Bury St Edmunds Christmas market and events revealed

Here is a breakdown of what people can expect and all the changes that have been made to how Christmas is celebrated in the west Suffolk town...

Christmas lights switch on

Festivities will begin on Thursday, November 17 when the west Suffolk town's Christmas lights will be switched on at an event that takes place between 3pm and 8pm.

This will be followed by a "spectacular" light show every evening from November 17 to November 20 as part of the celebrations for the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund.

Sound and light projections onto the Norman Tower and St Edmundsbury Cathedral Tower will tell the story of St Edmund and the founding of the Abbey, accompanied by a light trail through the Abbey Gardens.

Christmas in Bury St Edmunds will look slightly different this year... (Image: Archant)

Tickets will cost £3 per person and can be booked here.

Then, from November 24, there will be five days of Christmas events organised by the Christmas in Bury St Edmunds Partnership.

This will include a range of bespoke markets, entertainment and activities.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral market

St Edmundsbury Cathedral will hold a Christmas market from Thursday, November 24 until Saturday, November 26 between 10am and 4.30pm each day.

About 40 stallholders from Suffolk and beyong will showcase their products, including baked good, jewellery and woodcrafts.

Arc and Apex Christmas stalls

A Christmas market is also coming to the Arc Shopping Centre from November 24 until December 22, with a line-up of festive market cabins being set up in Charter Square.

Between November 25 and November 27, there will be a gift fair at The Apex with over 50 local arts, crafts and gift stalls setting up at the entertainment venue.

Upstairs, there will be family friendly Christmas storytelling and a chance to grab a coffee or mulled wine while children listen to festive tales.

The gift fair, which is free entry, will be open 10am to 6pm on Friday and Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

Winter beer festival

At the Constitutional Club, there will be a winter beer festival taking place from November 25 until November 27.

The festival is being organised by the west Suffolk branch of CAMRA and the Constitutional Club, with the event being free to enter for those interested.

Session times are 3pm to 11pm on November 25, 12pm to 11pm on November 26 and 3pm to 10pm on November 27.

Eco-conscious stalls

Also on November 27, eco-conscious stallholders will join regular traders and street food sellers at the market in the Buttermarket and Cornhill between 10am and 4pm.

Stalls will include how to make your own cards, decorations and wrapping paper, recycled and upcycled gift ideas, cooking tips to reduce cost and food waste and traditional games and entertainment.

Makers' Market

On Sunday, December 4, the final makers' market of the year will take place in the Buttermarket and Cornhill.

From 10am until 4pm, over 70 makers, bakers, brewers and artists will pitch up in the town alongside a food court with mulled wine and music.

Farmers' Market

From 10am until 3pm on Sunday, December 11, the final farmers' market before Christmas will be held.

Set up four years ago and a finalist in the Suffolk Food & Drink Awards, the market will showcase the region's very best food and drink producers.

The line-up will provide shoppers with freshly baked bread, homemade pies and savouries, Suffolk pork and lamb, fresh fruit and vegetables, vegan snacks, sauces and chutneys, craft ales, locally distilled gins and vodkas and plenty more street food and handmade craft stalls.

Christmas Eve market

Bury's traditional Christmas Eve market will be held in the Buttermarket and Cornhill from 9am until 2pm.

It will provide shoppers the chance to buy last-minute gifts and necessities as well as fresh fruit and vegetables for the special day ahead.