Halloween in Suffolk
Halloween is a great event - especially for children. They love seeing carved pumpkins and other decorations, dressing up to look scary (or, from an adult point of view, cute!) and, of course, trick or treating!
The following is a Guide-by-date to events taking place this Halloween in Suffolk. Please click on each link for further information and details on how to book. And then please continue reading the article to learn What Halloween is and why you can blame Suffolk for it!
14th-31st October - Scaresville 2011 at Kentwell Hall, Long Melford from dusk til late.
Entering in small groups, visitors to Scaresville follow a winding route through dark rooms, forests and farmland, lit only by flares and candles. It's one hour of pure adrenaline, screams and laughter!
Please click on the link above for full details.
21st October - HALLOWEEN LADIES NIGHT HOSTED BY BLUEBELLA LINGERIE at Thomas Eldred Pub, Ipswich
7.30pm to 10.30pm
Get dressed up for Halloween and have some fun ladies with Blue bella, great lingerie, fun and games and chance to win some prizes, call or email for tickets.
Contact: Lisa on 01473 691252 or email lisam2009@sky.com
Venue Address: Ipswich, IP1 6BG
22nd - 30th October - The Hills Have Eyes at Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, Lowestoft.
Join us for the ultimate scare this Halloween!
22nd - 30th October - Halloween Fun at Easton Farm Park, Woodbridge
Visit for our annual week of spooky fun for all the family. If you dare, come to our haunted evening on 30th October (5pm - 8pm)
Click here for more information on Half Term things to do in Suffolk.
Wednesday 26th October - Children’s Halloween Tea Party at Suffolk Food Hall, Ipswich.
Come, if you dare, and join in the fun……
• Fancy dress Competition
• Pumpkin Carving competition
• Snap apple
• Monster Freeze
• Ghost hunt
• Face Painting
• Children's Tea
£8.50 per child for three or more (just select quantity 3 or more when booking online). Individual child price £9.50. Ticket includes tea of monsters gooey surprise and a wormy burger!
Don’t forget to dress-up and bring along a carved pumpkin for the competition!
Please click on the link above to book.
Thursday 27th October - Ghost Busters
Please see: Nomad Living for more information.
Friday 28th October - Trick or Treat at Thornham Coach House Restaurant
11am – 4pm
Come if you dare……….
For more information see: Thornham Coach House Restaurant.
Friday 28th October - Halloween Dinner at Hintlesham Hall Hotel, Ipswich.
Join the Paranormal Team as they continue their supernatural investigation at Hintlesham Hall Hotel! The evening includes a four course meal with coffee and chocolate truffles.
Only £49.50 per person
Why not extend your evening by staying in one of our beautifully appointed rooms for only £99.00 - we can't guarantee it but you might be visited by one of our friendly ghosts!
Saturday 29th October - Halloween at The Cherry Tree
Live music from Sabrina, fancy dress and prizes galore.
For more information see: The Cherry Tree
Saturday 29th October - Halloween Bonfire Extravaganza at The Six Bells, Preston St Mary.
From 7pm
Bonfire, fireworks, BBQ with soup and pumpkin pie. Fancy dress and carved pumpkins appreciated!
Saturday 29 October - Landguard Family Spooky Day at Felixstowe Museum
1300-1700
Gentle chills and thrills for younger children and their families. Bug and Beastie walks on the nature reserve. spooky storytelling with the ''Man in Black'', creepy face-painting, fun crafts and a ''Batty Quiz Trail'' around the museum.
All activities are included in the one price. Children £5.00. Two accompanying adults free. Additional adults £1.00. Children under 3 free.
Contact: Stephen Rampley, Landguard Partnership on 01394 675283 or enquiries@landguardpartnership.org.uk
Venue Address: Landguard Peninsula, View Point Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 7JG
Saturday 29 October - Hallowe'en Bonfire Bash at Fynn Valley Golf Club & Restaurant, Ipswich.
A fabulous professional firework display, huge bonfire, fancy dress and a meal & disco after...
