Christmas is fast approaching and towns across Suffolk are preparing to illuminate their streets for the festive season.
Christmas lights events will be taking place throughout November, with celebrations featuring everything from festive markets and live music to Santa appearances, funfair rides and late-night shopping.
Here are seven Christmas lights events to look out for across the county in 2026.
1. Ipswich
When: Sunday, November 15
Ipswich will kick off the festivities with a free Christmas lights switch-on event on the Cornhill this weekend.
There will be live music and seasonal entertainment, including a performance from the cast of Snow White, this year's pantomime at the Ipswich Regent Theatre.
The lights will officially be switched on at 6.45pm by Mayor of Ipswich Pat Bruce-Browne.
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2. Bury St Edmunds
When: Thursday, November 19
The Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights Event 2026 will mark the official start of the festive season in the town.
Local groups, choirs, schools and colleges will perform, while the Cornhill and Buttermarket will be filled with charity and gift stalls.
Santa and his elves will make an appearance alongside the Snow Lion, Red Queen and Polar Bear, while fairground rides and a free ice rink will also be available.
Unlike some Suffolk events, there will not be a traditional countdown or formal switch-on ceremony.
The town's lights will instead illuminate as dusk falls.
3. Halesworth
When: Saturday, November 21
Halesworth's Christmas celebrations will include a Santa's grotto and family entertainment, followed by food, drink and stalls in the Market Place.
At 4.45pm, the Band of the Royal British Legion is due to lead a procession along the Thoroughfare with Santa and his reindeer.
The Christmas lights will be switched on at 5pm, with live music continuing into the evening.
4. Beccles
When: Friday, November 27
Beccles will welcome Christmas with an evening of festive activities in the town centre.
The celebration will feature craft and gift stalls, food, live music and entertainment alongside late-night shopping.
A Santa's grotto will be open at St Michael's Church, with the weekend also marking the beginning of the Beccles Christmas Tree Festival.
5. Sudbury
When: Friday, November 27
Sudbury's annual Christmas Fair and Light Switch On will return to the town centre for a four-hour celebration.
The free event will feature hot food, baked goods and handmade gift stalls alongside funfair rides, a choir performance and festive music.
The event begins at 5pm, with the Christmas lights scheduled to come on at around 6.30pm.
6. Southwold
When: Saturday, November 28
Southwold's Christmas celebrations will get under way with a market along the High Street from 2pm, followed by live entertainment in the Market Place.
The event will feature local crafts, street food and a visit from donkeys from the East Suffolk Donkey Sanctuary.
Santa will arrive outside the Town Hall at 5pm to help the mayor and local guests switch on the Christmas lights.
A free Santa's grotto will then open at the Adnams Tour Centre from 5.30pm.
7. Felixstowe
When: Saturday, November 28
Felixstowe's annual Christmas lights celebration will be held at the Triangle on Hamilton Road.
Organised by the Felixstowe Lions Club, the free event will feature stalls, music, the Lions' barbecue and Santa's grotto.
A new light display is also promised for this year's event, with the town's Christmas lights set to be switched on at 5pm.
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