What's On in Essex

Discover Exhibition

Venue: Hollytrees Museum

Website: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events

A major new exhibition launches at Hollytrees Museum with fascinating objects and stories from the past to discover, including a BIG surprise arriving over Easter weekend—keep an eye on Colchester Museums’...

Discover: Museum Wonders

Venue: Hollytrees Museum

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/discover/

Step into a world of extraordinary discoveries as Colchester Museums unveils Discover: Museum Wonders, a major new exhibition featuring the first real dinosaur skeleton ever displayed in Colchester, offering...

Museum of the Moon

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Suspended within the historic Castle, this spectacular installation combines light, sound and space to create a truly immersive experience. Accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack by BAFTA and Ivor Novello...

Abbotts Hall Home Education Session

Venue: Abbotts Hall

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk

In relaxed outdoor settings, Abbotts Hall run home education groups where children can work together to develop social skills and to foster a deep understanding of wildlife and a love of the natural world....

Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park

Venue: Danbury Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Aimed at home educated children, this series of six sessions at Danbury Country Park includes nature activities, forest crafts, imagination, physical play and building things. Children have the opportunity...

Halloween Maize Maze

Venue: Cammas Hall Farm

Website: www.cammashall.co.uk

The dinosaur-themed maze has been enchanted by Halloween magic! Book now and enjoy a roaring adventure through our 6-acre maze. If you’re feeling brave, grab your torch and join one of the late-night...

Halloween Pumpkin Patch

Venue: Cammas Hall Farm

Website: www.cammashall.co.uk

Pumpkin Patch Extravaganza is back and packed with pumpkins, Halloween characters and fantastic photo opportunities. With over 80 varieties of pumpkins and squash to discover, there’s everything from...

BeWILDerFEST

Venue: Norfolk and Cheshire

Website: www.bewilderwood.co.uk

Watch stories brought to life with music at the stage, take part in an interactive Flower Power Trail and meet your favourite characters.

Colchester Leisure World – Leisure Pool

Venue: Leisure World Colchester

Website: www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk

Splash into fun at Leisure World's Leisure Pool. Perfect for families, the pool features thrilling flumes, the exhilarating Crazy River, and bubbling jacuzzis. With shallow areas for little ones and deeper...

Engineering For Kids — Chelmsford

Venue: Various venues

Website: https://engineeringforkids-chelmsford.co.uk/

Engineering For Kids is a unique and dynamic program designed to inspire the next generation through hands-on activities such as launching rockets, battling robots, and even programming video games. Visit...

Home Education at Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park

Venue: Pannington Hall Lane, Ipswich

Website: www.jimmysfarm.com/home-education

Looking for different ways to educate your children in the great outdoors? Every month (excluding school holidays) Jimmy's Farm has four days dedicated to Home Education. Each session will begin at 11am...

Home Education Sessions

Venue: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

Address: Kelvedon Park, Rivenhall

Website: www.essex-fire.gov.uk/home-education-sessions

Sessions are designed to help children build the knowledge, confidence and practical awareness they need to make safer choices in everyday life. Topics include home fire safety, cyber safety and other...

ParkPlay

Venue: Old Heath Recreation Ground

Website: https://park-play.com

Every Saturday, children and families can join in with free games, have fun, move more, and make friends.Everyone in your family must register before you first go along and you will get your unique ParkPlay...

SEN Friendly Days

Venue: Museum of Chelmsford

Website: www.museumofchelmsford.co.uk

This is an opportunity for visitors with additional or sensory needs to enjoy the museum in a more relaxed atmosphere. Sound effects around the galleries will be turned down or off and a large, quiet break...

Spooktacular October Half Term at Harlow Leisurezone

Venue: Second Avenue, Harlow

Website: www.harlowleisurezone.co.uk/kids-family

Harlow Leisurezone has put together a programme designed to keep children active, entertained and trying something new throughout the school break. Make a splash with Aqua Jets, the Intensive Swimming...

