To celebrate King’s Lynns rich Hanseatic heritage, the Town will be celebrating with fun and festivities on Sunday 16 June in and around the town centre and historic riverfront
The festival will officially start in Tuesday Market Place at 11am with a Flag Parade through the town centre. A precession of Townsfolk and civic dignitaries carrying the flags of Hanseatic Nations and Towns that formed 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 will wind 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 wish to join in. Pirates are permitted to join this precession through the town.
The Flag Parade will leave the high street and move across Saturday Market Place and head down to the river alongside Hanse House and finish at King’s Staithe Square where the music and dancing will entertain the townsfolk for the afternoon.
The Cambridge Waites will play Medieval music whilst traditional Lithuanian dancing with audience participation will raise the temperatures just enough for a lazy Sunday listening to live acts and local bands as Pirates rampage all around. Food and refreshments will be available.
There will be Hanseatic Historic walks conducted by King’s Lynn Town Guides at 11am and 2pm. Those wishing to attend a walk should meet at the Tourist Information Centre on Saturday Market Place. No charge or need to book but advisable to do so.
Meanwhile, along the river at Hanse House, from 11am to 4pm, there will be 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 will have a BBQ and drinks on tap with a refurbished beer garden to while away a few hours with period music. There will also be food and catering from PM Bars, Temper & Glaze and Palmers Fish & Chips.
At 2pm at Marriotts Warehouse, there will be a 45 min film about the history of the Hanse, introduced by King’s Lynn Author and Historian Dr Paul Richards.
The Baden Powell will be conducting free trips on the River from the pontoons.
There will also be children’s activities (junk boat modelling) on Kings Staithe Square supervised by volunteers from King’s Lynn Academy and the 8:56 Foundation will be in attendance as well.
Please keep checking the King’s Lynn Hanse Festival Facebook page for up-to-date programme details for 2024.
