Parents Guide to Pre Christmas Entertainment

Back by popular demand and bigger than 2023, Bury St Edmunds FREE to use synthetic ice Christmas skating rink will open daily in Charter Square in the arc Shopping Centre from 12noon on December 23!

Brought to you by Our Bury St Edmunds BID, Bury St Edmunds Town Council and arc Shopping Centre and part of Christmas in Bury St Edmunds.

Opening Times Tuesday December 23 - 12noon (official opening by The Mayor of Bury St Edmunds Cllr Donna Higgins) until 5pm
Christmas Eve - 10am-4pm

Free entry! No booking needed. Sessions are 30 minutes long, including putting on and taking off skates.

Visit the Our Bury St Edmunds BID website for opening dates after Christmas.

You still have time to catch the Sci-fi & Action Exhibition before the end of the year on the Museum's last day of opening on Monday 22 December before 2026.

Featuring: ‘The Art of Cinema exhibition’ by Kudos Memorabilia – which includes screen-used pieces from Michael Keaton’s 'Batman' (1989), Ana de Armas’ iconic dress from 'No Time to Die', Elizabeth Debicki’s Diana costume from 'The Crown', Val Kilmer’s 'Batman', Kevin Costner’s 'Yellowstone' cowboy outfit, as well as pieces used by Tom Cruise, Chrisitan Bale, Chris Pine and more.

There are also exhibits celebrating the 70th Anniversary of 'Lord of the Rings' – legacy movie props, links to the historic collections, trails, and quizzes, Star Wars display of production-used props and more! Including Empire Strikes Back blaster, and the 50th anniversary of Jaws – including production-used art.

Visit Moyse's Hall Museum website for openings after Christmas.

Join The Snow Leopard of Ickworth - Shadow - as he explores Ickworth after dark, bringing the magic and mayhem of snow with him. His journey is filled with mishaps, adventures and encounters with local wildlife. As he moves through the night, he builds friendships and experiences a winter adventure he'll never forget!

Written by Ickworth's very own Bethan Davidson, this enchanting story is inspired by the Ounce, a snow leopard featured on the Hervey Family Crest. It's a celebration of Ickworth's heritage, brought to life through storytelling, creativity, and festive fun.

Explore an immersive House display that transforms the Rotunda and captures the spirit of Shadow's journey. Outside, families can follow a magical children's trail through the Stumpery, walking in Shadow's pawprints and uncovering surprises along the way.

Open pre Christmas on December 22 and 23 11am - 3pm!

Visit National Trust Ickworth website for openings after Christmas.

There's nothing like a panto at Christmas and Rapunzel is this year's production at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.

Every day is the same for Rapunzel. She gazes from her tower and dreams of the world beyond…but today is different…today she’ll escape. Pursued by a wicked witch, a talking dog and a love-sick shepherd, Rapunzel’s journey takes her in search of the one thing that can save her: a Golden Tulip.

Join the theatre  for magic, mayhem and more sheep than you can shake a stick at!

Pre-Christmas Rapunzel is on  Monday and Tuesday 22 and 23 December at 2pm and 7pm. On Christmas Eve at 10.30am and 2.30pm. But hurry they are selling fast!

Book online now at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds website.

With three cinemas in Bury St Edmunds town centre to choose from you are spoilt for choice when it comes to entertaining the children pre-Christmas!

At Abbeygate Cinema, Cineworld and Everyman Cinema you can catch the latest movies including Avatar: Fire and Ash (12A), Wicked: For Good (PG), The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (PG)and Zootropolis 2 (PG) as well as throwback Christmas family movies!

At Cineworld you can see Elf, Home Alone, The Polar Express, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Nightmare Before Christmas. At Everyman Cinema they have Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Arthur Christmas, A Paw Patrol Christmas, The Holiday (12A) and more!

If you want to burn off some excess energy from the school year The Abbey Gardens in the town centre is a wonderful place to explore.

There lots to explore and enjoy in the Abbey Gardens; start in the aviary which is home to a variety of birds including canaries, budgies, teal ducks, bengalis, zebra finches and diamond doves then head to the playground to let the children let off some steam. With an outdoor cafe in the gardens and Shabby Shack gift shop for last minute gifts it's the perfect spot to let the children let off steam!