The Wind in the Willows: A Garden Adventure

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk

Join Mr Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger for a fun, interactive family garden trail, inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s classic story. Running until December 2026, explore the garden in a new way‚ by discovering...

Naze super seals! Home Education Session

Venue: The Naze Nature Discovery Centre

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk

Learn all about the local seals and take part in some hands on activities to discover how you can help protect them. Next you'll head out on a walk over the Naze, to have a go at using some binoculars...

Ingrebourne Home Education

Venue: Ingrebourne Valley Nature Discovery Centre

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk

In relaxed outdoor settings, children can be themselves and work together to develop social skills and to foster a deep understanding of wildlife and a love of the natural world. Activities may include...

The Addams Family

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

Everyone’s favourite spooky family is back — and they’re facing their strangest challenge yet: love. Packed with infectious songs, outrageous comedy, and just the right amount of darkness, The Addams...

Hylands Fear Fest

Venue: Hylands Estate

Website: www.hylandsestate.co.uk

A brand-new Halloween experience is set to terrify and delight visitors this autumn as Hylands Fear Fest makes its debut! This immersive series promises spine-tingling thrills, family-friendly fun, and...

Trail of Terror

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

Face your fears and look out for the creatures of the night along a 1.5 mile route all put together by our in-house team! – Zoo team by day, scarers by night! Hop aboard the road train and dare to take...

Shelf: The Kids Show 2

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Expect silly characters, pranks, slapstick, invisible whips, some light voodoo, audience participation (only if you want!), and jokes all crammed into a high energy hour that's fun for children, their...

Spooky Magic Trail

Venue: Thorndon Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Watch out! Witches, werewolves and magical creatures are lurking in the park. Count them as you go, uncover the hidden magic letters, and help the rangers create a spell to send them on their way. Free...

Naze seashore science and discovery - Wilder Families Club

Venue: The Naze Nature Discovery Centre

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk

A bumper session on the beach and in the science lab, perfect for adventurous hearts and curious minds! Wilder Families Club is a monthly event aimed to connect families with wildlife and wild places,...

Abberton Home Education: Survival Skills

Venue: Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk

Visit Abberton to work on your survival skills. This will include identifying (but not eating) things that can be foraged, building dens, and fire lighting and cooking if the weather allows. This is a...

Garg's Animal Encounters

Venue: Cammas Hall Farm

Website: www.cammashall.co.uk

Get ready for an unforgettable experience with Garg and his wonderful animals. Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with some incredible critters, all while having a blast! Packed with fun...

K-POP Live - The Theatre Show

Venue: Princes Theatre

Website: www.princestheatre.co.uk

Expect jaw-dropping choreo, stage-ready visuals, fanchants, and bops that hit different. Whether you’re a longtime stan or just discovering your ult group, this is your chance to go full K-pop mode....

Family Knees Up

Venue: Queen's Theatre

Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Tom Carradine returns for a Family Knees Up in Hornchurch. Tom leads from behind his piano ‘Kimberley’, and will get you and your little ones Doing the Lambeth Walk, pondering How Much is That Doggy...

Halloween Festival

Venue: Clacton Pier

Website: www.clactonpier.co.uk

Clacton Pier is gearing up for a Halloween to remember! The popular Halloween Festival is back and bigger than ever, offering a host of spine-tingling thrills and delightful chills for the whole family.

Halloween Festival

Venue: Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

Website: www.hopefield.org.uk

Get ready to be spooked around the Pirate Treasure Trail, get creative with Halloween arts and crafts, meet the creepy crawlies, encounter fangtastic characters walking about and pick up your free pumpkin...

Halloween in Concert

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

As darkness falls across the land, the incredible cast and live band take to the stage. With stunning visuals and state-of-the-art production, this brand-new concert spectacular unleashes a thrilling crescendo...

