Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2026
We’re gearing up for the
Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2026!
This year’s Festival will take place 17-19 July 2026
The Festival of Thetford & Punjab is a cross-cultural celebration inspired by the people of Thetford and the Duleep Singh family, the last Royal Family of the Punjab who lived in nearby Elveden.
We’re currently working on the programme, which will be announced in mid June. Get ready for a weekend of exciting events at Ancient House Museum, Thomas Paine Hotel’s Annual Curry Night, Talks at Thetford Library and at Elveden Village Hall, and the Thetford Mela, a day of music, performance and dance at Thetford Grammar School.
Watch this space for more details!
The Desi Arts Workshops
Pre-festival events to warm you up to the festival!
We’re teaming up with Arts La’Olam to create a series of wonderful workshops to warm you up to the festival, with music, dance and textile art for all to enjoy. Funded by Arts Council England, workshops take place from 25 June through to 19 July, at Ancient House Museum, the Charles Burrell Centre, and with students at Thetford Academy. Activities and performances will also be at the Thetford Mela in an Indian tent at the festival finale event on 19 July. Here’s an overview of the pre-festival programme:
STITCH YOUR STORY
TEXTILE WORKSHOP WITH SUMAN GUJRAL
- Dates: 25 June, 2 July & 9 July 2026
- Time: 11am – 3pm
- Venue: Ancient House Museum, 21 White Hart St, Thetford IP24 1AA
Enjoy a long session discovering with Suman Gujral how you can stitch your own story. Participants will use stitch, collage and words to connect to shared heritage. Materials will be provided, as well as tea and biscuits. Please bring a packed lunch. All adults welcome: for those with experience & without.
Free. To book your place visit museums.norfolk.gov.uk/article/78687/Stitch-Your-Story-Textile-Workshops
DANCE WITH JAYA DANCE
- Dates: 27 June, 11 July & 18 July 2026
- Time: 11-2pm
- The Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, Thetford IP24 3LH
Shake your cares away, learn Bollywood & disco moves, and enjoy great exercises with Tina Vallance from the award-winning Jaya Dance! Bring a picnic, water and a rug to have lunch together.
Family friendly: all ages and abilities, beginners and experienced dancers welcome.
Free. To book your place email info@jayadance.com
INDIAN MUSIC AND PERCUSSION SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
Students at Thetford Academy will discover the joy of Indian music and percussion, adapting rhythms and techniques to their own instruments in a unique intercultural workshop. Delivered by the Baluji Music Foundation – founded by celebrated Indian Classical maestro Baluji Shrivastav OBE – participants will experience an inspiring introduction to Indian musical traditions and performance. Open to Thetford Academy Orchestra members and students at the school only.
To whet your appetite, here’s a taster of what you can expect – photos from last year’s Thetford Mela!
Thank you to all our partners, funders and supporters, who help make the festival happen!
MEDIA PARTNERS
