Celebrate ‘A Very Suffolk Christmas’ in Ipswich town centre

On Saturday 14 December, 12pm to 6pm, Ipswich Central will host A Very Suffolk Christmas celebrating the town’s rich culture, heritage, and community spirit.

Taking place on the Cornhill, this vibrant event will showcase Ipswich as the beating heart of Suffolk, inviting both locals and visitors to enjoy a day filled with festive cheer, delicious food, unique crafts, fun activities, and live entertainment – all in support of local mental health charity Suffolk Mind.

The event aims to highlight everything that makes Ipswich and Suffolk such a wonderful place to live and explore while raising vital funds for a cause close to home.

The Cornhill will be transformed into a magical festive hub, featuring a Festive Market, live performances by talented local musicians and dance groups, and interactive creative workshops for all ages.

Visitors can enjoy delicious food and drink from local Ipswich producers, browse unique handcrafted creations at the stalls and soak up the lively atmosphere thanks to performances from Ipswich School of Dancing, Suffolk Soul Singers, Ash Carr, and many more.

Lee Walker, CEO of organisers Ipswich Central says of the event: “Ipswich is proud to be Suffolk’s County town, and this event is about celebrating everything that makes the town great. From our brilliant local businesses to our vibrant arts and culture scene, A Very Suffolk Christmas is a chance to show what makes Ipswich and the county so special, bringing the community together and spreading joy to town centre visitors whilst supporting Suffolk Mind.”

Event highlights include:

• Festive Market: Discover the finest creations from Suffolk’s artisan producers, including tasty treats and hand-made crafts, alongside Ipswich Market traders.
• Live Performances: Be enchanted by the festive sounds and sights of choirs, musicians, and dance groups, bringing the spirit of A Very Suffolk Christmas to life!
• Craft Workshops: Get festive with free wreath-making sessions, and let little ones share their Christmas wishes at the charming Letters to Santa station.
• Santa Appearances: Meet Santa and his merry elves as they make multiple appearances throughout the day, spreading smiles and goodwill to all.
• Tractor trail: Celebrate Suffolk’s heritage by seeing these iconic machines, a nod to the county’s rural traditions, parked around the town. See the vehicles up close and grab a selfie with each one!

A Very Suffolk Christmas will proudly support Suffolk Mind, a charity dedicated to improving mental well-being. Instead of charging for activities like wreath-making and Letters to Santa, Ipswich Central is encouraging donations to Suffolk Mind via QR codes displayed on posters for the event.

Performers are also generously donating their time, allowing funds typically spent on entertainment to be redirected to the charity. This is more crucial than ever, as 1 in 4 people in Suffolk face mental health challenges each year*, with many reporting unmet emotional needs.

Jon Neal, CEO of Suffolk Mind, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm: “Events like ‘A Very Suffolk Christmas’ foster a sense of connection and community, paramount to mental well-being – especially during the colder, darker winter months when many feel isolated. We’re incredibly thankful for Ipswich Central’s support and look forward to a fantastic day celebrating the best of Suffolk while raising awareness of mental health support in Suffolk.”

Don’t miss A Very Suffolk Christmas, a unique, festive celebration of Ipswich and Suffolk, supporting the essential work of Suffolk Mind.

Visit www.allaboutipswich.com/christmas/ for more details and follow All About Ipswich on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements.

*These statistics based on 2,339 responses to Suffolk Mind’s Emotional Needs Audit 2024 (01.01.24 to 20.11.24)

Formed in 2007, Ipswich Central is the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre, waterfront, and ‘Connected Town’ area. Our purpose is to make life in Ipswich town centre more vibrant, welcoming, and fulfilling.