The fayre heralds the start of Christmas in Bury St Edmunds. As well as the 300 stalls selling gifts and produce, the town will be alive with entertainers, choirs and musicians creating a fun and festive atmosphere. The three-day event, organised by St Edmundsbury Borough Council, opens at noon on Friday 23 November. As well as stalls from far and wide offering Christmas present ideas, the fayre will include a provisions market each day with a farmers’ market on Sunday selling locally sourced or produced food. There will something to see and experience across the whole town centre, from the Abbey Gardens to the arc, and look out for special offers and promotions from many shops and businesses during the event. Younger visitors can visit Father Christmas in his grotto in the Abbey Gardens, meet reindeer and see real animals at the Living Nativity scene near the Cathedral. The fayre now attracts about 100,000 people, so see the leaflet or check the websitewww.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk for details of where to park, the park and ride service and incentives for people coming by public transport. Many shops and businesses will be open later than normal during the event, so an evening visit when everything has a Christmassy glow should also be less busy. Contact the Tourist Information Centre, 01284 764667, for any questions about the Christmas Fayre, or see the websitewww.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk for full details.
Park and ride service Buses will run from a new 1000-car site at Rushbrooke Lane (IP33 2SY) on all three days of the fayre and at the weekend a service will operate from Olding Road off Western Way (IP33 3TA) for visitors arriving from the west. The Rushbrooke Lane site is near the east exit to Bury on the A14. The Olding Road park and ride will also operate on Saturdays between 24 November and 22 December for Christmas shoppers.
