Family fun at the Fairhaven Christmas Lights Walk

Looking for a festive outing the whole family will love? The Fairhaven Christmas Lights Walk is just the ticket! With twinkling lights, cheerful decorations, and a magical atmosphere, this annual tradition is perfect for making special holiday memories.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
School Road, 
South Walsham, 
Norwich 
NR13 6DZ

enquiries@fairhavengarden.co.uk
01603 270449

Event details

The Fairhaven Christmas Lights Walk runs from the end of November until the weekend before Christmas. Dates may change but generally, the walk runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4pm to 8pm.

Ticket prices

Parking at Fairhaven

Parking is free for the Christmas Lights event, and Fairhaven has a large car park. You are asked to park as close to other cars as possible to ensure there is plenty of room.

What to Expect

When you arrive at Fairhaven you need to check in, which can be done in the small gift shop. Tickets are scanned and then you can be on your way! The check in process is really simple and easy and there might only be a short wait if there is a queue.

The Fairhaven Christmas Light walk is quite small, and it doesn’t last very long. The actual trail will only take you around 15 minutes although you are welcome to do this as many times as you like. If you have visited Fairhaven during the day before, then this is a nice way to enjoy the gardens after dark.

Even though the light trail is short, it didn’t stop it from being lovely. There are various viewing locations to stop at, giving you the best way of seeing the lights. Stroll through the woodland wonderland and marvel at the twinkling fairy lights and other festive light displays. 

Nature is really the main focus in this light display and it’s different from others we have been to in Norfolk. Instead of a set of random lights, these have been used to accentuate the beautiful nature in Fairhaven. The huge oak trees are lit up, and lights are used to dangle down from others. There are light archways to take pictures in and gorgous stars to stand under.

What else is there to do

Depending on the day of your visit, there might be a Christmas Fair on although these were limited in 2024. We visited on the first Saturday and was lucky to get a Christmas market and band playing! 

The cafe is open at Fairhaven, serving some hot snacks and a wide range of drinks. You can also buy marshmallows here to use at the fire pits. Take some time to toast marshmallows either at the end of your walk or during a break between trips around the glowing Christmas lights. 

The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating and there are picnic benches in the area with the firepits. It was nice to see so many places to sit and have a rest, and just take in the atmosphere. 

It’s worth visiting the gift shop too. Although it’s aonly small, there are some wonderful gifts for both adults and kids. 

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

• Plan your arrival time well. Consider ages of children and what time they might start to get tired.
• Look up dates of any Christmas markets.
• Dress warmly. It can be cold and sometimes wet so wear sensible shoes and warm coats.
• The light trail is over uneven ground and while pushchairs will be okay, it’s not suitable for wheelchair users.
• Bring snacks! The cafe doesn’t sell much so bring snacks for the kids.

Would we go back?

Although Fairhaven is small, it is a really lovely Christmas light trail. It’s also one of the cheaper options in Norfolk. If you have younger children who might not last around somewhere like Sandringham, this is a great alternative. The price is low and it doesn’t have to take hours to get around. 

We would definitely go back to Fairhaven for their Christmas light trail however, we enjoyed having the Christmas market on at the same time. I think we’d probably look at when these are on before booking to ensure we can make the most of a visit. 

Festive things to do in Norfolk