How to Spend Betwixtmas in Bury St Edmunds & Beyond

A trip to the theatre between Christmas and New Year is one of those festive traditions that never loses its charm, and in Bury St Edmunds there is no grander place to enjoy the magic of live performance than the Theatre Royal. This Grade I listed Regency playhouse really is a wonder to behold, and this year presents its family pantomime Rapunzel until the 18th January 2026.

Follow Rapunzel as she makes a bid for freedom from her tower and sets off on an adventure in search of a Golden Tulip, all while being pursued by a wicked witch, a talking dog and rather love-sick shepherd! Enjoy comedy, music and wonderful storytelling for the whole family.

Just a short drive from Bury St Edmunds, the Ickworth Estate offers a much needed change of pace between Christmas and New Year; with acres of parkland and woodland paths to explore and twists and turns to amble around. Managed by the National Trust, the estate is best known for its striking Italianate Rotunda, which sits at the heart of the landscape and houses historic collections and family spaces.

You can follow the formal paths around the house discovering the expansive parkland and ‘betwixtmas’ is a particularly peaceful time to visit, with fewer visitors on the trails and winter light settling over the trees and grassland. After your walk, stop by the West Wing café for a cuppa and a tasty snack.

Shake off the lethargy of Christmas and challenge yourself to an adrenaline boosting experience with family and friends. Go Ape in Thetford forest features high rope courses, zip wires and treetop challenges designed to test balance, nerve and teamwork, a welcome antidote to all that food and TV!

Enjoy the towering pines and wide woodland views from a different viewpoint and try to conquer the nerve-wracking heights and obstacles. Sessions are available for both adults and children of different confidence levels, and warm layers and gloves are advisable at this time of year.

For a chance to get eye to eye with the most beautiful and tranquil animals, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary near Stowmarket is a must-visit anytime of the year. Learn more about birds of prey while enjoying some fresh air and find out about how the sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates owls and other birds of prey; many of which cannot be released back into the wild.

You are invited to walk around the enclosures and view a wide range of species at close quarters-  a really engaging visit for all ages and a gentle way to break up the quieter days of the festive period while supporting an important cause.

Just outside Bury St Edmunds, Rougham Estate offers a peaceful countryside setting to spend some time outside in the fresh air. The estate is a working rural landscape with woodland, parkland and even a maze that is just asking to be explored.

Visit now when the paths are quieter and you have the space to yourselves, with long views across the land and plenty of space to stretch your legs. Take your wellies, a flask and the dog for a bit of time away from the festive chaos.

If you fancy a light hearted festive interlude, Abbeygate Comedy Club offers live entertainment in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. Hosted at the Abbeygate Cinema on 28 December, the comedy club brings a great selection of stand up performers to the stage, ranging from established names to emerging local acts from the UK comedy circuit. Shows are a brilliant option for a night out with friends during the quieter days between Christmas and New Year, with the cinema bar open before the performance, you’ll be sure to have a giggle.

After days of festive indulgence, a lighter lunch can feel very welcome, and ICE Restaurant at the ICE Cook School offers exactly that. Located just outside Bury St Edmunds, the restaurant is known for its seasonal, thoughtfully prepared dishes that place vegetables firmly centre stage. The menu changes regularly but often includes vibrant salads, grains and fresh accompaniments that feel truly restorative and nourishing. Try the Buddha Bowl with its apricot cous cous, tenderstem broccoli, olives, hummus and roasted peppers.

This historic house in Sudbury was the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough and now combines carefully restored interiors with a modern gallery space that hosts changing exhibitions.

Between Christmas and New Year the museum is offering the ‘Find Out for a Fiver’ initiative; making it an accessible and affordable way to spend an afternoon exploring art, history and one of Suffolk’s most celebrated painters. Plus, the mix of older artefacts and new interpretations makes it an engaging visit whether you are familiar with Gainsborough’s work or discovering it for the first time.

For a quieter afternoon or evening activity, a trip to the cinema is a welcome excuse to get out of the house during the lull between Christmas and New Year. At Everyman Bury St Edmunds, you can settle into plush seating and enjoy a film in relaxed and cosy surroundings, with food and drinks served to your seat. What’s more, on 30th December there’s a special early preview of Hamnet, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, so take this opportunity to see the very affecting and moving novel transferred to the big screen.

If you want a more intimate experience, Abbeygate Cinema is the perfect place to immerse yourself in a movie; choose from Wicked: For Good, Avatar: Fire & Ash, and the festive favourite Die Hard!