The Best Christmas Events In Suffolk Happening In 2023
If you’re looking to kick start the festive season in Suffolk, you’re in the right place! There are loads of Christmas events in Suffolk this year – from Santa’s Grottos to Christmas markets and festive pantomimes.
There are lots of fabulous things to do in Suffolk during the summer months too but if you are in Suffolk during the festive season and looking for things to do at Christmas in Suffolk, you won’t be disappointed.
I’m always looking for Christmas events near me so that we try something new each year – while we have two small believers at least!
Before we start with Suffolk – why not see what’s going on in neighbouring Norfolk this Christmas or the Christmas events in Essex?
Looking for accommodation in Suffolk?
We have listed some fabulous holiday accommodation on the Suffolk Coast. We also have some slightly unusual accommodation options in Suffolk.
So – what’s going on at Christmas in Suffolk this year?
**Not all of the Christmas events in Suffolk 2023 dates have been released yet so keep checking back for updates. This post contains affiliate links. If you book something using one, we may earn a small commission but at no extra cost to you**
These are the Christmas events in Suffolk happening in 2023
Santa’s Grottos in Suffolk
Looking for places to see Father Christmas in Suffolk? The great news is that there are lots of Santa’s Grottos and places to see Father Christmas.
Looking for a Santa’s Grotto further afield? We have a great post on 100+ Places to See Santa in the UK.
But here’s where to see Santa in Suffolk this Christmas:
Mid Suffolk Light Railway
MSLR Santa Specials – one of the many Santa train rides across the UK this year. If you like the idea of a meeting Santa on a train, you might also like to check out one of the Polar Express Train Rides in the UK.
Address: Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5PW.
Dates: 3rd & 4th, 10th & 11th and 17th & 18th December 2022.
Tickets: Bookings open mid October.
Kentwell Hall
Address: Kentwell Hall, High Street, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9BA.
Dates: 10 & 11th and 17th & 18th December 2022.
Tickets: Adults – £32.50, Children (4-9) – £22.50, (1.5 – 3) – £11.50. Under 2 – FREE.
Glemham Hall
Address: Glemham Hall, Little Glemham, Suffolk, IP13 0BT.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: TBC.
Kersey Mill
Address: Kersey Mill, Hadleigh Road, Kersey, Suffolk, IP7 6DP.
Dates: 3rd December 2022.
Tickets: Early bird tickets (before 1st October) – £35.00 per child (includes 1 free adult). Additional adults – £15.00. After 1st October – £40.00 per child (incl. 1 free adult) and £15.00 per additional adult.
East Anglian Transport Museum
Address: East Anglia Transport Museum, Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 8BL.
Dates: Weekends in December.
Tickets: Entry – £9.00 for adults and £6.00 for children (5 – 15).
National Trust Dunwich Heath
Father Christmas at Dunwich Heath
Address: Dunwich Heath and Beach, Coastguard Cottages, Minsmere Rd, Dunwich, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3DJ.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: TBC.
See also – things to do in Dunwich and Dunwich Walks.
National Trust Ickworth
Father Christmas at Ickworth TBC.
Address: Ickworth, The Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE.
Dates: Family Festive Trail will be running from 3rd Dec to 2nd January 2023 and Christmas crafts from 10th to 21st December 2022.
Tickets: Festive Trail – £2. Crafts – FREE.
Dobbies Garden Centre
Address: Dobbies, Grundisburgh Road, Woodbridge , Suffolk, IP13 6HX.
Dates: 24th November to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: £7.00 per child booked in advance or £8.00 on the day (includes present).
Notcutts Garden Centre
Address: Notcutts, Ipswich Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4AF.
Dates: Santa won’t be visiting this year but there are still lots of festive treats and Christmas displays to enjoy.
Tickets: TBC.
Easton Farm Park
Address: Easton Farm Park, Pound Corner, Easton, Suffolk, IP13 0EQ.
Dates: Weekends in December and then 19th – 24th December 2022.
Tickets: £18.95 per child over 1, £10.95 per adult, £9.95 for participating babies. Babes in arms – free.
See why visiting Easton Farm Park is one of our recommended things to do in Suffolk with kids. They also have some fun things going on at Halloween.
Africa Alive!
