Set your sights on Suffolk’s beautiful coast this summer, as the First Light Festival returns to Lowestoft’s South Beach for its biggest and boldest event yet. Taking place from 21–22 June 2025, this free festival celebrates art, creativity, and community with an exciting programme of sculpture, installation, and performance – all right by the sea.
A Unique Festival on the Sunrise Coast
Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, First Light has become one of the UK’s most innovative cultural events – and it’s completely free to attend. It’s also the UK’s only free beachfront festival, bringing together over 1890 performers since its launch in 2019 and drawing crowds of over 145,000.
Expect a spectacular mix of sculpture, environmental art, and interactive installations, all reflecting the 2025 theme: From the Seabed to the Sky.
Highlights from the 2025 Arts Programme
Laurence Edwards – Shimmer and Borrowed Breath
Renowned Suffolk sculptor Laurence Edwards returns to the sands with his awe-inspiring bronze sculptures. These elemental, time-defying pieces draw from themes of change and permanence – and offer a powerful connection between landscape and legacy.
Discover more about Laurence Edwards at First Light
Zena Holloway – Ephemeral Beauty
Three striking, naturally grown sculptures, created from grass roots, willow, and jute, emerge from the beach to reflect the meeting point of land, sea, and sky. These beautiful organic forms will eventually decay and return to nature – a poetic expression of art’s fleeting presence.
Explore Ephemeral Beauty
Kaavous Clayton – TERNARYARRAY
Clayton reuses and reimagines everyday materials to challenge our ideas of waste, value, and function. His work will be part of the Battery of Ideas programme, testing bold ideas for Lowestoft’s emerging Cultural Quarter.
More on Kaavous Clayton
Maddie Exton – HOMESTEAD
This playful installation spells ‘HOMESTEAD’ in large letters on the beach – inspired by Lowestoft’s Norse roots. A creative twist on the iconic Hollywood sign, it celebrates the town’s heritage while looking to its future.
Gainsborough on the Beach
Visit a seaside Camera Obscura, run by Gainsborough’s House, and discover the 18th-century technology that inspired one of Suffolk’s greatest landscape painters. Plus, enjoy drop-in art workshops inspired by nature and place.
Noon to Moon
Stroll through an open-air gallery in Kensington Gardens, featuring vibrant works by local artists, school groups, and community organisations. Curated by Alexander Costello, the installations reflect the natural world and our connection to it.
Pakefield Man
A festival icon since the beginning, this striking figure by artist Tobias Ford greets visitors at South Beach and symbolises the ancient human presence on Suffolk’s coast.
Port to Port – Sophie Giller
Created for Refugee Week, this large-scale collaborative artwork celebrates maritime heritage and stories from across Suffolk, evolving as it travels between ports including Lowestoft, Ipswich, and Felixstowe.
Plan Your Visit
The festival runs:
-
Saturday 21 June: 12pm–9.30pm
-
Sunday 22 June: 10am–4pm
Plus, don’t miss the magical Dawn Sunrise Programme from 3.30am on Sunday!
With its beachfront setting, vibrant atmosphere, and free entry, First Light is the perfect excuse to plan a weekend in Lowestoft. Why not stay in a nearby seaside cottage or hotel and make the most of Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast?
🎟️ Full programme details and event listings available at firstlightlowestoft.com
Stay, Eat and Explore
There’s plenty to do around Lowestoft while you’re here. Explore Pleasurewood Hills, Africa Alive!, or stroll the Ness Point coastal path. Tuck into delicious seafood at beachside cafés, and find family fun or peaceful escapes across the Suffolk coast.
Don’t Miss This Truly Unique Festival!
Whether you’re into art, culture, or simply a relaxing weekend by the sea, First Light Festival is a must-see this summer. We’ll see you on the sand!
