Get ready for a fun-packed festival season - there’s so much going on for everyone to enjoy over the next seven months
INK Festival 2023
April 13 – 16
The Cut, Halesworth IP19 8BY
inkfestival.org
More than 50 short new plays, from new and experienced writers, including Anthony Horowitz, Kate Mosse, Greg Mosse, Louis de Bernieres, Richard Francis, and Lise Mayer. Special guest appearances from Alexei Sayle, Kevin Clifton, Jan Etherington, David Morrissey, Jan Ravens, Luke Wright and Radio Active. Sunday Funday - additional exciting street performances and activities performed in the centre of Halesworth.
East Anglian Game & Country Fair
April 22 - 23
Euston Hall, Euston IP24 2QW
ukgamefair.co.uk
Annual family event with something for everyone:The Tigers Army Parachute Display Team; Squibb Freestyle motorcycle team; fly fishing with World and European Casting Champion Hywel Morgan; Horseboarding UK Championships; Mid Norfolk Gundog Club; British Scurry & Trials Driving; Simon Whitehead, Pakefield Ferrets; dog events; competitions and have-a-go; shopping; cooking demonstrations; alpacas and donkeys.
East Anglian Storytelling Festival
May 12-14
The Food Museum, Stowmarket IP14 1DL
foodmuseum.org.uk
Enjoy the picturesque surroundings of the museum, while listening to stories told live. Rediscover an ancient folk tradition and find out that nobody is too old to enjoy a good story. We’ll have music and lots of activities for families and children.
Weird and Wonderful Wood
May 13 & 14
Haughley Park, Wetherden, IP14 3JY
weirdandwonderfulwood.co.uk
A friendly, relaxed and extraordinary event, with something for everyone - fine furniture, sculpture, wood turning, chain saw carving, musical instrument making, sign writing, garden furniture, fletchers and bowyers, hurdles, den building, tree climbing, free workshops for all, live music, spontaneous happenings, stalls, local food and drink and much, much more.
Suffolk Walking Festival
May 13-29
suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk
The 2023 festival gets underway at beautiful Thornham Walks. Over the following two week, more than 60 walks of different lengths and grades, offer something for everyone, from seeking otters in the Waveney Valley, exploring Suffolk’s own Valley of the Kings in Rendlesham, a four-day Wool Towns Challenge Walk, an urban forage and much more.
Beccles Food and Drink Festival
May 27
Sheepgate, New Market, and St Michael’s Church in Beccles
Artisan East Anglian food and drink stalls, world street food, cookery theatre, children’s entertainment, this annual festival is always a great day out for the whole family. It’s free to attend and there’s a park and ride service from Beccles Quay.
becclesfoodfestival.co.uk
LeeStock Festival
May 27 & 28
National Trust Melford Hall, Long Melford CO10 9AA
Australian star Natalie Imbruglia headlines on Saturday, while on Sunday its funk and electronic rock specialists Blackgrape, whose line-up includes former members of Happy Mondays. The festival is held in memory of local lad Lee Dunford, who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at 17 and died aged 21 in 2006. The festival raises money the Willow Foundation which provides treats and experiences for young people facing serious illness, and their families.
Red Rooster Festival 2023
June 1 - 3
Euston Hall, Euston
So, you’ve never heard of Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Fantastic Negrito, Take Me To The River Allstars, Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express, or GA-20? Time to discover the rhythmic world of world of cajun, soul, roots, rock n roll, blues and country, all in the wonderful setting of Euston Hall’s superb parklands. Great food, lots of things to do from river swimming, to bushcraft, to vintage shopping and spa treatments, to children’s activities.
redrooster.org.uk
Art at the Beach
June 3
Beach Street Felixstowe, Micklegate Rd, Felixstowe IP11 2GN
A visual art festival at Beach Street Felixstowe, with more than 40 artists and creatives displaying their work. There will be free art activities for visitors and a demonstration tent showing how it’s done. Great street food, cafes, bars, and live music in a lively seafront setting.
thegallerybox.art
Aldeburgh Festival 2023
June 9 – 25
Snape Maltings, Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Snape
Outstanding music and art in the wonderful setting of Snape Maltings. This year’s festival features an exhibition of the life and work of artist John Piper who worked with Britten over 30 years, including designing sets for some of his most important operas. There’s a brand-new opera from composer Sarah Angliss, telling the story of the 18th-century ‘Irish giant’ who was betrayed in the name of science; Britten Pears Young Artists workshops from world-famous baritone Roderick Williams and acclaimed mezzo-soprano Dame Ann Murray; a festival walk of the Blyth estuary; a screening of the film of Billy Budd and much more.
