First Light festival returning to Lowestoft after three-year hiatus

A 24-hour non-stop arts and science festival will be returning to Lowestoft this summer after a three-year hiatus.

First Light will be held on South Beach from noon on Saturday, June 18, running continuously until 12pm the following day.

Two new sporting challenges will be taking place at dawn on the Sunday morning of the festival as well.

The Run or Cycle (ROC) Events Coastal Trail is a half marathon starting on South Beach and heading southwards along the coastal path towards Kessingland before looping back.

ROC Coastal Sportive is a cycling challenge that will start on Royal Green with two distance options - a 100-mile route through Cromer or a shorter 50-mile course into Norfolk and back.

Both challenges will raise money in support of Suffolk charity St Elizabeth Hospice.

Genevieve Christie, festival director in charge of programming, said: “We’re so excited to be able to confirm the date for First Light 2022.

"After two years of uncertainty and cancellations, First Light 2022 will be all about renewal and reconnection.

"We really can’t wait to welcome everybody back."

Greg Cooper, Run Or Cycle Events organiser, said: "We are so thrilled to be hosting these unique events as part of First Light and enabling more people to be a part of the festival.

"This really is a unique opportunity to be part of something special."

The festival took place for the first time in 2019, attracting 30,000 people.

It was conceived as part of the vision for the cultural regeneration for South Beach and also for wider cultural regeneration for Lowestoft as a whole.

The festival programme will be revealed at the end of March.