What's On

Fairs and Festivals

What's On
Fairs and Festivals

From food and drink to arts and culture, Bury St Edmunds has a fantastic line up of annual festivals and fairs to tempt visitors.

Named best Christmas Market in the UK by TripAdvisor’s HolidayLettings, Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre held in November has grown into one of the country’s biggest with over 300 stalls in the town centre and Abbey Gardens.

With live music and street entertainment, it is the perfect event to pick up unique gifts for friends and family.

May's Bury Festival is a 10-day inspiring programme of music, dance, drama, film, and more which has attracted the likes of violinist Nigel Kennedy, film director David Puttnam and a host of celebrated and famous names in the past. Its fantastic line ups with wide ranging acts means there is something every year for every taste.

Foodies will love the two day Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival held on August Bank Holiday. With an annual line-up of cooking demonstrations from top celebrity chefs, the chance to taste and purchase food and drink from over 100 stalls and a popular farmer’s market, this is a foodie’s heaven. There’s also lots to keep the children occupied with fairground rides, street entertainment, and a mini farm.

If the food and drink festival is a foodie’s paradise then the Whitsun Fayre is a gardener’s utopia. For two days on the last bank holiday weekend in May the town centre is transformed into a sea of colour with plant, flower and home produce stalls, and even an urban beach.

The annual Bury St Edmunds Science Fiction and Action Festival every October features celebrity appearances, an exhibition of original screen used props from TV and film, memorabilia and more.