East Point Pavilion, Lowestoft
Like many of its coastal neighbours, modern-day Lowestoft grew out of a rich fishing industry. Latterly, its beautiful sandy beaches made it a popular holiday destination, and today the birthplace of Benjamin Britten has a burgeoning cultural scene.
First Light Festival
First Light is an annual two-day festival, marking summer solstice. Spread across South Beach, most of the day-time programme is free, and is varied enough to appeal to all ages and tastes. A live music stage features leading musicians and DJs and showcases rising local talent; in smaller marquees around and about audiences can enjoy poetry, performance and talks, take part in workshops and connect with artists. Collaboration is a key element, with leading regional organisations such as DanceEast and the National Centre for Writing participating. As evening arrives, the programme morphs into a night-time offer of gigs and club nights in venues across the town. And for those who really want to celebrate solstice, camp on the beach to gain easy access to sunrise events.
First Light Festival
The Festival is delivered by First Light Festival CIC, which has spear-headed the regeneration of Lowestoft’s cultural offer, and operates two year-round venues, East Point Pavilion and The Battery of Ideas; they also work in partnership with Sizewell Creative to deliver residencies for poets, artists and writers to respond to the development of juggernaut power station Sizewell C, 30 miles south of the town.
The glass ceiling at East Point Pavilion
East Point Pavilion is a beautiful Victoriana-style glass pavilion that has been reimagined as a cultural venue for live music, comedy, dance, makers markets and much more. With a bar serving barista coffees, craft beer and cocktails, and street food outlets, it is also a great place to relax with food and drink whilst enjoying a sea view.
The Battery of Ideas, in a former Tesco Metro, is a creative engagement space used for testing ideas for cultural activity in the town’s new cultural quarter; this includes a public programme covering gigs, classical music, art installations and more.
Find out more at firstlightlowestoft.com
The Battery of Ideas
Launched in 2021, Sunrise was developed by local filmmakers to provide an accessible and inclusive platform for underrepresented and overlooked communities. With a focus on inclusion, they actively seek out submissions from first-time filmmakers, women and non-binary people, neurodivergent artists and filmmakers from the LGBTQ+ community. Now the largest film festival in Suffolk, the team have maintained a friendly grassroots feel. Showing around 200 short films across four days, film lovers can look forward to a wide range of cross-genre content including comedy, horror, animation and family-friendly shorts. The event culminates in a screening of judge’s picks.
Find out more at sunrisefilmfestival.co.uk
The auditorium at The Seagull Theatre
Well established within the region, The Seagull is on a touring circuit frequented by acclaimed regional companies like Eastern Angles and High Tide. The theatre produces its own work and supports local professional companies; you will find a healthy dose of new writing and premieres. The town boasts two other theatres – The Marina Theatre is the place to look for tribute bands, stand-up comedy and family-friendly events, and at the Players Theatre is an eclectic programme of musicals and plays by local amateur group The Lowestoft Players.
Find out more at theseagull.co.uk
Ferini Art Gallery
Set before the beautiful seascapes of Pakefield, Ferini Art Gallery exhibits work made in response to the ever-changing skies, vibrant coastline, fishing beach and sandy cliffs.
Find out more at pakefieldartgallery.com
Just 6 miles outside Lowestoft, set within 12 acres with a yew tree maze to explore, tours of the Victorian stately home (as featured in Netflix’s The Crown) and a year-round programme of events, Somerleyton is a great place to visit for anyone who enjoys stunning gardens and heritage properties.
Find out more at somerleyton.co.uk
Somerleyton Hall & Gardens
Lowestoft is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound regeneration; over the coming years, a new cultural quarter will be developed, complemented by an enhanced food, retail and leisure offer.
Find out more about what is happening in Lowestoft and where to eat, drink and stay visit discoverlowestoft.co.uk or thesuffolkcoast.co.uk
