Norwich Goes Wild: Your Guide To Lord Mayor’s Weekend 2026
Friday 10 July — Family rave at St Andrew’s Hall, 5.30pm to 7pm
Saturday 11 July — The Halls activities, 10.30am to 4pm
Saturday 11 July — Lord Mayor’s Procession, from Norwich Cathedral at 3pm
Saturday 11 July — Procession arrives at Chapelfield Gardens around 4.30pm
Sunday 12 July — Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre, 11am to 5pm
Sunday 12 July — Great Norwich Duck Race, Riverside, 2pm
Cost — Most Lord Mayor’s Weekend events are free; ducks are £2 each.
The weekend guide...
Norwich is getting ready for one of its biggest weekends of the summer, as Lord Mayor’s Weekend returns from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July.
This year’s theme is “Wild About Norwich”, with three days of colour, music, street theatre, family activities and community celebrations across the city centre.
Most of the weekend is free to enjoy, making it a great option for families looking for something local to do without spending a fortune.
The celebrations begin on Friday evening, continue with the big Lord Mayor’s Procession on Saturday afternoon, and finish on Sunday with the Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre and the Great Norwich Duck Race.
The main highlight is the Lord Mayor’s Procession on Saturday 11 July. It sets off from Norwich Cathedral at 3pm, travelling through the city centre before finishing at Chapelfield Gardens at around 4.30pm.
The route takes the procession out of the Cathedral into Tombland, then up Queen Street, along St Andrews Street, onto Exchange Street, past the Market Place and up towards Theatre Street.
The parade will bring together community groups, performers, schools and organisations from across Norwich. This year’s “Wild About Norwich” theme means people can expect plenty of wildlife-inspired costumes, music, colour and creativity.
Everything in the procession has to be pushed, pulled, carried or worn, so it is a proper people-powered parade through the city.
Before and after the procession, Chapelfield Gardens will host the Lord Mayor’s Garden Party, with free family entertainment and activities throughout the afternoon.
Families can expect street theatre, crafting and making, a kids’ disco, face painting, gaming activities and more. There will also be live local music on the Chapelfield Gardens main stage.
Acts announced for the weekend include DH Temple, May Gabriels, Dr DJ’s Dad Dancing Dispensary, The Mink, Congratulations and Guilty Pleasures.
Hay Hill will also be part of the celebrations, with more music and entertainment across the weekend, including performances curated by Access Creative and LCR / Waterfront.
The Halls will be involved too, with Lord Mayor’s Procession Day activities taking place on Saturday 11 July from 10.30am to 4pm. The venue is at St Andrew’s Plain, Norwich, NR3 1AU.
Friday evening also brings a family-friendly Big Fish Little Fish rave at St Andrew’s Hall, running from 5.30pm to 7pm. The event is designed for families and promises music, dancing, bubbles and confetti.
On Sunday, the focus shifts to two much-loved Norwich favourites.
The Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre takes place on Sunday 12 July from 11am to 5pm. The Lanes will be filled with live music, pop-up markets, DJs, street food, arts and crafts, cocktails, cabaret, workshops and street entertainment.
Printed fayre guides, including a map, are expected to be available on the day.
Norwich Arts Centre will also be taking part in the Lanes Fayre, with DJs on the Lawn in its front garden from 11am to 4pm. Its back garden will be open as a quieter space away from the crowds, and Wimbledon will be shown indoors on the big projector screen, with strawberries and cream available.
Also on Sunday, the Great Norwich Duck Race returns to Riverside. The race takes place at 2pm on Sunday 12 July, with thousands of rubber ducks launched into the River Wensum.
Ducks cost £2 each and there are cash prizes for the first five ducks across the line, with £500 for first place, £250 for second, £125 for third, £75 for fourth and £50 for fifth.
Ducks are due to be on sale at Chapelfield Gardens on Saturday and at the Queen of Iceni at Riverside on race day. You do not need to attend the race to take part, but it is expected to be a popular family spectacle.
With events happening across Norwich city centre, people heading in on Saturday should plan ahead. The procession and city centre celebrations are likely to mean busy streets, road closures and changes to normal travel routes.
Anyone going into the city is advised to allow extra time, check travel before setting off, and consider using public transport or park and ride where possible.
Whether you are heading in for the procession, the Garden Party, the Lanes Fayre, the duck race, the music or just the atmosphere, it is set to be one of the most colourful weekends of the summer in Norwich.
Broadland Radio would love to see your photos from Lord Mayor’s Weekend. If you are watching the parade, cheering on a duck, enjoying the Lanes Fayre or taking the family into the city, send us your pictures and show us how Norwich went wild.
