Things to do in Suffolk in January 2026
Following a bright and vibrant December, January is often viewed as rather dreary and uneventful by many. However, we believe it shouldn’t be. January may not boast holidays like Christmas, but it sure is packed full of fun, engaging, and memorable events to transform it into something truly exciting.
So, are you wondering what to do in Suffolk in January? Discover our recommended Suffolk January events and start planning a bright and eventful start to your year.
Nature events
These January events will delight all those who love wildlife, nature, and the great Suffolk countryside.
Walk with Us: Dunwich Heath
Stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and make some new friends on a Dunwich Heath guided walk. These walks happen monthly, and what better month to start than January? An excellent opportunity to become part of a wonderful community while staying active, join this volunteer-guided walk through the beautiful Dunwich Heath, open to all ages.
Location: Dunwich Heath and Beach, Dunwich | Admission: Free to attend, book tickets online | Date: 17 January 2026
Family Forest Adventure at Foxburrow
Grab the kids and get ready for a wilderness adventure! Another monthly event, these two-hour morning sessions give children the chance to experience Foxburrow Nature Reserve’s forest school, complete with forest crafts, whittling, den building, a rope swing, hammocks, and free-flow stations dedicated to seasonal activities. This event is for children over 18 months who must all be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Foxburrow Nature Reserve, Melton | Admission: Pay to attend, book tickets online | Date: 11 January 2026
Fascination of Fungi talk with Tony Brown
Join local naturalist Tony Brown for an engaging and educational talk on the fascinating world of fungi. Held at Southwold Arts Centre, Tony will regale attendees with his fungi photography and the interesting stories that accompany those photographs. This is a great indoor event for nature lovers and those who like to learn new things.
Location: Southwold Arts Centre, Southwold | Admission: Under 25s go free, over 25s pay £5, no booking required | Date: 8 January 2026
Bedtime at Lackford Lakes
Experience bedtime like never before at Lackford Lakes. A wonderful event for all ages, this guided walk gives you the chance to watch thousands of birds flock to the lakes to turn in for the night. Stroll the nature reserve’s Blue Trail and speak to the knowledgeable guides along the route about the birds, make a bird feeder, then relax as the kids listen to a bedtime story.
Location: Lackford Lakes, Lackford | Admission: Ticket information coming soon | Date: 10 January 2026
Theatre events
January is the perfect time to head to the theatre in Suffolk to catch a wide range of funny, charming, and heartwarming shows to suit all tastes.
Treasure Island: A Voyage to the Lost Town of Dunwich
Get ready for a pirate performance you’ll never forget! This incredible theatre show follows one of the most beloved adventure stories of all time, adapted by Jake Smith of Eastern Angles Theatre Company to celebrate the lost town of Dunwich for a Suffolk audience. This exciting coming-of-age story features pirates, mutiny, treasure maps and heroism to capture the hearts and minds of children and adults alike. Enjoy storytelling, song, music, puppetry, and bright and engaging actors in this family-friendly show for ages 7 and up.
Location: 2 – 3 January @ Eastern Angles Centre, Ipswich. 7 – 9 January @ Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge | Admission: Pay to attend, book tickets online | Date: Multiple shows on 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 January 2026
Sherlock Holmes Smells Evil!
Perk up a dreary January with a classic comedy performance starring Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. This hilarious show is full of uproarious laughs, sparkling wit, and plenty of good old-fashioned mystery. Holmes insists Watson take a break at Queasy Pines Sanatorium, but it doesn’t take long for Watson to stumble upon strange goings-on. This theatre performance is an absolute must for lovers of entertainment and makes the perfect event for anyone aged 8 and up.
Location: Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh | Admission: Pay to attend, book tickets online | Date: Multiple shows on 1, 2, 3 January 2026
Hamlet
National Theatre Live presents Hamlet, coming to The Hold in Ipswich. This contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy play is not to be missed. Described as ‘challenging, entertaining, and compelling’ by Broadway World and ‘charming, cheeky and cunning’ by The Upcoming, this show stars Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera as Hamlet in a truly outstanding performance. Catch this show live in Ipswich before it hits cinemas across the UK later in January, filmed live on stage in London. This event is best suited for those aged 18 and older.
