Close by is King's Lynn Arts Centre, an intimate venue hosting a wide variety of shows including comedy, drama, music, dance, children's shows, cinema and visual arts. Housed in the 15th century Guildhall of St George, one of England's oldest surviving Guildhalls, the Centre brings this historic building to life with its varied range of presentations in the main auditorium.  The complex also houses four elegant art galleries, hosting a year round programme of exhibitions, regular art, craft and education workshops.  

 

 

Just up the A149 is the Princess Theatre, Hunstanton offering a year round selection of live entertainment including a six week summer season, live music concerts, variety shows and also showing the latest film releases.  The Princess Theatre is dubbed as one of the friendliest theatres in the country by artistes who have performed there.

 

Westacre River Studios and Theatre hosts an all year round programme of live theatre, comedy and music, take a picnic, relax by the river and enjoy a jazz Sunday.

 

There is a wide range of art galleries throughout West Norfolk, both in King's Lynn itself and throughout the area. The King's Lynn Arts Cenre is host to a varied programme of visiting exhibitions with national acclaim.  The Coal Shed Gallery in Hunstanton is well worth a visit, was part of the original railway site and has now been beautifully converted by the Borough Council to provide an exciting gallery space to promote access to the arts in Hunstanton.

 

Old Hunstanton is home to the Le Strange Old Barns antiques, arts and craft centre, whilst in Shernbourne, Burnham Market and Old Hunstanton as in many other villages, galleries can be found which are ideal for browsing or buying a souvenir of your visit.

 

The King's Lynn Arts Centre is also the focal point for the nationally renowned King's Lynn Festival each July.  Every year, visitors and locals alike enjoy choral and orchestral concerts (often held in churches in the town); theatre, comedy, and the visual arts.

 

Alongside the main festival is Festival Too, a lively selection of free entertainment sponsored by West Norfolk's own businesses. With daytime street entertainment, open air pop concerts that pack the Tuesday Market Place and arena events to entertain massive crowds on the festival's last night, Festival Too scores with good humoured carnival atmosphere.

 

The town also hosts the annual King's Lynn Poetry Festival and the King's Lynn Fiction Festival.

 

Downham Market and Hunstanton hold their own annual festivals as well, both offering a week of varied entertainment, with plenty for the children to enjoy, and culminating in a colourful carnival parade through the towns.

 

West Norfolk's villages also host a variety of entertainments – amateur jazz, regular live rock and blues music in many pubs and clubs, an informal pub folk night and live open air theatre performances are just some of the events you can discover throughout the region. 

 

Pick up an 'Eastern Gig Guide' from the tourist information centre for all live music information.  The local newspaper The Lynn News also features a weekly gig guide in the Friday edition.

 

In King's Lynn, where the Majestic Cinema features the latest film releases, visitors can also find night clubs, bars and discos.

 

 

 

Not without traditional events, King's Lynn is host to the splendid King's Morris who parade through the town on high days and holidays, and the oldest fair in the country – the King's Lynn Mart, now a bustling fun fair, takes over the Tuesday Market Place for a fortnight every February beginning on St Valentines day.  With live concerts in the bandstands in King's Lynn and Hunstanton there's something to suit all tastes. 

 

Visitors spending the festive season in West Norfolk will be well-entertained by a visit to Hunstanton. Here, every year, the more intrepid (or less sane) of the townspeople, many of them in fancy dress, take to the beach for the annual Christmas Day Swim!

The Princess Theatre also presents a traditional festive pantomime, great entertainment for all the family. 

 

In King's Lynn, The Corn Exchange stages an ice show extravaganza and you can have a skate on the Eco Ice Rink in the town centre.  Combine your visit to coincide with the grand Christmas Light Switch on ceremony at Hunstanton, King's Lynn or Downham Market. 

 

Not forgetting the Christmas Spectacular at Thursford, a truly special show to get you in the Christmas mood, it really is not to be missed.