Weird and Wonderful Wood to return to Haughley Park, near Stowmarket, for 30th anniversary with perfomers from UK and beyond

An arts and craft fair will return for its 30th anniversary in May with performers from around the UK and beyond.

This year, Weird and Wonderful Wood will host an ‘incredible feast’ of street theatre and entertainers on May 10 and 11 at Haughley Park, near Stowmarket, including Zelda the giant tortoise, a giant walking viking made of willow and a rendition from Flea Circus.

Saturday’s Shows on the Mound will see Carlos Airhead and his six foot balloon perform, as well as The International Man of Artistry, Jon Hicks, showing off his repertoire of comedy and artworks, which will culminate in the reveal of his upside down painting.

By popular demand, Mark Chadwick of The Levellers will peform on Sunday, with a mixture of his solo material and Leveller classics.

Also on Sunday, the 20-person troupe Old Time Sailors will swing into action and bring a shanty party to Haughley Park, as well as the Tanzanian Black Eagles with their powerful and graceful acrobatics.

The Ghanian dance troupe Niimei will be on stage on both days, sharing traditional drumming and dance from Ghana’s cultural heritage.

Other performances from resident entertainers Dan the Hat and Foolhardy Folk, as well as Rimski and Handkerchief, the Bicycle Piano, the Double Bassicle and the Bureau of Silly Ideas will come over the course of the weekend.

The acoustic stage will play host to some familiar faces as well as new musicians, while the Buskers Corner will have performers dropping in all weekend.

Alongside the entertainment, Weird and Wonderful Wood 2025 will boast more than 130 stalls from its talented woodworkers and crafters.

This will include instrument makers, designers, sculptors, coracle makers, furniture makers and many other craftspeople demonstrating and selling their work.

Visitors can also take advantage of the free workshops at the event, including woodcarving, drumming, spoke shave, hula hoop, willow, clay, scrap wood, archery, axe throwing, aerial silks, Monkey Do tree climbing and circus skills.

Weird and Wonderful Wood is a not-for-profit event, with all funds directed back into the fesitval to make it the best experience possible.

Parking will be free of charge as usual, and all activities on site are also free.

It will run from 10.30am until 6pm on the Saturday, and from the same time until 5pm on the Sunday.