Spend your weekend in the sun with these events taking place in Suffolk and north Essex on July 7 and 8.

East Anglian Daily Times: Thrillseekers and families alike are being invited along to the splash park, due to open on Saturday, July 7 at Alton Water. Picture: AQUA PARKS GROUPThrillseekers and families alike are being invited along to the splash park, due to open on Saturday, July 7 at Alton Water. Picture: AQUA PARKS GROUP (Image: AQUA PARKS GROUP)

Aqua Park Suffolk, Alton Water Park, July 7 to September 9

A massive floating inflatable park arrives at Alton Water near Ipswich this weekend. It will include 72 obstacles, from climbing walls to trampolines, balance bars, rockers, rollers, blast bags and the UK’s biggest slides. There will also be a special corner for adrenaline junkies. Individuals, families and groups are all welcome, but children need to be over eight and more than 1.2m tall, and you need to be able to swim 50m unaided in the park’s buoyancy vest. There are also various other rules, which are stated on the park’s website.

East Anglian Daily Times: Peter Pan is at Alton Water Park on Sunday. Picture: IMMERSION THEATREPeter Pan is at Alton Water Park on Sunday. Picture: IMMERSION THEATRE (Image: Immersion Theatre)

Peter Pan, Alton Water Park, July 8

Sail away to Neverland with this touring open-air musical from Immersion Theatre Company. Peter introduces the Darling children to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, Captain Hook! The show contains catchy music and a lot of audience interaction, and is suitable for age four upwards. Take low-backed chairs or rugs and you are also welcome to bring your own picnics. Doors open at 1.30pm and the show starts at 2pm.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alexander O'Neal is headlining the first day of the two-day event. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDAlexander O'Neal is headlining the first day of the two-day event. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

IP1 Live, Ipswich Town FC, Portman Road, July 6-7

This two-day music festival will include a wide range of different acts to enjoy. First off, the Friday event will go back to the 1980s, with music from R&B and soul singer Alexander O’Neal, supported by The Sugarhill Gang. Gates open at 4pm and the event end time is 10pm. Then on Saturday there will be a live music family festival with some of Suffolk’s finest local artists, in aid of EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.) Taking part will be Samantha Harvey, Underline the Sky, Pop Chorus, Barny Holmes, Undercover, Hot Rocks, JS & the Lockerbillies and Hot Tramp. Gates open at noon and the event end time is 10pm.

East Anglian Daily Times: Picture: ELVEDON COUNTRY SHOWPicture: ELVEDON COUNTRY SHOW (Image: Archant)

Elveden Country & Craft Show & The Festival of Dogs, Summerpit Farm, Elveden, Thetford, July 7 and 8

The Elveden Country Show is back for its 5th year and has added new attractions to make it bigger and better than last year with many new added attractions. One new attraction is the circus, it is an old fashioned traditional circus which will be showing five 45 minute performances. Another new feature is the National Horseborading Championships, this new growing exciting sport is on the rise and is great fun for the whole family. The talented Jonathan Marshall from Game of Thrones will be there as well as Julia Chernogorova from The Great British Bake Off. Julia Chernogorova will be in the food and drink market with many talented and exceptional chefs. There is so much to do and watch including Wings of the World, a motorbike stunt team, East Anglian Drone and model aircraft, the fantastic Festivals of Dogs Area, and lots more. The Festival of Dogs will have 22 classes including dog agility, flyball and a show by a local agility group and Dima from Britain’s Got Talent. You will also have the opportunity to hold a snake, bearded dragon or a tortoise with Amazing Reptiles as well as Gemma’s petting farm. You can buy tickets on elvedencountryshow.co.uk.

East Anglian Daily Times: Maverick Music Festival at Easton Farm Park Picture : SEANA HUGHESMaverick Music Festival at Easton Farm Park Picture : SEANA HUGHES (Image: Archant)

The Maverick Festival, Easton Farm Park, July 6, 7, 8

The Maverick Festival takes place by the restored Victorian barns and out-buildings of Easton Farm Park. The festival has lots to offer with films, workshops, performances from over fifty different artists across six stages and more. You will be spoilt for choice in terms of food with pizza, paella, pasta, Thai dishes, tacos, crepes, award winning local ice cream, brownies, waffles and lots more. In terms of drinks there are soft options, hot options, and alcoholic. The music begins on Friday at 5pm and runs until around 11.30pm. Saturday’s programme starts at 11am and finishes around 11.30pm. Sunday is altogether more relaxed beginning around 10.30am and running until approximately 2.30pm.

East Anglian Daily Times: Little Mix will be performing in Colchester Picture DANNY LAWSON/PA ARCHIVE/PA IMAGESLittle Mix will be performing in Colchester Picture DANNY LAWSON/PA ARCHIVE/PA IMAGES (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Little Mix Concert, JobServe Community Stadium, Colchester, July 8

Head down to the Colchester United football ground to see global girl group Little Mix perform. They will be taking to the stage as part of their “Summer Hits Tour 2018”, fans can expect to hear their best tunes like ‘Touch’,‘Shout Out to My Ex’, ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Wings’. It will be a night of dancing and singing you heart out with your friends and family. You can purchase tickets on the Ticketmaster website.

East Anglian Daily Times: Gig in the Garden, charity summer festival, Mendlesham, Suffolk Picture: PENNY MORGANGig in the Garden, charity summer festival, Mendlesham, Suffolk Picture: PENNY MORGAN (Image: Copyright Penny Morgan 2013)

Gig in the Garden, Hoggars Lane, Mendlesham, July 7 and 8

Take your family to a family-friendly music festival this weekend. You will have a great time and it will be raising money for a good cause the children’s charity Action Medical Research. The day will be packed with local bands taking to the stage including The UK Bee Gees, Hot Tramp, Carousel, Elephant in the Room, Aartwork and others. The music festival has been running since 2013 and has so far raised around £45,000 for Action.

Gates will open at midday on Saturday 7 July with activities running until 11pm; the fun continues from midday until 6pm on Sunday 8 July. Tickets are £15 for the Saturday and £12 for the Sunday; children under 16 go free. Camping pitches for tents and campervans are also available.