Celebrate St Edmund's Day on November 20

As part of the celebrations of the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund, a light show will take place over St Edmund's Day weekend.

Using innovative 3D projections onto the historic Norman Tower and the Cathedral Tower and an enchanting light trail through the Abbey Ruins in the historic Abbey Gardens this will be an event not to be missed.

The 3D projections will include carefully researched historical images and sound, as well as contemporary art and voices.

This event will run on the evenings of November 17, 18, 19 and 20.

Entry £3. Book now at What's On West Suffolk.

Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for their support of this event.

Part of the Abbey 1000 celebrations to celebrate 1,000 years since the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund in Bury St Edmunds. For more Abbey 1000 events see our Abbey 1000 Guide.

There will be special celebrations on St Edmund’s Day itself at St Edmundsbury Cathedral and St Edmund's RC Church to conclude the Abbey 1000 celebrations.

Local dignitaries will join the congregation at St Edmund’s Catholic Church, Bury St Edmunds for the Civic Mass of St Edmund at 11am on Saturday 19 November 2022 to commemorate the feast of its patron Saint.

Following this lunch will be available in the Crypt to those who have booked by e-mailing mreilly775@btinternet.com at which there will also be a mini-exhibition of Edmund-related artefacts, a demonstration of wood carving and a display of paintings by a local artist.

At 3.30pm on Saturday 19 November there will be Sung Vespers at St Edmundsbury Cathedral featuring music from the Abbey's Benedictine Tradition, followed by the Edmund Lecture.

No booking required. Visit https://stedscathedral.org/abbey-1000-events/ for more information.

David Gauke, former Lord Chancellor and Ipswich-born politician will be guest speaker at the Edmund Lecture on Saturday 19 November, part of the Abbey 1000 celebrations.

The Abbey of St Edmund played a significant role in medieval political life which included parliament meeting at the Abbey on more than one occasion. This lecture honours that heritage and David's Edmund lecture will look on the importance of history, institutions, and the rule of law on the peace and prosperity of the nation.

It will explore the parallels in the medieval conflicts between the Abbey and the town and the modern conflicts we know only too well within our national and international relations.

Tickets are free but must be pre-booked.

Part of the Abbey 1000 celebrations.

The Right Rev’d Martin Seeley will plant a special tree at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on Saturday 19 November to celebrate St Edmund's Day and 1000 years of the Abbey of St Edmund.

The Holm Oak tree was grown by Bishop Martin, along with many other trees, as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy national initiative. The initiative was created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and invited those across the UK to plant trees to mark the occasion. Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, and the wishes of His Majesty The King, the initiative had been extended into 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in honour The Queen.

The overall aim of The Queen's Green Canopy is to create a network of individual trees, copses and whole woodlands in honour of The Queen's service and her legacy, with benefits for people, wildlife and climate both now and for the future.

Bishop Martin has grown Hornbeam, Field Maple, Cherry, Holm Oak and Sweet Chestnut trees, many of which will find permanent homes around the county.

The commemorative tree will be planted during a short ceremony on Saturday 19 November at 2.30pm in the Garden of Remembrance at the Cathedral.

The St Edmund’s flag will be flown on top of the Abbey Gate and The Angel Hotel on Angel Hill as well as the town’s Police Station in Raingate Street and The Apex in Charter Square.

Additionally, the flag is also flown every year at West Suffolk’s Council’s offices in West Suffolk House in Western Way and at the Greene King Brewery in Westgate Street.

Businesses in the town will also be decorating their premises with St Edmund’s bunting, including the arc shopping centre.

A free children’s activity pack created by Bury St Edmunds designer Rebecca Austin is available to download at www.burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk/st-edmunds-day. The pack includes details about St Edmund and St Edmund’s Day as well as the former Patron Saint’s flag, which children are encouraged to colour in and display in their home or school windows throughout St Edmund’s day weekend.

It also contains a drawing of the Abbey Gate; during the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 the sculptures that once adorned the archway were removed and presumed destroyed. Children are encouraged to create their own sculptures and draw them where the statues used to be in the archway.

Bury St Edmunds and Beyond has created St Edmund’s Day branded frames for Facebook and a Twibbon for Twitter so that people can show their support for St Edmund’s Day. These can be downloaded for your profile by following the instructions at www.burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk/st-edmunds-day - just click on Download Social Media Frames.

For more details about St Edmund’s Day celebrations visit our St Edmund's Day Guide.