Biggest ever Maritime Festival, Ipswich Music Day and Jazz Festival booked for jam-packed summer programme
Thousands of people flocked to Christchurch Park for Ipswich Music Day 2016 on Sunday July 3rd. - Credit: Archant
Tourism chiefs are gearing up for a bumper Ipswich summer packed with events which they hope will bring tens of thousands of people to the town.
Thousands of people flocked to Christchurch Park for Ipswich Music Day 2016 on Sunday July 3rd. Rachel and the Reverbs on the Town 102 stage. - Credit: Archant
Bosses hope this year’s summer line-up will be the biggest ever, showing off Ipswich’s most popular attractions, while giving hotels, restaurants and shops a huge boost.
The jam-packed 2017 calendar also has the backing of Ipswich Central chief executive Paul Clement who said the programme, being promoted for the first time under the heading Ipswich Entertains, shows the town’s tourism offer is “stronger than ever before”.
Ipswich Borough Council’s commercial manager Mark Whiting said: “We are putting on a fantastic range of events to suit all tastes and pockets this summer.
“The programme attracts tens of thousands of people from all over Suffolk and beyond and not only provides great entertainment, but also helps to boost the local economy, through more visitors going to shops, bars, restaurants and hotels.
Jazz performance at The Rep in Ipswich as part of the 2015 Ipswich Jazz Festival - Credit: Archant
“With all this going on, it is a great opportunity to show off all our attractions such at Christchurch Mansion, the museum, our beautiful parks and the Waterfront.”
Kicking off the programme is the Ipswich Jazz Festival, which will return to the town in 2017 after a year off, from June 23-25.
Most Read
- 1 School submits plan to turn site into 7 homes
- 2 Boy, 14, injured in altercation near Ipswich primary school
- 3 Severe delays on A14 outside Ipswich after vehicle sheds turf on road
- 4 Missing Ipswich man found safe
- 5 Police hunting two men with Suffolk links after cannabis farm discovered
- 6 Emergency services attending incident in Suffolk town
- 7 Staff shortages hit 98% of firms, including Suffolk hotels and restaurants
- 8 Aging gas main replacement works begin around Ipswich
- 9 Victim bundled into car and hit with hammer, robbery and kidnap trial hears
- 10 Ipswich teen accused of brandishing machete tells court it was a plastic toy
International stars from around the globe are set to perform to crowds at a string of venues, including the New Wolsey Theatre and St Peter’s by the Waterfront.
Britain’s biggest tribute band celebration, Nearly Festival, is coming to Holywells Park from June 24-25, while outdoor cinema will be broadcast in Christchurch Park on July 1.
Ipswich Jazz Festival performance at The Rep in 2015 - Credit: Archant
Dozens of music acts are to perform across six stages in the park for Ipswich Music Day – now in its 27th year – on July 2, while Global Rhythms and the Indian Summer Mela return will return to the venue the following weekend for a two-day celebration.
Then Ipswich Waterfront will play host to the Maritime Festival – tipped to be the biggest ever – from August 20-21.
Mr Clement added: “This proves Ipswich’s tourism offer is stronger than I can ever remember.
“Ipswich residents will not want to go anywhere else this summer.”
Maritime Festival at Ipswich Waterfront. Pictured is John Dodds. - Credit: Gregg Brown
See here for more details.
Maritime Festival at Ipswich Waterfront. - Credit: Gregg Brown
Commercial manager Mark Whiting. Picture: IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL - Credit: Archant
