In 2026, Norwich is redefining what it means to feel good on a city break - and science backs it up.

A 2025 study by Art Fund's National Art Pass, in partnership with King's College London and the Psychiatry Research Trust, found that viewing original art significantly reduces stress levels. Meanwhile, Sweden became the first country to prescribe cultural activities and time in nature for improved physical and mental health. Norwich offers both in abundance.

Think less bootcamp, more goosebumps. Less green juice, more jaw-dropping art, live music under canvas, medieval spaces re-imagined as immersive storytelling venues, and rooftop saunas overlooking a thousand years of history.

This is a city where culture is the therapy.

Woven into the fabric of the city, arts and culture offers a diverse programme of festivals and events throughout the year, spanning science, sauna, circus, beer, books and music – alongside a year-round cultural offer whatever the season.

Norwich is compact, characterful and quietly radical: a city with a fiercely independent spirit, beautifully preserved architecture from medieval to modern, and a maverick approach to food, drink and shopping shaped by its innovative farming, agricultural and creative producer communities. And all of this sits on the edge of the Broads National Park, with nature never far away.

A short break to Norwich in 2026 feeds your soul as much as your appetite – no burpees required.

Steam above the city: sip, sauna and socialise
The Lions' Den City & River // NEW
Prices from £14.50 per session
www.thelionsdennorwich.com

Opened in December, The Lions' Den City is East Anglia's first rooftop sauna with ice-bath contrast therapy, offering alfresco saunas with iconic views across the city, including The Forum, medieval St Peter Mancroft Church and Norwich Castle itself. The venue also features a contemporary café serving local food, Norwich's only late-night dry bar, treatment rooms, wellbeing classes and a large community indoor sauna.

At The Lions' Den River, located on the banks of the River Wensum, guests can unwind in a green and leafy sauna garden with two wood-fired saunas, three ice baths, paddleboarding, a community café and evening campfires for marshmallow-toasting and socialising, alongside a programme of special evening sauna events.

A Norman castle, completely re-imagined
Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery // Exhibitions from 14 February
Tickets included in general museum entry
£15.30 (19yrs+), £13.03 (4–18yrs) online purchase
https://www.norwichcastle.norfolk.gov.uk/

Norwich Castle has emerged from one of the most significant cultural renovations in its history, transforming the 900-year-old Norman keep into a world-class museum and immersive storytelling space. The result is not simply a refreshed attraction, but a powerful new way to experience history, art and place.

Dramatically re-designed galleries and innovative interpretation invite visitors to journey through the Castle's layered past – from medieval life and rebellion to collecting, creativity and contemporary perspectives. Set high above the city with panoramic views across Norwich's historic rooftops and surrounding green spaces, the Castle is a place to slow down, reflect and reconnect, where culture becomes a form of wellness in its own right.

Closeness, connection and the art of being near

In Proximity: Norwich Castle Open Art Show (14 February – 14 June)

Exploring experiences of closeness, this open exhibition brings together recent work by artists based in East Anglia. Developed in partnership with the East Anglia Art Fund, all artworks are for sale.

Seventy years of collecting the contemporary

Norfolk Contemporary Art Society at Norwich Castle (28 March 2026 – 28 February 2027)

Marking the Society's 70th anniversary, this exhibition showcases artworks acquired with the support of NCAS members since 1956, charting evolving artistic voices across seven decades.

Still life, memory and time

Chain of Flowers: Miranda Boulton (16 May – 6 December)

New work by Cambridge-based artist Miranda Boulton explores memory and time through abstraction and still life traditions, referencing Norwich School artists Emily and Eloise Stannard.

An 18th-century festival with a 21st-century edge
Norfolk & Norwich Festival // 8 – 24 May
Free and ticketed events
https://nnfestival.org.uk/

Established in 1772, Norfolk & Norwich Festival is one of England's oldest arts festivals, continuing a long tradition of presenting world-class international performances alongside trailblazing local artists and emerging talent.

