Ipswich Central announces its 2026 Christmas campaign: ‘Follow the Stars’

This Christmas, Ipswich Central is asking businesses, residents, visitors and everyone else in the town to Follow the Stars. 
Ipswich is one town, one constellation, made of hundreds of stars where; local businesses, events, places, buildings, lanterns and people will all shine brightly.
Follow the Stars brings Ipswich businesses and people together as one shared Christmas campaign for Ipswich. The stars represent everything that makes Christmas in Ipswich special, from independent shops and restaurants to theatre, sport, markets, heritage, community activity, Christmas lights and the lantern parade. Individually, each is a star.
Starting from Sunday, November 15 with the big Christmas switch on, with brand new lights throughout the town will be switched on from the Cornhill. 
The new lighting, which costs around £150,000, is fully programmable and will bring the town to life with light shows and displays every single day creating a magical atmosphere for all to enjoy. 
But that is just the start, Ipswich Central is producing a guide to Christmas in Ipswich, which will highlight events, markets, offers, things to do and see, people and stories, places to shop and things to discover. 
Hundreds of people will be taking part in a community lantern parade on Saturday, December 19, with lantern making guides and workshops being released beforehand. 
Throughout the day, Eko the Sea Giant, a 13-foot puppet operated by world class puppeteers will perform from DanceEast to University of Suffolk, and throughout the Ipswich high street. 
Local businesses are encouraged to get involved with the Follow the Stars campaign, by featuring in stories, installing Christmas window displays and submitting events or offers. 
Lee Walker, chief executive of Ipswich Central said: “This year, we want everyone in Ipswich to feel a part of something bigger than themselves. 
“We want businesses, events, places and people to be part of the Follow the Stars campaign and prove that Ipswich is a fantastic location to celebrate Christmas. 
“This huge campaign, bigger and better than anything we have planned before, is just the start of what we are all building together in the town.”
Ipswich Central would also like to thank Ipswich Borough Council, DanceEast, Ipswich Town Football Club and all businesses taking part in this year’s campaign.