Art, Crafts, Music & Culture this Spring in Bury St Edmunds

Spring in Bury St Edmunds offers lots of creativity, culture and family-friendly fun. From hands-on craft workshops and inspiring exhibitions to live music, theatre and cinematic treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy across town over the coming months. Here’s what to have on your radar.

The Apex is buzzing with workshops and events this spring, perfect for trying something new or treating yourself to a creative escape.

If jewellery-making sounds like a fun activity, the Silver Clay Jewellery Taster is a brilliant place to start. With no experience needed, this three-hour workshop guides you through every step, from shaping and drying to firing and polishing, with all equipment provided. At £65 per person, and with multiple dates throughout February, March and April and times throughout spring, it’s a unique and rewarding way to create something truly personal.

For a sociable evening with a creative twist, Booze and Brushes: Stained Glass Panel lets you design your own stained glass-style piece. Choose from mirrors, lanterns, jugs or frames, enjoy a drink, and let your creativity flow. These £35 sessions run at 7 pm on selected evenings from February through April.

Pet lovers won’t want to miss Paint Your Pet on 22nd March. Using a printed canvas of your own pet, you’ll customise the background and frame colours to create a keepsake portrait, all welcome, even complete beginners. The workshop runs for three hours from 1.30pm and costs £50.

Younger artists are well catered for too, with Kids & Canvas sessions featuring charming themes like mice with umbrellas, bunnies in pots and Easter chicks. Each child paints a 12×16 canvas during a fun, guided session, with times running mid-morning or early afternoon. Tickets are £22.50 per child, and sessions are throughout February, March and April.

At St Edmundsbury Cathedral, families can enjoy Fossilised, a free event inspired by early life on Earth. Taking place on 19th February at 10am, this hands-on morning is designed for children aged 4–11 and promises curiosity, creativity and learning in the beautiful and historic setting.

The Bury St Edmunds Photographic Society Exhibition showcases stunning work by talented local amateur photographers. With subjects ranging from landscapes and wildlife to portraits, architecture and sport, it’s a wonderful celebration of local creativity. The exhibition is open Mondays to Saturdays from 9am-5pm and Sundays from 10am-4pm throughout the spring.

Children will love Tom Gates, based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon. Bursting with illustrations, music and laughter, performances take place at The Apex on the 18th February at 12.30pm and 3.30pm, with family ticket options available.

For something a little more explosive, The Ministry of Science returns with an energetic, interactive show packed with live experiments, fire tornadoes, liquid nitrogen clouds and hands-on science fun. It’s educational, exciting and brilliantly fun, starting at 1.30pm at The Apex on Sunday 8th March.

Music lovers can experience something truly special with The Music of Bruce Springsteen by Candlelight at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on 21st February. With world-class musicians and iconic hits performed in a candlelit setting, it promises a powerful and atmospheric evening. Tickets range from £20–£50.

Bury St Edmunds’ cinemas, Cineworld, Everyman and Abbeygate Cinema, are all showing a strong lineup this season. Titles include Wuthering Heights, GOAT, Hoppers, Reminders of Him and Project Hail Mary, giving film fans plenty to choose from.

At The Angel Hotel, the month of February brings a special Pickwick Afternoon Tea, inspired by Charles Dickens. Served daily from noon, guests can enjoy classic savouries, warm scones with homemade jam and clotted cream, and an array of sweet treats, perfect for Dickens enthusiasts or anyone who loves a refined afternoon indulgence.

The Theatre Royal continues to deliver a rich programme this spring. Highlights include Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra: A Life in Music, a moving portrait of Imogen Holst brought to life through music and storytelling on Sunday 15th February.

Families can join illustrator Nick Sharratt for a lively Picture Book Draw-Along on the 19th February, while young performers can step into the spotlight with a Musical Theatre Masterclass: Grease, designed for ages 10–16, on the 20th.

Rounding out the month on the 26th, Man in the Mirror, an electrifying Michael Jackson tribute show starring one of the world’s leading MJ performers, promises an unforgettable night of music and spectacle.

Springtime in Bury St Edmunds isn’t just about hands-on art, there’s plenty to see too. Moyse’s Hall Museum, steeped in nearly 900 years of history, is showcasing a couple of fantastic exhibitions this season. Sci-Fi & Action, The Art of Cinema runs through 22nd February, inviting film fans to explore screen-used props and memorabilia from major movies and TV series, a fun and nostalgic treat for all ages.
Then, from 14th March to 10th May, the museum presents Faces: The People Behind Our Portraits, a thoughtful display of portraits, photographs and artworks that reveal compelling personal stories across time, with opportunities for drawing and reflection inspired by the exhibits.

To discover all arts, culture and music events happening in Bury St Edmunds throughout springtime, take a look here, or discover all events through our What’s On.