The 8th INK Festival will take place in Halesworth, Suffolk 11-15* April 2024 and will feature more than 70 short new plays for stage and radio, selected from the annual submissions, from writers aged 8-80.
INK is unique: it produces all the plays that are performed. This year we have an amazing selection of new works with topics ranging from environment, treasure, love, loss, sibling rivalry and everything in between.
There is also an exciting lineup of poetry, comedy, music, short new films talks, workshops, art, extensive children's programmes and lots more! On 15* April we will host the second INK Youth Festival, a day when local secondary school students can come to experience the joy of live theatre, for free.
INK Festival 2023 Video – watch it here
Created in 2007 the festival is one of the largest and longest running (and we think one of the best!) walking festivals in the country.
The festival takes place every May and celebrates Suffolk’s natural landscapes and built heritage with guided walks in every corner of the county.
The festival is a great way to discover parts of Suffolk you perhaps never knew existed, learn about the county’s fascinating and ancient history, and make new friends whilst walking and talking! There is something for everyone, from short walks to long walks, family walks to history walks, even night walks.
The festival started life as the Heart of Suffolk Walking Festival with just 30 walks in the central part of the county. In 2010 it gained support across Suffolk to become the Suffolk Walking Festival. In 2012 a long-distance multi-day walk named The Challenge Walk was launched, and in 2018 a Fringe Festival, with activities that got you close to nature in the very heart of the countryside, was introduced. Each year the festival evolves and develops to match feedback from customers and partners, meaning we never stand still and are always changing!
This year’s festival launches on Saturday 11th May and we’re delighted to be hosted once again at the beautiful Thornham Estate with a discovery tour of the estate’s natural history; a tasty stroll exploring the estate’s woodlands; and a step back in time along a 900-year old Drove Road.
Over the following 2-weeks we’ll explore every corner of Suffolk. We re-visit Orford Ness – an island full of secrets! enjoy more mindfulness moments in an ancient wood, and relax again on a river trip before a gentle amble. New for 2024 we venture into the vast Broads National Park, turn a hand to creative writing on a Haiku walk, and join Ambling African Women, a new walking group based in Ipswich, for a guided walk along the Sailors Path at Snape.
The full festival programme is now available with ticket sales now live. Follow the festival on Facebook for latest news.
We look forward to walking with you soon!
Join us for a weekend of discovery set within the stunning surrounds of Henham Park. Let your curiosity guide you through the very best in music, dance, comedy, poetry, theatre, literature, podcasts, family activities and wellness.
Welcome to the ninth Southwold Arts Festival - an eight-day celebration of the arts – music, drama, poetry, visual art, photography, dance, talks and literature. It appeals to all ages and tastes; to local residents and to visitors to our vibrant seaside town. We invite national performers as well as local celebrities; professional, well-established names as well as those starting out on their careers.
The Southwold Arts Festival is run by a group of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about the Arts and plan the programme throughout the year. They are joined by a group of hard-working stewards, first aiders and administrators who help to run the events – every morning, lunchtime, afternoon and evening.
The Southwold Arts Festival is a charity (No 1161134) and all proceeds from ticket sales are used to create the next Festival. We are grateful for the financial support we receive from our Festival Friends and the sponsorship of local businesses, particularly our main sponsor Adnams, so that we are able to run this exciting event.
When we stared at blank sheets of paper planning the first Festival in 2014, we did not dare to dream that it would be such a successful part of Southwold’s annual calendar. It is thanks to you that we can produce this eight-day celebration of the Arts. You - our audiences who enjoy our events; you – our sponsors and Friends who contribute financially; you – the stewards who run our shows and you - the committed volunteers on the planning group who work all year creating another amazing week of the Arts. We hope that you will find something to tempt you in our programme and we look forward to seeing you, at the 2024 Festival.
Booking for the Festival opens on 3rd April 2024, two weeks earlier if you are a Festival Friend – online, by phone, by post or in person at the box office in St Edmund’s Hall.
Join us at First Light 2024 for a shimmering midsummer celebration in the UK’s most easterly town with a packed programme of inspiring performances over the whole festival weekend – from a Balearic breakfast on the beach with DJ Colleen Cosmo Murphy to late-night comedy with Shaparak Khorsandi and the best spoken word with Hollie McNish.
The FolkEast Festival will return to Glemham Hall for a blissful three days on the weekend of 16th, 17th & 18th August 2024. Set in our ancient parkland at Glemham Hall, the arena will include a main stage and various folk, dance, workshop, tea and “mardling” marquees.
From the moment the gates open onto the festival site there is plenty to see and do. Whether wandering around the Art Arcade or joining in with the music, dance and art workshops there is plenty to keep you busy.
Here is just a taster of what you might find ….
Great Food and Drink from local producers is on offer at the food market and the FoodEast village on the top of hill providing plenty of quality choice in festival fare at reasonable prices, all to be enjoyed with lashings of real ale from The Cobbold Arms and The Hop Inn.
Morris displays, workshops and dance-outs. Our teams will also be taking their bells and sticks down to the local hostelries on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The dance tent will host Ceilidhs and dances from around the world for all to join in.
FolkEast is a family friendly festival with plenty to keep young and old busy.
The extremely popular Social Knitworks 'knit-in' tent has new projects for everyone to have a go at, from the novice knitter to the really quite good crocheter!
For further information or to book tickets www.folkeast.co.uk
Situated on the stunning ‘Suffolk Heritage’ coast overlooking the historic Blyth River.
ALL WEATHER event inside Old Halls Large Barn (Rain or shine we'll all be dry!).
40+ selected Antique & Vintage dealers from around East Anglia.
On site cafe & kids play area.
£2.50 Entry (Under 16 free).
Abundant parking.
A fun community event for everyone to enjoy at Westhall Village Hall, IP198RQ.
Stalls, games, competitions, refreshments, displays, music and lots of apple and pumpkin related activities.
Halesworth hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year, which you can find listed on www.halesworthtown.co.uk.