brittenpearsarts.org
Taste of Sudbury Food & Drink Festival
June 17
National Trust Melford Hall, Long Melford CO10 9AA
A fabulous day out with about 60 stalls offering a mix of delicious local produce as well as plenty of street food, ice creams, drinks and cocktails, music, local crafts and opportunities for kids to get their hands dirty in free pottery sessions with Kiln Cottage Pottery. Top quality chefs, butchers and bakers on stage throughout the day.
tasteofsudbury.co.uk
Felixstowe Book Festival
June 16-25
Harvest House, Felixstowe IP11 7SP
Now in its 10 th year, Felixstowe’ celebration of ‘Books by the Sea’ brings you authors, book signings and discussions across a mix of genres, both fiction, non fiction, plus poetry and events for children. Meet award-winning authors and discover debut writers. The venue is the stunningly beautiful heritage building, Harvest House, set in gardens above the sea, in the Edwardian heart of Felixstowe.
felixstowebookfestival.co.uk
First Light
June 18 & 19
Lowestoft South Beach
Lowestoft’s free summer solstice celebration of culture, creativity, and community, inspired by the cycles of the sun. The festival runs from noon to sundown (9.30pm) on Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, with a dawn sunrise programme of arts from 3.30am on Sunday. Additional late-night events at other Lowestoft venues. This year features call-outs to Lowestoft musicians and emerging young musicians (14-25) from Suffolk and Norfolk, and a large scale community opening parade project. Wild beach camping pitches available.
firstlightlowestoft.com
Dragon Fest 2023
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village
June 24 & 25
A family-friendly festival in the land of magical, mythical beasts. Music, food and fun including Bring Out Your Dead Productions, Rattlebox Theatre Company, Fireflow’s Circus, meet and pet the Dragons as they roam the village, arts and craft, storytelling, face painting, axe throwing and archery, wellbeing sessions and more.
Whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk
Southwold Arts Festival
June 24 – July 1
Various locations in Southwold
A street festival kicks off a week of local talks and events, poetry, theatre, music and evening shows featuring national and local performers, and visual arts, plus Slaughter in Southwold, the crime writing festival.
southwoldartsfestival.co.uk
26th Festival of Beer and Brewing
June 29 Jun – July 2
Food Museum, Stowmarket IP14 1DL
A summer celebration of beer and brewing. Enjoy a range of real ales, craft beers and ciders. Supported by local CAMRA members, the festival creates an unbeatable atmosphere for beer lovers and spectators alike. Live music in the evenings.
foodmuseum.org.uk
Maverick Festival
June 30 - July 2
Easton Farm Park, Easton, Woodbridge
The UK’s first Americana festival is three days of great music from the likes of songwriter, painter, journalist and storyteller Tom Russell, Christina Martin, the Hoth Bothers, Carter Sampson and other soulful singer songwriters. Set amongst the restored Victorian barns and farm out-there will be performances, talks and workshops from over 50 different artists across six stages, indoors and out.
maverickfestival.co.uk
Latitude Festival 2023
July 20 - 23
Henham Park, Henham Barns, Southwold
This year’s festival has a stellar line-up of Pulp, Paulo Nutini, George Ezra, The Kooks, Souxsie, The Proclaimers, Lightning Seeds, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, to name a few, plus there will be hundreds more musicians, comedians, poets and performers confirmed come July. Food and drink; swimming; mind, body & Zen; a full programme for children at the festival.
latitudefestival.com
The July Festival
July 13
Newmarket Rowley Mile Course, Cambridge Road Newmarket CB8 0XE
Three days of world class horseracing, combined with fashion, food and entertainment. Running from Thursday to Saturday, starting with Ladies Day, a seven-race card headlined by the Group Two Princess of Wales's Stakes; then Festival Friday, followed by July Cup Day. Run over six furlongs, the July Cup is one of the most valuable and prestigious sprint races in the world. A great family day out.
thejockeyclub.co.uk
Ipswich Beer and Cider Festival
July 27 - 30
St Clement's Church, Ipswich
The 33rd Ipswich Beer and Cider Festival, organised by Briarbank Bar and Brewery in co-operation with CAMRA. The best in beer and cider from local and national brewers, with over 100 real ales, craft beers and ciders to choose from, plus good food and entertainment.