£20 per person/Children under 12 - £10/Children under 5 - FREE!
Sunday 30 October - Hallowe’en Hoot at the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
On Sunday 30th October, join us for our Hair-raising Hallowe’en Hoot, featuring Steve Topple's amazing pumpkin sculptures - you can even have a go at carving your own. There’ll be a Spooky Spider and Batty Bat hunt, a Magic Pumpkin Trail, one of our Spectacular Flying Displays and a chance to win a prize in our Fearsome Fancy Dress Competition.
For more information see: Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Monday 31 October - Ghost Stories at Assington Mill - -
8pm-9.30pm
Paul Jackson will be telling ghost stories in our thatched storytelling hut, made of strawbales. You will sit in a circle around a fire with a glass of mulled wine.
£10.00 pp. Only 14 places available - please click on the link above to book.
31 October 2011 - Halloween tour with a Victorian gentleman at Moyse's Hall Museum
6pm-8pm
Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1DX
Join the Victorian gentleman for a spooky tour of the museum after dark. Suitable aged 16 - adult.
Charges: £12 per person, includes refreshments. Booking essential
Phone: 01284 757160
Email Address: moyseshall@stedsbc.gov.uk
To add your Halloween event in Suffolk to this listing please email the information to suffolkguides.admin@suffolktouristguide.com.
Halloween is now the second largest sales period in the UK for retailers, behind Christmas, and growth of this rather frightening festival has been exponential in the last few years. Pumpkins are all over the place, pumpkin rustlers abound, and even that good old British institution, John Lewis, has succumbed to the demand with Halloween merchandise in its stores since mid September.
We could blame American owned Asda for promoting the American-style celebration of Halloween. They have seen sales of Halloween good increase 20 fold in the last 10 years, so they can spot a good thing when they see it. Last year Americans spent $5bn on Halloween; the UK is a long way behind at £120m, but that’s increasing dramatically year on year.
Halloween is cheaper than bonfire night as there are no expensive (or dangerous) fireworks to be bought, so consumers are understandably keen to encourage their children to focus on Halloween rather than Guy Fawkes Night.
As for the children, trick or treating. If they’re lucky they’ll end the evening with a bag full of sweets, and if they can trick people, well that’s fun too. So there’s a lot in it for them, and with Mum or Dad in tow too, it’s an opportunity for family fun.
Halloween and bonfire night were part of what was one known as Hallowtide – a cluster of customs arising from the Celtic celebration called Samhain. Samhain marked the turning of their year and the beginning of winter. In defiance of the onset of winter, fires and lanterns were lit. Still with me? Samhain was associated with lighting fires also to honour the dead and to defy evil spirits. The Church wasn’t keen on these pagan celebrations so they came up with their own alternatives – All Saints Day on November 1st and All Souls Day the next day, to honour the sanctified ie Christian souls. But of course when the establishment doesn’t like something and tries to put it down, it tends to result in making it much popular.
In some parts of the North they still have Mischief Night, usually around November 4th, which is a part of the Halloween tradition of rituals of naughtiness. So I suppose we should be grateful we don’t have that too.
Well, here’s the thing. According to Doc Rowe, a folklorist, back in the ‘70s there was a documentary programme on BBC2 called 'Look Stranger' about the Woodbridge Airbase here in Suffolk. It showed children doing trick or treating and within 2 years the tabloids had adopted the festival and were promoting it. So, despite our predecessors in Scotland and Ireland taking Halloween traditions to America in the mid 19C in all good faith, our American friends brought them back to that Airbase in Suffolk, and the rest is history...
There are plenty of Half Term Things to Do in Suffolk for Halloween.
Also check out all events happening in Suffolk at What's On Suffolk as well as Suffolk Fireworks Displays for Bonfire Night.
If you would like to add your Halloween event in Suffolk to this listing, please submit the details to our Event Form.
The following is a Guide-by-date to events taking place this Halloween in Suffolk. Please click on each link for further information and details on how to book. And then please continue reading the article to learn What Halloween is and why you can blame Suffolk for it!
