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Summer in Bury St Edmunds: Your Guide to July and August
_Summer is one of the best times to experience everything Bury St Edmunds has to offer. As the days get longer, the town comes alive with live performances, family activities, exhibitions, food experiences and creative workshops, giving visitors plenty of reasons to spend time exploring the town centre.
Whether you’re looking for an evening out, something to entertain the children during the school holidays or a unique experience with friends, there’s plenty happening throughout July and August.
Summer at a Glance
Whether you’re planning an evening out, a family day during the school holidays or a chance to discover something new, here’s a quick look at what’s happening across Bury St Edmunds this summer.
Live Entertainment
Mendelssohn – Sunshine and Shade
Kai Widdrington: Evolution
Rhythm of the Dance
Food & Drink
Bellota’s La Rioja Alta Wine Dinner
Sushi Nights at The Wine Cellar
Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Tours
60 Years of Gough Afternoon Tea
Food & Drink Festival
Family Activities
Edmund and the Great Heathen Army Exhibition
Creative Workshops
What's On This July
July gets summer underway with a packed programme of live performances, food and drink experiences and unforgettable evenings out.
8 July – Mendelssohn: Sunshine and Shade
The summer programme begins at The Apex with Suffolk Philharmonic’s celebration of Mendelssohn. Featuring violinist Matteo Cimatti alongside the much-loved Italian Symphony and Fingal’s Cave, it’s an evening of classical music that captures both the warmth and atmosphere of the season.
15 July – Bellota’s La Rioja Alta Wine Dinner
Wine lovers can enjoy a special evening at Bellota, celebrating one of Spain’s most respected wineries. Carefully selected La Rioja Alta wines will be paired with a bespoke menu inspired by the flavours and traditions of the Rioja region, creating an immersive dining experience for guests.
15 July – Kai Widdrington: Evolution
Strictly Come Dancing favourite Kai Widdrington brings his acclaimed Evolution tour to The Apex this July. Combining Ballroom, Latin and contemporary dance with spectacular staging and an outstanding cast, it’s an evening designed for dance fans and theatre lovers alike.
15 & 29 July – Sushi Nights Return
The Wine Cellar welcomes back Kaori for two special Sushi Nights during July. Guests can enjoy a carefully prepared chef’s set menu before exploring additional à la carte dishes, making these evenings a popular choice for anyone looking to experience something a little different.
19 July – Rhythm of the Dance
Returning to the UK as part of its international tour, Rhythm of the Dance combines world-class musicians, championship dancers and powerful storytelling inspired by Ireland’s rich heritage. Expect an energetic evening of live music, stunning choreography and unforgettable performances.
Experiences Running Throughout the Summer
Alongside one-off performances and special events, several experiences run throughout the summer, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to discover more of Bury St Edmunds whenever they choose to visit.
Edmund and the Great Heathen Army
Running until early October at Moyse’s Hall Museum, this major exhibition explores the story of King Edmund, from his life and martyrdom to the remarkable legacy that followed. Alongside fascinating artefacts and historical displays, visitors can enjoy family trails, workshops and special events throughout the summer.
Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Tour
Known as Suffolk’s Foodie Capital, Bury St Edmunds is the perfect place to discover local food and drink. This guided walking tour combines the town’s fascinating history with delicious tasting stops, introducing visitors to the stories, flavours and independent businesses that make the town’s food scene so distinctive.
60 Years of Gough Afternoon Tea
The Angel Hotel is celebrating 60 years of Gough Hospitality with a nostalgic themed afternoon tea available throughout the summer. Featuring classic favourites alongside homemade sweet and savoury treats, it’s a relaxed way to enjoy one of the town’s best-loved traditions.
Get Creative This Summer
Looking for something a little more hands-on? There are plenty of opportunities to get creative throughout the school holidays and beyond.
Theatre Royal Summer School
Throughout August, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds will once again welcome young performers for its popular Summer School programme.
Designed for different age groups, the three week-long courses encourage creativity, confidence and teamwork through drama, music and performance. Whether creating imaginative adventures, developing musical theatre skills or producing an original theatre production, participants will spend the week learning from professional theatre practitioners while making new friends and building lasting memories.
Kids & Canvas
Children can also enjoy guided painting sessions at The Apex throughout the summer holidays. Each workshop focuses on a different colourful theme, giving young artists the chance to create their own canvas masterpiece to take home.
Paint Your Pet
For older budding artists, Paint Your Pet offers a relaxing creative workshop where participants transform a favourite photograph into a personalised work of art. Suitable for beginners, it’s a unique experience and something a little different to try this summer.
Save the Date: Food & Drink Festival
Round off the summer with one of the biggest weekends in the town’s calendar. Returning on Sunday 30 and Bank Holiday Monday 31 August, the Food & Drink Festival showcases why Bury St Edmunds is known as Suffolk’s Foodie Capital!
Across the Bank Holiday weekend, the town centre will be filled with live cookery demonstrations, artisan food and drink stalls, the popular Farmers’ Market and free family activities, including games, face painting and magic workshops.
Whether you’re discovering local producers, sampling local flavours or simply soaking up the atmosphere, it’s one of the highlights of the Bury St Edmunds calendar and a fantastic way to celebrate the end of summer.
Make the Most of Summer in Bury St Edmunds
From world-class performances and fascinating exhibitions to creative workshops, family activities and food experiences, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Bury St Edmunds this summer.
Whether you’re visiting for an afternoon, planning a family day out or staying for the weekend, summer is the perfect time to discover everything Bury St Edmunds has to offer. Explore our full What’s On listings and start planning your next visit.
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