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Christmas markets draw big crowds to Ipswich town centre

Ipswich town centre was bustling this weekend as two Christmas events attracted shoppers and families to enjoy festive entertainment and support local makers and retailers.

Oliver Rouane-Williams

Oliver Rouane-Williams

— 3 min read
Large crowds belted out Christmas classics at A Very Suffolk Christmas in Ipswich

Why it matters: Two brilliant festive events continued the momentum in Ipswich's town centre, with both A Very Suffolk Christmas on the Cornhill and the Winter Market at St Stephen's Church proving popular with visitors.

A Very Suffolk Christmas: The Cornhill hosted A Very Suffolk Christmas, featuring live entertainment, seasonal food stalls and free activities throughout the day. The community came together to belt out some Christmas classics and a trail of tractors parked around town became popular selfie spots, celebrating Suffolk's agricultural heritage while raising money for local mental health charity Suffolk Mind.

Large crowds belted out Christmas classics at A Very Suffolk Christmas in Ipswich
Large crowds belted out Christmas classics together Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)
A giant bear and Pikachu at A Very Suffolk Christmas in Ipswich
A giant bear and Pikachu kept children entertained and provided plenty of selfie opportunities Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)
Suffolk Rural tractor at A Very Suffolk Christmas in Ipswich in 2024
This tractor provided by Suffolk Rural was one of several around the town centre for the event Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)
Stalls selling festive food and drink
Stalls selling festive food and drink Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)

Winter market at St Stephen's Church: Meanwhile, St Stephen's Church was transformed into a maker's market from 11am to 5pm.

Organised by Brighten the Corners, the busy Winter Market featured several independent makers selling their wares, an independent record stall, and a kids' crafts station, while DJs provided a festive soundtrack in the historic setting.

Visitors could warm up with local beers, hot drinks and mulled wine while browsing the stalls.

St Stephen's Church winter market in 2024
St Stephen's Church was transformed into a maker's market for the day Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)
The Robyn Graves Illustration stall
The Robyn Graves Illustration stall Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)
K Green Pottery stall
K Green Pottery was one of several local makers stalls Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)
Another local makers stall at the St Stephen's Church winter market
Another local makers stall at the St Stephen's Church winter market Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)

What they're saying: "We are so pleased with how the event went. The weather was kind and most importantly for us, the town was busy, with people of all ages enjoying the performers and activities," said Lee Walker, CEO of Ipswich Central.

Caitlin Whittaker from Brighten the Corners added: "We had another fantastic bustling market at St Stephens Church with a great variety of quirky makers, all reporting on how friendly and creative Ipswich was."

What's next: Both organisers are already planning ahead. Ipswich Central will increase its town centre events programme in 2025, with Walker promising "more events across the town."

The Winter Market looks set to return too. Whittaker reports their craft corner, run by Young Artists In Suffolk, was particularly successful with "people of all ages sitting and chatting while cutting and sticking."

The bottom line: The busy weekend demonstrates growing appetite for town centre events in Ipswich, with organisers already planning more celebrations for the year ahead.

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