What's On Halloween 2011
14th-31st October - Scaresville 2011 at Kentwell Hall, Long Melford from dusk til late.
Entering in small groups, visitors to Scaresville follow a winding route through dark rooms, forests and farmland, lit only by flares and candles. It's one hour of pure adrenaline, screams and laughter!
Please click on the link above for full details.
21st October - HALLOWEEN LADIES NIGHT HOSTED BY BLUEBELLA LINGERIE at Thomas Eldred Pub, Ipswich
7.30pm to 10.30pm
Get dressed up for Halloween and have some fun ladies with Blue bella, great lingerie, fun and games and chance to win some prizes, call or email for tickets.
Contact: Lisa on 01473 691252 or email lisam2009@sky.com
Venue Address: Ipswich, IP1 6BG
22nd - 30th October - The Hills Have Eyes at Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, Lowestoft.
Join us for the ultimate scare this Halloween!
22nd - 30th October - Halloween Fun at Easton Farm Park, Woodbridge
Visit for our annual week of spooky fun for all the family. If you dare, come to our haunted evening on 30th October (5pm - 8pm)
Wednesday 26th October - Children’s Halloween Tea Party at Suffolk Food Hall, Ipswich.
Come, if you dare, and join in the fun……
• Fancy dress Competition
• Pumpkin Carving competition
• Snap apple
• Monster Freeze
• Ghost hunt
• Face Painting
• Children's Tea
£8.50 per child for three or more (just select quantity 3 or more when booking online). Individual child price £9.50. Ticket includes tea of monsters gooey surprise and a wormy burger!
Don’t forget to dress-up and bring along a carved pumpkin for the competition!
Please click on the link above to book.
Thursday 27th October - Ghost Busters
Please see: Nomad Living for more information.
Halloween Special Offer from Gypsy Hollow!
Stay on Sunday, the eve of Halloween, and have free Halloween dinner provided in the wagon! Just £80. Please click on the link above for more information.
Stay on Sunday, the eve of Halloween, and have free Halloween dinner provided in the wagon! Just £80. Please click on the link above for more information.
Friday 28th October - Trick or Treat at Thornham Coach House Restaurant
11am – 4pm
Come if you dare……….
For more information see: Thornham Coach House Restaurant.
Friday 28th October - Halloween Dinner at Hintlesham Hall Hotel, Ipswich.
Join the Paranormal Team as they continue their supernatural investigation at Hintlesham Hall Hotel! The evening includes a four course meal with coffee and chocolate truffles.
Only £49.50 per person
Why not extend your evening by staying in one of our beautifully appointed rooms for only £99.00 - we can't guarantee it but you might be visited by one of our friendly ghosts!
Saturday 29th October - Halloween at The Cherry Tree
Live music from Sabrina, fancy dress and prizes galore.
For more information see: The Cherry Tree
Saturday 29th October - Halloween Bonfire Extravaganza at The Six Bells, Preston St Mary.
From 7pm
Bonfire, fireworks, BBQ with soup and pumpkin pie. Fancy dress and carved pumpkins appreciated!
Saturday 29 October - Landguard Family Spooky Day at Felixstowe Museum
1300-1700
Gentle chills and thrills for younger children and their families. Bug and Beastie walks on the nature reserve. spooky storytelling with the ''Man in Black'', creepy face-painting, fun crafts and a ''Batty Quiz Trail'' around the museum.
All activities are included in the one price. Children £5.00. Two accompanying adults free. Additional adults £1.00. Children under 3 free.
Contact: Stephen Rampley, Landguard Partnership on 01394 675283 or enquiries@landguardpartnership.org.uk
Venue Address: Landguard Peninsula, View Point Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 7JG
Saturday 29 October - Hallowe'en Bonfire Bash at Fynn Valley Golf Club & Restaurant, Ipswich.
A fabulous professional firework display, huge bonfire, fancy dress and a meal & disco after...
