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From sandy beach expanses to the inland waterways of the Norfolk Broads, Great Yarmouth’s natural holiday appeal is a draw in itself. Add to this traditional seaside nostalgia by the bucket load, with attractions, free events and activities and it’s the ideal summer getaway. Top picks from Visit Great Yarmouth for the summer season include:
FREE SUMMER-LONG FIREWORKS IN GREAT YARMOUTH
The summer skies above Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile and nearby Hemsby Beach will be all ablaze this throughout the school holidays with a free weekly fireworks extravaganza.
Every Tuesday from 21st July to 25th August, Hemsby Beach will provide the backdrop for a free family evening get together, with the fireworks display at 10pm. Great Yarmouth’s pyrotechnic showcase will take place every Wednesday from 22nd July to 26th August with the famous Golden Mile buzzing ahead of the huge display at 10pm. For more information about BIG Wednesdays click here
NEW AT THE PLEASURE BEACH FOR SUMMER 2026 OVERPLAY FUN CENTRE is a family‑friendly activity centre inside a huge weather‑proof Big Top from Overplay UK located in the old log flume site next to the Pleasure Beach. Guests can enjoy a giant indoor inflatable bounce park, a two‑tier climbing net, and — when conditions allow — an outdoor activity zone. Every ticket includes a minimum of 45 or 90 minutes of high‑energy fun with guaranteed access to all indoor attractions, plus the outdoor area whenever it’s safe to open. For more information visit Pleasure Beach Overplay Fun Centre
CIRCUS & WATER SUMMER SPECTACULAR AT THE HIPPODROME CIRCUS
The mesmerising Summer Circus & Water Spectacular at the Hippodrome returns from 8th July to 13th September. The world-famous fixed circus will offer breathtaking performances featuring slapstick comedy, amazing acrobats, daring trapeze artists, motorbike stunt riders, mesmerising jugglers direct from Cirque de Soleil plus stunning lighting and special effects. Visitors will also enjoy the impressive sight of the world-famous Water Spectacular, which sees the entire rink sink to reveal a giant swimming pool with performances by synchronised swimmers. For more information: Hippodrome Summer Circus & Water Spectacular
PIER OF YEAR, THE BRITANNIA PIER PUTS ON A SUMMER LINE UP TO PROVE WHY
Hot from being crowned Pier of the Year 2026 in the National Piers Society’s annual competition, Great Yarmouth’s Britannia Pier is looking forward to a packed summer line-up. One of the UK’s original Victorian timber-framed piers, thanks to an ongoing £2.2 million investment programme, this summer’s visitors can enjoy all the recent upgrades to the amusement arcade, entrance façade, pub, food stalls and rides. Throughout summer, the packed programme features top UK tribute bands – from Taylor Swift act Taylormania to K-Pop. There will also be stand-up comedy and music nights. For the full programme, visit Britannia Pier
GORLESTON PAVILION CELEBRATES 125TH ANNIVERSARY WITH AN ALL-NEW VARIETY SHOW, PACKED PERFORMANCE LINE-UP AND FREE SUNDAY BANDSTAND PROGRAMME
In true Victorian ‘rom-pom-pom’ heritage, Gorleston, with its wide seaside promenade, is also home to other traditional favourites – a pavilion theatre and bandstand. Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, the Gorleston Pavilion is staging a special ‘Summer Showtime' variety programme alongside other one-off evenings of comedy, musical entertainment, tribute acts and family shows. Taking place every Tuesday and Thursday, from July to September, the fresh, fast-paced variety night will be packed with top vocalists, dance, comedy and more. For more information Gorleston Pavilion Theatre & Bandstand
The venue’s Pavllion Bandstand will also be putting on a programme of free weekly live music events, every Sunday from 24th May to 6th September 2026 from 11-1pm and 2-4pm. During the school holidays there will be a lunch Punch and Judy performance too.
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 this summer season, including the boat pond and waterfall. 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. Merrivale Model Village
UP CLOSE WITH THE OCEAN AT SEALIFE GREAT YARMOUTH
A real draw for lovers of the ocean, SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth is an itinerary must. Still fresh from a £1 million makeover last year, its aquarium display, is home to over 30 marine species including blacktip reef sharks, moray eels, tangs, and angelfish, all set within a 250,000-litre Ocean Tank and Tunnel. The display also features a shipwreck habitat with an immersive interactive experience enabling visitors to see and hear the crashing waves - making them feel completely submerged in the ocean's depths. Penguins, jellyfish, rockpool and creepy crawly encounters are all available too. Visit: Sea Life Centre
SEE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN ACTION WITH A VISIT TO SEE THE TWO NEW RARE SUMATRAN TIGERS AT THRIGBY HALL WILDLIFE GARDENS
Wildlife lovers visiting Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens this summer, will have the opportunity to see a pair of the world’s most endangered species. Sumantran tigers Lottie and Raja are the latest arrivals to join the conservation attraction as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. There are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers thought to remain in the wild so it is hoped the pairing of Lottie and Raja will help safeguard the future of this critically endangered big cat.
Alongside the tigers, are a variety of other endangered animals including snow leopards, Amur and clouded leopards, red pandas, meerkats, gibbons and Asian small-clawed otters. Families can also enjoy the large play area with a 3D Adventure Maze, climbing and ropes, plus an expansive lawn for picnics and play. Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
NEW CAFÉ OPENS AT HISTORIC VENETIAN WATERWAY
A charming mix of canals, coastal gardens, and rustic bridges, Great Yarmouth’s historic Venetian Waterways is magical oasis that has been welcoming visitors since the 1920s. New for summer an independent café has opened, serving an inventive menu focused on local food and drink producers. The Little Venetian Café & Boating Lake offers pedalo and row boat hire too (from £15 for 45-minutes) making it the perfect pitstop following an on-the-water pootle.
The Venetian Gardens were established as a ‘public works’ initiative designed to provide local employment during a period of economic hardship. Cleverly sunken (so wonderfully sheltered), this peaceful attraction is favourite summer spot - that’s accessible for wheelchairs and buggies too. For more information: Venetian Waterways & Island Cafe
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 Wellington Pier is home to 10 full size bowling lanes, American pool tables and many other games.
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.
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 excitement of watching the horses thundering past or you fancy the thrill of banger racing at Yarmouth Stadium 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 Saturday night during the summer and also open on a Wednesday during the BIG Wednesday fireworks. Or catch a show at the iconic beautifully restored St. Georges Theatre.
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.
Whilst a little way down the coast is the beautiful resort of Hemsby and Newport with it's arcades, attractions, food and gloriously sandy beach. Great Yarmouth has many villages to explore within a short distance so don't forget to take the time to explore our Seaside towns and villages
Great Yarmouth 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 & breakfasts, and restaurants serving fabulous food to prepare for the next exciting day ahead.
Enjoy the Summer 2026 season in Great Yarmouth!
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