Discover Lowestoft's Guide to The First Light Festival 2019

Britain’s most easterly town is gearing up for its first-ever 24hour festival.

First Light is a FREE event that will run over the solstice weekend (midday June 22nd - midday June 23rd) with the exception of the Moon Dance Silent Disco and Screen on the Sand where headphones are required, Wild Beach Camping and Giles Peterson’s Club DJ set. During the festival you will experience a variety of live music, wellbeing activities, sports, talks on the beach, activities for the kids, silent discos as well as some of the best food and drink the region has to offer including JoJo’s Kitchen & Bar who were this year's winner at the Eat Suffolk Food & Drinks Awards 2019.

The Festival will kick off with a procession that will make it’s way along the beach finishing up at the Sunlight Stage where the first light activities will begin with music from award-winning musician Talvin Singh.

With over 100 activities going on across 24hour festival there is something for everyone!

Sunlight Stage

With live music from Talvin Singh, First Light Ensemble, A Man Called Adam, The Fontanas, The John Ward Band, Horn Factory.

Cosmic Pirates (For the Kids)

Join Cosmic Pirates for a variety of activities from listening to Jonny Duddle’s pirate stories, Gareth P Jones tales of Aliens in Lowestoft and Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s wild beach activities.

Aurora Science Zone

Spot talks, Demonstrations, Moon Gazing and loads of activities with The National History Museum, CEFAS and Norwich Astronomical Society.

Makers Market

A selection of some of the best local Food, Produce, beverages and crafts in Suffolk!

The Beach

A huge variety of activities are going on on the beach from Zumba, touch Rugby, Volleyball, Frisbee, Sandcastle record attempt to something a little more relaxed such as Yoga, movement through music and wellbeing by the waves.

For a full list of the weekend's activities including times, locations and where tickets are required check out the timetable & map in the link showing absolutely everything you need to know ahead of the event.

Schedule - https://firstlightlowestoft.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/First-Light-Full-Schedule-2019.pdf

Site Map - https://firstlightlowestoft.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/First-Light-Site-Map.jpg

In the town?

While you're here don’t forget to explore our historical fishing town, the high street offers fantastic shopping, delicious restaurants as well as beautiful views of the coast.

Also from the town

Some of our much-loved stores & restaurants will also be attending the First Light Festival - Keep an eye out for them and pop over to say hi.

JoJo Kitchen & Bar

Join the friendly team and try their award-winning food!

QD

Head over to the QD stall located at the upper esplanade and collect your free goodie bag! In addition, if you spend £10 or more in their store you will get FREE parking for the entire day!

A few need to know’s!

Tickets

While the festival is free some of the events are ticketed so please keep this in mind when planning your visit. All tickets can be purchased from the main First Light Festival website. https://firstlightlowestoft.com/your-visit/tickets/

Accommodation

There are plenty of Campsites and accommodation close to the festival if you wish to stay and explore the surrounding area https://firstlightlowestoft.com/your-visit/where-to-sleep/

Getting here

Thousands are expected to descend onto the sandy beaches of the town and with very limited parking available we strongly urge that public transport is taken where possible. There are no rail replacements this weekend and trains are expected to run as normal making travel between London, Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester much easier with direct trains from most locations. There are also local buses covering Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Kings Lynn, Thetford and connections as far as London. If you are cycling to the festival there will be a bike park on the entrance to the Festival site on the Upper Esplanade by Rectory Road.

Parking - https://firstlightlowestoft.com/your-visit/parking/

Train Routes - https://www.greateranglia.co.uk

Bus Routes - https://www.firstgroup.com/

Cycle Routes - https://www.sustrans.org.uk/map-ncn

ROAD CLOSURES

Kensington Road is expected to be closed with works continuing on Cefas.

Rectory Road will be closed between Kirkley Cliff Road and Upper Esplanade except to residents and emergency services on Saturday 22 June and Sunday 23 June 2019.

Dogs

Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on that part of the beach in June and we are expecting large volumes of people giving ample opportunity for your furry little ones to get lost or become very scared. Please leave them at home where they will be safe and calm.

Helpful Links

https://firstlightlowestoft.com/

http://www.discoverlowestoft.co.uk/stay/

We hope you have a fantastic weekend at the First Light Festival.