Christmas is coming and there are lots of festive events taking place across East Suffolk to get you in the Christmas spirit! 

To support local events, free parking is also available at selected car parks on specific days - find out more.

• Beccles Christmas Lights Switch On - Friday 30 November
  Late night shopping plus live entertainment from the cast of this year's Beccles panto Sleeping Beauty and Tom Elgie, Fiona Harber, Beccles Rock Choir and Bellatonic. facebook.com/BecclesChristmasLights. Free parking from 4-6pm in all council-owned car parks.

• Framlingham Late Night Shopping – Friday 30 November
  Framlingham Town Council is holding a Christmas Card Competition with the winners announced and entries displayed in the Library/Town Council Office in Bridge Street during the evening of 30 November, with wine, soft drinks, nibbles and chocolate from 5pm – 8pm.

• Kesgrave Christmas Lights - Friday 30 November 
  Choir at 6pm, with the switch on at 6.30pm. Plus Scout fair, refreshments and Father christmas, at Rupert Fison Square.

• Pakefield Christmas Lights Switch On - Friday 30 November
  The Pakefield Community Group will be switching on their Christmas tree lights at The Terminus, London Road Pakefield at 4pm.

• Felixstowe Christmas Lights Switch On & Craft Market – Saturday 1 December
  The fantastic event is organised by Felixstowe Lions Club and supported by Felixstowe Town Council. The lights will be switched on at 5pm by the Mayor of Felixstowe at the Triangle, Hamilton Road. Come and see the fantastic range of gift, food and charity stalls all along Hamilton Road to the Triangle Canopy. Santa’s Grotto, carol singing and live entertainment takes place throughout the afternoon. A children’s candlelight parade (starting at 4.40pm) leads up to the Christmas Lights switch on. Admission is free. Free parking from 4-6pm in all council-owned car parks.

• Framlingham Christmas Tree Festival – Saturday 1 December
  The Friends of St Michael’s Church are once again organising their Christmas Tree Festival which opens in the Church at 10am.

• Lowestoft Christmas Lights switch On - Saturday 1 December
  From 3pm, the Beach Patrol team will be on stage with non stop entertainment for the Christmas Spectacular. From 3-4pm, take part in a competition to find the elves, plus the Ormiston Denes choir, Cantors Theatre School and Baden Aldridge. Shops open until 6pm. Free parking from 4-6pm in all council-owned car parks.

• North Cove Christmas Fair - Saturday 1 December
  11am-3pm at North Cove Village Hall, with soup and refreshments, stalls, children's corner, raffle and more.

• Framlingham Christmas Charity Market – Sunday 2 December
  The Framlingham Business Association is organising this year’s Christmas Charity Market on the Market Hill.

• Rendlesham Christmas Lights Switch On - Sunday 2 December
  4pm in Village Square, with Father Christmas and carols performed by Rendlesham Primary School.

• Sutton Heath Christingle -  Sunday 2 December at 9.30am

• Kesgrave on Ice - Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 December
  Ice skating weekend from 10.30am - 3.30pm - prebooking only: enquiry@kesgravetowncouncil.org.uk
  

• Felixstowe - early December
  At the beginning of December, Santa and Rudolph visit Felixstowe and tour the town’s streets and homes in their sleigh every weekday evening between 6-8.30pm. This is jointly arranged between the local branch of Save the Children and the Felixstowe Rotary Club, and aims to give all families, particularly children, a great Christmas experience as well as raise as much money as possible for Save the Children and Rotary-supported charities.

• Christmas at Africa Alive! - every weekend in December.
  Find Santa at Africa Alive in Kessingland and enjoy festive fun in the Discovery Centre. www.africa-alive.co.uk

• Trimley St Martin - Tuesday 4 December
  The Memorial Hall Management Committee have arranged for Santa to light up the Christmas Tree outside the Hall, at 6pm. Afterwards Trimley Saints Players will be singing carols and Christmas songs in the hall.

• Shottisham Carol Singing – Wednesday 5 December  
  All welcome to come and sing - meet at The Mill at 6pm.

• Sutton Heath Carol Singing – Thursday 6 December  
  Carols around the tree with refreshments outside the Barnsdale Centre

• Eyke Christmas Tree Festival - Friday 7th to Sunday 9th December
  Christmas tree festival in Eyke church.

