Norwich Chocolate Festival
Fortnight
18th - 31st ChOctober 2025
More than a Chocolate Festival ...
The Norwich Chocolate Festival connects chocolate lovers with cocoa growers – placing justice, transparency, and shared humanity at the heart of the story.
This is not just about indulgence. It’s about celebration, curiosity, and care. Come and meet the people behind your favourite flavours.
Discover where your chocolate comes from – and why that matters.
Two Weeks. One City. Countless Ways to Experience Chocolate.
Public Ticketed events
Chocolate Festival Pass
Go all-in and help power the festival. The Chocolate Festival Pass (£95) includes Launch Event at St Giles House, the Norwich Cocoa Summit, both films — Reclaiming Cocoa and The Chocolate War — and Lenny and the Last Rolo (closing cabaret). It’s the best way to experience everything and support our fundraising to grow the festival and our CIC for the community.
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Very limited: only 20 passes.
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Launch access: pass holders receive a private RSVP link for the invite-only Launch Event.
Access & pricing
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Concessions available across events.
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Limited reduced-price tickets available for local residents (unwaged): £20 for the Cocoa Summit and £10 for Reclaiming Cocoa and The Chocolate War. These tickets don’t include food but give full access to the event and discussions.
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🧡 Pay It Forward (add-on): your support helps us release more reduced-price places. As contributions come in, we open additional £10 screening tickets and £20 Summit tickets for unwaged local residents.
Early-bird membership
Join the Chocolution as an early-bird member (annual; launches January 2026) to receive 10% off tickets and help build this community.
Not-for-profit
We’re volunteer-run; 100% of income is reinvested into the festival and the establishment of Join the Chocolution as a CIC — including widening access through concessions.
Tuesday 21st &Thursday 23rd
October 2025
The Forum
Norwich Cocoa Summit
A dialogue-led afternoon anchored to the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, centring dignity, lived experience, and Responsible futures across three panels:
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Lived Experience, History & Human Dignity — colonial legacies; farmers’ and communities’ lived experience.
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Power, Policy & Industry Practices — importing-nation responsibilities; industry accountability, transparency, systemic change.
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Building a Responsible Future — consumer awareness and action; collaborative models that work for cocoa-growing communities.
Light refreshments included.
Reclaiming Cocoa — Screening + Live Q&A (with Philippe Stalder in person)
From Ghana’s farms to Switzerland’s factories, this documentary centres cocoa farmers’ voices and looks beyond branding to how power and value really flow — and how value can be retained at origin. Filmmaker Philippe Stalderwill be with us in person to introduce the film and join the post-screening Q&A on what a truly Responsible future for chocolate demands.
Screening of The Chocolate War + Q&A
A gripping investigation into child labour in cocoa and the decades-long fight to hold chocolate giants to account. After the film, our guests will join us live on screen for a Zoom Q&A, so you can put your questions to them directly. The conversation will be moderated and focus on accountability, the law, and what a truly Responsible future for chocolate demands.
Human Rights Lawyer Terry Collingwoirth ( Washington DC)and Film Maker Miki Mistrati ( Copenhagen) will join us via the screen.
Carrow House
Saturday 25th October 2025
Family Chocolate Adventure (two identical sessions)
A playful, hands-on session for families to explore cocoa together. We’ll taste, sniff and discover how flavour develops from pod to bar, map what we like (and why), and share stories from cocoa-growing communities — all with a focus on dignity, curiosity and a more Responsible future for chocolate.
Sessions: 11:00 and 12:30 (same content — choose the time that suits you). Grown-ups take part with children.
Book the Family Chocolate Adventure on Eventbrite → [add link]
Allergens: please tell us your needs in advance so we can support your visit.
Guided Chocolate Experience (two themed sessions)
A guided tasting and conversation for chocolate-curious adults.
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Session 1 — Power, Value & Responsibility: Follow the money and meaning in a bar — value at origin, pricing, transparency — and what Responsible looks like for farmers and makers.
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Session 2 — Origins & Flavour: Decode flavour from farm to roast (origin, varietal, fermentation, roasting); taste side-by-side and learn to read labels beyond the marketing.
Book the Guided Chocolate Experience on Eventbrite → [add link]
Allergens: please tell us your needs in advance so we can support your visit.
The Walnut Tree Shades
Thursday 30th October 2025
Rooted in Connection. Driven by Justice. Powered by Chocolate.
At the heart of the Norwich Chocolate Festival is a deep respect for the people and places behind chocolate. This isn’t a festival built on glossy branding — it’s grounded in real relationships, shaped by cocoa farming communities, chocolate makers, and those working for justice.
This year, we are actively fundraising to bring cocoa farming community representatives from Ghana and Colombia to Norwich — not as symbolic guests, but as central voices in the conversation.
If successful, their presence will allow festivalgoers to hear directly from those rooted in cocoa-growing regions, and to take part in meaningful exchange that bridges continents and challenges power.
They’ll join a diverse mix of makers, researchers, chefs, artists, and campaigners, coming together to explore what chocolate can become when we centre dignity, creativity, and connection.
Whether you're here for the flavours or the futures, the celebration or the challenge — you’re part of a growing community that believes chocolate can (and must) do better.
Get Involved
Makers, Creators, & Chocolate Changemakers
This call is for anyone offering chocolate, creativity, ideas, insight, or lived experience. Whether you're a cocoa grower, chocolate maker, artist, educator, or storyteller – your voice belongs here.
✨ Showcase your delicious products
✨ Lead workshops or immersive experiences
✨ Join panels on responsible sourcing and sustainability
✨ Contribute stories, art, recipes, or video from afar
Get ready for a joyful, radical, and mouth-watering celebration of cocoa and chocolate. Connect with conscious consumers and fellow changemakers. Share your voice, your values, and your passion.
We especially welcome:
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Cocoa Growers and Community Leaders
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Chocolate Makers, Chocolatiers, Bakers, Drinks makers
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Activists, Educators, Artists, and Storytellers
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Start-ups, Small Businesses, and Community Projects
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People with Lived Experience in Cocoa and Chocolate ectors
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Researchers and Organisers Committed to Justice
If you can’t join us in person, you can still participate – by sending products, submitting digital contributions, or collaborating with someone local.
Let’s co-create spaces of exchange and celebration – not just stalls. Think storytelling corners, chocolate shop-style displays, collaborative exhibits, and discussion circles.
Tell us how you’d like to be involved – we’re excited to dream and build together.
"Become a Volunteer!"
Want to Get Involved?
The Norwich Chocolate Festival is made possible by brilliant volunteers — and we'd love to have you join the team!
Whether you want to help during the festival weekend, support behind the scenes, or be part of the wider Join the Chocolution movement, there’s a place for you.
🎪 From stewarding and set-up to creative production and outreach, volunteering is a great way to meet likeminded people, learn more about cocoa, and be part of something meaningful.
👉 – explore roles and opportunities