Halloween Special

Venue: Audley End Enchanted Railway

Website: www.audley-end-railway.co.uk

Climb aboard the Halloween train for a magical journey deep into the forest. The tracks are lined with charming, not-too-spooky scenes for all ages. There will be some singing and dancing and each child...

Knightzzz at the Museum

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Meet the mighty Juliasaurus and join this roarsome dinosaur sleepover inside the castle. Pitch your campsite, meet the rangers, uncover hidden areas, and dive into hands on dinosaur activities. Finish...

Shriek Week

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

Get ready to party to popular spooky tunes with the Wild Vibe Crew and take part in the spooktacular fun with a journey aboard the Runaway Pirate Road Train. Don’t forget to take part in the Witches’...

Spooky Plants Trial

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/whats-on/october-half-term-at-hyde-hall

Explore the interactive garden trail featuring scary-looking species and discover fascinating plant facts, collect rubbings and design your own spooky plant. Keep an eye out for potion-making inspiration...

Dinosaur Adventure Live

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

Stomp, Roar and Swish your tail as we introduce you to some of the most incredible species ever to have lived on planet Earth. An unforgettable Jurassic experience for all the family to enjoy.This awe-inspiring...

Owls by Candlelight

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Join Eden Falconry in the banqueting hall of the 900 year-old medieval Norman keep for the ultimate Owl experience. A flight display, a chance to meet the birds up close and handle them, and plenty of...

Halloween Inflatable Fun

Venue: South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre

Website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk

With Halloween-themed floats, spooky tunes, exciting inflatables, and plenty of autumn fun, South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre are ready to welcome ghouls, ghosts, and swimmers of all ages for a memorable...

Party Monster's Halloween Takeover

Venue: Cammas Hall Farm

Website: www.cammashall.co.uk

Get ready for a frightfully fun family party as the Party Monsters bring their Halloween Takeover to Cammas Hall. Packed with entertainment for little monsters and grown-ups alike, expect bubbles, magic,...

The Bubble Show

Venue: Queen's Theatre

Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Created and performed by Guinness World Record holder, The Highland Joker, this theatrical experience blends storytelling, magic, science, and bubble artistry into an unforgettable journey. The Bubble...

Zoolab Animal Encounters

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk

Join the Zoolab witch or wizard to concoct a magic potion! Get up close with snakes, snails and spiders, as we add all the special ingredients into a smoking cauldron. £7 per child, suitable for all ages...

Haven House Halloween Trail 2026

Venue: Haven House Children's Hospice

Website: www.havenhouse.org.uk

Follow the path through the beautiful, autumnal woods to complete a Halloween Trail, visit the craft station and get creative with Halloween-themed arts and crafts to take home. Dressing up is encouraged...

Mr Sleepybum’s Dream Machine

Venue: Queen's Theatre

Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Mr Sleepybum is sad. He can’t dream. To solve this problem, he invents a machine that magically brings dreams to life, featuring dinosaurs, robots, car chases, the world’s largest blanket! The show...

Museum Magical Makes

Venue: Museum of Chelmsford

Website: www.museumofchelmsford.co.uk

Families can craft their own broomstick keychains, spin a spooky web, create a fabulous pumpkin, and design a magical thaumatrope that brings pictures to life before your eyes! Suitable for families with...

Musical Theatre Masterclasses: Halloween Special

Venue: Cliffs Pavilion

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com

Ailish Murphy will be using her wealth of experience to work with young people ages 6-17. No prior experience is required, just a love for theatre and enthusiasm to learn! Within these classes, you will...

Brainiac Live

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Watch from the safety of your seat as the Brainiacs delve fearlessly into the mysteries of science and do all those things on stage that you can't do at home! With a great range of explosive experiments...

Comedy Club 4 Kids

Venue: Queen's Theatre

Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand-ups, sketch acts and cabaret stars to do their thing for an audience of children (aged 6+) and their families… but without the rude...

