If you’ve never been to SPARK Ipswich, what are you waiting for? It’s 5 days of art, culture, theatre and performance just waiting to be discovered… Read on to find out how to spend a weekend at SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival (8-12 July)!
Start your weekend on Friday night…
When you’ve finished work Friday, jump in the car and head out to Ipswich.
First of all you’re staying at a cute apartment with Urban Getaway. It is set inside a restored heritage home, perfect for couples and has an infrared sauna! If you’ve got the whole family, book one of their entire houses to stay out.
You’ll be getting in late, so it’s the perfect excuse to order some takeaway.
The best option is to pick up something yourself so you can check out the creative hub from d’Arcy Doyle Place to Tulmur Place.
Park in the Nicholas St Precinct carpark, walk up to Indian Mehfil or UB’s Milk Bar to order your food.
Tonight Fever are hosting their first candlelight concerts in Ipswich at St Mary’s Catholic Church book in for Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 6pm or The Best of Hans Zimmer at 8pm. Or book to see Budjerah and Jem Cassar-Daley at Ipswich Civic Centre.
When the concerts ends try the Spark After Party Trail to Banshees Bar, The Rusty Nail, Stony Creek or Monte Lane!
For more accommodation options click here, more places to eat here.
Saturday
Saturday morning start your day with breakfast at Rafter & Rose or St Shoebill Café in the Top of Town precinct, not far from the SPARK creative hub in Nicholas Street.
If you’re in town with children today’s the day for Little Day Out!
You could also spend some time relaxing at Queens Park during the day or shopping in Top of Town before getting ready for tonight’s events.
The creative hub and musical mind will run from 5pm with music, performance, interactive installations, workshops, projections, markets and more. You can book silent disco tours from 5pm also.
Book in to see Jimmy Rees tonight or head to Ipswich Art Gallery for MONO x IAG – MONO is the Institute Of Modern Art’s experimental sound program curated by Lawrence English.
Stop for dinner somewhere along the After Party trail, we recommend either booking a table at Stony Creek Brewing if you’re heading to civic centre for Jimmy Rees or The Rusty Nail for tapas and cocktails, close to the Ipswich Art Gallery where MONO will be held.
Stay a little longer…
Wake up early Sunday morning and take a hot air balloon flight with Floating Images. This needs to be booked in advance, but it’s a great way to cap off a fantastic weekend. Your flight ends with a hot breakfast.
Take a drive out to the charming country town of Marburg after your flight to go antiquing, see a charming boutique inside an old church and have lunch at a country pub.
The festival continues today with WOMI at Orion Springfield Central all day for free and the Trombone World Record at 11.30am in Tulmur Place.
Find out about all the events on the SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival website.
