Christmas arrives in Bury St Edmunds as four days of events to replace long-running fair draw thousands of visitors to town
A weekend of festivities and bustling events marked the arrival of Christmas in Bury St Edmunds.
Streets and car parks were packed for the first Christmas in Bury event, which replaced the long-running Christmas Fayre this year.
Gift fairs, markets, street entertainment and a beer festival drew thousands of visitors to the town centre.
A polar bear, Victorian carousel and giant gingerbread house joined the line-up, with the event hailed a success by organisers.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s Christmas Market was open from Thursday to Sunday, with a steady stream of visitors throughout.
Stallholders from across Suffolk were selling everything from baked goods to jewellery at the market, which was free to visit.
On Saturday, Inka the polar bear joined the event to make three appearances on the cathedral garth, with families able to have their photograph taken with the friendly polar bear and her clubs.
A spokeswoman for St Edmundsbury Cathedral said the market was a great way to start the festive season, adding: “It was wonderful to see all the visitors to the cathedral this weekend, both those returning and those who haven’t been to the cathedral before.”
A three-day Winter Beer Festival, from Friday to Sunday, saw the Constitutional Club, in Guildhall Street, host more than 20 ales, craft ales and ciders.
The festival, organised by the West Suffolk branch of Camra, was free to enter, with guests receiving a glass and programme on arrival.
The arc shopping centre has welcomed stalls selling gifts and a range of tasty food and drink, which will remain open until December 22.
Meanwhile, the carousel and popular lights – including a gingerbread house this year – are also back at the centre.
This weekend also saw The Apex host a three-day gift fair with more than 50 arts and crafts stalls.
And the town’s regular street market visited on Saturday and Sunday, taking on a Dickensian theme, with street entertainers and music.
Finally, Folk Café and Flower Hut, in Fornham St Martin, hosted a festive neighbour market in aid of GeeWizz on Sunday.
Proceeds went to GeWizz – with each stall owner making a donation – which helps children and adults with disabilities or illnesses such as cancer.
