15/05/2026: Dereham Dino Day set to roar into Market Place this half-term
Families are invited to enjoy a free day of dinosaur-themed fun in Dereham this half-term, as Breckland Council works with local partners to bring more people into the town centre and support local businesses.
Dereham Dino Day will take place in Dereham Market Place on Wednesday, 27 May, from 10am to 4pm. The event will give children, parents and grandparents the chance to enjoy a lively family day out while visiting the shops, cafés, stalls and businesses at the heart of the town.
The event forms part of Breckland Council's continued investment in its market towns, helping to make high streets more welcoming, attractive and busy places for residents, visitors and traders.
Families will be able to climb aboard a special dinosaur-themed bus, delivered in partnership with Yellow Bus Events Company, with activities taking place inside and outside. Children will also have the chance to meet baby dinosaurs and see Dippy the Dino from ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure.
A range of market stalls will be available on the day, adding to the town centre offer and encouraging families to spend more time in Dereham.
From 15 to 31 May, children can also take part in a dinosaur-themed trail around the town. Local shops will hide prehistoric visitors in their windows for children to find, giving families another reason to explore the high street and discover more of what Dereham has to offer.
Trail sheets can be downloaded from the Breckland Council website or collected from:
- Dereham Market Place stalls on 27 May
- Dereham Library
- Participating local shops and businesses displaying the event poster
Children who complete the trail will be able to enter a competition for the chance to win free tickets to ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure.
The half-term celebrations will continue on Thursday, 28 May, when the Mid Norfolk Railway runs its DinoSquad Express themed train, extending the family fun across two days.
The event was thought up by ward member, Councillor Alison Webb, to support local businesses and welcome people back into the town following recent works. Funding support is being provided through Breckland Council with contributions from the Love Your Market Town initiative via Norfolk County Council.
The event aims to celebrate recent improvements to the Market Place, which has been transformed by upgrades to its bus services and fresh paving, enhancing the town's accessibility, efficiency, and appearance and making it easier for people to visit and enjoy Dereham.
Cllr Paul Claussen, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth, said: "Dereham Dino Day is a brilliant example of Breckland Council's investment in our market towns making a real difference for families, businesses and the wider community.
"By backing events like this, we are bringing more people into Dereham, supporting local shops and traders, and giving families a free and memorable reason to enjoy the town centre during half-term.
"This is about confidence in Dereham's future. The Market Place improvements, better bus services and events like Dino Day all help to make the town more welcoming, more active and more attractive for residents and visitors.
"Breckland's market towns are central to the life of our district. We are proud to work with local partners to support them, celebrate them and help them thrive."
Cllr Kendra Cogman, Cllr William Richmond, and Cllr Alison Webb, Dereham ward members, commented: "Dereham Dino Day will be a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy the Market Place and support the local businesses that make our town special.
"The event gives children something exciting to enjoy during half-term, while encouraging families to explore Dereham's shops, stalls and high street.
"We are pleased to see the council, community groups, local businesses and partners working together to bring people into the heart of the town and show Dereham at its best."
For more information, go tothe Dereham Dino webpage.
