Christmas in Bury St Edmunds

The start of Christmas in Bury St Edmunds!

Get ready for the Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights Event, taking place on Thursday 19th November 2026, 3-8pm in the town centre!

As dusk falls, the Christmas lights will magically illuminate the town, creating a spectacular backdrop to the evening’s festivities.

This year's entertainment will be announced soon, but you can expect charity and gift stalls, fairground rides and the stage will host performances throughout the afternoon and evening from local groups, choirs, schools and colleges.

The Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights Event is brought to you by Our Bury St Edmunds BID,  supported by Bury St Edmunds Town Council and Shop Safe.

For more information visit the Our Bury St Edmunds BID website.

For a truly unique Christmas shopping experience, visit Eden Crafts’ annual Christmas Craft & Gift Fair this November/December, returning to arc Shopping Centre in Bury St Edmunds.

Once again, Eden Crafts brings visitors a relaxed and enjoyable way to shop, set inside a cosy, heated marquee featuring a wonderful selection of colourful and creative stands.

The fair promises to be a festive shopping highlight for anyone looking for unique gifts, handmade treasures and exciting additions to their Christmas celebrations. Now an annual event for many visitors to Bury St Edmunds and local residents, the show offers an array of fascinating and beautifully crafted
products, including jewellery, textiles, ceramics, exquisite leather goods and winter warmers.

Visitors can also indulge in delicious festive treats, with a tempting variety of cheeses, pasties and olives, alongside daily wine tasting from V.I.P Wines. You’ll also find exotic cocktails, warming mulled wine and indulgent hot chocolate.

Come along and discover unique gifts to delight your loved ones, along with creative ideas and beautiful decorations to bring a touch of magical Christmas sparkle to your home.

Get ready for a Christmas pantomime packed with adventure, laughter, and plenty of cheesy fun as Dick Whittington takes to the stage at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027.

This year's panto puts a fresh and hilarious twist on the classic tale. The Queen has mysteriously disappeared, and with her gone, London's streets have been overrun by ambitious rats determined to seize the throne. It's up to Dick Whittington and a fearless rebel army to save the day in a battle for liberty, equality... and cheese!

Written by Chris Hannon and directed by Owen Calvert-Lyons, this family-friendly production promises all the ingredients of a fantastic festive pantomime, including comedy, music, larger-than-life characters, and plenty of audience participation.

Whether you're continuing a long-standing Christmas tradition or introducing younger family members to the magic of pantomime for the first time, Dick Whittington is sure to be one of the highlights of the festive season in Bury St Edmunds.

With performances running throughout Christmas and into the New Year, it's the perfect festive treat for families, friends, and theatre lovers of all ages.

Visit the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds website for more information.

Make a little Christmas magic and step back in time on the Golden Gallopers, a much-loved festive tradition at arc Shopping Centre.

From November 25 to January 4, families can climb aboard this beautifully preserved carousel and enjoy a festive ride beneath the twinkling Christmas lights. For many local families, a ride on the Golden Gallopers is part of their Christmas tradition – a chance to capture that all-important annual photograph, share a laugh together and make memories that last long after the decorations have come down.

Whether you're continuing a tradition from your own childhood or introducing the next generation to the magic, the Golden Gallopers are a wonderful part of Christmas in Bury St Edmunds.

Open: Every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Enjoy family rides in the beautiful Abbey Gardens for FREE this Christmas!

Children can enjoy the Caterpillar Coaster, Dodgem Rings and Chair rides on the former bowling green in the Abbey Gardens from 25 November to 23 December. 

Brought to you by Our Bury St Edmunds BID, Bury St Edmunds Town Council and West Suffolk Council. All activities are subject to weather conditions.

Visit our Family Rides in the Abbey Gardens page for dates and times.

Get into the festive spirit as the much-loved St Edmundsbury Cathedral Christmas Market returns from Thursday 26 November to Saturday 28 November 2026.

With more than 50 stallholders from across Suffolk and beyond, the market is the perfect place to discover unique Christmas gifts, handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and locally produced goods. Whether you're looking for presents for loved ones or simply want to support local businesses, there's something for everyone.

Set within the stunning surroundings of the historic 16th-century St Edmundsbury Cathedral, the market offers a truly magical shopping experience. As you browse the beautifully decorated stalls, you'll also be able to enjoy a programme of festive entertainment, including traditional carol singing and live music throughout each day.

The Cathedral will be open to visitors from 10:00am to 4:30pm each day, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for Christmas shoppers.

Admission is £2 per person, and as part of the event's safety measures, random bag searches may be carried out before entry.

If you're looking for a festive day out in Suffolk, the St Edmundsbury Cathedral Christmas Market is a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season while supporting local makers and enjoying one of the county's most beautiful venues.

Visit the St Edmundsbury Cathedral website for more information.

Visit Santa in his living room at the Theatre Royal Christmas Cabin at arc Shopping Centre this Christmas. The perfect way to kick off Christmas for little people aged 2-7.

Santa’s been busy preparing for Christmas Eve: loading the sleigh with presents, topping up the carrots when he realises… his suit is missing! Maybe Mother Christmas, Rudolph or the Christmas Fairy have seen it? Time is running out! Can you help Santa find his suit?

Join Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds for this interactive, festive performance, perfect for 2-7 year olds and their grown-ups.

Neurodivergent or SEN? Come to one of the relaxed performances every Saturday morning at 10am. Who Stole Santa’s Suit?! has been created to be suitable for a SEN audience so all shows are fun, calm and magical but the relaxed performances have a reduced capacity.

Written by Kitty Morgan. A Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds Production.

Visit the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds website for more information.

Browse seasonal gift, craft, food and drink stalls at the Bury St Edmunds Festive Friday Evening Market!

Seasonal gift, craft, food and drink stalls, with entertainment, live music and seasonal refreshments.

Come along and get festive on Friday 27 November from 1pm to 7.30pm!

Back by popular demand, Bury St Edmunds FREE to use synthetic ice skating Christmas rink will open daily in Charter Square in the arc Shopping Centre from December 22 to January 4 2027!

Brought to you by Our Bury St Edmunds BID, Bury St Edmunds Town Council.

Visit our Christmas Ice Rink page for dates and times.