If you’ve never been to SPARK Ipswich, what are you waiting for? It’s 11 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 (4-14 July)!
This itinerary is based on visiting during the last weekend of SPARK (12-14 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!
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 projection art in d’Arcy Doyle Place.
Park in the Nicholas St Precinct carpark, walk up to Indian Mehfil or UB’s Milk Bar to order your food. Then head back to check out the beautiful projections and listen to the live music. Either enjoy your dinner under the stars at d’Arcy Doyle Place or bring it back to your apartment.
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 nightly art projections.
Then check out the Back to the Futurism exhibition at Arttime Gallery from 9am. Walk down to the Ipswich Art Gallery for Articulation and Elsewhere: Kirralee Robinson exhibitions from 10am.
Lunch at Bakehouse Steakhouse, for delicious steaks, ribs, burgers, beef cheek and chicken. This is also one of the music venues during Circuit.
After lunch enjoy some time relaxing at Queens Park, enjoy the sauna at your apartment and get ready for a great night out!
From 5pm Circuit – Music in Many Places will be on in Ipswich Central. There will be over eight venues each with its own mini concert, from energetic pubs to trendy barbershops, art-filled spaces and more.
Stop for dinner somewhere along the trail, we recommend either booking a table at Monte Lane or The Rusty Nail for tapas and cocktails.
Continue the circuit after dinner or head back over to see the projection art or pixel in Tulmur Place, different artists are showcased each night.
If Circuit – Music in Many Places doesn’t sound like your scene instead book in to see Kristal West at Studio 188 or the Big Band Spectacular at St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall or see Palace Ipswich Presents: Divas at Banshees Bar and Artspace, all starting at 7pm.
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.
If you can stay Sunday night too, the Common People Dance Eisteddfod will be on from 6pm, featuring everyday people reviving the dance eisteddfods from years past with sequins and over the top dance routines!
Alternatively choose to stay the first weekend of the festival, you’ll be able to do a tattoo workshop from 3pm on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, book in for a comedy show or Irish concert Saturday night and attend WOMI on Sunday before you head home.
Find out about all the events on the SPARK Ipswich website.
