A huge East Beach Festival celebrating Caribbean culture with top DJs and artists headlining is returning to Shoebury this weekend.

Thousands of people flocked to the beach last year for the family-friendly, multicultural event to enjoy the music, food and dancing.

The event marked both Southend's first year as a city and 60 years of Jamaican independence. This year it will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush generation.

Here are all the details for the huge East Beach festival taking place today (August 12) and tomorrow (August 13):

While general admission is free, there will be limited VIP tickets for sale - which will let some spectators get close to all the action on the stage and enjoy panoramic views, the exclusive toilets and bar access.

As well as electrifying performances, festival-goers will also enjoy a fun fair, food stalls and bars. They can indulge in mouth-watering Jerk cuisine, savour the flavours of Jamaican dishes, and appreciate the art, crafts, and fashion which showcase the Jamaican culture.

The opening day - today - will kick off with a ribbon cutting event and a selection of steel pan music. At 1pm organisers will host Essex Got Talent, which hopes to showcase the county's emerging talent in action.

Nyaka Chana and the Afro Fusion band will be performing from 2pm until 5pm, when Reggae by the Beach kicks off. 

Rugged and Baldy will bring down the curtain featuring Dancehall hits from some of the top DJs.   

Guests will be reminiscing the songs of Motown with Bobby Woods and friends on Sunday after the grand finale of the festival opens.

Dirty Den and Company Soul Sound will takeover the stage for the afternoon with some amazing artists performing neo soul and rave grooves. Dean "Da Funkiman" Alexander presents the party of the weekend with Gully B and guest DJs from 3pm.

Junior Giscombe, Kofi, Christine McNabb, Mike Anthony, alongside support artists, will host the epic finale concert Reggae by the Beach, bringing the huge event to a close. 

The festival opens at 11am each day.