To celebrate King’s Lynn’s rich Hanseatic heritage, the town celebrated with fun and festivities on Sunday 16 June 2024 in and around the town centre and historic riverfront.

The festival officially started in Tuesday Market Place at 11am with a Flag Parade through the town centre. A precession of townsfolk and civic dignitaries carried the flags of Hanseatic Nations and Towns that form the Hanseatic League.

King’s Lynn was built on this ancient trading union and Hanse Day celebrates its businesses and its people with a day of fun and frolics.

The Flag parade wound its way along the High Street, accompanied by a medieval music ensemble, The Cambridge Waites and members of the Lithuanian Society dressed in traditional costume as well as townsfolk that wished to join in. Pirates were permitted to join this precession through the town.

The Flag Parade left the high street and moved across Saturday Market Place and headed down to the river alongside Hanse House and finished at King’s Staithe Square where the music and dancing entertained the townsfolk for the afternoon.

The Cambridge Waites played medieval music whilst traditional Lithuanian dancing with audience participation rose the temperatures just enough for a lazy Sunday listening to live acts and local bands as Pirates rampaged all around.

Hanseatic Historic walks were conducted by King’s Lynn Town Guides. Meanwhile, along the river at Hanse House, from 11am to 4pm, there was a whole host of Hanseatic theme events and activities for all the family.

From a Medieval Stonemason at work, ancient coin making, medieval crafts, throw a ball at the Pirate and traditional stocks! The Rathskeller and Marriotts had a BBQ and drinks on tap with a refurbished beer garden to while away a few hours with period music. There was also food and catering from PM Bars, Temper & Glaze, and Palmers Fish & Chips.

Marriotts Warehouse ran a 45 min film about the history of the Hanse, introduced by King’s Lynn Author and Historian Dr Paul Richards.

The Baden Powell conducted free trips on the River from the pontoons.

There were also children’s activities (junk boat modelling) on Kings Staithe Square supervised by volunteers from King’s Lynn Academy and the 8:56 Foundation were in attendance as well.