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Biggest 2023 events in Suffolk including Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket and Ipswich




After a crazy year that’s gone way too quickly, it’s time to start looking towards the biggest events that will take place in Suffolk in 2023.

From musical affairs to sporting occasions, there are a range of towns involved in the list including Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Ipswich and more.

So without further ado, here are some things to keep an eye out for this year.

There are a lot of things on offer in the county in 2023 (61613144)
There are a lot of things on offer in the county in 2023 (61613144)

Kicking off this list is the charity Girls Night Out event in Bury St Edmunds which should have taken place on September 10, 2022 but was rearranged for Saturday, March 4 in 2023.

It costs £20 to take part and all money raised on the night supports the work of St Nicholas Hospice Care in the communities of West Suffolk and Thetford.

Participants meet in their pyjamas at Angel Hill and during their walk they are supported by each other, course marshals and entertainers. By the end of the night, everyone gets a medal, countless applause and refreshments as well.

Girls Night Out, which is St Nicholas Hospice Care's biggest fundraising event was set to take place in September 2021. Picture: Mecha Morton
Girls Night Out, which is St Nicholas Hospice Care's biggest fundraising event was set to take place in September 2021. Picture: Mecha Morton

The Craven Meeting is a thrilling racing event with thoroughbred racehorses on display that is held annually at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course.

Spanning from Tuesday, April 18 to Thursday, April 20, the three-day fixture signals the beginning of a new season of racing with the sounds of hooves and spectators.

It is a historic occasion that dates back to 1771, and tickets are available from £16.

The Craven Meeting is a historic occasion that dates back to 1771. Picture: Edward Whitaker/ Racing Post
The Craven Meeting is a historic occasion that dates back to 1771. Picture: Edward Whitaker/ Racing Post

Moving onto a significant sporting event in the calendar year, it is Ipswich Town’s final home game of the League One 2022/2023 campaign.

The Tractor Boys are currently heavily involved in a title race and the home fixture on Saturday, April 29 against Exeter could be massive in securing silverware at the end of the season.

Even if the result doesn’t go their way, the final game of the season is an away game versus Fleetwood Town on Saturday, May 6 which could potentially decide who ends up league winners.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna and his side will play Fleetwood Town in the last game of the 2022/23 campaign. Picture: Mecha Morton
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna and his side will play Fleetwood Town in the last game of the 2022/23 campaign. Picture: Mecha Morton

Breaking away from Suffolk events to a day of national importance which takes place on Saturday, May 6.

The coronation of King Charles III, will be a hugely historic event and is the first coronation of a British monarch in the 21st century. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, it would be the first such event that the generations born after June 2, 1953 will have seen in their lives.

The king’s wife, Camilla, will also be symbolically crowned as Queen Consort at the ceremony which will be held at Westminster Abbey in London.

A postbox topper in Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II
A postbox topper in Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II

Also on Saturday, May 6 is another major horseracing event at Newmarket where The Rowley Mile will play host to three days of world-class flat racing.

Regarded as two of the most prestigious horse races in the UK, the Newmarket Guineas (1000 Guineas (Saturday) and 1000 Guineas (Sunday), takes place over the weekend of May 5 to 7.

The weekend is over two hundred years old as the 2000 Guineas was first run in 1809, followed by the 1000 Guineas five years later in 1814.

The Guineas Festival was announced in 2021 as a three-day event from 2022. Picture: Mark Westley
The Guineas Festival was announced in 2021 as a three-day event from 2022. Picture: Mark Westley

At the end of the month, the Suffolk Show arrives from Wednesday, May 31 to Thursday, June 1.

The annual two-day event celebrates everything great about the county and is a great day out for families at the Trinity Park Conference and Events Centre in Ipswich.

Under 15’s go free as the show combines a unique celebration of food, farming and the countryside plus lots of all-round family entertainment.

Lincoln Red Cattle Yarnhill Xodus from Iken Hall Farms, Woodbridge at the Suffolk Show last year. Picture: Mecha Morton
Lincoln Red Cattle Yarnhill Xodus from Iken Hall Farms, Woodbridge at the Suffolk Show last year. Picture: Mecha Morton

Now on a musical note, Thetford Forest is welcoming gigs galore from Thursday, June 15 to Sunday, June 18.

Tom Grennan, Anne-Marie and Jack Savoretti have so far been confirmed to perform in the woodland spot.

Tickets are available for the concert series managed by Forestry England, with income generated from sales helping to look after the nation’s forests sustainably.

Anne-Marie will headline Forest Live 2023. Picture: Forestry England
Anne-Marie will headline Forest Live 2023. Picture: Forestry England

Continuing on the music theme, the BRIT award-winning Bastille are making their debut at Newmarket Nights on Friday, June 30.

The pop-rock band have been confirmed as headliners for the summer festival, and Olly Murs will also be returning to the town to perform on Friday, August 18.

Last year’s headliner in 2022 was Anne-Marie so if you missed her, you get the chance to get catch her in June at Thetford Forest as previously mentioned.

Bastille are making their debut in Newmarket in 2023. Picture: Sarah Louise Bennett
Bastille are making their debut in Newmarket in 2023. Picture: Sarah Louise Bennett

The third and final musical-based event is a massive Suffolk festival that is taking place from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23.

Latitude has come a long way since it’s debut in 2006 and is making itself at home at Henham Park near Southwold.

Some of the big names performing include George Ezra, Paolo Nutini, Siouxsie and The Kooks.

Latitude has grown massively since it's debut in 2006
Latitude has grown massively since it's debut in 2006

Finally rounding off this list is the Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival on Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29.

Held from 10am to 5pm each day, entry is free and displays a weekend of foodie treats and a host of family fun.

With about 100 different stalls spread around the town centre, celebrity chefs will be giving demonstrations, delicious produce will be available to try and plenty of street entertainment will be on offer.

The Our Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival returned last year
The Our Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival returned last year

What event are you most looking forward to?