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Ipswich May Day Festival returns to Alexandra Park this Sunday

The country's longest-running May Day music festival will take place at Alexandra Park on Sunday, 4 May 2025, from midday.

Why it matters: Founded in 1978, the free annual festival celebrates International Workers Memorial Day while providing a platform for local musical talent and family entertainment.

The details: The Ipswich May Day Festival will feature three areas of live music, stalls, food vendors, DJs, and fairground rides in a family-friendly environment.

Visitors at the Ipswich May Day Festival in 2024
A previous Ipswich May Day Festival(Peter Everard Smith)
  • Two emerging acts from Suffolk New College have earned spots in the lineup through a recent battle of the bands competition.

  • Independent judges, including BBC Introducing DJ Angelle Joseph, selected A Love for Money and Indigo Lillies as winners from five competing college acts.

Supporting local talent: Eva Wayland, 17, from Ipswich, who represents A Love For Money alongside four fellow students, said: "We are so grateful for this opportunity. People can expect to hear a bit of everything from us. We will be playing mostly original music and a cover."

Lily Kemp, 17, from Leiston, will perform with her duo Indigo Lillies. "Our genre incorporates indie, folk and rock," she said.

A Love For Money will be performing at the Ipswich May Day Festival after winning a battle of the bands competition held at Suffolk New College
A Love For Money will be performing at the Ipswich May Day Festival after winning a battle of the bands competition held at Suffolk New College(Suffolk New College)

Georgie Fawley, music performance lecturer at Suffolk New College , said: "I'm really proud of my students. I feel this year we have a large proportion of really good musicians and songwriters. It's lovely to hear their music. What an experience for them. Hopefully they can all build a fanbase as a result of playing this festival."

The bottom line: The festival continues its tradition of being free to attend while offering diverse entertainment including music, food, and activities for the whole family, alongside a platform for emerging local artists.

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

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