus last summer in Chapelfield Gardens.

It is now set to return in 2021 at a new location in the historic Norwich Cathedral Close and will once again be in a big top tent.

Highlights include musical The Wind in the Willows, CBeebies favourites Sarah and Duck and shows A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Importance of Being Earnest.


Norwich Evening News: There will be over 25 different craft ciders to try at the Sausage and Cider Festival.There will be over 25 different craft ciders to try at the Sausage and Cider Festival. (Image: bhofack2)

Sausage and Cider Festival

St Andrew's Hall

July 24

The Sausage and Cider Festival is coming to Norwich for the first time on July 24.

There will be more than 25 craft ciders to try, with customers able to purchase drinks tokens, and 15 different flavours of sausage to choose from.

The event will also boast a gin bar, host eating contests, have live music and a DJ and guests can book afternoon or evening slots.

Norwich Evening News: Andrew Bunn and Derek Robertson, co-founders of Red Card Comedy Club and Laugh in the Park.Andrew Bunn and Derek Robertson, co-founders of Red Card Comedy Club and Laugh in the Park. (Image: Archant)

Laugh in the Park

Chapelfield Gardens

July 29 to August 1

Much-loved comedy festival Laugh in the Park, which features a jam-packed programme of top comedians each night, is returning this summer and acts include Seann Walsh, Dane Baptiste and Norwich-based Jenny Beake.

Alongside this, there will be an array of street food stalls, a Pimm's and prosecco tent, alongside a regular bar, and a silent disco after show on Friday and Saturday.

The event is run by Red Card Comedy Club, which is bringing back its events at Carrow Road in September.

New for 2021, the event will be followed by Movies in the Park from August 4 to August 8 with comedy films shown.

Norwich Evening News: Sir Tom Jones is performing in Norwich this summer.Sir Tom Jones is performing in Norwich this summer. (Image: Hampton Court Festival)

Tom Jones

Earlham Park

August 15

Sir Tom Jones has confirmed that he will finally be heading to the green green grass of Earlham Park this summer, after his concert was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

It promises to be an unforgettable night as he performs all his biggest hits.

The support act is The X Factor: Celebrity winner Megan McKenna, who previously appeared on The Only Way is Essex and Ex on the Beach.

Norwich Evening News: Sundown Festival is back this September.Sundown Festival is back this September. (Image: Archant)

Sundown Festival

Norfolk Showground

September 3 to 5

Sundown Festival is set to return this September and all day and weekend tickets are now sold out.

The line-up has carried over from the postponed 2020 event, with headliners Sean Paul and Loyle Carner.

Norwich Evening News: Craig David has announced a 2021 Norwich show in Earlham Park.Craig David has announced a 2021 Norwich show in Earlham Park. (Image: Contributed)

Craig David

Earlham Park

September 11

Craig David is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album Born To Do It, which features top 10 singles Fill Me In, 7 Days, Walking Away and Rendezvous, with a handful of UK shows.

Vocal powerhouse Ella Eyre is the special guest at the concert.

Norwich Evening News: Earlham Park in Norwich. Picture: Nick ButcherEarlham Park in Norwich. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

Comedy in the Park

Earlham Park

September 12

Organisers have confirmed Comedy in the Park will be going ahead and it is touring the country, with six top comedians providing a night of entertainment in an open-air setting.

In Norwich, the line-up is John Bishop, Phil Wang, Rob Beckett, Al Murray, Dara Ó Briain and Judi Love.

Norwich Evening News: Norfolk produce will be celebrated at Feastival at The Forum in Norwich this summer.Norfolk produce will be celebrated at Feastival at The Forum in Norwich this summer. (Image: Anna Stevenson)

Feastival at The Forum

The Forum

September 18 and 19

A feast for foodies has been announced for Norwich this September, featuring stalls from local producers and street food traders.

Norfolk businesses confirmed to attend so far include Dereham-based Essence Foods, producers of Monty's Mustard, and King's Lynn-based WhataHoot Gin.

It is free to attend and part of Heritage Open Days 2021, which takes place across the UK every September, with a whole host of events celebrating history and culture.

Norwich Evening News: OutOut in the Park is coming to Norwich.OutOut in the Park is coming to Norwich. (Image: Contributed)

OutOut In the Park

Earlham Park

September 18 to 19

A new festival called OutOut in the Park is heading to Norwich this September, featuring some of the biggest DJs from the nineties and noughties.

The line-up includes N-Trance, Ultrabeat, Black Box and Flip & Fill and promises to be an unforgettable party.

Norwich Evening News: Let's Rock Norwich has been rescheduled to September.Let's Rock Norwich has been rescheduled to September. (Image: Archant)

Let's Rock Norwich

Earlham Park

September 25

Let's Rock celebrates the music of the 80s with some of the biggest stars of the decade taking to the stage and this year's event has been rescheduled from May 29 to September 25.

Many of the acts booked for the cancelled 2020 festival will perform, including Wet Wet Wet, The Boomtown Rats and Kim Wilde.

With the new date, The Undertones and Tenpole Tudor are no longer able to perform, but they will be replaced by Big Country and Odyssey.

Norwich Evening News: Oktoberfest is returning to Norwich.Oktoberfest is returning to Norwich. (Image: Halfpoint)

Oktoberfest Norwich

Eaton Park

October 2

Get your steins at the ready as Oktoberfest is returning to Norwich for the third time, after it was previously held at Carrow Road in 2017 and Eaton Park in 2018.

Fancy dress is encouraged and there will be German beer, bratwurst and a live oompah band.

Norwich Evening News: Wild Paths Festival returns in 2021.Wild Paths Festival returns in 2021. (Image: Contributed)

Wild Paths Festival

Various venues in Norwich

October 14 to 17

Wild Paths will be coming back bigger and better this October with four days of live music, conferences, art fairs, supper clubs, after-parties and networking events.

It will take place in 20 of the city's best-loved venues and showcase over 200 bands, delegates and DJs and the line-up has just been announced, with headliners Sports Team, Biig Piig and Palace.

Norwich Evening News: Our Summer in the City campaign encourages people to make the most of all Norwich has to offer this summer.Our Summer in the City campaign encourages people to make the most of all Norwich has to offer this summer. (Image: Norwich)

Our Summer in the City Campaign encourages people to get out and about in Norwich this summer, and to make the most of its shops, pubs and restaurants and events.

Summer in the City is sponsored by Chantry Place and Norwich BID.