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Great Yarmouth is set to welcome thousands of visitors this summer with a packed programme of family-friendly events, attractions, and entertainment.
FREE EVENT JUNE: REVVING UP FOR THE WHEELS FESTIVAL
Hailed as one of the biggest free festivals of its kind in the UK, Great Yarmouth’s mega two-day Wheels Festival will wow the crowds on June 21 and 22 with an impressive line-up of hundreds of classic, whacky, and contemporary vehicles.
Adding to the extravaganza, new for 2025, the UK’s number one motorcycle display team, Bolddog, will amaze the crowds with their show which features mind-blowing tricks and jumps that see the riders leap 35ft in the air. There will also be the chance to enjoy the thrills and spills of riding on The Red Dragon - Europe’s only Race Framed Monster Ride Truck. Plus, musical entertainment including a piano-riding nun, Musical Ruth.
Organised by Visit Great Yarmouth and with the seafront’s Marine Parade closed to non-event traffic, there will be plenty of space for 60,000-strong crowd to enjoy the Wheels Festival line-up. Running from 10am until 6pm on Saturday and 10am until 4pm on Sunday,
NEW £1M OCEAN TANK DISPLAY AT SEALIFE GREAT YARMOUTH
Summer visitors will have the chance to get an up-close peak into ocean living at SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth’s brand-new £1 million aquarium display. As well as home to over 30 marine species including blacktip reef sharks, moray eels, tangs, and angelfish, the 250,000-litre Ocean Tank and Tunnel also features a shipwreck habitat (inspired by HMS Gloucester, the royal warship that sank off the Norfolk coast in 1682). The new display includes special viewing windows and an immersive interactive experience enabling visitors to see and hear the crashing waves.
FREE SUMMER FIREWORKS EVERY WEDNESDAY GREAT YARMOUTH
Great Yarmouth’s annual free fireworks on the famous Golden Mile will return for 2025. From July 23rd to 26th August the free family event will run every Wednesday evening throughout the summer school holidays with fireworks at 10pm. Additional entertainment will also be staged to add to the excitement.
FREE SUMMER FIREWORKS EVERY TUESDAY HEMSBY
From 22nd July, firework displays are planned to will also impress the crowds every Tuesday evening across the summer on nearby Hemsby Beach at 10pm. There will be street entertainment before the displays including Groove Architects weaving their Brazilian Samba meets rave dance beats through the crowds. Plus, the hilariously slapstick Granny Turismo with her shopping trolley dance routine.
NEW LEO’S JUNGLE JOURNEY RIDE AT THE PLEASURE BEACH
Family favourite, the Pleasure Beach on Great Yarmouth’s South Beach will open the 2025 summer season with a new ride. Inspired by the park's mascot Leo the Lion, ‘Leo's Jungle Journey’ will feature a safari bus that moves up and down in a circular motion.
With a pedigree dating back several decades, the park’s appeal spans the ages with rides from family and retro favourites to thrills and spills for the adrenalin seekers.
CIRCUS & WATER SUMMER SPECTACULAR AT THE HIPPODROME CIRCUS
The mesmerising Circus and Water Summer Spectacular at the Hippodrome returns from 9th July to 14th September. The world-famous fixed circus will offer breathtaking performances featuring slapstick comedy, amazing acrobats, daring trapeze artists and stunts plus stunning lighting and special effects. Visitors will also enjoy the mesmerising sight of the world-famous Water Spectacular, which sees the entire rink sink to reveal a giant swimming pool with performances by synchronised swimmers.
PINTSIZE PEEKING AT MERRIVALE MODEL VILLAGE
Visitors to Merrivale Model Village can expect some new and spruced up additions to the English village in miniature when it opens for the summer season. As well as taking in the pintsize scenes, families can also enjoy the venue’s nine-hole crazy golf course, gardens and the ever-popular Penny Arcade with its vintage machines and retro games space. Summer illuminations and events are also planned.
AMAZING MAZE AND FARM AT HIRSTY’S
Hirsty’s summer mega maze is set to delight families again this year with the maize labyrinth open throughout the school holidays from 23 July to 2 September.
