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Christmas is coming to Suffolk Coastal
Christmas is coming to Suffolk Coastal
Our communities are getting ready for Christmas, with plenty of Christmas events to get you in the festive spirit!
Aldeburgh
Visit Aldeburgh for their lights switch on, on Saturday 2 December for a day filled with Christmas cheer. The Jubilee Hall throws open its doors to Christmas shoppers who will browse a range of gifts from local traders, enjoy the school choir and visit Santa.
From 11am to 4pm, there will also be mulled wine, mince pies and children’s refreshments, with lights switched on at 4pm.
There’s also a town trail for children to take part in, with a prize for every correct entry, attractions along the High Street and a small fun fair near Moot Hall.
Most of the stalls for the event have been booked but there are a few remaining, local businesses that want to take part with a stall or in-shop demonstration can still contact Sally at: sal.ogden@btinternet.com. A percentage of profits from the event will be donated to East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Felixstowe
Head to Felixstowe for their Christmas lights switch on and a Christmas craft market on Saturday 2 December.
From 10am-6pm, there will be a Fantastic range of gift and food stalls to browse along Hamilton Road, Lions Club food and charity stalls at The Canopy along with Santa's Grotto, carol singing and live entertainment throughout the afternoon.
At 4:30pm, children will be taking part in a candlelight parade along Hamilton Road, with Christmas lights organised by the Lions Club of Felixstowe switched on a 5pm.
There will be free car parking available from 3pm on Saturday 2 December at Crescent Road, Highfield Road and Ranelagh Road car parks.
Free parking is also available in the town for late-night shopping on 8, 15 and 22 December at Crescent, Highfield and Ranelagh Road from 3pm-7pm.
Santa's Ride around town with Rudolph
The Santa and Rudolph trailer will be touring Felixstowe's streets and homes every weekday evening between the 1-23 December, it will also be at Landguard Fort on Saturday 16 December 6pm to 8:30pm and Morrison’s on Saturday 23 December 10am to 4pm.
Charity Christmas Tree Festival
Visit a wonderful display of decorated and glittering Christmas trees from various local charities and organisations at the Salvation Army in Cobbold Road. There will also be stalls, refreshments and a carol service on Tuesday 5 December at 6pm.
The festival is running Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 December; Tuesday 10:30am to 7pm, Wednesday to Friday 10:30am to 5pm and Saturday 10:30am to 6pm.
Christmas at Landguard Fort
Visit Santa in his grotto. J.S. and the Lockerbillies for their Rock and Roll Christmas Party on Saturday 16 December, 12pm-7pm. There will also be craft and gift stalls, a chance to meet the Snow Queen and 'Olaf', live music and choirs, including Martlesham Brass Band, Orwell Connection Choir, The Felix Stowaways, Felixstowe Harmonies and Felixstowe Salvation Army Band. Felixstowe Museum will also be doing a quiz trail with storytelling and refreshments.
Felixstowe Ice Rink
Get your skates on at the synthetic rink at Great Eastern Square from Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 December 11am to 7pm.
Provided by Felixstowe Town Council and sponsored by the East of England Cooperative, there will be a grand opening by the Mayor of Felixstowe on Wednesday 20 December at 11am. There will also be rides for smaller children and stalls serving food and drinks. Admission free (including free skating).
St. Elizabeth Hospice: Christmas Day Dip
Are you brave enough to join the early morning dip on Christmas Day? At 10am hundreds of brave and adventurous Hospice supporters will take part in the annual Christmas Day Dip. There will also be hundreds of spectators cheering the dippers on so why not come along with your family and join in the fun.
Framlingham
Framlingham hold their lights switch on 25 November from 5pm to 6pm.
On Sunday 26 November, the Christmas market, incorporating the Christmas Charity Market comes to Market Hill from 10am to 3pm.
Come and browse all the gift stalls and trade stands, enjoy the festive atmosphere with music and entertainment to make this a great day out.
Leiston
Leiston also kicks off Christmas on Saturday 2 December, with a packed day of festivities.
The Long Shop Museum will be holding its Christmas Fair from 10am to 5pm. Browse for stocking fillers and unique gifts with local crafts and traders inside and out of the unique Long Shop, and warm up with cosy refreshments and our Grand Raffle in the Garrett Room. Plus meet the alpacas, have fun at Stocks Fair in Post Office square, and go for a ride on shunting engine Sirapite!
Head to the Sparkle and Ice Street Fair from 2pm to 6pm on Leiston’s High Street. See Mr Claus himself parade through the town from Sizewell Road at 10am, and visit him in his grotto from 10.15am until 4.45pm. Grotto tickets £4 available on the day. Thanks to George East Homewares for supporting the event.
Shops and businesses will be setting up stalls in the town and extend a warm invitation to all those attending the event to enjoy an afternoon of Christmas cheer and celebration. There will be a children's shop window treasure hunt and poster competition and a parade with Christmas lights switched on at 5pm.
There will also be special guest appearances, BBQ hosted by Sizewell Sports and Social Club, Pete’s Pizzas, Leiston Fire Crew and Engine, Stocks Fair Rides and lots more.
Saxmundham
Saxmundham will also be switching their Christmas lights on, on Saturday 2 December.
A lantern procession will start from Saxmundham Primary School from 4:30pm and Christmas lights will be switched on from 5pm.
There’s also plenty to keep the whole family entertained with Christmas carols, a Santa’s Grotto with a BBQ and plenty of refreshments at the Market Hall.
Tickets are on sale from H. G Crips on the High Street.
Wickham Market
Join Wickham Market for their Christmas Lights switch on on Friday 1 December on the Hill at 5:15pm.
The Primary School choir will be performing and Santa will be joining the festivities - with food and drink available. Head to Inspirations for free mulled wine!
On Wednesday 13 December head to their Big Christmas Market with street food, live entertainment, carols and plenty of gift stalls from 8:30am.
There will also be a mini Christmas market on Wednesday 20 December from 8:30am onwards.
Woodbridge
Celebrate the lights switch on of the tree and lights in Woodbridge on November 25 from 6pm on the Market Hill, with food stalls, drinks, a choir & music from The Biscuit Brothers.
Join all the shops and businesses for the switch on by BBC Journalist, John McCarthy, who returns to his adopted home town to premier his new film “Life on the Deben”.
Woodbridge businesses are also taking part in a Christmas window competition - with winners chosen on Saturday 25 November.
Woodbridge hosts their Christmas Street Fair on Sunday 3 December on the Thoroughfare, from the Parkside area along to Cumberland Street from 10am. Free parking is available at Melton Hill on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December from 8am - 6pm.