Countdown to Christmas in Bury St Edmunds
To start off the countdown to Christmas, Bury St Edmunds has a fun-filled festive weekend from Friday to Sunday, November 25 to 27, with plenty of opportunities to get in the seasonal spirit and find the perfect gift for families and friends!
The Apex Gift Fair
Over 40 stallholders from across Suffolk will be showcasing their seasonal products at the Apex Gift Fair.
The award-winning entertainment venue is the perfect setting for Christmas shoppers to find exquisite gifts. There will be a variety of stalls including fine art, woodcraft, needlecraft, jewellery, sweet treats, artisan drinks and more.
The Apex Café, located on the ground floor of the building, will be serving seasonal food and drinks for all shoppers to enjoy.
Upstairs, there will be the opportunity to listen to storyteller Harvey Salmon, who will be reading family-friendly Christmas tales such as “The Nutcracker” and “How Rudolph Got His Nose” to children on Saturday, November 26 (noon to 4pm) and Sunday, November 26 (11am to 3pm). There will be free festive face painting for children to enjoy as well!
The Gift Fair is a free event and will be open 10am to 6pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Bury St Edmunds Dickensian Street Market Entertainment
Throughout the year, Bury St Edmunds welcomes visitors to explore over 80 stalls at the weekly Saturday market. Shoppers have the opportunity to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, homeware and garden gifts, clothing, and food from across the world.
On Saturday, November 26, take a step back in time and experience a whole day of Victorian and Dickensian street entertainment. Pop down and see if you can spot a Victorian policeman chasing a pick pocket, the Artful Dodger, Scrooge and his carriage and penny farthing bicycles. There is plenty of entertainment to take part in and watch, so all the family is welcome to come along.
Sunday Christmas and Eco Market
On Sunday, November 27, from 10am to 4pm, shoppers will find a selection of local produce, street food and gift stalls in the Buttermarket as part of the Bury St Edmunds Christmas Sunday Market. There will be cookery demonstrations from a selection of local chefs showcasing how to create a variety of seasonal and eco friendly foods.
The Christmas Eco Market will be located on The Traverse and Cornhill. Stalls boast of an assortment of sustainable gifts, vegan food and drinks, clothes, homeware, activities and street entertainment.
Plenty of Christmas activities will continue throughout the festive period, including the Arc Christmas Market from Thursday, November 24, until Thursday, December 22; Where’s Santa – a 20-minute performance for children from Saturday, December 3, to Saturday, December 24, and a Christmas themed escape room open daily at The Evidence Room in Risbygate Street.
More details on Christmas events and activities in and around Bury St Edmunds can be found at Bury St Edmunds & Beyond | Christmas in Bury St Edmunds & Beyond (visit-burystedmunds.co.uk)
The series of Christmas events have been jointly resourced, funded, planned and delivered by a partnership, consisting of The Arc, Our Bury St Edmunds, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, BID, Bury St Edmunds Town Council and West Suffolk Council.
Susan Glossop, portfolio holder for Growth, said: “We are delighted to be hosting so many festive markets and events as part of our Christmas in Bury partnership. They will have a positive impact in our local economy and help boost tourism in the town and surrounding areas. After experiencing a challenging couple of years due to the pandemic, we are looking forward to the community being able to come together and enjoy the festive celebrations.”