This Christmas, the streets of our town will shine brighter than ever before with a brand new, £150,000 lighting display and a unified festive campaign designed to bring the whole community together. The Follow the Stars initiative aims to connect independent shops, restaurants, theatres, and local people into one shared celebration, transforming how we experience the festive season in the town centre.
The campaign treats the town as a single constellation, where every local business, community event, and resident is a star that contributes to the festive atmosphere. Instead of disjointed celebrations, this year promises a coordinated effort to highlight everything that makes the winter months special. From bustling markets and heritage sites to community activities and sports, the focus is on celebrating the collective effort of the town.
A spectacular light show
The festivities will officially begin on Sunday, 15 November, when the town gathers for the big Christmas switch-on. Starting from the Cornhill, the brand new lighting system will be illuminated for the first time. This is not just a standard string of bulbs; the new installation is fully programmable. This means visitors and shoppers will be treated to dynamic light shows and displays every single day throughout the season, creating a magical and welcoming atmosphere for families, evening visitors, and shoppers alike.
To help everyone navigate the packed schedule of events, a comprehensive guide to Christmas in the town is being produced. This guide will be the go-to resource for finding local markets, special seasonal offers, and unique things to do and see. It will also share the stories of the people who make the town tick, pointing visitors towards independent places to shop and new experiences to discover during the winter months.
Lanterns and a sea giant
A major highlight of the season will take place on Saturday, 19 December. Hundreds of local people are expected to take part in a large-scale community lantern parade. To ensure everyone can get involved, lantern-making guides and hands-on workshops will be released in the weeks leading up to the event, allowing families and community groups to craft their own glowing stars.
Adding to the spectacle on the same day, the streets will be visited by Eko the Sea Giant. This impressive 13-foot puppet, operated by world-class puppeteers, will make its way through the town. The giant will travel from DanceEast to the University of Suffolk, and will also be seen performing throughout the high street, offering a memorable experience for shoppers and visitors of all ages.
Getting involved
The team at Ipswich Central is encouraging all local businesses to embrace the theme. Shop owners and managers are invited to install their own starry window displays, submit their festive events or special offers to the guide, and feature in the campaign’s stories.
Lee Walker, chief executive of the organisation, explained that the goal this year is for everyone to feel part of something much bigger than themselves, noting that this ambitious campaign is just the beginning of what the town can build together.
“We want businesses, events, places and people to be part of the Follow the Stars campaign and prove that Ipswich is a fantastic location to celebrate Christmas,” he said.
The campaign has been made possible through collaboration with several local partners, including the borough council and Ipswich Town Football Club, all working together to build a stronger, more connected town centre.
The Follow the Stars campaign officially launches with the Christmas lights switch-on at the Cornhill on Sunday, 15 November. The community lantern parade and the performances by Eko the Sea Giant will follow on Saturday, 19 December. Local businesses wanting to get involved by submitting events, offers, or featuring in the campaign stories should look out for the upcoming Christmas guide announcements. Residents keen to join the lantern parade can expect making guides and workshop dates to be released very soon, offering plenty of time to get crafting before the big day.
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