Suffolk Days Out This May Bank Holiday Weekend

It feels like we’ve been waiting for a weekend like this for ages. The early May bank holiday is finally here and, for once, the forecast is genuinely on our side. I saw a headline earlier in the week saying it’s going to be hotter in Suffolk than Ibiza this weekend, which is the sort of thing I always read and then immediately reach for a jumper anyway, but the sun really does seem to be making an appearance, the temperatures are climbing, and there’s a brilliant mix of family-friendly Suffolk days out happening over the May bank holiday weekend 2026

I shared a round-up of these on my Suffolk Sound Radio slot earlier, and a few of you got in touch asking if I could pop them somewhere you could come back to, so here they all are in one place.

I’ve started with the outdoor events to make the most of the sunshine…

Jimmy’s Farm Spring Fest

Jimmy’s Farm near Ipswich is running their Spring Fest all weekend, and the festival itself is free to attend (though you’ll still need to pay the usual admission if you want to go into the wildlife park to see the animals). Alongside all the usual farm and animal experiences, they’ve got live music, kids’ entertainment, plenty of activities for little ones, and a really lovely market with independent businesses from across Suffolk to browse and shop. It’s the kind of all-rounder that works well for a longer family day out, where the grown-ups get to potter around the stalls with a coffee while the kids burn off some energy.

Wetherden May Day Fayre

For something a bit more traditional, the Wetherden May Day Fayre on Bank Holiday Monday is a proper Suffolk village affair. The fair opens with morris dancing outside the Maypole Pub at 10am, and then you can wander round the stalls in the village hall afterwards.

Ipswich May Day Festival at Alexandra Park

Another big May Day celebration takes place at Alexandra Park in Ipswich every year. This year it’s running from midday on Sunday, with live music stages, fairground rides, pop-up shops and food stalls. It tends to draw a big crowd, so if you’re planning to go I’d suggest heading down earlier rather than later

Toddle About Live

If you’ve got little ones, or you’re pregnant, then Toddle About Live on Saturday is a brilliant one to know about. It runs from 10am to 3pm and is free to attend, though if you book online beforehand there’s a chance to get a free goodie bag, which is always worth doing for the sake of two minutes on your phone. There are talks, demos and shopping stalls aimed at parents, but plenty for the kids too. There’s princess meet-and-greets, bouncy castles, crafts, soft play, and even an appearance from Bluey, which I suspect is going to be the main event for most of the under fives!

Classic Vehicle Rally, Ipswich to Felixstowe

If you’ve got a car-mad child, or you appreciate a classic car yourself, the annual Ipswich to Felixstowe Classic Vehicle Rally is also happening this weekend. The procession leaves Christchurch Park in Ipswich at 11am and starts arriving along Felixstowe seafront from around midday, so you can either watch them set off in town or head straight down to the seafront and make a proper day of it with the beach, the playgrounds and a chip-shop lunch.

Blue Cross Suffolk 10th Anniversary Celebration

On Bank Holiday Monday, Blue Cross Suffolk in Wherstead is hosting its 10th Anniversary celebration from 11am to 3pm. They’ve got a dog show with lots of different categories, plus family activities to keep the kids entertained.

Intergenerational Baby Group at Hazeldell, Ipswich

I think this is such a lovely idea. Hazeldell Residential Home in Ipswich is running a mother and baby group on Bank Holiday Monday so the different generations can spend some time together. You just need to give them a quick call to book on. They run this intergenerational programme as a way to bring joy to residents and visitors alike, and from a parent’s perspective it’s a really gentle, calm thing to build a morning around, especially on a bank holiday when you’d rather not be wrestling crowds.

Two More Just Over the Border – Essex and Nofolk ideas for the Bank holiday weekend…

I’d be remiss not to mention a couple of railway events happening just over the Suffolk borders too. Over in Essex, it’s the opening weekend of the Fairy and Elf Walk at Audley End Railway, which is always a magical one with smaller children. And on the Norfolk side, Bressingham Steam Trains are hosting their Heritage Steam Gala all weekend, with steam engines in action, perfect if you’ve got a little one who’s currently obsessed with trains.

Have a Lovely Bank Holiday Weekend

Whichever combination of these you end up doing this weekend and given the weather forecast, hopefully more than one, I hope you have a really lovely few days.

If you’ve got any local events I’ve missed, come find me on my A_Suffolk_Mum Instagram page. I always love hearing what other Suffolk families are getting up to.