There are only three months to go before the return of one of Great Yarmouth's biggest festivals.

For the past 16 years, the Out There Festival has brought all the wonderful and wacky world of the circus to the streets of the town.

This year's three-day extravaganza will take place from Thursday, May 30 until Saturday, June 1.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: FLASHBACK: Performers wowing dozens of people at the 2019 Out There Festival. Picture - JMA PhotographyFLASHBACK: Performers wowing dozens of people at the 2019 Out There Festival. Picture - JMA Photography (Image: JMA Photography)In previous years, the festival usually took place in September. However, following the festival's 2023 instalment - which saw some 65,000 people attend - organisers announced the date change to fit in better with the school year. 

The move sparked some controversy as the festival's new date clashed with the town's Comic Con, which has been held over May Bank Holiday weekends at Great Yarmouth Racecourse since 2018.

At the time, Out There said they saw it as an opportunity to "work collaboratively". This year's Comic-Con is set to take place on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: FLASHBACK: A night time light show at the 2017 Out There Festival. Picture - JMA PhotographyFLASHBACK: A night time light show at the 2017 Out There Festival. Picture - JMA Photography (Image: JMA Photography)This year's Out There promises to be as colourful and eclectic as ever, with highlights including two mischief makers butting heads in an explosive piece of circus entertainment, a games emporium with nothing to lose and a juggling act featuring bricks, catapults and a lot of glass.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Out There artistic director Joe Mackintosh. Picture - Sonya DuncanOut There artistic director Joe Mackintosh. Picture - Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)Out There's artistic director Joe Mackintosh said: "This year’s festival will bring some of the world’s finest circus and outdoor arts performances into Great Yarmouth.

"This year features a strong line up of international performances of typical Out There Festival humour and incredible feats of circus performance. 

"We’re also celebrating the shared vision and imagination of the community, highlighting the best UK artists in the outdoor arts as well as the developing stars of the future. 

"It all comes together in a rich mix chock full of world premieres and new creations."

In the build to this year's festival, Out There will be holding outreach programmes for schools at East Norfolk Sixth Form from May 6 until May 10.

For more information on this year's programme, visit www.outtherearts.org.uk/out-there-festival