As well as navigating the maze, included in the fun park’s ticket price are jumping pillows, zip wire, adventure play pedal go-karts and barrel-train rides.
ANIMAL ANTICS AT THIGBY HALL WILDLIFE GARDENS
Animal lovers can expect a great Summer day out at Thrigby Hall wildlife park with an up-close look at the attraction’s special collection of rare animals including snow leopards, amur and clouded leopards, meerkats, gibbons, red pandas and oriental small-clawed otters. With a focus on conservation projects both locally and worldwide, as well as learning about the animals, visitors can enjoy the landscaped gardens with its big play area, 3D Adventure Maze, climbing and ropes plus an expansive lawn for picnics and play.
SUMMER MUSICAL HALL DELIGHTS AT THE GORLESTON PAVILION
For some proper traditional summer entertainment, The Gorleston Pavilion features an eclectic mix of plays, pantomimes, musicals and its not to be missed Summer Show which runs every Tuesday from 6 May to 7 October. This gorgeous Edwardian theatre seats 300 cabaret style and is all on one level making it fully accessible to wheelchairs and those using walking aids. Drinks are served direct to each table by friendly bar staff. The adjacent bandstand has summer concerts throughout the main season so, and the ideal picnic spot for some free music overlooking Gorleston beach.
With a picture postcard seafront, Marine Parade, often referred to as the Golden Mile is jam packed with amusements, attractions, adventure golf, restaurants, and pubs, all geared up for day trippers and holidaymakers, who want to make the most of our popular seaside resort.
The historic Britannia Pier, standing since 1901, has entertainment for all the family from casinos to arcades to rides and shows, which attracts the likes of Jimmy Carr and Sarah Millican, while at the other end of the Golden Mile,
The Wellington Pier is home to 10 full size bowling lanes, American pool tables and many other games.
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For the younger generation, Joyland, open since 1949, is a firm favourite and home to many exhilarating rides, including the iconic super Snails.
The Pleasure Beach Gardens is packed with many activities, including the Jurassic Gardens, the Learners’ Driving School and an intriguing Upside Down House and for lunch and refreshments visit Sara's Tearoom
The 18-hole Pirate’s Cove is also a must if adventure golf is your thing. It’s been entertaining visitors for more than 25 years as people putt their way under waterfalls, over footbridges and through caves.
Water lovers will also miss a treat if they don’t visit The Waterways in Great Yarmouth, just north of the Golden Mile. Comprised of the Venetian Waterways, the Ornamental Gardens and the Boating Lake. Pedalos and boats are available for hire on the boating lake.
Just off the main parade there’s the iconic Regent Road selling all the holiday memorabilia you can find, as well as shops boasting wares, from clothes to furniture.
If you fancy a flutter on the horses at Great Yarmouth Racecourse or just the excuse to dress up for Ladies Day for the thrill and excitement of watching the horses thundering past then Great Yarmouth has that too!
As the sun goes down there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained at The Empire on Marine Parade, with craft beer, street food and live music available every Friday and Saturday night during the summer.
Over at Gorleston, you can enjoy the beach attractions, which includes a splashpad, bowling green and a trim trail on the cliff top, boasting stunning views of the beach and harbour.
The Great Yarmouth borough has a rich heritage, full of cultural experiences.
Why not take a tour around the Lydia Eva, the last steam drifter, which has returned to her home port of Great Yarmouth as a floating museum of the fishing industry.
Go back through the eras at the Time and Tide Museum or visit one of the UK’s oldest gaols at the Tolhouse Museum. Dating back to the 12th century, take a peek inside the original cells and discover the fate of the thieves and smugglers who were confined there.
For those who love the great outdoors, hire a cruiser and amble along The Broads, taking in Thurne and Bure, sail past Martham, Thurne, Acle and Stokesby, before winding your way to Great Yarmouth.
With so much to see and do there’s a plethora of hotels and bed and breakfasts to choose from to lay your head and prepare for the next exciting day ahead.
Enjoy the Summer 2025 season in Great Yarmouth!
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