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The Very Suffolk Christmas festival is coming to Ipswich town centre – here's what you need to know

A new Christmas festival celebrating Suffolk culture will take over Ipswich's Cornhill later this month, featuring local food, crafts and a tractor trail – all while raising money for mental health.

Why it matters: The event, organised by Ipswich Central, will showcase the best of Suffolk's county town while supporting Suffolk Mind, a local mental health charity, through voluntary donations at a time when mental health support is described as "more crucial than ever."

Lee Walker and Jon Neal in front of the Christmas tree on the Cornhill
A Very Suffolk Christmas will feature local food, crafts and a tractor trail(Ipswich Central)

The details: The "A Very Suffolk Christmas" celebration runs from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday 14 December.

  • Event features local food producers, artisan crafts and performances by Suffolk musicians

  • Free activities include wreath-making workshops and a Letters to Santa station

  • Tractor trail around town celebrates county's rural heritage

  • All performers are donating their time to support Suffolk Mind

What they're saying: "Ipswich is proud to be Suffolk's County town, and this event is about celebrating everything that makes the town great," says Lee Walker, CEO of organisers Ipswich Central.

Jon Neal, CEO of Suffolk Mind, adds: "Events like 'A Very Suffolk Christmas' foster a sense of connection and community, paramount to mental well-being – especially during the colder, darker winter months when many feel isolated."

The bottom line: Instead of charging for activities, visitors will be encouraged to support Suffolk Mind through QR code donations displayed around the event.

You can read it for free thanks to the generous support of Ipswich School and Start, Build & Grow

Despite a lack of promotion, the big reveal drew a good crowd of passersby

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  • Lee Walker
  • Joe Bailey of Brighten the Corners
  • Mark Hubert
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