What's On in Essex

Marvellous Makers Summer Reading Challenge

Venue: Nationwide

Website: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/library-zone

This year’s Challenge is called Marvellous Makers and it’s all about creativity! From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there’s something for everyone. Regional variations may apply, so...

Farmer John's Maize Maze

Venue: Boydland Farm

Website: www.facebook.com/farmerjohnspumpkins

Go and explore the amazing Mazie Maze open every Thursday to Sunday 18 July to 1 September, 10am-5pm.

Gaia

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

This summer, Colchester Castle is thrilled to welcome Gaia, a captivating six-metre diameter touring artwork that brings the Earth’s beauty to an unprecedented scale. Gaia is a mesmerizing installation...

Summer of Play

Venue: Paycocke's House and Garden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Lively garden games and activities for all the family, in the new Nature Garden, free of charge, all through the summer holidays. The Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank. Entry to the garden,...

Bubble n' Bop

Venue: Marsh Farm

Website: www.marshfarm.co.uk/events/bubble-n-bop

Don’t miss Marsh Farm’s summer children’s festival ‘Bubble ‘n Bop’ it’s bursting with bubbles and exploding with excitement! There will be so much going on including the much loved foam machine,...

Summer at the Zoo

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchester-zoo.com

Enjoy more for your money on 10 and 24 Aug with a later closing time of 9pm featuring live performances from 4.30-9pm – all included in standard entry or with a valid Zoo Pass. Why not make the most...

Summer Circus

Venue: Old MacDonald's Farm

Website: www.omdfarm.co.uk

A magical family fun experience to delight all ages from the Circus of Dreams performers plus magic shows and balloons, bubble fun and entertainment, animal meet and greets, unlimited rides and so much...

Friday Fundays at Stantons Farm

Venue: Stantons Farm

Website: www.stantonsfarm.co.uk

Visit every Friday over summer for ‘Friday Fundays’ which include bouncy castles, rides, face painters and a pop-up milkshake shop! The Snack Shack is open for hot and cold food and drinks, plus their...

Superhero Weekend

Venue: Adventure Island

Website: www.adventureisland.co.uk/events/superhero-weekend

This weekend has all your favourite superheroes and villians so grab your dancing shoes and join the greatest mission of all - a superhero treasure hunt around the park! Finish your day with some marvellous...

Essex Big Weekend

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.essexbigweekend.co.uk

Visit Essex, the county's tourism organisation, have launched the Essex Big Weekend to encourage locals to discover places on their doorstep. Residents can bid on more than 660 prizes, donated by 70 Essex...

Gruffalo Trail

Venue: Thorndon Country Park

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk/visit/nature-trail/gruffalo

Discover the magic of the deep dark wood with this self-led trail searching for the amazing hand crafted carvings of the Gruffalo characters. No booking required and the pathways are buggy friendly.

High Ropes Quiet Sessions

Venue: Nuclear High Ropes

Website: www.nuclearhighropes.co.uk

Embark on a uniquely tailored adventure where tranquility meets thrilling heights! The exclusive Quiet Sessions have been thoughtfully designed to cater to individuals with Special Educational Needs (SEN),...

Jigsaw Performing Arts

Venue: Chelmsford and Brentwood.

Website: www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk

Jigsaw's singing, dance and drama classes are dedicated to boosting confidence, improving social and communication skills and are lots of fun! Find your place to belong this autumn, and have the chance...

Kids for a Quid

Venue: Epping Ongar Railway

Website: www.eorailway.co.uk

Keep the kids entertained on a day out with a steam and hauled heritage train service when Child tickets are just £1! Tickets offer unlimited travel on heritage steam and diesel trains and vintage London...

Laser Tag Parties

Venue: Laser Mayhem

Website: www.laser-mayhem.co.uk

Offering Laser Tag from 7+ years and Mini-Paintball from ages 8-13. Laser Mayhem activities are perfect to keep up those team bonds. The large party rooms are ideal and they also offer food packages. Call...

Little Monkeys Sessions

Venue: Nuclear High Ropes

Website: www.nuclearhighropes.co.uk

The new High Ropes Little Monkeys Sessions are crafted with your comfort in mind, offering access to the lower high ropes levels where you can build confidence at your own pace. Conquer your fears and...

