Everything to know for the 2025 Suffolk Show

Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk
Stuart Howells/BBC A girl holds and stands next to a sheep within a pen at the Suffolk Show that is filled with straw. She wears a white coat, flat cap and blue jeans with boots. The sheep has white wool and a black face and legs.Stuart Howells/BBC
The Suffolk Show returns for 2025 on Wednesday and Thursday

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Ipswich as the annual Suffolk Show returns to Trinity Park. The spectacle offers two days of shows, performances, food stalls and much more.

What is the Suffolk Show?

Stuart Howells/BBC Large crowds walking through part of the Suffolk Show. The walkway is lined by stalls and marquees. There are trees in the background.Stuart Howells/BBC
About 90,000 visitors are expected at the event

The Suffolk Show is an annual event that celebrates Suffolk's heritage, culture and industry.

It is held at Trinity Park in Ipswich which has hosted the event since 1960, although it actually dates back to 1831.

It will take place on Wednesday and Thursday with gates opening at 07:00 BST and trade stands opening from 08:30 to 18:00 both days.

Last entry is at 19:00 on Wednesday and 17:30 on Thursday.

What can I expect to see at the show?

Suffolk Show An animate map of the layout of the Suffolk Show for the 2025 event. The map details the different sections of the event - colour coded with red, yellow, green and white - car park, rings and more.Suffolk Show
Huge amounts of activities and shows have been organised for the event as well as hundreds of stalls

Each day there are events taking place in the various rings where visitors can enjoy showjumping, Shetland pony racing, a BMX show, RAF parachute teams and more.

This year will see a Victory 80 display to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe day.

Several competitions will be held where people will showcase cattle, sheep, dogs and other animals.

There are hundreds of food and drink stalls, art and craft tents, wildlife areas, a fun fair and motor area.

Volunteers from the Military Trust and the Suffolk Women's Land Army Memorial Trust will be on site in period costumes and there will vehicles from that era to explore.

How do I get there?

Stuart Howells/BBC Old tractors are lined up within an area of the Suffolk Show, coloured in a mixture of grey, racing green and red. They each have an information board in front of them detailing their history. Stuart Howells/BBC
Visitors can see a variety of performances and exhibitions including old and classic agriculture machinery

Those travelling by road are encouraged to follow the yellow AA signs that will direct them to parking at Trinity Park.

Organisers have said there are 120 road signs strategically positioned around the area that will direct visitors.

They have urged drivers that it is essential to follow these rather than sat nav systems.

There are three car parks available to visitors for free and there is parking available within each for blue badge holders.

For those wanting to travel by bus there are regular services available from Ipswich town centre as well as the railway station.

Ipswich Buses is also running a shuttle service from the station to Trinity Park.

Cyclists are able to park their bikes at Gate 1 off the Felixstowe Road entrance and there is also a taxi drop off point in Murrills Road, off the roundabout at Gate 1.

Coaches will enter through Gate 1 and there is a designated car park for them.

The coach driver is admitted free to the show, organisers have said.

Where can I get tickets?

Stuart Howells/BBC Brown cattle at the Suffolk Show. The cow nearest the camera is eating a piece of grass or hay. It has a yellow tag in each ear. Other cows can be seen behind it. Stuart Howells/BBC
The event offers a chance to get up close to farm animals

Tickets are available to book online at a discounted price and are valid for either day, but can only be used once and are non-refundable.

An adult ticket online for those aged between 19 and 64 will cost £36.50 while senior citizens, those aged 65 and over, will cost £31.50.

A young person ticket for those aged 15 to 18 will cost £14 and a child, those under 14, go free.

Will there be road closures?

Martin Giles/BBC A general view of the A14 near Ipswich from a bridge above the carriageway. Vehicles can be seen travelling down both sides of the carriageway.Martin Giles/BBC
Congestion on the A14 and other nearby roads is expected to be heavy during the event

There are not expected to be any nearby road closures during the Suffolk Show.

Organisers work closely with Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Police to monitor and manage traffic heading to Trinity Park for the event.

This year's event will once again see the removal of the traffic island in Felixstowe Road to create a dual lane route to the Bucklesham entrance from the A14/A12 Seven Hills Roundabout.

Due to the large number of visitors, traffic is expected to be heavy around the area.

How can I follow the event from home?

Stuart Howells/BBC The BBC Radio Suffolk area at a past Suffolk Show. A small stage area can be seen ahead as people watch someone singing into a microphone and playing a guitar. A large screen can be seen to the left.Stuart Howells/BBC
BBC Radio Suffolk will be broadcasting live from the event across several shows

BBC Radio Suffolk will be broadcasting live from the show on both days.

The Wayne Bavin at Breakfast show will be live on Wednesday from 06:00 to 10:00.

The Sarah Lilley Daytime Show will be live from the Suffolk Show on Thursday, 10:00 to 14:00, followed by the afternoon show presented at the venue by Louise Hulland.

BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley from the Blue Hour show and Angelle Joseph from BBC Introducing Suffolk and Norfolk will also be at the event.

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