Snow Lion and Polar Bear return for Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights event
The Polar Bear returns with The Snow Lion for the 2026 Christmas Lights Event. Photo: Our Bury St Edmunds BID and Phil Morley.
A magical pair of larger-than-life festive characters will once again be bringing some extra Christmas sparkle to Bury St Edmunds when the town’s annual Christmas Lights event takes place on Thursday, November 19.
Following their hugely popular appearance last year, the Snow Lion with the Red Queen will be back, joined by the Polar Bear.
The much-loved characters are highlights of the FREE to attend event, which marks the official start of the festive season in the town.
Running from 3pm to 8pm, the town centre event, sponsored by Costa Coffee Bury St Edmunds, will offer an afternoon and evening of entertainment, activities and festive fun, as dusk falls, the Christmas lights will magically illuminate the town, creating a spectacular backdrop to the evening’s festivities.
There will also be a chance to meet Santa and his elves with Bury St Edmunds Round Table and The Snow Queen and Friends, while the stage will host performances throughout the afternoon and evening from local groups, choirs, schools and colleges.
The Cornhill and Buttermarket will be filled with charity and gifts stalls. Visitors can also enjoy a range of fairground rides.
The Christmas Lights event is organised by Our Bury St Edmunds BID and supported by Bury St Edmunds Town Council and ShopSafe.
The BID’s chief executive Mark Cordell said: “It’s fantastic to welcome back the Snow Lion and Polar Bear this year. They were such a hit with visitors last Christmas that we know many people will be looking forward to seeing them again.
“There’s plenty for families to enjoy, from meeting Santa and our festive characters to watching the entertainment and seeing the town’s Christmas lights come to life.
“The Cornhill and Buttermarket will be buzzing with stalls, fairground rides and entertainment, while our fantastic mix of shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs will be ready to welcome visitors.
“For many people, this event really does mark the beginning of Christmas in Bury St Edmunds.”
All the lights in the displays use energy-efficient LED bulbs, with the time they remain illuminated carefully managed to help conserve energy.
More information about the event is available at https://www.ourburystedmunds.com/events/christmas-lights/