Northlands Junior Parkrun

Venue: Northlands Park

Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/northlands-juniors

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) held every Sunday at 9am. Free to join but you must register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun so go along and...

SEN Club

Venue: Time and Space in Battlesbridge

Website: www.facebook.com/sen.club.2024

SEN Club is a lively, fun club for children with special needs and their families. Activities include Lego, biscuit decorating, crafts and toys, the children also enjoy parachute games to music and a lovely...

Try a free Perform Class

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.perform.org.uk/try

Packed with fun drama-based games, singing and dancing, sessions allow reserved children to come out of their shell and give energetic children the perfect outlet to express themselves. Every child is...

Young Farmers Club

Venue: Lambourne End

Website: www.lambourne-end.org.uk/youngfarmersclub

The young farmers will be in a group of 12 and led by one member of staff along with additional team leader volunteers. The club aims to provide opportunities for young people to develop and participate...

Bluey and Bingo

Venue: Old Macdonald's Farm

Website: www.omdfarm.co.uk

Bluey and Bingo are going to Old Macdonald's Farm! See them in the event area and join in the fun and games at intervals throughout the day.

Family Forest School

Venue: Great Notley Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Create lasting memories around the campfire, swing in a hammock, challenge yourself to the rope ladder and set imaginations free with story time and puppet play. These sessions will run once a month on...

Family Forest School

Venue: Danbury Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Family Forest School sessions offer you and your family the opportunity to reconnect with nature and each other. Create lasting memories around the campfire, explore the native flora and fauna, swing in...

Oldilocks and the Three Bears

Venue: Palace Theatre

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend

A wonderfully funny and warmhearted celebration of the classic story starring a naughty old lady who looks very familiar… and 3 funny bears who love their breakfast. Garlic Theatre hold their young audience...

Home Education Forest School Sessions

Venue: Danbury Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

By participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities in a woodland environment, children can develop their physical, emotional and social skills. Sessions are run by enthusiastic...

Anti Loo Roll Festival

Venue: Castle Park

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk

Celebrate Colchester’s great community at this fun-packed day for the whole family. Featuring 80’s band ‘Five’ plus comedy, tribute acts, stalls, bar and Kid’s Kingdom.

Dear Zoo

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

The best selling children's book first published in 1962 has sold over eight million copies and is loved by adults and children alike. Share the magical experience as the story unfolds, with fun puppets,...

Extreme Robots

Venue: Charter Hall

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk

Witness the New Age of Mechanized Combat as your favourite robots from Robot Wars, Battlebots and the newest Robotic creations from Extreme Robots battle inside the Bulletproof double-walled EXTREME ARENA...

Ministry Of Science Live - Science Saved The World!

Venue: Palace Theatre

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend

Direct from London’s West End. Over the last few years Science has led the way in getting our lives back to normal. Now, the UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever! 100%...

National Country Show Live

Venue: Hylands Estate

Website: www.hylandsestate.co.uk

It’s the ultimate family day out, complete with country shopping, food, entertainment, animals, live music, have a go activities, stunning arena displays, as well as all of your traditional country show...

Starlight Safari Nights

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchester-zoo.com

Join Colchester Zoo as they remain open until 9pm! As the temperature drops and the senses sharpen you will have the chance to see some of their animals in a whole new light, as some bed down for the evening...

Langdon Forest School Home Education Sessions

Venue: Langdon Nature Discovery Park

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...

Little Acorns

Venue: RHS Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

Monthly pre-school garden and craft club, which aims to engage children aged 2–5 years with the natural world around them. Each session has a seasonal theme, a relaxed routine, a story and a selection...

Autumn Diesel Gala

Venue: Epping Ongar Railway

Website: www.eorailway.co.uk/events/autumn-diesel-gala

The home fleet, along with some interesting visiting locomotives come out to be put through their paces over some of the most challenging gradients in preservation. Featuring: Up to 9 locomotives in action,...

