Suffolk Events - Christmas Fairs and Seasonal Joy!

Suffolk’s hosting lots of lovely festivals and festive events over the next few months. To help you plan your festive tour around our beautiful county, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite events:

Sutton Hoo Christmas Fayre

11am-4pm, Saturday 15 November - Sunday 16 November 2014

Sutton Hoo’s Christmas Fayre features lots of local Suffolk produce, gifts, and other festive treats. During the weekend, make the most of the reduced Sutton Hoo visitor entry fee of £3 for adults or £2 for children (no charge for National Trust members) and discover the mysterious Anglo Saxon burial mounds, enjoy the award-winning exhibition centre, visit Mrs Pretty’s house which will be festooned in lovely 1930s Christmas decorations or take a lovely walk along the River Deben. Refreshments will be available throughout the day in the King’s River Café.

Mrs Pretty’s Christmas at Sutton Hoo

11am-4pm Saturday and Sundays between Saturday 15 November and Sunday 14 December 2014.

Come and join in the 1930s-inspired festive celebrations at Sutton Hoo in Woodbridge. Mrs Pretty was the former owner of the land where one of the UK’s most incredible archaeological discoveries was unearthed. The land, located on the eastern banks of the River Deben near Woodbridge, housed some mysterious mounds, and in 1938 Mrs Pretty commissioned a local archaeologist to excavate them. Incredibly he discovered the burial chambers of King Rædwald - former Anglo-Saxon king of Eastern Angles (East Anglia) - alongside his burial ship, treasures and family. This period-themed event will be held in Mrs Pretty’s former house. She was a Roedean and “Parisian” educated lady and visitors can take in the beautiful interiors of her former home, admire festive decorations, talk to 1930s costumed “servants” and enjoy festive music and singing from local choirs and musicians.

Mrs Pretty’s Christmas will take place every weekend between Saturday 16 November and Sunday 14 December 2014. This is a free event but normal Sutton Hoo admission charges apply. For accommodation nearby, Suffolk Secrets has a lovely selection of self-catering cottages in Woodbridge, Bawdsey and the surrounding area. To view holiday cottage availability in the Woodbridge area click here.

Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre

27-30 November 2014

Visit the beautiful Suffolk Cathedral town of Bury St Edmunds for their annual Christmas Fayre. Featuring over 200 festive stalls, the Fayre extends from Angel Hill and the beautiful Abbey Gardens (next to the Cathedral), the historic Athenaeum, Moyses Hall Museum and into the Apex. There will lots of entertainment, live music and festive fun for all of the family, offering a fabulous start to the festive season.

Why not make a weekend of it and stay in one of our lovely Bury St Edmunds cottages. To check availability, click here.

Fair opening times:

• 4pm-8pm, Thursday 27th November 2014
• 10am-8pm, Friday 28th November 2014
• 10am-8pm, Saturday 29th November 2014
• 10am-5pm, Sunday 30th November 2014

Aldeburgh Christmas Lights Switch On

Saturday 29 November 2014

There's always lots of festive fun to be enjoyed during the Aldeburgh Christmas Lights Switch On and Suffolk Secrets is proud to be a sponsor of this year's event. The official programme has yet to be finalised but there's sure to be lots of festive cheer featuring live entertainment, carol singers, children's activities, a Santa's grotto and fireworks on the beach. A great evening for all of the family.

To book a festive break over the Christmas Lights weekend, click here to view all of our Aldeburgh cottages.

Snape Maltings Vintage & Makers Market

30 November 2014

Snape Maltings Christmas Farmers Market

Saturday 20 December 2014

Southwold Christmas Lights Switch On

7pm, 5 December 2014

Southwold Concert Series’ Christmas Extravaganza, St Edmund's Church

6 December 2014, 7pm

The annual Southwold Concert Series’ fabulous Christmas Extravaganza will again take place at Southwold’s beautiful and historic St Edmund's Church on Saturday 6th December. This year’s concert will feature the talented Seraphim choral group, who are directed by leading choral conductor Vetta Wise. Seraphim's nine singers, who are all experienced soloists or members of leading East Anglian choirs, will sing many festive favourites including Vivaldi's Gloria, backed by a fabulous baroque orchestra conducted by James O'Toole.

