Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2025
Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2025
Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 July
Join us for 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. This year’s programme includes a weekend of exciting events at Ancient House Museum, Thomas Paine Hotel’s Annual Curry Night, and the Thetford Mela, a day of music, performance and dance at Thetford Grammar School.
Image: Bollywood Sparkles dancing at the Thetford Mela. Photo courtesy Neil James Media
Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2025
At Ancient House
Saturday 12 July 2025
Escape the Empire
Are you brave enough to take on THC Youth Group’s Maharajah Duleep Singh inspired puzzle challenge? Can you crack the codes and challenges to make your way through the museum to victory? Ancient House Museum will be closed to other visitors on this day. One you have booked, please wait at the museum entrance to be collected for your experience.
- Time slots: 10-11am | 11am-12 noon | 1-2pm | 2-3pm | 3-4pm
- £10 per team (Teams of up to six)
- Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life, White Hart Street, Thetford, IP24 1AA
- Book in advance to avoid disappointment – Click here to book
Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2025
Thomas Paine Curry Night
Saturday 12 July 6pm onwards
Gez and Rosie Chetal invite you to their annual curry night, offering a lavish three course Indian meal with entertainment from Bhangra Dhol players the Jaggi Brothers, and Bhangra and Bollywood music.
- Tickets: £55 per head
- Thomas Paine Hotel, 33 Whitehart St, Thetford, IP24 1AA
- For further information and bookings contact Gez on 07940 57084
Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2025
At Ancient House
Sunday 13 July, 10am to 5pm
The Duleep Singh Family
Step back in time at Ancient House to find out about Maharajah Duleep Singh and his family. Explore the brand-new displays including miniature models of rooms at Elveden Hall where the Maharajah lived, meeting costumed characters, handling real historic artefacts and enjoy a drink.
Ancient House Secrets Museum Trail
Explore our Tudor timber-framed building saved for the people of Thetford by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh to win a small prize.
New Displays at Ancient House
Maharajah Duleep Singh’s son, Prince Frederick, gifted Ancient House to the people of Thetford and it opened as a museum in 1924. To mark the centenary, there are new displays telling the story of Maharajah Duleep Singh, his parents, Maharajah Ranjit Singh and Maharani Jind Kaur, and his first wife, Maharani Bamba. See items from the private collection of Peter Bance, Sikh historian relating to the Maharajah’s children.
- Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life, White Hart Street, Thetford, IP24 1AA
- Book in advance to avoid disappointment – Click here to book
Thetford Mela
Sunday 13 July 1-5pm
We’re once again taking over the grounds of Thetford Grammar School for this year’s Thetford Mela! Join us for 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
Enjoy performances from the Heritage Brass Band from India, the Dhol masters Jaggi Brothers, the legendary Heera Group Dhami & Kumar, traditional all-female Punjabi folk dancers G.I.D.H.A, India’s Circus Raj, Sikh martial arts from Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara, B2 Bhangra Star, and a whole host of local talent.
The day will also feature the brand new Colours of Thetford exhibition, Indian food, Henna Art, arts workshops, crafts and heritage stalls.
Main stage presented by Sunrise Radio.
- All are welcome to this free family event.
- Drop-in, no booking required.
- Venue: Thetford Grammar School, Bridge Street, Thetford, IP24 3AF – Please use Grammar school gates opposite Thetford Green and Light Cinema (next to the Bridge)
Above: A selection of images from previous festivals.
Photo credit Essex Cultural Diversity Project.
Thank you to all our partners, funders and supporters, who have helped make this year’s festival happen!
MEDIA PARTNERS