Colchester Free Family Fun Festival

Venue: Castle Park

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk

Discover lots of brilliant, free things for all the family to enjoy including bouncy castles, face painting, games and activities.11am.

What's that bat? (Family Friendly Session)

Venue: Daws Hall Nature Reserve

Website: www.dawshallnature.co.uk/events

Get hands on with specialist ultrasound equipment in this evening who's who of the bat world. Take a gentle walk as the sun sets and watch as the dark shadows of the resident bats swoop between the trees...

Haven House Mud Run

Venue: Nuclear Races

Address: Brentwood

Website: www.havenhouse.org.uk/Event/mudrun24

A fun, super muddy obstacle course with around 20 obstacles. You'll climb in and out of the muddiest ditches, scrabble under cargo nets, crawl through tyre tunnels, over ramps, walls and monkey bars and...

Summer Fete

Venue: Markshall Estate

Website: www.markshall.org.uk

Take your friends and family to enjoy a fantastic lineup of activities and entertainment that everyone will love.With kids entertainment including bouncy castles, face painting and garden games. Plus explore...

The Noise Next Door: The Adventure Academy... for Adventurers!

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Enrol at the world’s most reckless and ridiculous school with comedy legends, The Noise Next Door. Where will your adventure take you? Dangerous deserts? Treacherous tundras? It’s all up to you in...

Woodbridge School Open Day

Venue: Woodbridge School

Website: www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk

Providing an exceptional education in a superb learning environment, Woodbridge School is a co-educational independent school for students aged 4 to 18, rated ‘Excellent’ in all areas by the Independent...

Essex Classic Vehicle Show

Venue: Castle Park

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk

Lower Castle Park will be filled to the brim with retro entertainment, charming food stalls and of course vintage cars. With music spanning the decades and opportunities for the children to learn about...

Journey to the Steampunk Essextraordinaire IX

Venue: Museum of Power

Website: www.museumofpower.org.uk

With Stalls, Live Music, Burlesque, Steampunk Market, Fancy Dress, Jousting, The Fine Art of ‘Tea Duelling’, Tea Pot Racing, Umbrella Fencing, Science show & Steampunk Magic, Astaria Model Village,...

Novelty Dog Show

Venue: Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

Website: www.hopefield.org.uk

Get your friends and family together, take along your 4-legged friends, and have a brilliant day. 10 classes including “waggiest tail” and “best rescue”, Dog Afternoon Tea (pre-booking only), Crazy...

SOS Wrestling

Venue: Charter Hall

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk

Another Action Packed Afternoon of Awesome Wrestling comes to Colchester as SOS bring a Star Studded line up of the World’s Best Wrestlers… and a few BIG Surprises!! Doors 2:15pm, Show 3pm, Approx...

500 Words

Venue: Various locations

Website: www.bbc.co.uk/teach/500-words

The UK's biggest children's story writing competition will be open for entries on Tuesday 24 September. There will be two age categories: 5-7 and 8-11 year-olds. The winners will be revealed on World Book...

Mini Museum Explorers

Venue: Natural History Museum

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Designed for children aged two and a half to four, along with their parents, grandparents, and carers, these monthly sessions offer an immersive journey of exploration and discovery. Through storytelling,...

Abberton Home Education Fires and Food

Venue: Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk

This is a themed drop-off home education session for ages 8+. In September it’s time to get cooking. Look at what plants can be foraged around the nature reserve, practice fire lighting and cook up some...

St Benedict’s Catholic College Open Evening  

Venue: St Benedict’s Catholic College  

Website: www.stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk

As an outstanding Catholic school serving Christian families throughout north-east Essex.They know that choosing a secondary school is so important for every family and they look forward to welcoming you...

Anglo European School Open Evening

Venue: Anglo European School

Website: www.aesessex.co.uk

Anglo European School offers an exemplary personal development programme through an exceptional international curriculum. A baccalaureate education, with a unique enrichment offer, includes an impressive...

Holmwood House Open Day

Venue: Holmwood House School

Website: www.holmwood.house/admissions/visit-us

Set in 25 acres of beautiful grounds, Holmwood House aims to spark curiosity and ignite wonder in each child through an inspiring learning environment and boundless opportunities for discovery and exploration. For...

