Upcoming events in Suffolk and Essex. Not to be missed in 2024
Here are a dozen key Suffolk and Essex events for food, drink, sport and culture lovers
Posted: January 26, 2024
Forest Live
This summer’s popular Forest Live concerts at Thetford’s High Lodge include Sting on Saturday June 22 as well as Bryan Adams on June 20 and Tom Jones on June 28.
The work of James Gillray, Georgian Britain’s most inventive and celebrated graphic satirist, is on display here until March 10. The exhibition ‘James Gillray: Characters in Caricature’ includes his depictions of Napoleon and Emma Hamilton.
The recently extended and revamped museum/art gallery in Sudbury is well worth a visit.
This showcase for creative leaders in literature, media, art, environment and music returns on May 18 and 19 and is set in and around the delightful surroundings of Hedingham Castle. Main speakers and performers yet to be announced.
Woolpit Cricket Club host a Suffolk v Essex Spitfires National Counties Cricket Association one-day game on Sunday July 21. There promises to be a carnival atmosphere at the ground close to the A14 with a brass band, hot and cold food wagons plus a softball cricket tournament all part of the occasion.
Formerly known as The Taste of Sudbury this weekend celebration of local produce will be held on Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16 at Kentwell Hall, Long Melford. Attractions include street food, cooking demonstrations and bars with around 70 regional artisan producers attending.
Key dates are the Qipco Guineas Festival held over Friday May 3 to Sunday May 5, the Spring Meeting, Friday May 17- Sunday June 19 and the July Festival, Thursday July 11-Saturday July 13. For those who like live music after their racing there’s Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics on June 21, JLS on June 28 and Busted on July 19.
Food Museum (formerly Museum of East Anglian Life)
Running until March 31st, Stowmarket Stories brings together tales of this Suffolk market town through interviews, workshops and performances. It’s all about people, places and traditions and it’s free with museum entry.
At this CAMRA-backed event held at the Colchester Arts Centre you’ll find not just real ale and real cider, but food, soft drinks, English wine, foreign beers and a warm welcome too. Held from May 29 until June 1.
Lucy Kemp-Welch was one of Britain’s best known equine artists and Newmarket’s NHRM has partnered with the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum to showcase the first major retrospective exhibition of her work. The paintings are on display until February 25.
Booked for appearances this year are: Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke (May sold out but back for another date on December 22); comedians Ed Byrne Sean Walsh, Jimmy Tarbuck and Rich Hall; cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew; academic and TV presenter Alice Roberts; West End star Kerry Ellis; adventurer and documentary filmmaker Simon Reeve; food critic Jay Rayner; actor and pop star Jason Donovan and football TV presenter Jeff Stelling.
In the even of dates being sold out it’s often worth phoning the box office on 01284 758000 and asking to go on the waiting list for tickets.
It’s the 70th anniversary of the world’s longest-running play and it comes to Colchester from July 16-20. This thrilling West End production is the genre defining murder mystery from the best-selling novelist of all time, Agatha Christie.
Running from February 17-May 12 the museum presents David Hughes: “Why can’t you draw something nice?” Hughes is an internationally acclaimed illustrator who has worked for Time magazine, the New Yorker, The Guardian, The Observer, Granada TV, BBC, Daily Express, Punch, the Folio Society, and many more.
Moyse’s Hall are working with him to create a display that spans his career, focusing on his satire, illustrations, and popular culture.
Adults £6, children £3.
There are hopes for a Quentin Blake summer exhibition too.
If you like the look of an event this 2024 and need somewhere to stay then we can help. View our holiday lets so that you can enjoy the best self-catering accommodation the county has to offer. Suffolk & Essex offer the perfect place for a weekend stay or holiday, whatever the reason and whatever the season.