£20 per person/Children under 12 - £10/Children under 5 - FREE!
Sunday 30 October - Hallowe’en Hoot at the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
On Sunday 30th October, join us for our Hair-raising Hallowe’en Hoot, featuring Steve Topple's amazing pumpkin sculptures - you can even have a go at carving your own. There’ll be a Spooky Spider and Batty Bat hunt, a Magic Pumpkin Trail, one of our Spectacular Flying Displays and a chance to win a prize in our Fearsome Fancy Dress Competition.
For more information see: Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Monday 31 October - Ghost Stories at Assington Mill - -
8pm-9.30pm
Paul Jackson will be telling ghost stories in our thatched storytelling hut, made of strawbales. You will sit in a circle around a fire with a glass of mulled wine.
£10.00 pp. Only 14 places available - please click on the link above to book.
31 October 2011 - Halloween tour with a Victorian gentleman at Moyse's Hall Museum
6pm-8pm
Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1DX
Join the Victorian gentleman for a spooky tour of the museum after dark. Suitable aged 16 - adult.
Charges: £12 per person, includes refreshments. Booking essential
Phone: 01284 757160
Email Address: moyseshall@stedsbc.gov.uk
To add your Halloween event in Suffolk to this listing please email the information to suffolkguides.admin@suffolktouristguide.com.
Halloween – What is it and why you can blame Suffolk for it!
Halloween is now the second largest sales period in the UK for retailers, behind Christmas, and growth of this rather frightening festival has been exponential in the last few years. Pumpkins are all over the place, pumpkin rustlers abound, and even that good old British institution, John Lewis, has succumbed to the demand with Halloween merchandise in its stores since mid September.
We could blame American owned Asda for promoting the American-style celebration of Halloween. They have seen sales of Halloween good increase 20 fold in the last 10 years, so they can spot a good thing when they see it. Last year Americans spent $5bn on Halloween; the UK is a long way behind at £120m, but that’s increasing dramatically year on year.
Halloween is cheaper than bonfire night as there are no expensive (or dangerous) fireworks to be bought, so consumers are understandably keen to encourage their children to focus on Halloween rather than Guy Fawkes Night.
As for the children, trick or treating. If they’re lucky they’ll end the evening with a bag full of sweets, and if they can trick people, well that’s fun too. So there’s a lot in it for them, and with Mum or Dad in tow too, it’s an opportunity for family fun.
Halloween - What’s it all about?
Halloween and bonfire night were part of what was one known as Hallowtide – a cluster of customs arising from the Celtic celebration called Samhain. Samhain marked the turning of their year and the beginning of winter. In defiance of the onset of winter, fires and lanterns were lit. Still with me? Samhain was associated with lighting fires also to honour the dead and to defy evil spirits. The Church wasn’t keen on these pagan celebrations so they came up with their own alternatives – All Saints Day on November 1st and All Souls Day the next day, to honour the sanctified ie Christian souls. But of course when the establishment doesn’t like something and tries to put it down, it tends to result in making it much popular.
In some parts of the North they still have Mischief Night, usually around November 4th, which is a part of the Halloween tradition of rituals of naughtiness. So I suppose we should be grateful we don’t have that too.
Halloween - Why blame Suffolk?
Well, here’s the thing. According to Doc Rowe, a folklorist, back in the ‘70s there was a documentary programme on BBC2 called 'Look Stranger' about the Woodbridge Airbase here in Suffolk. It showed children doing trick or treating and within 2 years the tabloids had adopted the festival and were promoting it. So, despite our predecessors in Scotland and Ireland taking Halloween traditions to America in the mid 19C in all good faith, our American friends brought them back to that Airbase in Suffolk, and the rest is history...
There are plenty of Half Term Things to Do in Suffolk for Halloween.
Also check out all events happening in Suffolk at What's On Suffolk as well as Suffolk Fireworks Displays for Bonfire Night.
If you would like to add your Halloween event in Suffolk to this listing, please submit the details to our Event Form.
