Full of revelry and festive spirit, this truly is one of the best times of the year. And there’s so much to do in the build up to Yuletide. Here’s our guide to some of the most exciting events in East Anglia this winter.
The Christmas Lights are switched on in Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire
You know Christmas is getting closer when the lights in your town are officially switched on. Accompanied by music from local acts, festive stalls, seasonal feasts and the obligatory B-list celebrity, Christmas lights switch on events are fun for all the family. In Suffolk, Lowestoft kick off proceedings on Saturday November 18th, followed by Beccles (24th November) and Southwold (25th November).
Other major towns and cities in the region include Bury St Edmunds (16th November), Colchester (26th November), Cambridge (Grand Arcade and Market Square both November 19th) and Ipswich (16th November). The latter will feature acts such as Aldeburgh Sings and stars of the Ipswich Regent’s Panto ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ – George Sampson (Britain’s Got Talent) and Roxanne Pallett (Emmerdale).
Bury St Edmunds Thursday 16th November
Ipswich Thursday 16th November
Lowestoft Saturday 18th November
Cambridge Sunday 19th November
Beccles Friday 24th November
Southwold Saturday 25th November
Colchester Sunday 26th November
‘He’s behind you!’ – Pantomimes in East Anglia
Talking of pantos, these musical stage shows are as much a part of the Christmas period as mince pies and fir trees. Colchester’s Mercury Theatre are presenting ‘Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs’, starring panto favourites Dale Superville and Antony Stuart-Hicks, while Tony Christie plays the ‘King of Amarillo’ in Cambridge Art Theatre’s adaptation of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.
‘Dick Whittington’ is the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds’ 2017 panto. Jessica Spalis plays the title role, with the highlight of previous pantomimes, Chris Clarkson, playing the dame.
Christmas Fairs and Markets in David Burr Towns
Packed full of homemade treasures, seasonal treats and gifts to put under the tree, Christmas markets are full of Christmas cheer! Bursting with stalls and other entertainment, these markets are a wonderful day out. In towns with a David Burr office we have some of the best fairs around.
Between viewing properties at our Long Melford office, why not take some time out and peruse the stalls at the ‘we are handmade Christmas Craft Fair’? Held on the 18th November in the Old School, they will be over 40 stalls offering shoppers a wonderful choice of beautifully designed and handcrafted gifts for Christmas.
If it is gifts you’re after, ‘Presents Galore’ at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse (24th–26th November) will be for you. Billed as THE place to buy all your Christmas presents, Presents Galore is full of goods that can’t be found on the high street. Now in its 30th year, Presents Galore has raised more than £1.5 million for Macmillan Cancer Support and has become the leading Christmas Gift Fayre in East Anglia.
On 24th November, Clare’s historic St Peter and St Paul’s Church is the setting for the ‘Christmas Fair’. Taking place by candlelight, visitors can enjoy a complimentary glass of something warming and stalls featuring jewellery, chocolates, cheeses and candles. As an extra treat, why not listen to some carols while you’re there?
Finally, Bury St Edmunds’ ‘Christmas Fayre’ is held over the 23rd-26th November, and boasts over 300 stalls and three stages of local and regional entertainment. Last year more than 125,000 people attended the event, which was named TripAdvisor’s HolidayLettings’ ‘Best UK Christmas Market’. While you’re in the town, why not call in on our friendly team and see how we can help you with your property search?
Other winter entertainment in East Anglia
There’s plenty of other entertainment on offer over the Christmas period. The National Trust fully embrace Christmas at their properties. Why not celebrate Christmas at Wimpole with seasonal music, singing and decorations; experience what winter would have been like in a country house at Anglesey Abbey; or meet Father Christmas at Wicken Fen?
If you enjoy the thought of seeing Wimpole’s magical Christmas Concert, you may also be interested in experiencing evensong at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge. While the world-famous carol service is by invitation only, you can listen to the full choir every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening up until the end of term on December 2nd.
Another Cathedral with a popular choir is Ely. Known as the ship of the Fens, the Cathedral is hosting a number of special services. These include an advent procession with carols (3rd December) and further carol concerts in the lead up to Christmas (22nd, 23rd, 24th December).
*Photo of Wimpole at the National Trust
Sell your home this Christmas with David Burr
Christmas is not only a time for presents, mince pies and reindeers. It’s also a good time to think about selling your property. Prospective purchasers often look to buy in the new year. But Christmas is another successful period for online property views. People receive electronic devices for Christmas and use them to search for properties.
The search property portal Rightmove regularly announce record traffic over the Christmas period, with Boxing Day proving one of the most popular days of the year for property searches. As families are all together and thinking about their plans for the new year, having your property listed in December can give you a head start over those listed in the new year. If you are looking to buy or sell your property this winter, why not get in contact with your local David Burr office today.
