From a new dawn to sun down, summer will start in style in Lowestoft as the popular First Light Festival returns in June.

Tens of thousands will flock to Lowestoft's south beach and seafront for the sixth time on June 20-21 this year.

Organisers of Britain’s only free, 24-hour, non-stop multi-arts and science festival -First Light CIC - have announced the full programme of acts that will be showcased.

Featuring 24 festival stages and festival venues, more than 200 free performances - including a series of talks, workshops and activities - will provide fun for all the family.

A new cabaret night will be showcased along with new glamping options.

A late night programme of ticketed events returns on the Saturday evening ahead of a dawn celebration to mark the summer solstice on the Sunday.

The Solstice programme starts around 3.30am on June 21 with yoga on the beach and a live performance of improvised Indian classical music from DJ Jason Singh.

Jason Singh will perform at First Light Festival in Lowestoft as the UK's only free beachfront festival returns. Image: Reece Straw Reece Straw (Image: Reece Straw)

A fish feast is then served before a new co-commission between Aldeburgh Festival, Britten Pears Arts and First Light Festival as Turkish-born singer-songwriter and composer Tendertwin performs a new work inspired by Benjamin Britten.

Tendertwin will perform at First Light Festival in Lowestoft. Image: Zeynep Ozkanca (Image: First Light Festival)

Festival director Genevieve Christie said: “Marking the solstice on the beach is an incredibly special moment.

"This year we’re welcoming people to join us to celebrate the exact moment that heralds the start of summer and I hope that visitors join us from far and wide to welcome the UK’s first sunrise together, from Lowestoft’s stunning golden sands.”

International artists

On the Sunlight Stage – the main festival stage on the beach - music from across the globe will hit Lowestoft.

Jamz Supernova will perform at First Light Festival In Lowestoft as the UK's only free beachfront festival returns. Image: First Light Festival (Image: First Light Festival)

It includes BBC 6 Music radio host and DJ Jamz Supernova; Dutch disco from Another Taste; UK powerhouse soul and funk artist Ashton Jones; neo soul and R&B singer songwriter and producer Lizzie Berchie; folk singer and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman; music from the Balkans with ShunTA! and West African Mandingue songs from N’famady Kouyaté.

Another Taste will perform at First Light Festival in Lowestoft. Image: Ruth Neije Bijvank (Image: Ruth Neije Bijvank)

Luke Wright will perform at First Light Festival in Lowestoft. Image: Luke Wright (Image: Luke Wright)

Spoken word and comedy on the First Word Stage includes poet Luke Wright; Bradley Taylor; poet and playwright Inua Ellams; Elf Lyons; Louise Exactly and 'comedy's poet laureate' John Hegley.

John Hegley will perform at First Light Festival in Lowestoft. With his accompaniest Eleanor. Image: Peter Everard Smith (Image: Peter Everard Smith)

Patrick Grant, from the Great British Sewing Bee, is among those giving talks in the Interstellar Ideas tent, alongside Universe of Music with the Sky at Night’s Chris Lintotto and musician Steve Pretty; author Ashley Hickson-Lovence; George McKay and Julian Barnwell – who discovered the HMS Gloucester shipwreck.

Patrick Grant will speak at First Light Festival in Lowestoft. Image: Patrick Grant (Image: Patrick Grant)

Tickets are now on sale for events taking place at Festival venues after the sun goes down on Saturday, June 20.

Jamz Supernova will perform at First Light Festival In Lowestoft as the UK's only free beachfront festival returns. Image: First Light Festival (Image: First Light Festival)

Keep dancing with Jamz Supernova at the First Light after party at The Venue on Claremont Pier.

Intimate soul and jazz features with vocalist Polly Gibbons at The Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club.

Polly Gibbons will perform at First Light Festival in Lowestoft. Image: Polly Gibbons (Image: Polly Gibbons)

Acoustic and classical Moonlit Soundscapes features at St Peter & St John Church.

East Point Pavilion brings late-night glamour with cabaret performances and Intergalactic Get Down with First Light’s ever popular Silent Disco.

Laurence Edwards sculpture The Long Wait will feature at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft. Image: Laurence Edwards (Image: Laurence Edwards)

Renowned sculptor Laurence Edwards will bring The Long Wait to the festival as it remains on the beach throughout the summer.

The New to Moon installation of contemporary art and Easterly Artists returns to Kensington Gardens, while the Kittiwake Hotel Project - a sculptural response to nesting sites out at sea built for the kittiwakes - features.

The Kittiwake Hotel Project will be showcased at First Light Festival in Lowestoft. Image: First Light Festival (Image: First Light Festival)

Workshops in the MoonDance and Cosmic Pirates tents include social dancing from Grounded Movement and Vertical Space - a new zone for young people offering drop-in creativity with DJ sessions, gaming, sports and more.

Booking is now open for First Light’s wild beach camping and clifftop campervans.

For the first time, audiences can pre-book a fully kitted out VW campervan.

Visit firstlightlowestoft.com to find out more.

© Eastern Daily Press