Cheaper parking and shorter queues are just two of the benefits of shopping later in the day, and this Christmas stores right across Suffolk and north Essex will be staying open later.

For those working full-time, getting to the shops can be a struggle, and logging onto your favourite online retailers can seem like the easy option but why not head into town and feel the Christmas magic as you pick out the perfect gifts for your loves ones.

Here is our guide to late night Christmas shopping:

Ipswich

From now until Christmas, The Buttermarket and Tower Ramparts will be open until 9pm on Thursdays.

Marks & Spencers is open until 9pm on Thursdays, and will open an hour later until 7pm from Saturday, December 6 to Saturday December 13, then until 8pm until December 23.

Debenhams is open until 10pm from Tuesday, November 24 to Thursday, November 26 as the stores hosts its annual Spectacular, and until 9pm Friday. It will close at 7pm Saturday. Details of further late night hours to follow.

Boots in Tavern Street will open until 9pm each Thursday before Christmas and until 8pm on Monday, December 15 and Tuesday, December 16.

Whittards will open until 8.30pm on Thursdays as will many other stores in the town.

With council-owned car parks charging just £1 to park after 3pm, and bus fares reduced to £1, why not take advantage of these extra shopping hours?

Bury St Edmunds

The Arc shopping centre will also be open late on Thursday evenings through to Christmas, with stores closing at 8pm. On Tuesday, December 22 and Wednesday, December 23, stores will close at 7pm.

Debenhams is open until 10pm from Tuesday, November 24 to Friday, November 27 as the stores hosts its annual Spectacular, and until 9pm on Saturday. Details of further late night hours to follow.

There will a festive feel in town on Thursday evenings, as stores stay open longer - you can step into the giant snow globe, see the lights spectacular projected in Charter Square or even have your face painted.

Colchester

Shops in the High Street, Culver Square and Lion Walk will open late on Wednesdays in December, starting Wednesday, December 3. Many stores will open until 9pm.

And there will be free parking from 3pm on Wednesdays in Colchester Borough Council-owned car parks (surface car parks only).

Debenhams is open until 10pm from Tuesday, November 24 to Thursday, November 26 as the stores hosts its annual Spectacular, and until 9pm Friday. It will close at 7pm Saturday. The store will remain open until 10pm on Wednesday nights in December.

Lowestoft

Late night shopping starts on Thursday , November 27 and continues each Thursday through December, with many stores open until 8pm.

There will be free parking available from 2pm and there will be a wide range of entertainment including choirs and brass bands performing traditional Christmas carols.

The Christmas penguins will be in town on December 4, or you can have your photo taken inside a giant snow globe on December 11 or 18.

Is your store offering extended shopping hours this Christmas? Email us to be added to our guide.

Or for more on Christmas markets in Suffolk and north Essex, see our guide here.