It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Archant

Cornhill, Ipswich Christmas decorations

Saturday November 23

Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair, 10am-4pm, Debenham Community and Leisure Centre, Gracechurch Street, Debenham IP14 6BL

Fifty-five stalls ranging from hand crafted cushions, personalised bunting, candles and baby blankets, handmade cards and bags to home made jams and chutneys. Face painter and glitter tattooist, mulled wine and mince pies. Tombola in aid of special care baby unit at Ipswich Hospital. www.sherryandjoannesevents.co.uk for more details.

Father Christmas arrives in style at Snape Maltings on board a barge on December 15.

Stratford St Mary Christmas Fayre, 10.30am-3pm, The Institute Hall, Higham Road, Stratford St Mary, CO7 6JU

Gifts, crafts, cards and more. Entertainment for children, refreshments, Santa’s Grotto and a >>
>> raffle for a Christmas hamper.

In aid of Abc Preschool in the village. £2 entry for adults, free for children. Abc.preschool@tesco.net or call Holly on 07723 499161

Blackthorpe Barn

Sunday November 24

Christmas Craft Fayre, 10am-4pm Riverside Business Centre, Riverside Road, Lowestoft. NR33 0TQ

Lots of stalls selling craft and gifts for Christmas presents, stocking fillers and decorations. Raffle with all proceeds going to the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Free parking and free admission. Riverside Business Centre 01502 530071, email rbcreception@nwes.org.uk

Crowds of people gathered for festivities and entertainment in the Cornhill for the Ipswich Christmas lights switch on.; The cast of Peter Pan entertained the crowds.

Wednesday November 27

Stansfield Christmas Shopping Evening, 6-8:45pm, Stansfield Village Hall, Lower Street, Sudbury CO10 8LP

Annual Christmas shopping evening, raising funds for the upkeep of the village hall. Christmas gifts prize draw, supper, mulled wine, bar, refreshments. free entry and parking and free mince pies. Contact fay.gridley@homecall.co.uk or visit www.stansfieldvillage.org.uk

Christmas Craft & Gift Fayre, 6pm, Fynn Valley Golf Club, Witnesham, Ipswich IP6 9JA

£2.50 (includes a glass of mulled wine) profits to the Woolverstone Wish Appeal.

Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1

Christmas Gift Fair and Late Night Shopping, Stonham Barns, Pettaugh Road, Stonham Aspal, IP14 6AT

Father Christmas and his reindeer in a winter wonderland, Stalls, hot chestnuts, Christmas trees, fun fair, festive food stalls, free circus workshops.

Don’t miss . . . Belle & Co, by Belle Brocks a newcomer to Stonham Barns who will be opening her studio in time for Christmas.

Belle will be showcasing French style furniture and contemporary style piece, home accessories such as lanterns, mirrors, cushions, candles, locally made Christmas wreaths and floral arrangements, decorations and gifts. A great place get inspiration and high quality items for special people. A proportion of items in the shops will be sourced from local artists and suppliers around Suffolk.

Saturday November 30

Bulmer Christmas Fayre, 2-5pm, Bulmer Village Hall, Bulmer, Sudbury CO10 7EL

Christmas fair, raffle, refreshments and stalls. Free entrance and parking. Contact: fay.gridley@homecall.co.uk

Weekends: December 7 to 22

Dickensian Christmas at Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, CO10 9BA

Visit Victorian life in a beautifully decorated house for a dose of festive cheer. Meet the man himself, Father Christmas. 01787 310207

Sunday December 8

Wickham Market Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair, 10am-4pm, Village Hall, High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0EH

Up to 40 festive stalls, entertainment, mulled wine and mince pies. In aid of special care baby unit at Ipswich Hospital. Free entry and parking. See www.sherryandjoannesevents.co.uk

Saturday December 14

The Pantaloons: Grimm Fairy Tales, 2.30pm at St Peter’s by the Waterfront, College Street, Ipswich IP1 1XF

Festive family fun as The Brothers Grimm spin tales of wicked witches, talking animals, plucky maidens and dashing adventurers in this deliciously dark and thrillingly inventive show for adults and children. Tickets: £7 & £12 Contact: 01473 225269 or manager@stpetersbythewaterfront.com

IPSWICH Christmas in Ipswich is well under way with late night shopping on Thursdays and local markets all over the town.

There will be free park and ride services after 3pm on five Thursdays, from November 21 until December 19, the service from Martlesham and Copdock. On those days the last buses out of the town centre run about 9.30pm.

Ipswich Christmas Market in Princes Street, Queen Street, King Street and Giles Circus November 21-24, noon-6pm

A host of tasty food and drink plus handmade arts, crafts and gift ideas for all the family. At the heart of the market will be delicious hot foods including a sausage swing grill and a tavern selling mulled wine and spiced cider with a festive seating area.

Suffolk Craft Society, Gallery 2, Town Hall Galleries, Ipswich Corn Exchange

Until December 23, 10am-4pm

Glamorous gift ideas, perfect for those who love contemporary arts and crafts. There’s everything from stunning tree decorations and cards to beautiful ornaments, decorative cups and bowls, hand-woven scarves and hats, quirky printed bags, exquisite jewellery and stunning printed artwork. There is also a chance to join in the festive Spot the Bauble treasure hunt and be in with a chance of winning a voucher worth £50.

