A packed line-up of events has been announced at Holywells Park in Ipswich this year – with the return of some familiar favourites alongside new additions.

Ipswich Star: The 2016 Holi Festival in Holywells Park, Ipswich. Left to right: Lee Dolmor, Jack Carpenter, Stacey Ellie and Chelsea Rolfe. Picture: Lucy TaylorThe 2016 Holi Festival in Holywells Park, Ipswich. Left to right: Lee Dolmor, Jack Carpenter, Stacey Ellie and Chelsea Rolfe. Picture: Lucy Taylor

The park, which underwent a £2.8million revamp to its stables and orangery finished in July 2015, has become a hub for family events, festivals, live music performances and wildlife trails over the summer months.

Now, Ipswich Borough Council and its parks team has unveiled its bumper programme for 2017.

The calendar kicks off next month when the Holi Festival of Colour returns featuring coloured powder dances, Henna painting and live music.

In May a heritage walk, nightime safari and scarecrow day have all been lined up for families to enjoy, before the tribute band-based Nearly Festival returns for its second year in June.

Ipswich Star: The annual Apple Day at Holywells Park in 2016 .Isabelle Lipscombe and Isabella Smart are pictured. Picture: Nigel BrownThe annual Apple Day at Holywells Park in 2016 .Isabelle Lipscombe and Isabella Smart are pictured. Picture: Nigel Brown (Image: Archant)

In July, the popular series of Family Fun Days returns for youngsters to enjoy through the school holidays, with themes including wildlife, petting zoo and active sports among those enjoyed by families in 2016.

The outdoor cinema returns in August alongside a special batwalk and Bangladeshi Support Centre picnic, with the school holidays being rounded off with a Chopin performance and Eat the Beat event.

Ipswich Star: Leighton Spurlin builds a bug box at the Holywells Park Wildlife Family Fun Day in 2016. Picture: Su AndersonLeighton Spurlin builds a bug box at the Holywells Park Wildlife Family Fun Day in 2016. Picture: Su Anderson

James Fairclough, head of service in charge of parks at Ipswich Borough Council, said: “We are preparing an exciting line-up of events to suit all tastes at Holywells Park this spring and summer, starting with the Holi Festival at the beginning of April.

“We’ve been working with the Friends of Holywells Park and other partners to provide something for everyone while at the same time promoting and preserving the special appeal of this beautiful park.”

Later in the year, two of the park’s biggest events will return with the Apple day on October 21 in the orchard and the Christmas Fair on December 9, with the possibility of more events in the pipeline.

Richard Sharp, community engagement and volunteer officer from the park, added: “We are continuing on from the excellent Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund project and continuing to hold a variety of events for all ages, abilities and cultures in Holywells Park.”

For a full line-up of events and more details see the borough council events page here or the official Friends of Holywells Park webpage here.