ipswichbeerandciderfestival.co.uk
Raveningham Sculpture Trail
July 26- September 3
Raveningham Centre, Beccles Road, Raveningham, Norfolk, NR14 6NU
Annual exhibition of contemporary artworks among three acres of semi-wild meadows, gardens and woodland in the grounds of Castell Farm, a Tudor farmhouse on the Suffolk-Norfolk border. Around 60 selected artists from across the UK create diverse site specific artworks for the trail and pop-up gallery spaces.
raveninghamsculpturetrail.com
Primadonna Festival
July 28 - 30
Food Museum, Stowmarket IP14 1DL
Great writing, music and creativity in a festival of books, ideas and inspiration. Something for everyone with film, music, comedy, food, drink, DJs and therapies alongside the main programme of talks, interviews and discussions. The line-up gives prominence to women, people of colour, LGBTQI+ and disabled people.
primadonnafestival.com
Festival of Classic & Sports Cars
August 6
Helmingham Hall gardens, Helmingham IP14 6EF
Held in association with the Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club, this amazing collection of vehicles is displayed against the backdrop of Helmingham Hall. A lovely day out for the whole family with children’s activities, fairground stalls, over 40 craft and trade stalls, main ring entertainment, birds of prey, local fooda and drink, entertainment.
helmingham.com
Bury St Edmunds Open Air Film Fest
August 17 - 20
Abbey Gardens, Bury Saint Edmunds
A three-day event in beautiful Abbey Gardens with something for everyone, including family favourites, classic oldies and spine-tingling horror flicks. The Open Air Film Festival also hosts a street food market with a range of local vendors and local flavours.
whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk
FolkEast
August 18 – 20
Glemham Hall, Little Glemham IP13 0BT
As well as the music, expect workshops, Youth Moot and young folk frolics, Jackalopes and dwile flonking, storytellers and authors, discussions, debates and sessions for song and instrument, Gardeners Cornered, makers and shakers, poets and performers, and everything in between. Great local food and drink, amazing Art Arcade and more.
folkeast.co.uk
Framlingham Country Show
August 19 & 20
Framlingham College, Framlingham IP13 9EY
This is a great day out – a country show that has it all – with local food and drink, events for dog lovers, fun activities and entertainment for children. Meet producers and makers, watch and admire rural crafters demonstrating their skills, listen to some fabulous music by up and coming talent. Main ring attractions, celebrity chefs, living history, model aeroplanes, tractors, classic cars, horses, and much more.
framlinghamcountryshow.co.uk
East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival
August 23 – 28
St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Angel Hill, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1LS
For six days, the cathedral hosts this amazing event organised by CAMRA with more than 250 real ales, 40 ciders, food stalls, a sound stage and a full entertainment programme with bands, folk singers, choirs and solo musicians. Money donated to good causes
burystedmundsbeerfestival.com
Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival
August 27 & 28
Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1LT
A free event with local chefs, food and drink stalls and street entertainment. The cookery theatre showcases some of the town’s favourite food and drink establishments such as Maison Bleue, 1921, Baskerville's, Vino Gusto and Casa, plus there’s a farmers’ market. Food and drink from around the world, demonstrations from West Suffolk College, children’s activities in and around the town centre, including fairground rides and free street entertainment.
visit-burystedmunds.co.uk
Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival
September 23 & 24
Snape Maltings, Snape IP17 1SP
Celebrating Suffolk’s food and drink producers and its rich farming heritage. Co-Op Community Kitchen Stage, masterclasses, Streetfood area, Adnams Drinks Experience, New Business area, live music, and more than 100 Suffolk-based producers. Family Meadow with children’s cookery classes, play kitchens, children-focused cookery demos, and food-based music workshops. Seafood Stage dedicated to the fisheries and seafood on the East Coast.
aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk
Spill Festival
October 13 - 29
Ipswich
For SPILL 2023, the people of Ipswich will come together to build a life-sized replica of a well-known Ipswich building entirely from cardboard. French artist Olivier Grossetete has built his Monumental Constructions all over the world and is heading to Ipswich with his boxes and tape. This project is an invitation to build together - but what to build? Be inspired by the lost and historic architecture of Ipswich – send your ideas. The bigger the better!
spillfestival.com
Lowestoft Film Festival
October 20 – 28
Screenings throughout Lowestoft
A platform for filmmakers yet to be discovered and picked up by the bigger film festival circuit, LWTFilmFest is a celebration of undiscovered talent and independent film from across the UK, which actively supports and champions filmmaking in Lowestoft on the East Coast. Organised in association with Sunrise Studios, a local creative studio run by young creatives and film makers from Lowestoft.
