ACTIVITIES
Scroll down for event listings.
Gardening
Every first Thursday of the month from 10am to midday. Meet at the Friends Room in the rotunda (by the bandstand). Weeding, pruning, planting and general care of several flower beds in the Eaton Park. Equipment and gloves provided or bring your own. We usually finish with coffee in the cafe.
The group sometimes does occasional extra days bulb planting or doing simple woodland work. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, this group is a great place to learn. It’s also very sociable!
Gardeners get monthly reminders and updates. To find out more just come along on the day or email info@friendsofeatonpark.co.uk
Sessions may not take place in deep winter or if the weather is very bad.
Eaton Park Community Cycle Club
These free led cycle rides take place at weekends and, during the summer, on mid-week evenings. There’s always a pitstop for coffee and cake, or a pint! To go on the mailing list email cycling@friendsofeatonpark.co.uk.
Click here for full details of the rides and for details of cycle initiatives in Eaton Park.
Schools Group
We regularly work with local schools, using the park six times a year as an inspiration for art, as a resource for activities learning about the natural world and the changing season, caring for the environment, and culminating at the end of each year with a celebratory picnic together. In particular we have developed a strong link with Ash class from Bluebell Primary school.To find out more or to ask about getting involved please email info@friendsofeatonpark.co.uk
Band days and other events
We put on several free events a year. Check out the events list (also on this page) for details. Broadly they include music, heritage and nature events. We need help setting up, chatting with the public or showing them round displays in our room. You can come for just an hour or spend longer if you like.
Event days are a good way to meet other members, get to know more about the park and be part of running a lovely event! You might also find yourself signing up a new recruit as events are a great way for park users to find out what the Friends are about.
You don’t need a lot of experience but it’s helpful if you’re relatively mobile and relatively sociable! To find out more or ask about getting involved email info@friendsofeatonpark.co.uk
EVENTS – 2025
Free events for all, organised by Friends of Eaton Park. Please note events may be subject to changes. Check our Facebook page for updates.
Nature Walk, Birds and wildflowers
Thursday 22 May, 6pm to 7.30pm
A gentle saunter round the park bird watching, listening out for bird song and looking for wildflowers too. Led by naturalist Chris Durdin.
Meet at the rotunda
City of Norwich Band
Sunday 1 June, 3pm to 5pm
Songs from the shows, film music and traditional favourites on the bandstand. There’s plenty of seating but bring a blanket or cushion and, if you want the shade or shelter of the colonades, bring a camping chair. For more about this great local band click here.
On the bandstand
Sponsored by Eaton Park Community Association
Trees with Richard Hobbs
Thursday 19 June, 6pm to 7.30pm
Richard’s walks are legendary! Our park is an arboretum for Norwich and Richard is wonderful at introducing the trees and their fascinating characteristics. Not to be missed!
Meet at the bandstand
St Martin’s Fest, organised by St Martins Housing
Saturday 21 June, 12.30pm to 5pm
Local bands, family fun, crafts, Bike Day (see below) and much much more!
On and around the bandstand
Bike Day
Saturday 21 June, 3pm to 5pm
Come and try out tandems and cargo bikes or have a go at cycle speedway on Eaton Park’s very own cycle speedway track. Plus bike security marking with Norfolk Police and bring your bike for a once over and simple fixes with Dr Bike.
On and around the bandstand
Dereham Band POSTPONED (Weather Warning)
Sunday 6 July, 2pm to 4pm NOW on Sunday 7th September at 2pm
We hear the band are very much looking forward to playing on the bandstand in warm conditions! they’ve been leading the crowds at our Christmas singalong for the past few years. They’ll be back again in December but this is a chance to hear their usual repertoire. Find out more about Dereham Band here.
On the bandstand
Sponsored by Eaton Park Community Association
Wildflower & Meadows Ramble
Thursday 17 July, 6pm to 7.30pm
A tour of the meadows, woodlands and verges of Eaton Park in search of the many wildflowers that make this city park their home. Includes behind the scenes foray! Self-led by enthusiastic amateurs from the Friends, with the help of wildlflower books and the PlantNet app together with expertise from fellow participants!
Meet at the bandstand
Cawston Band
Sunday 20 July, 2pm to 4pm
Songs from the shows, film music and traditional favourites on the bandstand. There’s plenty of seating but bring a blanket or cushion and, if you want the shade or shelter of the colonades, bring a camping chair. For more about this great local band click here.
On the bandstand
Sponsored by Eaton Park Community Association
Taverham Band
Sunday 17 August, 2pm to 4pm
Songs from the shows, film music and traditional favourites on the bandstand. There’s plenty of seating but bring a blanket or cushion and, if you want the shade or shelter of the colonades, bring a camping chair. For more about this great local band click here.
On the bandstand
Sponsored by Eaton Park Community Association
CANCELLED International Bat Day with Norfolk Bat Group CANCELLED
Saturday 30 August, 7.30pm to 9pm
Regretfully we have had to cancel this event due to bad weather. To find out about future bat events please email us with your name and mobile: info@friendsofeatonpark.co.uk In future we will be organise bat events at short notice so that we can be sure to have the right weather and will contact people directly a couple of days before. We hope to organise an event at the end of September 2025.
Meet local experts and find out more about bats and how to encourage them where you live. We’ll start in the Friends Room in the rotunda with an introductory talk and some fun activities for children. At 8.10pm we’ll set out on a Bat walk using bat detectors to track down and identify bats in Eaton Park.
Free activity. Drop in, come for as little or as long as you like.
Starting at the Friends of Eaton Park’s Room, (in the rotunda beside the bandstand)
Dereham Band Sunday 7th September at 2pm
We hear the band are very much looking forward to playing on the bandstand in warm conditions! they’ve been leading the crowds at our Christmas singalong for the past few years. They’ll be back again in December but this is a chance to hear their usual repertoire. Find out more about Dereham Band here.
On the bandstand
Sponsored by Eaton Park Community Association
Heritage Open Day
Sunday 15 September, 2pm to 4pm
Tour and visit with our volunteer park historians. Look out for full details in the Heritage Open Days brochure and book your place online or call 01603 727950.
Places are limited. Tickets available from Monday 19 August at 10am.
Fungus Day
Sunday 26 October, 1pm to 4pm
Join mycologist Kay Yeoman from UEA to find out more about the fascinating world of fungi. Tap into Kay’s expert knowledge and try out high spec microscopes. A very sociable event, this is also a chance for people of all ages to share their interest in fungi.
In the Friends Room, near the bandstand
Eaton Park Christmas Sing-along
Friday 19 December, sing-along from 6.30pm to 7.15pm
Eaton Park Cafe open all day, last orders 7.30pm
Our popular festive community sing-along celebrates the end of term, mid-winter and Christmas. On the night we’ll have free songsheets but you can also download a song sheet to use on your phone. Eaton Park Café will be serving tasty festive fare and Father Christmas will be on hand to welcome everyone. On the bandstand there’ll be the glorious Dereham Band.