First announcements include the return of renowned Australian circus company Circa, bringing their new show Wolf to the iconic Spiegeltent (13–24 May). In 2026, the Festival also collaborates with Norwich Jazz Festival, with highlights including Balimaya Project (15 May) and GoGo Penguin (23 May), performing their powerful new album Necessary Fictions.

Britten Sinfonia returns on Wednesday 20 May at the newly renovated 14th-century St Andrew's Hall, with a concert commemorating 50 years since Benjamin Britten's death.

Big questions, bold art
Sainsbury Centre // from 16 May into 2027
Pay if and what you can afford
https://sainsburycentre.ac.uk/

The Sainsbury Centre continues its innovative programme of investigative exhibitions in 2026 with two major seasons exploring fundamental human questions.

What is the Meaning of Life? includes Living by the Rule: Contemporary meets Medieval (16 May – 4 October), Play Power (16 May – 4 October) and Joy Like Time (20 June – 15 November), featuring works by Marina Abramović, Kalliopi Lemos and Gillian Wearing.

Opening in November, How Do We Find Love? explores intimacy, desire and connection through exhibitions including The Last Human Kiss (14 November 2026 – 11 April 2027), Ecstasy and the Aftermath (14 November 2026 – 11 April 2027) and Love Stories (19 December 2026 – 30 May 2027).

Where music meets mayhem
Rock N Roll Circus // 21 – 23 August
Prices from £70.35 adults, £33.75 (5–12yrs)
www.rocknrollcircus.co.uk/norwich

Following its hugely successful debut in 2025, Rock N Roll Circus returns to Norwich with its signature Big Top set-up, creating an intimate and atmospheric festival experience. Alongside headline performances, audiences enjoy acrobatics, fire shows, aerialists, interactive workshops and a curated food and drink village.

Friday 21 August sees The Streets perform A Grand Don't Come For Free in full for the first time as part of their 2026 UK tour. Saturday 22 August celebrates three generation-defining albums with The Kooks, The Vaccines and The Fratellis. The festival closes on Sunday 23 August with Madness, joined by Ocean Colour Scene, The Wailers, The Selecter and David Rodigan, with more names to be announced.
Notes to editors

For further information and images please contact Mel March, Senior PR & Marketing Manager, VisitNorwich. mel.march@norwichbid.co.uk.

Images: https://show.pics.io/2026-in-norwich-culture-for-wellness 

Annual festivals in Norwich:
Norwich Science Festival 14 – 21 February;  Norfolk & Norwich Festival 8 – 24 May incorporating Norwich Jazz Festival and the City of Literature Weekend; Norwich Games Festival 23 - 30 May 2026; Norwich City of Ale May – June; Norwich Craft Beer Festival 1 – 3 May; Norwich Wine Week 20 – 28 June; Norwich History Festival July dates TBC; Rock N Roll Circus 21 – 23 August; Norfolk Heritage Open Days 11 – 20 September; Norwich Cocktail Week 26 September – 3 October; Norwich Book Festival October dates TBC.

About VisitNorwich  

• VisitNorwich is the Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) for the Norwich area and is the tourism destination marketing function of Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) - www.visitnorwich.co.uk.                

• VisitNorwich is a membership organisation within Norwich BID and its activities are funded by Investment Partners, public sector stakeholders including Norwich City Council and directly by Norwich BID.  

• VisitNorwich's sole focus is to promote and develop the destination and support its Investment Partners through collaborative marketing, research, information and business advice.  

• In 2025 VisitNorwich won in the category: 'Integrated Campaign Of The Year under £500,000' at the Travel Marketing Awards.  
• Total value of tourism in Norwich in 2024 was £608,383,450 including 12,294,000 trips (day and staying) - Destination Research: Economic Impact of Tourism report 2024.  

• In 2020 Norwich, the City of Stories was shortlisted in the City Nation Place Awards 2020 for 'Place Brand of the Year'.   
• In 2012 Norwich became England's first UNESCO City of Literature.

Art Fund First of its kind study
https://www.artfund.org/our-purpose/news/first-of-its-kind-study-proves-positive-impact-of-art-on-the-body