Activities across Great Yarmouth to bring a spring in half term’s step

From thrilling rides to a new circus spectacular and the chance to cuddle a bunny – there’s a wide range of family fun in store in the Great Yarmouth borough this half term.

The Pleasure Beach, open until 9pm on Wednesday, May 27, will be the backdrop for a colourful assortment of majestic fireworks, which will launch in front of the iconic Great Yarmouth sign, in the Pleasure Beach Gardens.

Just a day later, the UK’s new contemporary circus links arms with The Hippodrome Circus, performing A Glimmer Daze Gambit – a host of breathtaking acrobatics, laugh out loud comedy and mischievous mime – as part of the Out There Festival weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, May 28 to 31.

Expect a show full of laughs, pinch me moments and fun for all ages.

The Out There Festival will bring three days of international circus and outdoor arts to Great Yarmouth, transforming streets, parks and the waterfront into a vibrant arena of international performance and community celebration, a spectacle of acrobatics, dance along the street and world class comedians.

Other activities along the seafront include the Marina Centre where visitors can make a splash in the swimming pool, race down the water slides or enjoy the interactive splash pad, or for smaller children, Joyland will be open with its legendary snails in action.

The Time and Tide Museum is still holding its pirate adventure, exploring the world of pirates through history, film and literature, the Sealife Centre is open all week for guests to get up-close to some of our best-loved marine animals, while if you’re into film, the Arc Cinema in Great Yarmouth  and The Palace Cinema in Gorleston have all the latest releases.

Step into a world that glows after dark with Dayglo IndyDarc on Tuesday, May 26, at Gorleston Pavilion Theatre. The high-energy ultraviolet puppet spectacular will feature more than 50 puppets ranging from 2ft to a towering 10ft tall.

Meanwhile, over at St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth, there’s a full day of live music on Saturday, May 23, as local bands and singers unite for a special fundraising festival from 2pm.

On the Britannia Pier, get ready for a twist on the Wizard of Oz pantomime from May 28 to 31. Expect comedy, catchy songs, colourful characters, and plenty of audience participation.

Great Yarmouth Comic Con returns to the Racecourse on May 30 and 31 with the Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team there all weekend, alongside WAW Wrestling, Dino2Hire, Norwich Star Wars Club and Norwich Droids.

If you’re looking for a day out, the May Play is returning to Hirsty’s Family Fun Park, where children can zoom off in go carts, cuddle bunnies or test their aim in crazy golf, while over at Thrigby Hall and Gardens, walk among the treetops to see the tigers, watch the feeding times where you can see the skills and hunting techniques of the animals and explore the tropical houses.

Asa Morrison, Chief Executive of Visit Great Yarmouth, said it was looking to be the hottest week of 2026 so far.

“Great Yarmouth is brilliant because there’s always something for all ages and all interests inside and outside. But when the sun is beaming and you stand and look down the Golden Mile, there’s something rather special about that.

“The weather forecast looks like its going to be very kind for our holidaymakers, day trippers and residents, so we’re expecting a bumper week.”