Craft and planting workshop

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk

Visit RHS Garden Hyde Hall for creative autumn crafts and a hands-on planting session. Plant your own spooky seed character, take it home and watch it sprout a wild green hairstyle. £2.50 per child,...

Parkour and Free Running Holiday Courses

Venue: Chelmsford Sports and Athletics Centre

Website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk

Parkour isn’t about big jumps and stunts. It’s a state of mind that allows the practitioner to navigate their surroundings, overcome obstacles and enjoy their environment. Whether you are a complete...

Dinosaur World Live

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child's favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after...

Naze Reptile Encounter

Venue: The Naze Nature Discovery Centre

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk

DJL Exotic are coming to the Naze and bringing their Reptiles and Invertebrates for you to meet. You will learn all about them and be able to get up close and interact with the Reptiles and Invertebrates...

RARE Productions presents Frozen

Venue: Harlow Playhouse

Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen includes all the film’s beloved songs along with new music written exclusively for the stage. Full of magic, humour, and a...

Spooky Halloween

Venue: Museum of Power

Website: www.museumofpower.org.uk

Go and enjoy arts, crafts, ghost and pumpkin hunts and other spooky activities, together with stalls selling spooky goodies. You can also stir the witch’s cauldron and enjoy her stories … but expect...

Spooky Storytime at Wiggly Bush Cafe

Venue: Weald Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Join Essex Library Service and Explore Essex for spooky story time in the park this Halloween. Pick up one of the Spooky Magic trail sheets from the café and enjoy the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler...

On Your Bike Baffo

Venue: Queen's Theatre

Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Get ready for big laughs as the lovable, bumbling Baffo returns in a riotous, cycle-themed clown show. Wondering how to blow up a tyre or ride a bike? Baffo’s got you covered… sort of. Expect wild...

Stow Maries: Autumn Family Nature Day

Venue: Stow Maries

Website: www.stowmaries.org.uk

This autumn half term Stow Maries have a special Family Nature Day focusing on their woodland areas, so if you fancy an alternative to endless Halloween pumpkins, join the Wildlife Team for a drop-in day...

Raver Tots Halloween

Venue: Cliffs Pavilion

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com

Get ready for a spooktacular family rave featuring huge artists, an incredible special effects show and plenty of Halloween fun for all ages! Expect face painting, fancy-dress competitions, amazing prizes...

Southend City Free Seafront Fireworks Display

Venue: Marine Parade

Website: www.visitsouthend.co.uk

Now celebrating its 30th year, Southend City Fireworks has become a shining highlight of the city’s night time scene, drawing thousands to the seafront for safe, spectacular, and family friendly evenings...

The Spooktacular Variety Show

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

Experience the Spooktacular Variety Show—a one-of-a-kind Black Art UV Puppet performance bursting with colour, comedy and magical surprises. Perfect for all ages, this dazzling show brings quirky characters...

Calm at the Castle

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

These sessions are designed for anyone who would benefit from a calmer environment, including visitors with autism or sensory sensitivities. Sensory stimulation is reduced by turning off sounds and visual...

LDN Wrestling - November

Venue: Princes Theatre

Website: www.princestheatre.co.uk

Get ready for an unforgettable night of live entertainment as LDN Wrestling returns with its action-packed Half Term Showdown! From high-stakes championship clashes to explosive tag team battles, every...

Forest School sessions for Home Ed

Venue: Danbury Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Aimed at home educated children, this series of six sessions at Danbury Country Park includes nature activities, forest crafts, imagination, physical play and building things. Children have the opportunity...

Family Forest School: Danbury Country Park

Venue: Danbury Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Create lasting memories around the campfire, explore the native flora and fauna, swing in a hammock, challenge yourself to the rope ladder or just chill by the stream. These sessions run one Saturday each...

