Here are seven events taking place this bank holiday weekend in Suffolk and north Essex.
Circus Wonderland
Chantry Park, Ipswich
May 23 - 28
The circus was born in Britain 250 years ago mark the occasion this weekend by attending Circus Wonderland.
There will be roller-skaters, bungee jumpers, aerialists, jugglers and award-winning clowns Kakehole and Popol.
Enjoy thrills, spills and comedy - shows are Wednesday 6pm, Thursday and Friday at 4.30pm and 7.30pm, Saturday at noon, 3pm and 6pm, Sunday at noon and 3pm, and bank holiday Monday at 2pm. More info at www.circuswonderland.com.
Beccles Food and Drink Festival
Beccles Town Centre
May 26
Beccles town centre is set to be transformed as the Beccles Food and Drink Festival 2018 returns.
The free event, which runs from 10am-4pm, will have around 50 stalls which will sell a variety of raw and cooked food, preserves, pickles, confectionery, a range of drinks and lots more.
For more details including a list of stallholders, the cookery theatre programme, and a map showing car parking and festival locations visit www.becclesfoodfestival.co.uk.
GritFest, a celebration of Lowestoft’s Fishing Village
Sparrows Nest Gardens
May 27
Sparrows Nest Gardens is set to celebrate Lowestoft’s historic beach village with GritFest on May 27.
GritFest will be a fun-filled, free, family day out designed to rekindle the memories and pleasures of ‘the town below the cliff’ that was demolished in the late 1960s to make way for industry.
Highlights will include The Rogues Shanty Buoys, Dance East’s mass workshop inspired by the Scots fisher girls, and ‘News from the Nest’ with BBC Radio 4’s Zeb Soanes.
Festival of the Naked Sheep
Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm
May 28
The annual sheep shearing festival at Baylham will be staged on bank holiday Monday, it is a celebration of the sheep’s haircut and everything the fleece can be used for.
The day is packed with things to do including live sheep shearing demonstrations, having a go at preparing and rolling fleeces, a treasure trail, craft activities and lots more.
Farmer Neil will also be there firing up the BBQ with the farms delicious produce.
Hospital Radio Colchester Fun Day
Lower Colchester Park
May 28
The annual fun day is back and will take place on bank holiday Monday between 11am and 4pm.
Guests can expect a magic show, donkey rides, the Tendring Dog Agility Group, funfair rides, bouncy castles, go-karts and lots more.
Entry to the event is £3 for adults, with accompanied children let in for free, all money raised will go to Hospital Radio Colchester.
Staffed entirely by volunteers, the show broadcasts to patients at Colchester General Hospital. There will be free car parking off Cowdray Avenue.
The All About Dogs Show
May 27 and 28
Hylands Park, Chelmsford
Created by dog lovers for dog lovers it’s the ultimate weekend of canine fun, entertainment and adventure for you and your four legged friend.
The show is packed with things to do and has something to get everyone’s tail wagging including Britain’s Got Talent 2016 finalists Trip Hazard, arena displays, demonstrations, family entertainment as well as expert advice and unbeatable shopping opportunities.
The Children’s Fun Zone includes inflatables, fairground rides and lots of other kids’ activities. Parking is free and doors open at 9.30am and close at 5pm. To find out more information and to book tickets visit www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk.
Grusome Goings On
Framlingham Castle
May 28 - June 1
The event will enable children to travel back in time and learn about the painful punishments of the past from ghastly gallows, horrific hangmen and terrifying torture.
Two shows will take place throughout the day Top of the Chops and the A-Z of Torture. Top of the Chops sees an amusing double act giving young visitors the chance to re-write history, and the A-Z of Torture reveals a whole alphabet of grim and grisly tortures.
As well as the Gruesome Goings On event, families will also be able to explore the castle itself, take a stroll along its famous wall walk, learn more about its history in the interactive exhibition and refuel with a bite of something delicious to eat in the café.
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