Thousands of people are expected to flock to Aldeburgh on Saturday as the resort stages one of its most popular events, returning after a two-year absence.

Music by the Sea, which was held from 2012 on the resort’s seafront, was replaced by Thorpefest, a ticketed festival at Thorpeness Country Club, after organisers said it was “time for a change, a new adventure”.

On Saturday it returns home – being staged not on the seafront but on King’s Field, and including not only music but food and drink stalls, and a children’s funfair.

While the event is free to enter, it will be fundraising for charity with this year’s chosen good causes being Inspire Suffolk, which helps young people overcome challenges and enjoy a positive future in employment or further training through personal development programmes and activities, and Aldeburgh Hospital League of Friends, raising money for a sensory garden.

Gates open at 3pm with entertainment starting at 4pm – the evening ends with a fireworks finale.

The line-up includes tribute band ELO Encounter, popular Suffolk band Albion Mills playing their repertoire of 60s and 70s classic rock and pop, Everly Everly, Suffolk-based JS & The Lockerbillies, the Phil Jackson Rock ‘n’ Roll Band, Words and Music, and tributes to Tina Turner and Paloma Faith.

Organiser Peter Osborne, managing director, Coastal Operations, for the TA Hotel Collection, said the festival had been greatly missed by locals and people from further afield over the past two years and everyone was very excited to see it return.

He said: “The festival has been made even greater with local businesses right behind the event, so it can be made a free concert to raise as much as we can for local charities from the spectators.

“The switch [from the seafront] was really to allow us to control the area in terms of people attending the event, it also feels right in the King’s Field as it’s more of a local event.

“People of all ages can have a fantastic time while raising funds for local charities. We look forward to growing the event for future years.”

On-line free download tickets have sold out but there will be a limited number available at the gate – however, organisers are warning that the field is expected to reach capacity.