Here's all the key information you need about attending Wymondham's Wynterfest this year:

Programme of events

• Team Rachel Zumba at Town Green
• Procession taking Santa and his elves from Town Green to the Market Cross led by Team Rachel Zumba
• Lantern Parade: Leaving Wymondham Abbey at 4pm, heading to the Market Cross to join Invidia Voices.
• Wymondham Abbey: Lantern making, choir, and Meccano attractions, and Robert Kett School 2pm to 5pm.
• Gray’s Funfair: Middleton Street.
• Abbey Grounds: Wymondham Alpacas, Centre Paws best dressed dog competition, and Browick Road School Christmas activities.
• Methodist Church: The Makers’ Market, 12-5. The church will be open as a ‘still place’ for reflection and prayer.
• Fairland Church: Christmas Community Ceilidh led by Whirligig (by ticket only) from 2pm to 3.30pm. Graceful melodies playing flute during intervals. Tickets available from: https://wynterfestwhirligig.eventbrite.co.uk
• Vintage shuttle bus from East Anglian Motor Auctions (Copper Smith Way NR18 0WY) to Fairland Green from 11.45am to 2pm, and 3pm to 5pm.
• Queen St Baptist Church: Donkeys and children’s Christmas crafts. Refreshments available.
• Town Green: Professor Philips Punch & Judy Shows at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Christmas music and stalls.
• Santa’s Grotto: Money Properties from 1pm.
• Treasure trail: Forms available from Ketts Books.

Market Cross Stage: Running Order

South Norfolk Radio introduces:

• 12:00 Conner Hockins - solo singer
• 12:30 Robert Kett School Choir
• 13:00 Wham Theatre Group
• 13:45 Wymondham Rock Choir
• 14:15 5 Day Rain – country band
• 15:00 Invidia voices – 40-strong choir singing Christmas favourites.

Food & Drink Line-Up

• Bella Ciao: Delicious, fresh wood-fired pizza straight from the oven
• Superburger: Burgers & hotdogs from vintage, bespoke pop-up burger stand
• Natural Rise: Range of paninis, pancakes, cakes, and coffees.
• Society Alive: Authentic African curries, jerk chicken and Jollof rice.
• Flippin Marvellous: Sweet and savoury pancakes and waffle sticks.
• Currylicious: Aromatic Indian Curries
• Lilwalls Hog Roast
• Rambling Roots: Yummy plant-based street food
• HG Catering: Divine sweet churros
• Verrecchia: Sweet and savoury crepes
• Owies: Rare breed pork sausages, bacon and pork and apple burgers
• Chocolate Bar Baker
• M&M Sweet Treats
• Kate's Bakes
• Baking Addict
• Mr Frosty Ice Cream
• Drip Drop Bake Stop
• Craftily Bar
• Circus Head Coffee

The Christmas countdown will start in style in Wymondham this year, with another spectacular Wynterfest welcoming Santa to town on his sleigh alongside music, stalls, a lantern parade, Zumba, a ceilidh, a children’s funfair and much more.

The event, on Sunday 26 November, from noon until 5pm, will host more than 80 stalls with bespoke Norfolk produce, perfect for unique Christmas gifts. Visitors can meet the makers as they browse the indoor market at the Methodist Church and Town Green Centre. Road closures on Fairland Street, Market Street, Middleton Street and Town Green will allow the shopping experience to extend all the way through town, offering a feast of delicious food, sweet treats, mulled wine, and crafts from around the region.

Team Rachel Zumba will be firing-up the festive fever at noon as they perform at Town Green to greet Santa and his elves as they glide into town. The dancers will lead Santa’s sleigh in a procession to the Market Cross where the WHAM Theatre Group will be ready to perform and sing a variety of much-loved Christmas numbers.

Mayor of Wymondham, Councillor Suzanne Nuri-Nixon, said: “Wynterfest is such a special occasion that brings businesses, groups, and visitors together to enjoy a warm, welcoming family day with something for everyone. Wymondham is gifted with a wealth of amazing groups and creative, innovative people. When they join forces to create such accessible, uplifting occasions, it really showcases the drive and community spirit we have in Wymondham that makes me incredibly proud to be Mayor.”

Councillor Nuri-Nixon will meet and greet Santa and the Zumba dancers at the Market Cross as they assemble around the Christmas tree, before welcoming the young WHAM dancers on stage. South Norfolk Radio will keep visitors up to date with activities between live music acts throughout the day.

For those who want to keep dancing, the Christmas community ceilidh, led by the Whirligig Ceilidh Band and their dance caller, will offer 90 minutes of fun for all generations. Tickets for the Ceilidh are £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

Wymondham Business Group and Town Team, sponsors and organisers of Wynterfest, are inviting everyone to light up Wymondham at the Wynterfest finale. A lantern parade will leave Wymondham Abbey at 4pm and travel along Vicar Street, Middleton Street, and Market Street, gathering around the Christmas tree at Market Cross where Invidia Voices’ 40-strong choir will be singing Christmas favourites. There will be an opportunity to make a lantern, which includes a light, in Wymondham Abbey from 2pm.

Stephen Green, a Director of Wymondham Business Group, said: “We delight in seeing the town bustling with residents and visitors. Occasions such as Wynterfest, Vintage Day, the Farmer’s Market, and the Food and Drink Festival, are so important to connect residents with the town, its businesses, and each other. We depend on volunteers and goodwill to create these events, so we are hugely grateful for the community groups, venues, and individuals who devote their time and energy. We hope everyone enjoys the activities and celebrate our dynamic community as well as Christmas.”

The Wynterfest treasure hunt will give children a chance to win a personalised shopping experience at Ketts Books to help them select five free books. Clue sheets will be available from Ketts Books.

To support residents joining in the festivities, East Anglia Transport Museum is running free vintage bus rides departing from The East Anglian Motor Auction on Copper Smith Way and arriving at Fairland Green every 15 minutes between 11.45am to 2pm, and 3pm to 5pm. Limited parking for cars will be available at the auction site.

Car Parks will be open and free of charge at Town Green, Back Lane, Cemetery Lane, and Market Street accessible via Friars Croft Lane. Disabled parking allocation will be increased in these car parks to support Blue Badge holders. The vintage bus has no disabled access.

This year’s Wynterfest is being managed by ClearCompany CIC*, a social enterprise that nurtures and supports local community projects. Having hosted pop-up events for the last five years, the organisation will be opening its first shop and studio space at the Schoolrooms on Church Street later this year.

For tickets to the ceilidh at Fairland Church, visit https://wynterfestwhirligig.eventbrite.co.uk or email info@clearcompany.org.uk.