Nestled in the small Norfolk village of Thursford, the elves are slowly preparing for Europe’s largest and most lavish Christmas show as it is ready to return following its 2020 hiatus. 

Set amongst the world’s largest collection of steam engines and fairground rides, the Christmas spectacular will run from 9 November-23 December and will have a cast of 130 professional performers, many having come directly from the West End. 

Thursford, having opened its doors on Christmas Eve more than 40 years ago, has entertained more than 6 million people from across the globe. The site regularly attracts up to 50 coaches a day and the team have had over 3000 auditionees for this year’s show. 

CEO, Founder, Producer and Director of Thursford Christmas Spectacular, John Cushing OBE, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be back this year with our Christmas Spectacular show. It is such an important occasion, not just for the cast and crew but the local community, hotels, B&Bs, rental properties and hospitality venues throughout Norfolk. We cannot wait to welcome the thousands of you back through our doors and give you the most extravagant Spectacular show yet. It has been a challenging couple of years for so many and we want to provide as much joy, over the festive period, as we possibly can.” 

Ready to light up the Norfolk countryside this year in a tinsel-tastic show are Britains Got Talent finalists British-Armenian comedian Kev Orkian and world-class acrobat Billy George on the Cyr wheel. Returning to the stage will be renowned theatre organist Phil Kelsall on Thursford’s Mighty Wurlitzer, which is one of the largest remaining in Europe. Gravity defying acrobatic spectacle Delfina & Bartek will also be taking to the stage and sky. 

The creative team to run alongside the cast of performers is John Cushing OBE as producer and director, Benjamin Ellin is musical director and conductor, Tracey Iliffe will choreographed the show, with orchestrations by Jonathan Smith and design by Stephen Adnitt.

Running alongside the spectacular will be Thursford’s Enchanted Journey of Light, which is a walk-through experience for all ages, in an immersive four-acre lantern light extravaganza featuring luminous sculptures of jungle animals and some familiar North Pole creatures. 

Tickets for both the Christmas Spectacular and the Enchanted Journey of Light are available here.