Christmas and New Year Events in Suffolk – 2018

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

Christmas Craft Fair

Ipswich
Running from Monday 10th – Sunday 23rd December 2018
Mon – Wed:   9am – 6pm
Thurs:            9am – 7pm
Fri & Sat:       9am – 6pm
Sun:               10am – 6pm

Presented by Eden Crafts, the Christmas Craft Fair will take place in heated, floored marquees, so there is no need to worry about the weather.

Browse home made gifts, crafts, decorations food, and more!

The Cornhill (outside Ipswich Town Hall)
Ipswich, Suffolk.

Workshops

Santa’s Magical Grotto and Elf Workshop

Beccles
Running on: 15th, 16th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd December 2018
1 Hour Slots

Make this Christmas one to remember and come and join the festive fun at the Elf workshops, where the children can write their letter to Santa and deliver it to the head elf!

Get a glitter tattoo and balloon model, have fun and play games with the cheeky elves.

And of course not forgetting an extra special visit to Santa himself, where the children will receive a special gift.

There will be Christmas Stalls for you to browse, and hot chocolate to drink while your children enjoy the magic at the Elf Workshop.

Please contact Maria on 07516030947 to book your child’s place.

Woodfarm Barn
Locks Lane
Benacre
Beccles, Suffolk
NR34 7BL

Cultural Events

Dickensian Christmas at Kentwell Hall & Gardens

Long Melford
Sat 15th December – Sun 16th December 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 Supper Tour at Glemham Hall

Woodbridge
Sat 15th December

The Christmas Supper Tour at Glemham Hall includes of a full house tour, led by Major Philip Hope-Cobbold, and tuck in to a delicious festive supper.

Tour & Supper: £45

Glemham Hall
Little Glemham
Woodbridge, Suffolk
IP13 0BT

Otley Hall Christmas Tours

Ipswich
Thurs 13th December – Fri 14th December 2018

Book a Christmas Tour of Otley Hall to experience a Tudor-style Christmas, followed by mulled wine and festive nibbles in the Great Hall.

Tour & Nibbles: £17

Otley Hall
Hall Lane, Otley
Ipswich, Suffolk
IP6 9PA

The Nativity

Woodbridge
Sat 15th December

See the nativity story come alive in the setting of a thatched barn in the Suffolk countryside.

Thatched Barn
Wantisden Valley
Woodbridge, Suffolk
IP12 3PQ

The Little Prince

Ipswich
Wed 12th December – Sun 16th December 2018

The Little Prince will be performed at DanceEast in Ipswich using a mixture of humour, dance, and music.

Tickets £10
Concessions £7
Family Ticket: £30

Jerwood Dancehouse
Foundry Lane
Ipswich, Suffolk
IP4 1DW

Spectacular Christmas Show 2018

Stowmarket
Thurs 20th December – Mon 31st December 2018

A 90-minute Spectacular Christmas Show at Stonham Barns, including dancing, singing, magic illusions, and speciality acts.

Adults £10
Children £12
Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children): £40

Child tickets include a goody bag from the cast at the end of the show.

Stonham Barns
Pettaugh Road
Stonham Aspal
IP14 6AT

Christmas Eve and Supper & Festive Carols

Saxmundham
Mon 24th December 2018

Two course Supper and Festive Carols at The Bell at Sax.

Mulled wine on arrival at 7pm.

£22.95 per person, full payment required on booking.

31 High Street
Saxmundham
Suffolk
IP17 1AF

Celebration Christmas Gastronomic Dinner

Bury St Edmunds
Fri 21st December 2018

Champagne reception with canapes, followed by a special festive five course Gastronomic Dinner at the Maison Bleue Restaurant.

The menu has been designed by chef patron Pascal Canevet, and will be paired with wines from the renowned cellar.

£95 per person.

31 Churchgate Street
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 1RG

Del Boy’s Christmas

Aldeburgh
Fri 14th December

Join Del Boy and the gang for a Christmas knees-up, including a Pina Colada and a three course Christmas dinner at The White Lion.

£40 per person

Market Cross Place
Aldeburgh, Suffolk
IP15 5BJ

Basil’s Christmas Carol

Stowmarket
Sat 15th December

Dinner and interactive comedy at Stonham Barns.

The event will begin in the bar over pre-dinner drinks, before moving through to the restaurant, where you will be served a three course meal whilst being entertained by Basil & co.

£35 per person

Pettaugh Road
Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket, Suffolk
IP14 6AT

Children’s Events

Christmas Special at Easton Farm Park

Woodbridge
Sat 1st December – Mon 24th December 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
Running on: 15th, 16th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd December 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

Santa Sunday

Ipswich
Sun 16th December 2018

Santa Sunday at Belstead Brook will consist of:

• 2 Course Carvery Style Lunch
• Includes a visit to Santa’s Grotto for every child

Belstead Brook
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP13 0EQ

Steam with Santa 2018

Halstead
Running on selected dates between: Sat 8th – Sun 23rd December 2018.
10:30 – 16:30

Steam with Santa consists of a gentle journey on a heated steam train along one mile of train line on the Colne Valley Railway, whilst Santa hands out gifts to every child on board.

Adults: £12
Children age 3 and up: £12
Baby (0-2 years): £5

Colne Valley Railway
Yeldham Road
Halstead, Suffolk
CO9 3DZ

Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Santa Specials

Wetheringsett

Sun 2nd December 2018
Sat 15th December 2018

Perfect for younger children, Santa Special steam trains will run on the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway from Brockford Station to ‘North Pole Halt’, where children can visit Santa, receive a present, and enjoy children’s entertainment and storytelling.

Tickets: £12. Booking is required.

Brockford Station
Wetheringsett
Suffolk
IP14 5PW

Family Christmas Sparkle

Bury St Edmunds
Sat 15th December 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

Read more here.

For ideas about where to go for New Year’s Eve, read our guide on New Year’s Eve 2018 Celebrations in Suffolk.