Location: The Hold, Ipswich | Admission: Pay to attend, book tickets online | Date: 22 January 2026
The Anglia Comedy Allstars
A night of laughing until you cry awaits at the Corn Exchange in Ipswich as The Anglia Comedy Allstars returns for another year. Featuring Esther Manito, Ed Gamble, Rhys James, and Brennan Reece, this night of live stand-up will have your ribs creaking with laughter. Each of these fantastic comedians has been seen on numerous well-loved comedy TV shows, including Live At The Apollo, Mock the Week, The Russell Howard Hour, and Would I Lie To You. This event is strictly 18s only, so grab your partner or friends and get ready for a brilliant night.
Location: Corn Exchange, Ipswich | Admission: Pay to attend, book tickets online | Date: 30 January 2026
Russell Howard – Don’t Tell The Algorithm
World-famous comedian Russell Howard is coming to Ipswich’s Regent Theatre for two incredible nights of stand-up. With fantastic reviews from The Metro, Mail on Sunday, Sunday Times, The Guardian, and Evening Standard, you can rest assured this is a night of laughter you won’t soon forget from one of the country’s most famous comedy stars.
Location: Regent Theatre, Ipswich | Admission: Pay to attend, book tickets online | Date: 22, 23 January 2026
Music events
Music lovers will be delighted to know that Suffolk is truly a hub for musical events. Take a look at just some of the amazing melodious events taking place this January.
The 2026 Southwold New Year’s Day Concert – Concordia
Spend the first day of 2026 at Southwold’s much-loved New Year’s Day concert. This year, Suffolk-based choir Concordia will perform a beautiful show featuring a mix of choral classics, contemporary music, and more, all from St Edmund King & Martyr Church in Southwold. This one-hour musical performance is a truly wonderful way to see in the new year for all the family.
Location: St Edmund King & Martyr Church, Southwold | Admission: Under 16s free with an adult, over 16s pay to attend, book tickets online | Date: 1 January 2026
Snape Sessions: Zakia at Snape Maltings
Snape Maltings welcomes the new voice of BBC Radio 6 Music, Zakia, to the Britten Studio for a night of rhythm. Zakia is known for her eclectic and immersive DJ sets, blending jazz, dub, folk, and global sounds in a way that is truly unique. From 7pm until midnight, this is a club night with a difference – dance, sing, and enjoy great music with friends at this Suffolk music event.
Location: Snape Maltings, Snape | Admission: Pay to attend, book tickets online | Date: 24 January 2026
London Symphonic Rock Orchestra
Featuring rock classics with a twist, a night with the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra is one you’ll never forget. World-famous hits from AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Queen, Led Zeppelin and more will be beautifully performed by the orchestra, creating an event that will captivate music lovers of all ages. The LSRO are currently touring Europe with this spectacular show, so make sure to get yourself tickets and experience a performance already sweeping across the continent.
Location: Regent Theatre, Ipswich | Admission: Pay to attend, book tickets online | Date: 15 January 2026
Mini Music Makers at The Red House
Brighten up January for the kids by taking them to a free Mini Music Makers session at The Red House in Aldeburgh! Run by Britten Pears Arts, these fun and engaging sessions are for children aged 0 to 5, where they’ll get to play music, sing, dance, and make friends. Kids will be introduced to lots of music styles, from nursery rhymes to blues to rock and roll, and encouraged to develop their social skills, learn how to share, and, above all, have fun. This is a weekly programme running until June 2026 and has been incredibly popular since its inception in 2024.
Location: The Red House, Aldeburgh | Admission: Free to attend, book tickets online | Date: 9, 16, 23, 30 January 2026
Have fun in Suffolk this January
Suffolk is a thriving hub for theatre, music, nature, culture, and so much more, and it’s all just waiting to be discovered. For more recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of Suffolk locals.
Looking for somewhere to stay in Suffolk this coming January? We’ve got plenty of beautiful Suffolk holiday homes with available January 2026 dates, from large and spacious houses to cute and cosy hideaways. Find the right property for you and have the Suffolk holiday you’ve been dreaming of.
