Phoebe Ozanne

Moorish Falafel Bar in Norwich is due to reopen on August 8 after being closed by Norwich City Council in July when listeria was found in salad, bulgur wheat, hummus and on a falafel-preparation spatula. Testing linked the strain to a confirmed listeriosis case, prompting an emergency hygiene prohibition notice. Owner Samia King said the business had worked with the council to eliminate the contamination source. The family-run restaurant thanked customers for their support and announced new opening hours.

Afri-Fest East will return to Chapelfield Gardens in Norwich on August 15, 2026, running from 1pm to 10:30pm. The family-oriented festival will feature live music, cultural performances, food, fashion, workshops and activities, with performances by Timaya, Lurdes Miranda, Kasiva Mutua, K.O.G, Seye Paul, DJ Holy and DJ Laz. Adult tickets cost £29.99, teenagers pay £14.99, and children attend free.

A new Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats will tour the UK and Ireland, visiting Norwich Theatre Royal from February 16 to 27 after opening at Theatre Royal Plymouth in October 2026. Kalisha Amaris will play Old Deuteronomy, with Carla Bertran, Elliot Broadfoot, Taziva-Faye Katsande and Jet Yau also joining the cast; the actor playing Grizabella will be announced later. Directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, the production is based on T. S. Eliot’s poetry and features songs including “Memory” and “Macavity: The Mystery Cat”.

Sound Ideas Theatre Company will stage The Addams Family at Norwich Theatre Playhouse from September 30 to October 4. The musical follows Wednesday Addams as she falls in love with someone from a conventional family, leading to a dinner party where the two families' differences emerge. Director and designer Dan Smith highlights the show's humour, music, family themes and message of acceptance. The production is suitable for audiences aged seven and over, with tickets available through Norwich Theatre.

Seven Norfolk gardens are scheduled to open to the public in August 2026 through the National Garden Scheme, including gardens in Shotesham, North Barningham, Great Witchingham, Wood Norton, Hellesdon, Bradwell and Swaffham. The listings provide dates, opening hours, admission prices, accessibility information and features such as wildlife ponds, exotic planting, follies and productive kitchen gardens. Several venues require advance booking, and proceeds support health and nursing charities.

Dunston Hall will host a Mamma Mia themed lunch on August 1 featuring a live ABBA tribute performance by the Dynamos, a two‑course meal and prosecco. Organisers highlight an afternoon of singing, dancing and celebration, with tickets priced at £45 and restricted to adults.

A new production of La Traviata will be staged at Norwich Theatre Royal, featuring soprano Alexandra Nowakowski and the Buxton International Festival Orchestra. Set in late 19th‑century Paris and performed in Italian with English subtitles, the collaboration between Norwich Theatre and the festival runs from July 31 to August 2, with tickets available through the theatre box office.