The Lord Mayor’s Weekend is the city’s key annual public summer celebration attracting up to 30,000 people over the festival period. The origins of the Procession date back over 375 years and after a short break the event was re-established in 1975.
The festival has grown from the Lord Mayor’s Street Procession and a funfair in 1998 to a three-day festival which includes music, funfair, outdoor theatre, local showcase, street entertainers, street fayres, activities for children and young people. The event is delivered by the Norwich City Council (NCC) culture & events team.
Norwich City Council is firmly committed to inclusive working practice for artists, audience, and workforce (staff, freelancers, and volunteers). This is achieved by identifying, minimising, and removing the barriers that can prevent people from engaging with our events, community projects, digital content, programmes, and employment.
We are proud to be working with Attitude is Everything on the Live Events Access Charter and commit to continuously improving our practice. We are currently seeking Bronze Accreditation.
Lord Mayor's Procession Accessibility Map
Chapelfield Gardens, 11am–11pm
Access points
- Gate 1: Level access from the corner of Theatre Street and Chapel Field North.
- Gate 2: Level access located inside the park, beyond the play areas. Accessible from Chapelfield Road, near the roundabout.
Accessible toilets: Wide-door accessible portaloos
Main stage: On grass, with ramped access for performers
Food court: Near Gate 2, on grass. Vendors are encouraged to offer:
- Lowered counters or alternative service
- Large print menus with images
Accessible stage viewing area (Chapelfield Gardens)
No booking required
- Location: Opposite the main stage and refreshment bar. Situated on grass, which may be soft in wet weather. Access is via level concrete paths.
- Booking: No booking required. Open for use throughout the day for those with access requirements and their friends/family/companions.
- Signage: Clear signs will be provided.
- Toilets: Accessible Portaloo toilet situated nearby, approximately 20 metres from viewing area.
- Staffing: Security staff, stewards will available in the park to assist.
Box office
We have no box office as all events are free to attend.
Lord Mayor’s Procession, 3pm–4:30pm (approx)
Accessible viewing area on Theatre Street
Booking required
- Location: Theatre Street, close to Chapelfield Gardens.
- Booking: Pre-booking required. Contact details needed by Saturday 4 July. Please contact the Culture and Events team to book. Phone: 01603 989333 or email: events@norwich.gov.uk
- Timings: Open from 2pm until 5pm. Please note that booked spaces will only be held until 3pm and then will be offered on a first come first served basis. The Procession starts at The Cathedral at 3pm and will make it’s way to Chapelfield Gardens past the viewing area.
- Signage: Clear signage will be provided.
- Toilets: Accessible Portaloo toilet with wide door included in viewing area, clearly signposted.
- Staffing: Welcome steward and security.
- Entertainment: This will be a noisy and colourful environment during parade times, further entertainment may be provided.
Travel and parking
Public transport
- Visit Norfolk County Council for travel and accessibility info
Road closures
Details to be confirmed.
Drop-off point
Bethel Street
Nearby open disabled bays
- St Benedicts
- St Giles
- Bethel Street
- Surrey Street
- All Saints Green
Due to the road closures required for the event, some disabled bays and car parks will be closed on Saturday 12 July.
Disabled bay closures
- Theatre Street
- Brigg Street
- Gentleman’s Walk
- Exchange Street (outside Halifax)
- London Street
- Bank Plain
- Tombland
Car park closures
- Chantry Place
- Pottergate
- Chapelfield East
Medical services
- First Aid available in Chapelfield Gardens and along the procession route
Assistance dogs
We welcome all assistance dogs, including those trained by their owners. Dogs must:
- Stay close to their owner
- Be under control and toilet-trained
- Wear a hi-vis jacket
Stage effects and sensory info
- Strobe lighting is generally not used
- Artists are asked to declare any flashing/strobe effects in advance
- Warnings will be provided online, in pre-event info, and on-site signage
- Loud music will be present – earplugs available on request
Quiet space / respite area
A quiet space is available at City Hall:
- Location: Wellbeing Room
- Entrance: Bethel Street
- Check-in: At welcome desk with security
- Assistance: Security will guide you
In emergencies:
- Fire alarm: Evacuate immediately. Let staff know if you need help.
- Feeling unwell: Contact security for assistance
Contact us
Culture and events team
- Phone: 01603 989333
- Email: events@norwich.gov.uk
Responding to queries
We commit to responding to customer enquiries around accessibility within a maximum of 5 working days. This is reduced to 3 working days 1 month prior to events. An automatic reply is applied to the access e-mail account with information.
Due to capacity, any application for accessibility that is submitted less than two weeks before an event may not be guaranteed due to availability of the provision. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
If you would like this information in another language or format such as large print, CD or Braille please visit www.norwich.gov.uk/Intran or call 0344 980 3333.