Address: Africa Alive!, Whites Lane, Kessingland, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 7TF.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: 2 person ticket – £25.00. Family ticket – £45.00.
Jimmy’s Farm
Jimmy’s Farm Christmas Grotto and Breakfast with Santa
Address: Jimmy’s Farm, Pannington Hall Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2AR.
Dates: 2022 dates TBC.
Tickets: Christmas Grotto – £10.00 per child. Adults – free. Does not include entry to the Park. Breakfast with Santa – Child – £25.00 and Adult – £30.00.
Suffolk Punch Trust
Christmas Craft Fair at the Suffolk Punch Trust
Address: Sink Farm, St Davids Lane, Hollesley, Woodbridge IP12 3JR.
Dates: 10th and 11th December 2022.
Tickets: £10.00 per child.
Snape Maltings
Co-op Juniors Christmas Spectacular
Address: Snape Maltings, Snape, Suffolk, IP17 2SP.
Dates: See links above for details of what’s on.
Tickets: See links above for individual event details.
Ufford Park
Address: Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa, Yarmouth Road, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1QW.
Dates: 18th December 2022
Framlingham Castle
Christmas at Framlingham Castle (and see here for info on visiting Framlingham Castle).
Address: Framlingham Castle, Church Street, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 9BP.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: Members – Free. Adult – £12.50, Child (5-17) – £7.50.
If you like visiting English Heritage properties, we would recommend getting an English Heritage membership. Just a couple of visits to English Heritage properties will cover the cost of the pass and will get you into many of the special events for free.
Christmas lights in Suffolk
There are a couple of exciting Christmas light trails happening in Suffolk this year. You can also wander around some of the towns and villages in Suffolk and check out their light displays.
If you happen to be heading into London, here is where you can find the Christmas light displays in London.
Illuminted Garden Trail at Helmingham Hall Gardens
Illuminated Light Trail at Helmingham Hall
We love a Christmas light trail. There are loads happening all over the country (see more Christmas light trails here).
If you are thinking of heading further afield, we can highly recommend the Blenheim Palace Christmas lights. They are fabulous and we’re sure the Helmingham Hall lights will be just as special.
Address: Helmingham Hall, Helmingham, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 6EF
Dates: 18th November to 18th December 2022.
Tickets: Adults – £13.00, Child (5-15) – £8.00. Under 5 – FREE. Family – £34.00.
Ickworth’s Light Nights
Address: Ickworth, The Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE.
Dates: 19th November to 5th December 2021.
Tickets: Adults – £19.00, Child (3 – 15) – £14.00. Under 3 – FREE.
Haughley Park
Address: Haughley Park, Haughley, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 3JY.
Dates: 3rd to 26th February 2023.
Tickets: From £17.60 per adult and £8.80 per child (3-15 yrs).
If you are close to the Norfolk border, you might also like to know that there are some fabulous winter light trails in Norfolk.
Christmas markets in Suffolk
We love a Christmas market. We usually try to go to one of the European Christmas markets each year but there are also some fantastic Christmas markets in the UK. They are a great place to pick up some handmade Christmas gifts.
We usually get a decoration for the Christmas tree, enjoy a hot chocolate or mulled wine and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Here are the Suffolk Christmas markets worth a visit this year:
Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre
This free market takes place in the lovely Abbey Gardens of the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmunds with lots of Christmas stalls
Address: Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1LT.
Dates: From 17th November 2022.
Ipswich
Christmas Suffolk Farmer’s Market at Trinity Park
The usual farmer’s market with a festive feel.
Address: Trinity Park, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8UH.
Dates: 10th December 2022 (10am – 2pm).
Lavenham
Address: TBC – Lavenham.
Dates: TBC.
Sudbury
Address: Duck in Boots, 19 Gaol Ln, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 1JL.
Dates: TBC.
Clare
Address: St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8NY.
Dates: 25th – 26th November 2022.
Stonham Barns
Stonham Barns Christmas Craft Market
Address: Stonham Barns, Pettaugh Road, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk, IP14 6AT.
Dates: 26th & 27th November 2022.
If you like Christmas markets, you might like to read about the best Christmas markets in London or the best Christmas markets in the UK or even the best Christmas markets in Europe!
Pantomimes in Suffolk
One of our favourite things to do at Christmas in London with kids is to visit one of the big Christmas Pantomimes.
