Fun activities for all the family will transform a town centre as Lowestoft is transported back in time to the 1940s.

With live music, history talks, vintage vehicles, children's entertainment and much more, the 1940s festival weekend will see the town's history celebrated on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.

The event, hosted by Lowestoft Vision, will feature a range of 1940s displays, re-enactments, entertainment and exhibitions showcased all the way from Station Square up to the Triangle Market

Retailers will be transforming their window displays and staff will be dressing up for the occasion, while some café's – such as Kerrys and Beales departments stores and the library café – are changing their menu to a 1940s theme.

The Flint House, on the historic High Street, will have an Anderson shelter in the courtyard and will be serving rationed packed lunches, Wilkinsons will be turning their store to how it was back in the 40s, Waterstones will be hosting some exhibitions and Joseph Conrad's will be transformed back to Tuttles department store for the weekend.

The town centre will be split into five zones – a Children's Village in the Triangle Market, Be-bop Avenue outside Beales, Vintage Valley running between Sports Direct and Starbucks, Archive Avenue running from Waterstones into the Britten Centre and Stomper Street, from Burtons down to McDonalds – as activities run from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and from 11am to 3pm on Sunday.

With Suffolk Record Office located in Archive Avenue, they will be holding a display of 1940s archive material, including photographs and maps of the town to demonstrate to residents some of the services they offer. They will have 1940s items for visitors to try on, along with an evacuee 'kit', gas masks and other props and resources.

Danny Steel, chairman of Lowestoft Vision, said: 'The 1940s weekend is another great project from Lowestoft Vision. I hope as many people come along and join in as possible; some to reminisce and relive their youth, others to experience what our remarkable town was like nearly 80 years ago.'

Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in their best 1940s gear, with a full festival programme at www.discoverlowestoft.co.uk