Unmissable Events in Bury St Edmunds this Summer

Get ready for a weekend of music, food, and family fun as The Nearly Festival returns to Abbey Gardens from 7–8 June this summer.

If you haven’t been before, this two-day tribute band extravaganza gives you access to all the greats, with this year’s acts comprising top-notch performances from tributes to Taylor Swift, Queen, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and more. As well as the music, you can enjoy a bustling street food market, the 'Pub in the Park' with reasonably priced drinks, and a dedicated Kidzone packed with activities to keep the little ones entertained. With under-5s admitted free and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, it's the perfect way to kick off your summer festival season.

Book tickets at https://nearlyfestival.com/bur...

If you’ve got youngsters in tow, Moyse’s Hall Museum and their exhibition Prehistoric Beasts: Land, Sea, Sky is an absolute must-see. Examine the jaws of a Tyrannosaurus, swim with a Plesiosaur, meet a Velociraptor, Triceratops and Iguanodon whilst discovering real and cast specimens of dinosaurs, sea reptiles and more. This prehistoric takeover is presented by West Suffolk Heritage Service, in partnership with the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences and paleoartist Alex Pritchard, a specialist in fossil replicas and bespoke, life-sized dinosaurs. It’s sure to be a roaring success!

Plan your visit at https://www.moyseshall.org/

Try a family day out with a difference—step back nearly 500 years to meet the Tudors at one of Kentwell Hall’s historic events on June 21–22 or June 28–29. Spend the weekend exploring acres of beautiful country manor, gardens, and parkland, with crafts, cooking, food, music, and dancing brought to life by skilled living historians. You’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time and spent a day in Tudor England. It’s history like you’ve never experienced it before!

Plan your visit at https://www.kentwell.co.uk/mid...

Get ready for a fiery weekend as Dragon Fest returns to West Stow on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June for its spectacular 10th anniversary!

The Anglo-Saxon Village transforms into a mythical realm where you can meet resident dragons Brym and Snarl Junior, enjoy the comedic antics of Bring Out Your Dead Productions, and immerse yourself in the legendary tale of Beowulf brought to life by Quill & Inkling. Families can also get up close with prehistoric giants from Rent a Dinosaur. With activities like circus skills, archery, axe throwing, a helter-skelter, and bungee trampolines, there's all sorts of fun for all ages.

Plan your visit at https://www.whatsonwestsuffolk...

This summer, The Drifters return to The Apex, performing all their classic hits from the last six decades. They have previously been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and listed among the 'Greatest Artists of All Time' by Rolling Stone Magazine. Come along on Saturday 28 June and enjoy hits from this legendary group, including Saturday Night at the Movies, Come on Over to My Place, Stand By Me, Under the Boardwalk and many, many more; a night of timeless soul and smooth harmonies awaits!

To book tickets visit https://www.theapex.co.uk/what...

“You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!”

As part of the Ickworth on the World Stage programme for 2025, the National Trust property and grounds are hosting a three-day outdoor cinema extravaganza showcasing films that celebrate the captivating beauty of Europe…and beyond. Set within the Italian-inspired grounds, against the grand backdrop of the Rotunda, this is the perfect way to enjoy some of the most beloved films alfresco.

Starting on 4 July, the programme includes The Little Mermaid and The Sound of Music. On 5 July, you can enjoy Paddington in Peru, Pride & Prejudice and Mamma Mia, followed by Wicked, Moana 2, The Italian Job and In Bruges on 6 July.

Find out more at https://www.nationaltrust.org....

For an incredible and atmospheric musical experience, don’t miss out on Meat Loaf by Candlelight at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on Friday 11 July 2025 at 7:30pm.

This promises to be an incredible night of Meat Loaf anthems featuring a live cast of West End singers, including stars of the West End production of Bat Out of Hell, as well as an incredible live rock band. This concert will feature some of the most iconic songs of all time, including Anything For Love, Bat Out of Hell, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer for Love and many more!

Book tickets at https://stedscathedral.org/eve...

For a really wicked day out, step into a realm of enchantment and intrigue at Kentwell Hall’s Magic Weekend. Kids, Harry Potter fans, and anyone who enjoys whimsy will be spellbound to see the whole estate transformed into a fantastical world brimming with fairies, wizards, mermaids, and more. Wander through the gardens to discover fairy doors, consult with the fairy godmother, and test your magical prowess with the resident alchemists. Children are encouraged to don their best magical attire—be it witches, wizards, elves, or pixies—and with surprises around every corner, this event promises a magical day out for the whole family.

Plan your visit at https://www.kentwell.co.uk/mag...

Theatre in the Parks returns with performances across three scenic venues: Abbey Gardens, West Stow Country Park, and Brandon Country Park. Running from July 30 to August 13, the season offers a diverse lineup of family-friendly productions. Highlights include The Secret Garden and The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck at Brandon Country Park; Big Bad Wolf, Perseus and Andromeda, and War of the Worlds at West Stow Country Park; and Frankenstein and Wizard of Oz at Abbey Gardens. Audiences are encouraged to bring blankets and picnic baskets to enjoy these immersive performances in the beautiful park settings.

Find out more and book tickets at https://www.whatsonwestsuffolk...

Enjoy a theatre production on the move! From the creative team behind the promenade production of A Christmas Carol in 2021, Steve & Steff For Ever is an immersive and intoxicating love story that will leave you feeling a little more romantic and hopeful.

When you buy your tickets, you will be emailed the start location and meet there to begin the show. Follow the actors from place to place as the action unfolds in unique locations around Bury town centre. The performance includes headphones, making the experience even more immersive. Book your ticket today and take part in an exciting new theatrical experience!

Book tickets at https://theatreroyal.org/event...

On Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August, spend a day inspiring your senses and delighting your taste buds with the return of the Our Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival. This amazing event includes live food and drink demos from professional chefs, local eateries, and wine and cocktail specialists on the Stage Cookery Theatre in Cornhill. There’s a farmers’ market on Angel Hill where you can pick up some gastronomic delights to take home, along with street entertainment, freebies, and much more—all with no admission charge.

Plan your visit at https://www.ourburystedmunds.c...