SPILL Festival of Performance is returning to Ipswich from Wednesday, October 27 to Sunday, October 31, bringing over 100 art performances to indoor and outdoor locations across the historic waterfront town.

SPILL is Ipswich’s largest art festival of 2021 and everyone is invited to enjoy it, with many events ideal for families during the October half term. More than half of all events are free, and the remainder are pay-what-you-choose.

Spectacular large-scale installations will be seen around the town centre and on the waterfront. You can explore a wonderful alien environment in the maze of colourful domes and tunnels of ALBESILUM LUMINARIUM by Architects of Air or attend a UK Premiere of GONE, GONE BEYOND (28-30 October), the mind-blowingly immersive 360º projection and sound piece by People Like Us (also known as artist Vicki Bennett) at Jerwood DanceHouse.

Head to The Cornhill to watch the sonic sculptures of CHORUS (27-30 October) by Ray Lee, which spin and hum in the air like a swarm of fireflies or planets in motion.

Music fans will enjoy THE COMEBACK SPECIAL on October 29, a documentary of post-punk band TheThe, filmed at their 2018 Royal Albert Hall concert. Ipswich Fim Theatre will screen the film, followed by band frontman Matt Johnson and director Tim Pope in live conversation about the making of the documentary and their ongoing creative partnership.

Follow in the footsteps of astronauts at Luke Jerram’s installation GAIA (27-31 Oct), a seven-metre-wide model of the Earth, floating from the ceiling of Ipswich Town Hall.

You can also visit Ipswich Art Gallery to see the strange vegetable creatures of EDEN and the incredible photography of SPILL TAROT.

St Stephens Church will play host to the festival launch on October 27 and AFTER BURN, the party that follows festival favourite the PYRE PARADE on October 30. Head down to The Hold (the visitor centre for Suffolk Archives) and post your bad news in special boxes guarded by effigies. Then join the noisy parade through town to Christchurch Park, where the PYRE PARADE effigies and all your bad news will be engulfed in flames.

Book tickets online at www.spillfestival.com or call 01473 210169.

Stay up to date with new events by visiting visiteastofengland.com/head-east and following the campaign on social media at #HeadEastUK or @HeadEast.UK