Markets, Annual Events & Festivals

During School Holidays Throughout the Year
Framlingham Castle simply lends itself to fun and educational events and its great programme of seasonal activities and themed trails is something for all the family to enjoy and look forward to. The calendar of special featured events changes year on year and has included costumed re-enactments and have-a-go-activities from different periods of history, from knights to Victorians.

August
The oldest UK tennis tournament after Wimbledon dates back to 1883 and takes place at Framlingham College (aka The Prince Albert Memorial College, built 1864) on its 33 tennis courts. The Grade 3 Lawn Tennis Association Official Tournament incorporates the Junior Grand Prix and caters for players of all ages. It has served up Wimbledon finalists and Olympic Games referees!

Late May Bank Holiday Weekend 
The long-standing traditional Framlingham Gala was relaunched in 2018 as a  3 day weekend event. Each year sees the ‘Framlingham Gala Fest’ choosing a new theme to make proceedings bright, full of energy, colour and music with something for all the family, young and old! Bert Stocks traditional fun fair is in residence on Castle Meadow, shops decorate their windows in celebration, the flags are out an there’s even a parade for folk to get all costumed up and join in with. Live music, family entertainment and sports events are all part of the fun and games too.

Late October/ early November 

Getting the bonfire night season off to a bang, the Framlingham Fireworks display is something so many in the community and especially families look forward to.  A family-friendly evening of dark skies lit up by a creative, colourful and breath-taking display of all sorts of fireworks, with refreshments and other goodies available. Advance tickets usually on sale at selected town centre retailers.

June
A real heritage town centre treat for anyone with an interest in beautiful gardens – or just interested in seeing what’s behind the houses in one of Framlingham’s oldest streets of domestic residences! This event has a ticket price and raises funds for charity. An ideal opportunity to pick up lots of inspiration as well top tips direct from the local gardeners’ mouths. Enjoy!

July

Held just 4 miles from Framlingham at Easton Farm Park, Maverick is the ‘UK’s first and finest’ Americana weekend music festival. The long weekend features roots music from both sides of the Atlantic over five stages, set both indoors and outdoors around the historic model farm. Music, dance  and music masterclasses from over 50 different selected artists.

Year round – Key Festivals June and August   

Just 20 minutes’ drive or a Katch bus ride away from Framlingham, Britten Pears Arts present inspiring programmes of music, arts offerings and exhibitions at the internationally famous Snape Maltings concert hall, arts and leisure complex. Highlights include June’s Aldeburgh Festival of Music & the Arts, and August’s Summer at Snape featuring renowned artists across many musical genres (some special deal seats on sale for many performances, so that all can enjoy).

December
Free annual charity event in the heart of Framlingham, where residents of historic Double Street decorate their windows to form a giant, living Advent calendar. One decorated window is revealed each day from 1st to 24th December, transforming the street into a festive display by Christmas. A tradition that brings festive cheer and raises money for local or international charities via donation boxes and QR codes for online contributions.

December – Early January
The spectacle of Framlingham’s beautiful St Michael’s Church full of colourfully decorated Christmas trees is simply magical and adds something extra special to this impressive, Grade I listed historic building around the winter holiday period. All the trees are decorated in their own individual style by local voluntary groups and organisations. The festival is free to visit (donations welcome) and is launched with special family-friendly activities every year. 

July
Taking place on Castle Meadow with the magnificent Framlingham Castle as a classic backdrop, this is one of the oldest and most traditional horse shows in Suffolk. A captivating and colourful experience for all who attend and a great event to get a panoramic birds-eye view of from the wall walk of the castle!

September
Annual multi-arts festival welcoming an array of wonderful and prestigious writers from across the globe, which has taken up residence in Framlingham within the last few years. The festival has had a strong musical and Brazilian element and has also included workshops in schools and a host of music and dance workshops.

Throughout the Year
Taking over Market Hill in the centre of historic Framlingham, every Tuesday and Saturday, Framlingham’s much-loved market offers loads of fresh local produce, including fish, cheeses, vegetables, baked goods, plus essentials as well as often quality crafts, gifts and goodies from all sorts of local artisan producers. A lively institution and the very essence of Framlingham. Shop, glean some nuggets of foodie advice, stop for a coffee to the tune of buskers and sounds of a traditional market day.