Bury St Edmunds Open Air Film Festival returns to Abbey Gardens this weekend, featuring screenings of Elvis, Top Gun Maverick, The Greatest Showman and more

A popular film festival returns to a beauty spot in Bury St Edmunds this week, and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Now in its eighth year, the 2023 Bury St Edmunds Open Air Film Festival will show a variety of movies in the Abbey Gardens between August 17 to 19.

The organisers promised a little of something for everyone, featuring more films over the three-day period – and it may even return for a fourth day with a special screening.

Danny Banthorpe, from Popup Pictures, said the festival will feature a mix of favourites, new and old.

On Thursday, a screening of the biographical drama film Elvis, which was screened at the event last year, will be shown.

Friday will feature a double serving of family movies, with both Matilda the Musical and The Greatest Showman.

Attendees can then gather round at teatime to watch Grease, which will be followed by a screening of Child’s Play.

The festivities return on Saturday with ‘The Whitney Brunch’, a three hour celebration of Whitney Houston’s career, featuring all her music videos and some famous performances.

The event will close with a showing of Top Gun Maverick, as well as a performance by 80s party band The Avi80rs.

The Open Air festival typically only showed three films over the three days on an inflatable screen.

But, a recent investment has allowed them to make the event bigger.

“We recently bought an LED screen, which means we can show movies during the day, instead of having to wait for the sun to go down,” Mr Banthorpe said.

“This means we can show films for children and new events, and really make the event more special.”

Seven screenings will take place, but the team are making plans for an eighth, secret showing.

Mr Banthorpe added: “If the Lionesses win their game on Wednesday, we plans to keep the event going for a fourth day to screen the final.”

Two types of tickets are on offer for the event.

The first is a standard ticket that provides access to the various street food vendors at the site, while another allows attendees to bring their own picnics.

One child under 15 can go free per paying adult.