Over the years, we’ve found that the pantos in smaller towns around the UK are just as good and Suffolk is no exception. Here are the Pantomimes to look out for in Suffolk this Christmas.
Marina Theatre
Address: Marina Theatre, The Marina, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1HH.
Dates:13th December 2022 to 1st January 2023.
Tickets: From £10.00 – £18.00.
Ipswich Regent Theatre
Address: Ipswich Regent Theatre, 3 St Helens Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1HE.
Dates: 16th – 31st December 2022.
Tickets: From £14.00 per person.
The Spa Pavillion
Address: The Spa Pavilion, Undercliff Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 2DX.
Dates: 29th & 30th January 2023.
Tickets: From £14.00 – £16.00 (Under 16) and £20.00- £22.00 per adult.
Theatre Royal
Address: Theatre Royal, Westgate St, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1QR.
Dates: 25th November 2022 to 14th January 2023.
Tickets: From £10.50 to £32.50 per person.
The New Wolsey Theatre
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Address: The New Wolsey Theatre, Civic Drive, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2AS.
Dates: 24th November 2022 to 28th January 2023.
Tickets: From £12.00 to £38.00 per person.
If you happen to be heading into London this Christmas – here are some of the best Christmas shows this year.
- The Snowman – an absolute must-see when in London at Christmas with kids.
- Elf – The Musical.
- Potted Panto – 7 classic pantos in 70 minutes.
- Jack and the Beanstalk – classic pantomime at the London Palladium.
See also our guide to things to do with kids in London at Christmas.
Cinderella at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds
Christmas Afternoon Tea Suffolk
Having afternoon tea is such a British thing to do – but have you tried a festive afternoon tea? It’s one of the best Christmassy things to do in Suffolk after a day of Christmas shopping at the markets.
The Swan at Lavenham (Lavenham) – from 21st November 2022. £25.00 per person.
Lynford Hall Hotel (Mundford) – Sundays through December 2022. £39.00 for 2 people.
Ufford Park (Woodbridge) – through December. £20.00 per person.
Bedford Lodge Hotel (Newmarket) – TBC.
Ravenwood Hall (Bury St Edmunds) – Mon – Fri through December between 3 – 5pm. £TBC.
The Swan Southwold (Southwold) – through December. £21.00 per person. See also things to do in Southwold
You might also like to check out our posts on the best places to have afternoon tea in London and the best afternoon tea in London for kids.
Christmas at hotels in Suffolk
If you feel like getting away for Christmas and having everything taken care of for you, these are the best hotels to spend Christmas at in Suffolk.
Ickworth
If it’s luxury you’re looking for this Christmas in Suffolk with everything taken care of for you, you can’t beat the Ickworth Hotel. It is especially good for families with so many fun activities on offer. It comes at a price though. Here is their festive brochure.
Ravenwood Hall
2 or 3 night breaks over Christmas at Ravenwood Hall. See what is going on at Ravenwood Hall here.
The Swan at Lavenham
Lavenham is a beautiful place to visit in Suffolk and it is especially cosy at Christmas. Book your stay at the Swan at Lavenham here and view their Christmas package here.
The National Trust also has a number of cottages in Suffolk if you are looking for a self-catering option. See here for National Trust Christmas breaks in Suffolk.
Other things to do in Suffolk at Christmas
Had your fill of Christmas events in Suffolk? How about trying out some of these alternative things to do at Christmas in Suffolk?
For something a little alternative, you can visit the reindeer at Jimmy’s Farm.
How about taking a bracing winter walk along one of the Suffolk beaches?
Go and pick out your own Christmas tree at Church Farm Christmas Barn in Bury St Edmunds or Kiln Farm in Kesgrave.
See here for more general ideas for things to do at Christmas. And once you’re done with all of the Christmas days out in Suffolk and ready to settle down at home, take a look at these Christmas movies for kids.
Not quite Christmas yet? How about checking out these places to go pumpkin picking in Suffolk and these spooky Halloween events in Suffolk?!
We haven’t listed all of the things to do in Suffolk in December so if there’s something you’d like to add, please let us know.
You might also like…
See what’s going on at Christmas in the South East of England this year:
Christmas events in Essex and Christmas markets in Essex
Christmas events in Hertfordshire
