Posted: July 24, 2019
As another school year comes to a close, parents are left with little ones to entertain. Luckily, East Anglia is a hotbed of activity in the Summer months. From National Trust properties to local fetes, there’s plenty to keep the kids amused.
Here’s a list of summer holiday events in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and north Essex…
In the first week of the summer holidays, you might be forgiven for thinking the children could entertain themselves. But by day two, you’re already counting down the days until they go back to school.
Thankfully there’s plenty of events to get them through.
Carnivals are a staple of British summers. Founded over sixty years ago, Felixstowe Carnival is a three-day event dedicated to the local community. Starting with a proms event on Friday 26th, the main procession is on Saturday, with a fireworks event concluding the festivities on Sunday.
Norfolk Day is a celebration of everything that’s good about the county. This year it coincides with Norwich Pride Weekend, making it a great opportunity for Norfolk to celebrate diversity.
South of the border, Suffolk Dog Day returns to Helmingham this year. With two rings, displays and a family entertainment zone, it’s bigger and better than ever before.
26/07/2019 – 28/07/2019 Felixstowe Carnival Felixstowe
27/07/2019 – 28/07/2019 Norwich Pride weekend Norwich
27/07/2019 Norfolk Day Norfolk
28/07/2019 Suffolk Dog Day Helmingham
Image from suffolkdogday.com
August is well and truly holiday time. And there is lots going on.
All through the summer, Suffolk Libraries are hosting their reading challenge. This year’s theme is space chase, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.
This week, children get the opportunity to decorate space rocks at Lavenham or try space-themed crafts at Stowmarket.
Continuing the book theme, Long Melford hosts its regular book fair this week, offering the opportunity to talk to book dealers specialising in your favourite literary field.
Also, for the adults, in Cambridge, the Folk Festival is one of the longest-running in the world and features some of the finest folk artists from across the globe.
01/08/2019 – 04/08/2019 Cambridge Folk Festival Cambridge
01/08/2019 Space rock decorating Lavenham
03/08/2019 Book Fair Long Melford
07/08/2019 Space-themed children’s crafts Stowmarket
The National Trust has organised lots of holiday events to keep the kids amused during August. In the second week, you can enjoy Peter Rabbit at Melford Hall, learn bush craft and outdoor survival skills at Ickworth or turn bug detective at Anglesey Abbey.
Discover more National Trust events: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/summer-holiday-days-out-in-the-east-of-england
07/08/19 Bush craft for beginners Ickworth
08/08/19 Bug Detectives Anglesey Abbey
11/08/19 Outdoor Cinema – Peter Rabbit Melford Hall
If the kids enjoyed watching Peter Rabbit at Melford Hall, this week, they get the chance to meet him at the Character Day at Africa Alive! in Kessingland, Suffolk. As well as meeting Peter, there’s the usual mix of animals to see, indoor play area and a safari-road train. Character Days run throughout the summer, so look out for your favourite!
In Essex, you can enjoy a wonderful performance of children’s favourite, Alice in Wonderland at Marks Hall. Children are encouraged to dress as their favourite character making this a day not to miss!
For younger children, another favourite character will be in Bury St Edmunds. Peppa Pig will be meeting special fans in the Arc shopping centre and posing for photos too!
14/08/2019 Peter Rabbit at Africa Alive! Kessingland
17/08/2019 Alice in Wonderland Marks Hall
17/08/2019 Meet & Greet – Peppa Pig Bury St Edmunds
Heading towards the end of the holidays, the events keep coming. With face painting, fairground rides and a beach, as well as stalls, celebrity chefs and cookery demonstrations, the Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival has something for all the family!
Meanwhile, in Theberton near Saxmundham, Maui Waui Festival is a three day international festival of music, and one of the area’s most exciting. Perfect for kids and adults, enjoy world-class bands, full circus shows, cabaret and comedy.
23/08/2019 – 25/08/2019 Maui Waui Festival Theberton
25/08/2019 – 26/08/2019 Food & Drink Festival Bury St Edmunds
The last week of the holidays begins with Day two of the Bury Food & Drink Festival on the Bank Holiday Monday. For those closer to Ipswich, there’s also the fabulous family fun day at Witnesham to enjoy. With bouncy castles, face painting, garden games and FootGolf it’s a great day for all the family.
Finally, as well as the last week of the holidays, it’s also the last chance to enjoy Undley’s Maize Maze and Flatford’s Summer Nature Trail – events which can be enjoyed throughout the summer.
27/07/2019 – 01/09/2019 Summer Nature Trail Flatford
25/08/2019 – 26/08/2019 Food & Drink Festival Bury St Edmunds
26/08/2019 Summer Family Fun Day Witnesham
01/08/2019 – 31/08/2019 Undley Maize Maze Undley