Tickets are £12 and to book please contact the Southwold Concert Series’ box office on 01502 726 161.

Why not book a short break over the Southwold Christmas Lights/Concert weekend for a lovely start to the festive season. To view all of our self-catering cottages in Southwold and the surrounding area click here.

Lavenham Christmas Festival and Street Fair

5-7 December 2014

The ever-popular Lavenham Christmas Festival is the perfect event to you get you well and truly into the festive spirit and will follow its traditional, Dickensian theme. Father Christmas will get the party started on the Friday evening with the Lighting Up Lavenham Ceremony. Marvel as this gorgeous medieval village lights up with thousands of sparkling white lights. The fun continues at the Dickensian Street Fair where you'll be able to browse amongst over 80 festive stalls selling everything from homemade mince pie to wreaths, wooden toys and locally-made arts and crafts.

The Lavenham Christmas Festival programme continues on Saturday with carol singing in the Market Place at 1pm, the Village Hall Craft Fair, a guided Lavenhan Lantern Walk at 4.30pm and an exhibition in the beautiful Little Hall Museum. The Christmas Street Fair also continues throughout the weekend, closing on Sunday at 4pm.

Don't miss this fabulous festive occasion, all set within one of Suffolk's most picturesque and historic villages. And to make the most of it, why not book a short break and stay in one of Suffolk’s Secrets fabulous cottages in Lavenham or stay nearby in the gorgeous villages of Long Melford or Kersey.

Halesworth Christmas Lights Switch On

7 December 2014

Snape Maltings Christmas Farmers Market

6 December 2014

Woodbridge Christmas Street Fair

Sunday 7 December 2014

The annual Woodbridge Christmas Street Fair is an eagerly anticipated festive fling of cheer with hundreds of seasonal stall holders plying their wares throughout the Thoroughfare and Cumberland Street. This event is a fabulous day out for all the family and from 6pm Santa will ride through town spreading an extra dose of Christmas cheer around.

To check availability at all of our Woodbridge cottages over this festive weekend, click here.

Neverland Christmas Spectacular 

12th – 21st December 2014

Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Snape, IP17 1SPA

A perfect outing for all the family where big and little children can join Tinker Bell and Peter Pan on their magical adventures! Performed by the Co-op Juniors Theatre Company, this “J.M. Barrie” inspired Christmas spectacular will uplift the spirits with its dazzling musical numbers, getting you well and truly into the festive spirit. Battling Captain Hook and his pirates, the “Darling” children will learn the virtues of good versus evil in this classic children's story. For more information on show times and to purchase tickets visit the Aldeburgh Music Box Office by clicking here. For details on all of our self-catering cottages in Snape click here.

Woodbridge – Carols on Market Hill

Monday 22nd December 2014

Taking place on the historic Market Hill, the much-loved Woodbridge Carol Service will be hosted by the Rotary Club on Monday 22nd December. Visitors can purchase Christmas lanterns from Woodbridge Violin Shop to add to the festive atmosphere whilst Santa returns yet again to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Southwold Christmas Day Charity Swim

10am-11am, 25th December 2014

Meet on beach beneath Gun Hill Brace yourself and join in the icy but invigorating fun when mad dogs and English men/women take to the waters for Southwold's annual charity swim. Swimmers are encouraged to don fancy dress and to raise sponsorship money for the Sole Bay Care Fund, Southwold Voluntary Help Centre or Southwold RNLI.

This fabulous, festive fundraiser is organised by Southwold Rotary Club. For more information and to register for the swim click here.

26th Annual Aldeburgh Boxing Day Charity Swim

11am 26 December 2014

Meet on Aldeburgh Beach in front of the Moot Hall at 10.45, swim at 11am

Christmas Cottages

If you would like to book a Suffolk cottage over the Christmas or New Year period don’t hesitate to call us on 01502 722717 or click here to see current online availability.