The UK’s only free beach festival and the anniversary of the country’s longest running drama are among five major events happening in Suffolk next month.
1. First Light Festival
The festival is free and family-friendly (Image: First Light Festival)
Where: South Beach, Lowestoft NR33 0DE
When: Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21
The UK’s only free beachfront multi-arts festival returns to South Beach, Lowestoft over the summer solstice weekend.
The 2026 line-up features Jamz Supernova, folk legend Seth Lakeman, Dutch disco act Another Taste, and soul artist Ashton Jones.
The standout moment is the 3:30am dawn ceremony on 21 June, featuring improvised Indian classical music from sound artist DJ Jason Singh alongside a specially commissioned Britten piece.
2. Aldeburgh Festival
Rory Kinnear (Image: Thorington Theatre)
Where: Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Snape Bridge, Snape IP17 1SP
When: Friday, June 12 until Sunday, June 28
The 77th Aldeburgh Festival at Snape Maltings marks the 50th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s death.
The centrepiece is a semi-staged Pelléas et Mélisande directed by Rory Kinnear, starring Sophie Bevan, Sarah Connolly and John Tomlinson, with performances from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and London Sinfonietta also on the bill.
The festival concludes on 28 June with a free Big Day Out community celebration in Aldeburgh itself.
3. Suffolk Celebration Concert
There will be free daytime events in Abbey Gardens (Image: Supplied)
Where: St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Angel Hill, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1LS
When: Sunday, June 21
Bury St Edmunds hosts Suffolk Day 2026 with free daytime events across Angel Hill and Abbey Gardens followed by an evening Suffolk Celebration Concert at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
The show is hosted by actress-broadcaster Helen Atkinson-Wood and stars rock legend Rick Wakeman, with broadcaster Libby Purves, journalist Martin Bell and DanceEast also appearing.
All proceeds go to Suffolk Community Foundation.
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4. The Archers: Live at 75
The cast has been announced for The Archers: Live at 75 (Image: Supplied)
Where: Ipswich Regent Theatre, 3 St. Helen’s St, Ipswich IP4 1HE
Where: Tuesday, June 16
BBC Radio 4’s beloved The Archers steps out of the studio and onto the stage for its 75th anniversary national tour.
The evening is hosted by comedian and superfan Angela Barnes and features original cast members Timothy Bentinck (David Archer), Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter), Ben Norris (Ben Archer) and Annabelle Dowler (Kirsty Miller).
Live sound effects, BBC archive moments and the beloved Ambridge Flower & Produce Show setting make this a unique night of radio theatre.
5. Five
Five are to fully reunite for the first time in 25 years (Five/PA) (Image: Five/PA)
Where: July Course, Newmarket CB8 0XE
When: Friday, June 19
Legendary 90s boy band Five, reunited with their original line-up, headline Newmarket Nights at the as part of their Keep On Movin’ reunion tour.
The evening begins with racing from 4:50pm before Five take to the stage.
It’s the first of several big-name Newmarket Nights this summer, with Basement Jaxx and Madness following in the weeks after.
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