The Gruffalo

Venue: Mercury Theatre

Website: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the high-spirited Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland...

Ministry of Science

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

The UK’s favourite science team are back – and more explosive than ever! Join the presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with...

The Chronicles of Atom & Luna

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Atom and Luna are twins. They never break any rules and never, ever go into the woods.But, they are no ordinary twins. Atom and Luna are special. Atom can talk to birds and Luna can control the moon. And...

St Mark’s West Essex Catholic School Open Evening

Venue: St Mark’s West Essex Catholic School

Website: www.st-marks.essex.sch.uk

St Mark’s prides itself on its exam results at both GCSE and A level, as well as, the number of awards, achievements and accomplishments of the pupils in so many different aspects of their learning....

Comedy Club 4 Kids

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to do their thing for an audience of children (aged 6 plus) and their families… but...

St. John's School Open Morning

Venue: St. John's School

Website: www.stjohnsschool.net

With an ethos based on courtesy, kindness and respect, St. John's School aims to provide a caring, purposeful, and encouraging environment where pupils are taught by dedicated, experienced teachers. Call...

Calm at the Castle

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

These sessions are suitable for visitors with ASD, providing an opportunity for them to explore the museum at a quieter time. The Museum aims to minimise sensory stimulation on the galleries by turning...

Small Trains Day

Venue: East Anglian Railway Museum

Website: www.earm.co.uk/events

The popular Small Trains Day is back for 2024 – but it’s not just small trains – one of the full sized steam locomotives and a Diesel locomotive will also be in action with unlimited rides all day...

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory - LODS

Venue: Palace Theatre

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend

Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great...

Antique & Vintage Outdoor Market

Venue: Museum of Power

Website: www.museumofpower.org.uk

Museum and Steam Pump Tea Room open from 9:30am. Miniature Railway open for rides, ‘Astaria’ model village and Crafty Cabin Open. Adults £3, children under 15 free.

Owls by Candlelight

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

During this fantastic candlelit encounter, you will witness a variety of owls and experience these beautiful birds demonstrating their natural abilities, and have them fly to your gloved fist. Limited...

The Ugly Duckling

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

From the creators of The Princess and the Frog and Sleeping Beauty comes this lovely ballet for the whole family. The Ugly Duckling tackles themes of social acceptance and self love in a child friendly,...

Home School Workshop: KS1 Science

Venue: RHS Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

This workshop is a 90-minute science-focused session aimed at Key Stage 1 pupils. Explore the importance of plants and habitats through hands-on activities. The workshop may include indoor and outdoor...

Fireman Sam: The Great Camping Adventure

Venue: Charter Hall

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk/event/fireman-sam

Norman wants to go on an adventure, so when two famous animal explorers arrive in Pontypandy, he decides to follow them into the mountains. But when Norman discovers a rare red squirrel, one of the explorers...

Rare Productions Presents: Annie

Venue: Harlow Playhouse

Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk

This is an amateur production. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. This all time classic musical...

Brightworth’s School of Magic

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events

Meet the Brightworth teachers and take part in their specialist subjects; from magic wands and potions to enchanted animals and mystical spells. The entire event happens inside the Magical Castle Academy,...

Jack and the Beanstalk

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

Panto favourites, Sophie Ladds and Ian Hallard, will be returning as Basildon’s best baddie and fabulous flamboyant Dame!The Towngate’s award-winning, critically-acclaimed pantomimes are the jewel...

Dick Whittington

Venue: Harlow Playhouse

Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk

Join Dick on his journey through panto land as he seeks fame and fortune! Facing the wicked King Rat and his rat horde threatening global chaos, Dick and friends must do all they can to save the day! This...

Snow White

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Snow White and friends glide into Chelmsford for the 2024 panto with all the ingredients of a perfect family Christmas treat at Chelmsford Theatre. Expect back-chatting mirrors, evil stepmothers, kind...

Elf The Musical

Venue: Charter Hall

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk

The hilarious tale of Buddy, who, as a baby, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and grows up in the North Pole. Raised as an elf and never quite fitting in, when Santa tells him the truth of...