Out of the Box

Venue: Queen's Theatre

Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Fresh from five-star success at the Edinburgh Fringe and being named Best Family Show at Brighton Fringe, Darryl J Carrington transforms everyday objects into extraordinary adventures. A toothbrush stars...

Swan Lake Performed by Crown Ballet

Venue: Princes Theatre

Website: www.princestheatre.co.uk

Widely regarded as the most iconic ballet of all time, Swan Lake is a masterpiece of Tchaikovsky’s genius. Featuring some of the most memorable music and breathtaking choreography, this production brings...

A Christmas Carol

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

A festive treat for all the family, Dickens’ beloved tale of redemption is brought to the stage at Towngate Theatre in an authentic and joyful adaptation from Operation Moonlight.

Robin Hood

Venue: Queen's Theatre

Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Perfect for the whole family, this action-packed adventure is bursting with catchy songs, dazzling sets and costumes, and side-splitting panto fun. You’ll find heroes to cheer, villains to boo, and more...

Jack and the Beanstalk

Venue: Mercury Theatre

Website: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

This Christmas, the Mercury Theatre present the pantomime spectacular you’ve all BEAN waiting for – Jack and the Beanstalk! Colchester panto legends Antony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville are back...

RHS Glow 2026

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk

Get ready to Glow this Christmas in an immersive spectacle of light and sound to delight all ages. Designed to amaze and delight, the special effects and illuminations showcase the beauty of nature, mimicking...

Cinderella

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

You shall go to the ball this Christmas as Cinderella and friends arrive by carriage for Chelmsford Theatre's pantomime spectacular! Expect magic, mayhem, royal balls, fairy godmothers, major glow ups...

Enchanted Trail of Light

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

Prepare to be amazed along the magical trail filled with wonder at every turn and all put together by the creative in-house team. Marvel at dancing fountains before enjoying a ride aboard the festive road...

Enlightened 2026

Venue: Hylands Estate

Website: www.hylandsestate.co.uk

Follow an illuminated route through Hylands Park as light, sound and interactive installations transform the landscape after dark. Designed for visitors of all ages, Enlightened offers a festive evening...

The Magical Adventures of Sleeping Beauty

Venue: Princes Theatre

Website: www.princestheatre.co.uk

This magical pantomime features Great Songs, Dazzling Dance Routines, Stunning Scenery, Beautiful Costumes and Incredible Circus Acts. It will be an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike.Suitable...

‘Keep’ Festive Illuminations Trail

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Discover the extraordinary trees, admire the beautiful reflections on the lake and uncover the story of 'The Knight Before Christmas'. The independently designed and completely unique trail explores a...

Carols by Candlelight

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

A rare opportunity to hear traditional carols in an enchanting and historic setting. Performed in every alcove of the Castle's minstrel gallery, enjoy a tranquil evening by candlelight in a 12th Century...

Puss in Boots

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Another festive pop-up panto from the team who brought you Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan and Goldilocks and the Three Bears! Enjoy this classic pantomime in the magical setting of the Castle grounds...

Snow White

Venue: Cliffs Pavilion

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com

Panto legend and beloved TV star Shane Richie will star as Muddles alongside Steps singer and musical theatre star Faye Tozer as the Wicked Queen. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be spectacularly...

The Wizard of Oz

Venue: Charter Hall

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk

A story loved for generations The Wizard of Oz remains one of the most iconic and treasured tales in entertainment history. Millions have grown up with Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Lion, characters...

'Keep' Christmastide Market

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

An exciting Christmas Market set against the magical Hedingham Castle Keep. Alongside access to the Keep Festive Illuminations Trail, the Christmas Market of gifts, food vendors, music and a special visit...

Father Christmas Experience

Venue: Layer Marney Tower

Website: www.helenrollason.org.uk/event/father-christmas-experience-2026

Layer Marney Tower will be transformed into a winter wonderland for an enchanting Father Christmas Experience, all in support of Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. It’s the perfect way to kick off the Christmas...