May Day Bank Holiday weekend upon us and with it comes the welcome return of two of Felixstowe’s most popular major events – the Ipswich to Felixstowe Classic Car Rally and the Rotary Club Fun Run.
Our cafes, restaurants and bars will all be open for when you need to take a pit stop, shop until you drop in town and take in some evening entertainment to make the most of the long weekend. Here are few suggestions.
Saturday 30th April
Felixstowe Record Fair
If vinyl is your thing then head on up to Trinity Methodist Church on Orwell Road, the ‘Home of the Vinyl Frontier’ from 9am-4pm to find that gem missing from your collection.
Frankie Goes to Felixstowe
Continue the retro theme with the unmissable ‘Frankie Goes to Felixstowe’ 80s exhibition at Felixstowe Museum. Take a trip down memory lane to reflect the fashion, the music, technology and the news that made the 80s a decade to remember.
Open Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 12noon – 5pm. Last entry 4.30pm.
The Grosvenor. ‘80s disco from 8.00pm
Complete your day of nostalgia with an 80s disco at The Grosvenor. Dig out your best neon, line up your leg warmers, plump up your shoulder pads: this party is going back to the past for The Grosvenor’s all new ‘80s night.
Prizes for the best dressed and the best movers, so get down to The Grosvenor and boogie.
The Boardwalk. Party At The Pier 8.00 pm – late
Kicking off with Happy Hour: Two cocktails for £12 from 6.00 – 8.30, enjoy the best of ‘Boardwalk Beats’ from the decades on your dancefloor overlooking the sea.
Spa Pavilion. The History of Rock 7.30pm
A celebration of ROCK music through the decades. A jaw dropping night transporting you through the golden ages of rock featuring the music of artists such as Led Zeppelin, Cream, Guns n Roses, AC/DC, Queen and many more. Relive the greatest Rock songs of all time!
Beach Street. Sets On The Beach 4.00pm – 10.00pm
Ease into your Saturday night with DJ’s Daniel Lee Harvey and Hoosinooo lovingly dispending soul, funk, disco and latin beats in Beach Street’s cool community. Plenty of food and drink choices to go with.
Sunday 1st May
50th Ipswich to Felixstowe Classic Vehicle Run
After a nearly three year wait, this event is finally returning to Felixstowe’s calendar. Over 600 classic vehicles ranging from bicycles, cars, motorcycles, buses, coaches, commercial and military vehicles. Assembling in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, from 08.30- 10.30 am, the parade to Felixstowe is expected from 11.00 am with progress toward Felixstowe via two routes (see the link for details) starting to line the prom and on display throughout the afternoon.
It really is a fantastic spectacle. Much hard work from volunteers at Ipswich Transport Museum, click for more details. The road works in Walton will be temporarily removed to allow the vehicles to progress along Trimley and Walton high road to Felixstowe.
Ocean Boulevard & Amusements
If your little ones loved seeing the cars, then why not let them take the buggies at Ocean Boulevard for spin?
Ocean Boulevard on Sea Road has rides and attractions aimed towards families with children aged between 3 and 16, but there really is something for all ages.
Choose from a large range of food and drink from traditional seaside refreshment kiosks: whether you fancy an ice-cream, a fruit smoothie or doughnuts, there’s plenty to keep everyone happy.
There’s also a souvenir and gift shop selling beach style memorabilia as well as a huge selection of your visitor ‘must have’: Felixstowe rock, Pick ‘n’ Mix and sweet gift boxes.
The Grand Dance & Nightclub ‘FelixGlow’ 9pm-3
“Everyone loves a banky” and with free entry before midnight, free face painting and a glow sticks giveaway this one could be particularly illuminating.
DJ Kante$ on the decks.
Monday Bank Holiday 2nd May
Felixstowe Rotary Club Fun Run
After two years away due to Covid, this year’s Fun Run will be under starters orders at 11 am on Bank Holiday Monday. The event is open to everyone and involves running (or walking) as many laps as possible in one hour starting at 11.00 am around a measured 1-mile circuit centred on the Felixstowe Spa Pavilion. All runners will receive a commemorative certificate at the end of their run.
It is an opportunity for runners to seek sponsorships to raise money for their club or worthy cause of their choice. Entry fees are £7 for adults and £5 for 16s and under. These fees go towards supporting local deserving causes as determined by the Rotary Club of Felixstowe. This year the club has chosen Suffolk Mind to be the main beneficiary, granting a donation of £1,500.
Running in Fancy Dress is the tradition, though not essential. Cash prizes of £60, £45, £30 and £15 will be awarded for the four most eye-catching, chosen by the Mayor of Felixstowe. If you wish to enter a team, please contact Bruce on 07538 492251 who will let you have a team registration sheet and a sponsorship card for each entrant.
For individual entrants, you can obtain registration/sponsorship cards from Diamond Mills at 117 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe or you can call Bruce on 07538 492251 who may be able to deliver them. You can also download a printable copy of a sponsorship card to be used to record sponsorship pledges.
All registered entrants need to collect their vest running numbers on the day from the registration desks on the stage of the Spa Theatre, accessed through the stage doors at the rear of the theatre.
Craft Fair at Beach Street 10.00 – 4.00pm
Macrame goodies, live demonstrations all day. Bouncy castle, lots of great stalls including crochet, face painting, glitter tattoos, cakes and craft foods and drink. Bouncy castle advised before cakes!