If you’re looking to kick off the festive season and get into the Christmas spirit, there is nothing quite like going to a Christmas event. Whether it’s a craft fair, a workshop, a grotto, or a candlelit walk, attending an event can really help to create the kind of excitement and anticipation that makes Christmas special. Also, there’s a high likelihood that you will come across a mince pie.
Be sure to check out our Christmas Day Restaurants in Suffolk guide and our guide to what’s on in Suffolk. For New Years Eve events in Suffolk click here.
Here is our rundown of festive events going on in Suffolk to help you get in the mood for Christmas 2018.
Christmas Fairs
We Are Handmade- Christmas Craft Fair
Long Melford
Sat 17th Nov 2018
10:00 – 16:00
We Are Handmade will be holding a Christmas Craft Fair in Long Melford, featuring a variety of Christmas themed stalls, including handcrafted gifts, wooden toys, jewellery, and tie-dyed clothes and accessories.
Throughout the day, Fantasia Textiles will be giving demonstrations of textile techniques. For those partial to a slice of cake and a cup of tea, there will also be a tearoom serving hot drinks in vintage style crockery, as well as a selection of homemade cakes.
Free entry.
The Old School
Community Centre
Melford Hall
Long Melford
Suffolk
CO10 9AA
The Suffolk Christmas Fair
Ipswich
Sat 27th Oct 2018 10:00 – 16:00
Sun 28th Oct 2018 10:00 – 16:00
Christmas fair taking place under cover in the Cattle Barns. Stalls will showcase festive and seasonal items, gifts, homeware, crafts, and food and drink.
Online Tickets
Adult: £3.50
Concession: £3
Child (under 18) with accompanying adult: Free
On The Gate Tickets
Adult: £4
Concession: £3.50
Child (under 18) with accompanying adult: Free
Book online via the event website
Suffolk Showground
Trinity Park
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 8UH
Clare Christmas Fair
Clare
Fri 30th Nov 2018 17:00 – 19:00
Sat 1st Dec 2018 10:00 – 19:00
The Clare Christmas Fair will begin on the evening of Friday 30th November, from 17:00 – 20:00 in the candlelit St Peter and St Paul’s church.
The fair continues from 10:00 – 19:00 on Saturday 1st December in the church and the Old School Community Centre. The event will culminate in the switching on of the Christmas lights on Saturday evening.
Over 60 exhibitors, with stalls of festive food, drinks, gifts, and cards. There will also be face painting, a fairground ride, magic, and appearances from the Snow Queen and Father Christmas and his reindeer.
Free entry.
St Peter & St Paul’s Church
High St
Clare
Sudbury
CO10 8NY
Workshops
Flowers & Hygge
Long Melford
Mon 19th Nov 2018
19:00 – 21:00
Get in the hygge spirit and sip some delicious hot chocolate in the cosy Hygge Zone whilst you create a beautiful flower arrangement.
Tickets are £55.
The Old School
Community Centre
Melford Hall
Long Melford
Suffolk
CO10 9AA
Lantern Making & Twilight Walk
Brandon
Sat 1st Dec 2018
15:00 – 17:30
Create outdoor lanterns using willow and natural materials, followed by a lantern lit twilight walk.
Suitable for age 5 and up.
Adults: £8
Children: £5
Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children): £22.50
Ticket price includes:
- Parking
- Hot Drink
- Cake
Call to book in advance: 0128 475 8000
Please wear sturdy footwear and wrap up warmly.
Brandon Country Park
Town Centre
Brandon
Suffolk
IP27 0SU
Cultural Events
The Nutcracker- Vienna Festival Ballet
Felixstowe
Wed 28th Nov 2018
19:30
Follow the Sugar Plum Fairy as she journeys through the glistening Land of Snow to a kingdom made from sweets in this production of the Christmas classic, The Nutcracker.
Adults: £23.50
Concessions: £20.50
The Spa Pavilion
Undercliff Road
Felixstowe
Suffolk
IP11 2DX
Dickensian Christmas at Kentwell Hall & Gardens
Long Melford
Sat 15th Dec – Sun 16th Nov 2018
11:00 – 16:00
Kentwell Hall is hosting a traditional Dickensian Christmas, complete with Dickens reading, magic shows, and crafts.
There will be Victorian entertainment in the Music Hall & Tavern, as well as opportunities for children to meet Father Christmas, owls, and reindeer.
The event will finish with carols by candlelight.
Tickets from £7.25 – £32.50
Kentwell Hall
High Street
Long Melford
Suffolk
CO10 9BA
Christmas Jazz Breakfast
Ipswich
Sat 17th Nov 2018
18:00 – 11:00
Head to Jimmy’s Farm for a relaxed weekend breakfast, and enjoy some live Christmas Jazz.
Breakfast ranges from lighter options to the Greedy Farmer’s Breakfast, and will be served from 9:30 until 11:00.
Booking is essential. Call 0147 360 4206 to reserve your table.
Jimmy’s Farm
Pannington Hall Lane
Ipswich
IP9 2AR
Children’s Events
Christmas Special at Easton Farm Park
Woodbridge
Sat 1st Dec – Mon 24th Dec 2018
11:00 – 16:00
The Christmas Special experience at Easton Farm Park lasts for around 2.5 hours, and includes:
- Elf Workshop
- Meet Father Christmas
- Meet the Animal
- Christmas Party Food for Children
- Mug of Tea or Coffee & Sausage Roll or Slice of Cake for Adults.
Children: £12
Adults: £8
Maximum two adults per child entry.
Book in advance as there are limited spaces and time slots:
[email protected]
0172 874 6475
Easton Farm Park
Easton
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP13 0EQ
Children’s Christmas Crafts
Bury St Edmunds
Sat 1st Dec –2018
10:30 – 16:00
Get crafting in the West Wing Gallery at Ickworth House.
Last entry to the indoor activities is 15:30.
Child Ticket: £2.
Ickworth House
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP29 5QE
Family Christmas Sparkle
Bury St Edmunds
Sat 15th Dec 2018
10:00 – 15:30
Traditional family Christmas activities at Ickworth House in Bury St Edmunds, including craft activities and making decorations. There will be stories and gifts from Father Christmas next to the Christmas tree, and Children can decorate biscuits whilst adults warm up with a cup of mulled wine.
Ickworth House
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP29 5QE
For ideas about where to go for New Year’s Eve, read our guide on New Year’s Eve 2018 Celebrations in Suffolk.
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