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Looking for the perfect budget-friendly family day out on the coast this summer? Sunrise Film Festival has announced the spectacular return of its much-loved Outdoor Cinema series, bringing a blockbuster lineup of animated favourites, timeless classics, and interactive fun to the Suffolk coast.
From 20–23 August, the Marina Yard at the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, will transform into a sun-soaked open-air cinema. Film lovers of all ages are invited to grab their blankets, pack their low-backed chairs, and experience the magic of cinema under the open sky, complete with high-quality Silent Headphones for a fully immersive experience.
Best of all, the organisers are keeping things accessible for families during the summer holidays. Kids go absolutely free to all outdoor screenings, daytime relaxed screenings are just £3 per adult, and evening family screenings are only £6.50 per adult.
Blockbusters, Classics, and Free Screenings
The four-day open-air lineup is packed with cinematic treasures, including award-winners, family favourites, and a completely free screening to celebrate the National Year of Reading:
Thursday, August 20: The fun kicks off with a relaxed, morning screening of the Academy Award-winning animated adventure Flow (11:30 AM). In the evening, families can join everyone’s favourite duo in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (5:30 PM), paired with a selection of animated shorts.
Friday, August 21: Hold onto your popcorn for one of cinema’s greatest adventures, Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park (1993) (5:30 PM), screening alongside curated family-friendly shorts.
Saturday, August 22: Start the day with a heartwarming, relaxed screening of the family adventure Little Amélie (11:30 AM), followed by a cracking afternoon adventure with Aardman’s beloved Chicken Run (4:00 PM).
Sunday, August 23: Sunrise is offering a completely free outdoor screening of the critically acclaimed The Wild Robot (11:00 AM). The weekend rounds out with the Family Friendly Shorts Mix Under 12 (1:00 PM) and the dazzling global animation showcase, Animated Feast (2:30 PM).
The Perfect Summer Vibe
To make the experience complete, audiences can treat themselves to delicious refreshments, hot drinks, and snacks directly from the Marina Theatre café throughout the weekend.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring the Outdoor Cinema back to the Marina Yard for our 5th anniversary edition,” says Joshua Freemantle, Festival Director. “Summer holidays can be an expensive time for parents, which is why we’ve made sure kids go free, and adult tickets start at just £3. With silent headphones to block out the world, great snacks from the café, and a great lineup of films, it’s going to be a magical four days of outdoor cinema.”
Ticket & Booking Information
Dates: Thursday 20 August – Sunday 23 August 2026
Location: The Yard at the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Pricing: Relaxed Morning Screenings: £3 Adults | Kids GO FREE
Family Friendly Evening Screenings: £6.50 Adults | Kids GO FREE
The Wild Robot Screening: Completely FREE for everyone
What to bring: Audiences are encouraged to bring blankets or low-backed chairs.
Tickets are strictly limited and expected to sell out fast. To secure your headphones and view the full schedule here.