• Oulton Broad Carols Around the Tree - Sunday 9 December
  Organised by the Friends of Nicholas Everitt Park on behalf of Oulton Broad Parish Council. Tombola from 2.30pm, refreshments and then carols at 4pm with a performance by a solo singer followed by community singing (bring torches to read carol sheets). The service is opened and closed by the vicar of St. Mark's.

• Leiston on Ice - Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 December
  For the first time, there will be an ice rink in the town, plus traditional Christmas market and fun fair. Held at High Street Car Park, opposite the Cinnamon restaurant from 12pm - 7pm both days.

• Santa Tram - between 8 and 23 December
  Visit Santa by vintage tram! Take a unique trip to see Santa at the East Anglia Transport Museum. Book at www.eatransportmuseum.co.uk

• Sutton Christingle -  Sunday 9 December at 9.30am

• Ramsholt Carol Service - Sunday 9 December at 6.30pm

• Kesgrave Evening of Reflection - Friday 14 December
  A service to remember loved ones and dedicate a personalised star on the tree - at Legion Green, Kesgrave. Find out more at kesgravetowncouncil.org.uk

• Christmas Market at Wickham Market - Saturday 15 December 
  9am -  3pm on The Hill. Lots of stalls, Father Christmas, street food, live music and a raffle.

• Chillesford – Sunday 16 December
  Christmas carol service by candlelight at 6.30pm at St. Peter's Church.

• Boyton Church Carol Service - Sunday 16 December at 11am

• Bawdsey Church Carol Service - Sunday 16 December at 3pm

• Carol singing at Bawdsey - Wednesday 19 December

  All welcome to come and sing - meet at Bawdsey Village Hall at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.

• Hollesley Carol Singing – Wednesday 19 December  
  All welcome to come and sing - meet at Duck Corner at 6pm.

• Hollesley Carol Singing – Thursday 20 December  

  All welcome to come and sing - meet at Swallows Close at 6pm.

• Felixstowe Ice Rink – Thursday 20 December
  Join the Mayor of Felixstowe for a festive cheer at the 11am opening of the Christmas Ice Rink at Great Eastern Square, Hamilton Road. Thanks to the generous support of the East of England Coop, Felixstowe Town Council is once again able to offer public skating free of charge, from 11am to 7pm, Thurs 20th to Saturday 22nd and 10am to 6pm on Sunday 23rd Dec.  Skates of all size are provided and there is no need to book. With fun rides for children of all ages, a snow machine, festive music plus freshly made food and drink, there will be something for everyone at the Great Eastern Square Ice Rink this year.

• Shingle Street Carol Singing – Friday 21 December  

  All welcome to come and sing - meet at Martello Tower end at 6pm.

• Winter Solstice celebrations - Rendham Mummers’ ‘Return of the King’  - Friday 21 December
  7.30pm performance at Rendham Knoll. Proceeds donated to The Ipswich Hospital Blossom Appeal.

• Sentinel Christmas Party - Saturday 22 December
  Join Santa and his elves for a Christmas Party at Waterlane Leisure Centre, Lowestoft on 22 December at 5pm. Call 01502 532540 to book.

• Campsea Ashe Candlelight Carol Service - Sunday 23 December
  Starting at 6.30pm, with refreshments afterwards.

• Shottisham Carol Service – Sunday 23 December at 6.30pm

• Sutton Carol Service – Christmas Eve at 4pm

• Hollesley Crib Service – Christmas Eve at 5pm

• Shottisham Christmas Communion  - Christmas Eve at 9.30pm

• Alderton Midnight Mass (BCP) – Christmas Eve at 11.30pm

• Hollesley Midnight Mass – Christmas Eve at 11.30pm

• Christmas Day - Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim
  The Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim is back for another year, organised by Sentinel Leisure Trust and raising money for local charities. www.sltrust.co.uk/xmasdayswim

• Christmas Day - Southwold Christmas Day Swim
  The Southwold Christmas Day Swim, organised by the Rotary Club of Southwold and District, takes place near to Gun Hill. southwoldrotary.co.uk/swim

• Bawdsey Christmas Family Communion – Christmas Day at 10.30am

• Sutton Christmas Family Communion – Christmas Day at 11am

• Hollesley (for the seven Deben Churches) Sung Communion with carols – Sunday 30 December at 11am