Culture
Ipswich Misses City of Culture 2029 Shortlist, Strategy Goes On
a summary of the news that Ipswich has not been short listed for the final stage of the DCMS City of Culture 2029 competition
More creativity, more opportunity: Ipswich’s cultural ambitions for the next decade
What would it take for more people in Ipswich to enjoy, shape and benefit from the town’s cultural life? A…
Ipswich graduate thanks tutors with crocheted caricatures
Ipswich Fine Art graduate Gemma Upson crocheted caricatures of every University of Suffolk tutor and technician, then posed with them…
Local work joins Constable exhibition at Christchurch Mansion
Constable to Contemporary at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, runs 24 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 with work by local schools…
First International Film Festival Comes to King Street Cinema
The Ipswich International Film Festival runs 31 October to 14 November at King Street Cinema, with 35mm classics, previews and…
King Street Cinema: Ipswich’s Community Cinema with a World of Stories to Share
a blog highlighting the brilliantly independent king street cinema in Ipswich town centre with a shout for membership and volunteers
On the huh? Get the T-shirt
Ipswich slang that only makes sense if you’re from here, on a proper tee. Buy merch, support Ipswich community projects.
New plans to restore Wolsey’s Gate as project enters next phase
Professor Jenny Higham leads the next phase of Ipswich's Wolsey 550 project, focusing on the conservation of Wolsey's Gate and…
New £150,000 Christmas lights and lantern parade for Ipswich
Experience the new £150,000 Christmas lights in Ipswich this year. The festive season includes a lantern parade, sea giant puppet…
Celebrate a Decade of Live Music: The Smokehouse and University of Suffolk’s Double 10th Anniversary in Ipswich
Our town’s beloved grassroots music venue, The Smokehouse, is marking its 10th birthday with a fantastic month-long programme of gigs,…
How Interactive Street Art is Transforming the School Run at Ranelagh Primary in Ipswich
There is a fantastic new addition to the streets around Ranelagh Primary School, and it is doing much more than…
Clay 1a will fire up a new historical experience for Ipswich
CLAY 1A, a new visitor attraction planned for Ipswich’s waterfront, has secured funding from the Towns Fund Town Centre Regeneration…
Unlock the Secrets Behind Ipswich’s Most Mysterious Blue Door
Some of the activities that everyone can get involved in at The Ipswich Institute on Tavern Street Ipswich
Ipswich kicks off a summer of engagement to shape its City of Culture 2029 bid
Ipswich is one of nine places longlisted for UK City of Culture 2029. Share ideas at ipswich2029.com or at a roadshow before the 10 August bid deadline.
Step Behind the Mysterious Blue Door: August at the Ipswich Institute
Have you ever walked down Tavern Street in the centre of town and wondered what lies behind that striking, mysterious blue door?
Ipswich Book Festival is back – and chapter two looks even bigger
The second Ipswich Book Festival runs 2-4 October 2026: 50-plus events across ten town centre venues, with Caroline Quentin and Janet Street-Porter.
Local Creative Producers Appointed to Help Shape Ipswich’s 2029 City of Culture Bid
Four Ipswich and Suffolk creative producers join Bid Director Amy Vaughan to build the UK City of Culture 2029 programme before August's submission.
Ipswich steps up its UK City of Culture 2029 bid
Cultural leaders, businesses and community groups met at the Ipswich Regent on 17 June to shape the UK City of Culture 2029 bid. Public events to follow.
One Big Multicultural Festival Returns to Ipswich: Global Flavours, Music & Free Family Fun
Ipswich is set to come alive with colour, music and global flavours this summer as once again the One Big Multicultural Festival returns to Alexandra Park
New Trail Makers AI project will engage schoolchildren in the town’s history and The Ipswich Society’s Blue Plaques scheme
Ipswich Trail Makers teaches primary pupils the town's history through The Ipswich Society's Blue Plaques. Piloted at Ranelagh and Broke Hall primaries.
Resident of Park View Care Home receives a letter from Buckingham Palace
Mrs A.G. of Park View Care Home wrote her poem for the Queen Mother in 2002. Staff sent it to Buckingham Palace two decades later. The Palace wrote back.
The Net: Soft Apocalypse, by Local Author David Matthews
a blog about anew book written by a local author David Matthews called The Net. The book is just released and bought online.
Boundless blues…….
a poem submitted by a local creative that was written about the recent ITFC promotion to the Premier League
Windrush Festival Returns to Ipswich this June
Landseer Park hosts the Heritage & Legacy Music Festival on Saturday 20 June 2026, the Ipswich Windrush Society's fourth, marking 78 years since Windrush.
Ipswich Unitarian Meeting House – summer openings
An article introducing visitors to the Grade 1 listed Ipswich Unitarian meeting house with summer opening hours