The Buttermarket Christmas Grotto, Buttermarket Shopping Centre, November 23, 24, 28-30, December 1, 5-8, 12-24

A chance to meet Santa before the big day!

Christmas entertainment while you shop at Tower Ramparts Shopping Centre, November 28-December 21, 2pm-4pm

Take the stress out of Christmas shopping with a host of family entertainment on late-night Thursdays and Saturdays.

UCS Christmas Fayre, UCS Waterfront Building, December 7, 10am-3pm

UCS will be holding its annual Christmas Fayre. Now in its fifth year t includes more than 40 local stall holders with lots of festive gift ideas.

Shop in Style

Suffolk Magazine’s very own Christmas shopping event at Seckford Hall Hotel on December 1, 10.30am-4.30pm

Around 40 stalls offering fashion, homeware and gifts, plus a food and drink marquee for all your Chrsitmas treats. Morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas available. £4 tickets on the door include a complimentary copy of the magazine. Luxury raffle in aid of Suffolk Family Carers.

SNAPE MALTINGS A great place to be inspired and pick up wonderful Christmas gifts, as well as local food and drink. The largest of the shops, House and Garden, sells everything from beautiful French tableware to never-be-without kitchen gadgets, high quality, stylish furniture, bed linen, cushions, throws and luxury toiletries. At Christmas the shop sparkles with the most fabulous range of decorations you’re likely to find anywhere. There are also galleries, a boutique, crafts and books on site so you’re bound to find something for everyone. Plus, you can rest your weary feet and refuel over a delicious meal or snack in Cafe 1885, the Granary Teashop or the Plough and Sail pub. Father Christmas arrives at Snape Maltings on December 15 for his annual Yuletide visit. He will sail up the River Alde by barge and greet children between 12noon and 1pm. There will be music and fun as well as plenty of opportunity to get some lovely gifts.

Open 10am-5pm, Snape Maltings, 
near Aldeburgh IP17 1SR

Events at Snape

Cool Yule Festive Market – Sunday November 24, 10am to 4pm

This market features around 50 traders laden with Christmas gift ideas, many locally produced. Sarah Hill of Deben Events, organisers of the market, says, “Snape Maltings is the perfect setting for some relaxed Christmas shopping that’s a million miles from the high street scrummage!”Traders will be selling a wide range of gifts, including fashion, artworks, hampers, winter woollens, handmade soaps, jewellery and toys. www.debenevents.com

Tea with father Christmas, December 6

Kim Beedie, of Figa & Co – December 6&7

Kim brings her renowned Floral Design Courses to Snape Maltings.

Farmers’ Market – December 7 and December 21 at 9.30 am-1pm

Don’t miss out! One of Suffolk’s finest food markets, a wonderful array of fresh produce and delicious artisan products all under one roof.

Tim Hall Christmas Exhibition, The Workshop – December 13-15

Tim is once again thrilled to be exhibiting in The Workshop, where his watercolour and oil originals, Giclee prints and cards will be on sale – a chance to purchase a unique and original gift for Christmas.

My Olive Branch Tasting – December 15

head to the food hall for a tasting of products from My Olive Branch – wonderful gift sets on sale.

WOODBRIDGE

Mammoth Christmas Street Fair Sunday December 1, 10am-4pm – 130 stalls take over the Thoroughfare in Woodbridge to give shoppers a real Christmas treat. Handmade goods such as pottery, soap and wooden garden furniture to seasonal food and treats, world cuisine and speciality food as well as clothing, crafts and plants.

Woodbridge Festive Market, inside the Shire Hall from 10am to 4pm on Saturday December 7

Around 50 traders will set up around the town’s annual Christmas tree for a very relaxed seasonal shopping experience. Everything from roasted chestnuts, high quality local food and drink, handmade homewares and designs, jewellery, leatherware, fashion, toys and soaps.

BURY ST EDMUNDS

Bury St Edmunds’ 10th annual Christmas Fayre, November 28-December 1

This year’s fayre promises to be bigger, better and longer, opening on Thursday, December 28 at 4pm and staying open until 8pm on Friday and Saturday. Free parking and many special offers from shops and restaurants.

Farmers’ Market, Buttermarket, Sunday December 1

A genuine, local farmers’ market as part of the Christmas Fayre. You can find up to 30 of the region’s best, small scale artisan producers showcasing some of the highest quality, fresh, local produce.

BLACKTHORPE BARN

Country Christmas Shop, until November 29, 10am – 5pm, November 30-December 22, 9am – 5.30pm

A haven for everything Christmassy from special gifts, baubles and decorations to lighting and gift wrap.

British Crafts, November 16 – 17, 23 – 24, November 30-December 1, December 7-8, 14-15, 10am – 5pm Adults £2, OAPs £1, Children free, season tickets £6

Every weekend there are over 60 exhibitors offering a wonderful mix of fabulous British handmade crafts including hand decorated glassware, ceramics and jewellery, handbags and clothing, sculpture and distinctive wooden creations.

Christmas Trees, November 30-December 22, 9am – 5.30pm

Santa’s Grotto, November 30-December 1, December 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 11am – 4pm