NGF is back 23-30 May 2026 - Full programme is live, grab tickets for special events and see what's on now!
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The Arena - Wed 27

Sorry, you missed this one!

10am - 4pm : The Forum

The Arena Careers Arts & Crafts Family friendly Free Industry Retro SEND Showcase Sports & Exercise Tabletop Video Games Wellbeing
  • Disabled toilets
  • Toilets
  • Wheelchair access
  • Disabled parking
  • Parking
  • Refreshments

Millennium Plain, Norwich, NR2 1TF

Enter The Arena!

Free, drop-in

The Forum

All ages and levels of experience welcome!

The Arena is the space dedicated to free, drop-in, interactive activities across The Forum. The Arena includes The Atrium, The Gallery, Gallery Reception, Lower Gallery and outside spaces. 

In the Atrium you’ll find a range stands, activities and interactive exhibitions in our Charity, Community and Commercial Zone, Education Zone and Developer Zone. You’ll also find the Norwich Games Festival Information Desk (where you can borrow some ear defenders and sensory aids), and our Lead Partners, Norwich University of the Arts. 

Charity, Community and Commercial Zone

The Quadram InstituteMaking coding feel accessible and fun with STEM tech drop-ins
Last Level GamesIndependent video games vendor
Norwich Making SpaceDrop-in print workshops for all ages
Clued Up! Escape RoomLive escape room activities and vendor
Thumb SoldiersAccessible and competitive adaptations and vendor
The UK Tabletop Industry NetworkA networking and knowledge-sharing organisation for the UK tabletop gaming industry
Slice + DiceLearn to play tabletop games, and tabletop games vendor
The Rub15 or 30-minute heavenly back rubs
The Forum Trust daily gaming challengeA new one every day!

Education Zone

City College NorwichFurther Education College exhibition with playable games, curriculum and career advice and guidance
Access Creative CollegeFurther Education College exhibition with playable games, curriculum and career advice and guidance
East Norfolk CollegeSixth Form College with playable games, curriculum and career advice and guidance
College of West AngliaFurther Education and University Studies curriculum and career advice and guidance, and playable games.
Norwich University of the ArtsLead NGF partner: Further Education and University Studies curriculum and career advice and guidance, with playable games and showcases.

Developer Zone

York Army MuseumTank Arcade, digital game developers
ShorticultureA cozy 3rd person 3D solar-punk puzzle adventure
Moss MonkeyOutclaw, digital game developers
Tim SmithTabletop game developer
Punk BorgTTRPG developer
Caleb WilsonPlay Planet Hopper, a one-button / retro arcade-style platforming game, and talk about the importance of accessible gaming, particularly for visually impaired players
Rogues SketchbookTabletop game developer
TerraClash™: GrimoireTabletop game developer

Play, judge and vote in the Game Anglia NGF Jam in the Gallery Reception. 

Related events

  • -

    • Enjoy learning to play tabletop games in our new Gaming Lounge, which can be located in The Gallery (10am-1pm). 

    Related events

  • Open daily from 10am

    The Gaming Lounge

    Join us in the cosy board game and puzzle lounge where hosts John 'Actualol' Purkis, Slice + Dice and Norwich Games Convention will teach you how to play new, traditional and locally made tabletop games.

    Free
    Family friendly
    Tabletop
    The Arena
    Activity
    Wellbeing
    Retro
    Drop-in

    • Keep working your way through the building, to the Lower Gallery and you’ll find Norwich Retro Gamers in The Game Cave, along with an exciting collection of consoles and computers dating back almost 40 years! 

    Related events

  • Sat 30 May
    10am - 4pm

    The Game Cave

    Join the Norwich Retro Gamers and friends to experience a vast range of playable retro consoles and computers. Whether new or nostalgic, there will be something for everyone.

    Free
    Retro
    Video Games
    The Arena
    Family friendly
    Drop-in

    • Outside, the Sunflower Snug Marquee will be open on Theatre Plain; a quieter space to experience all the fun of the Festival. Drop in for 8-bit Lego printing workshops with Norwich Making Space. 

    Related events

  • Times vary

    The Sunflower Snug

    The Sunflower Snug is a calm and relaxed space, open to all, that has been specifically designed with the support of SEND specialists to welcome those who may find attending the main Festival challenging.

    SEND
    Family friendly
    Wellbeing
    Video Games
    Arts & Crafts
    Free
    Tabletop

    • On Upper Millennium Plain, we’ll be hosting Festival Favourite, the Actual Reality Arcade, who will be running a range of fun physical activities and challenges based on retro video games. 

    Plan your visit

    Get ready for Norwich Games Festival!

    NGF26
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