As the summer sun graces Essex, it’s the perfect time to embrace the great outdoors and enjoy a plethora of events sure to keep everyone smiling throughout the school holidays. There’s so much to see – from charming dog shows to action-packed activity days and magical outdoor cinema screenings, there’s something for every member of the family to delight in. Whether you’re seeking a relaxed day out with the kids or an adventure-filled weekend, this guide highlights 15 handpicked events that promise joy and memories. Let’s make this summer one to remember in Essex!
1. Superhero Weekend
Venue: Adventure Island
Town: Southend-on-Sea
Date: Aug 17-18, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM
Price: Free to enter – attractions at extra cost
Description: Feeling like a superhero? Then come join us for our Superhero Weekend! Dive into an epic adventure with all your favourite heroes and villains at Adventure Island. Put on your dancing shoes, unleash your inner superhero, and embark on the ultimate mission – our thrilling superhero treasure hunt throughout the park. End your day with spectacular themed entertainment!
Website: Superhero Weekend
2. Steam Day
Venue: East Anglian Railway Museum
Town: Colchester
Date: Jul 28 – Aug 18, 2024
Time: Sundays, 10:00 – 17:00
Price: £10 Adult; £7 Children 4-17
Description: A firm favourite with families, they’re a great opportunity to visit the Museum and have a ride in vintage wagons or carriages pulled by one of our restored Steam Engines. We operate unlimited rides starting at either 10:30 or 11:00 – 15.00, the Museum opens at 10am right through until 5pm.
Website: Steam Day
3. Outdoor Theatre: Peter Pan
Venue: Chelmsford Theatre
Town: Chelmsford
Date: Aug 21, 2024
Time: 01:00 – 14:30, 16:00 – 17:30
Price: Child – £10.00 per ticket; Adult £15.00 per ticket
Description: Following the success of their recent production of The Wizard of Oz at Hylands, multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre invite you to soar away to Neverland as they bring their trademark energy to their most magical musical to date, Peter Pan. Get ready to think happy thoughts and fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing the Darling children to the Lost Boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, the infamous Captain Hook. Filled with catchy music, heaps of audience interaction, and a laugh-a-minute script, this musical of the boy who never grew up promises to have every member of the family entertained throughout… You’ll be Hooked!
Website: Outdoor Theatre: Peter Pan
4. Anglo Saxon Weekend
Venue: Southend Museum
Town: Southend-on-Sea
Date: Aug 3-4, 2024
Time: 11:00 – 17:00
Price: Child – £6.50 per ticket; Adult – £8.00 per ticket
Description: It’s back! Join us at Prittlewell Priory this summer for our annual Anglo Saxon Weekend, and discover the secrets of Southend’s Saxon past. With a living Anglo Saxon camp, combat and craft demonstrations, axe throwing, story telling, falcony, family activities, trails and games, makers market and more, there’s plenty for every aspiring Saxon to enjoy!
Website: Anglo Saxon Weekend
5. Wind in the Willows
Venue: Hedingham Castle
Town: Halstead
Date: Jul 24, 2024
Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Price: £13.00 – £16.00
Description: When Mole gets fed up of cleaning her home she decides to leave her burrow and head out on adventure! She meets Ratty and Toad and Badger and discovers a love of the river and the joy of the open road. However, that egocentric Toad is convinced to steal a car by those meddling weasels! Toad is arrested and the Weasels take over Toad Hall to turn it into a theatre for their own amusement! It falls to Mole and Ratty, Badger and Toad to take back Toad Hall! Will they do it? Join Boxtree Productions on the riverbank this summer to find out, as they celebrate their 10 year anniversary with a performance of Kenneth Grahame’s beloved story! Featuring hilarious comedy, magic and fantastic toe-tapping songs, be sure of an evening of wonderful open-air theatre that the whole family will enjoy, set in the beautiful grounds of Hedingham Castle. Bring a picnic, something to sit on and dress for the Great British Weather! Gates open at 5pm for a 6pm start. Approximate performance length 2 hours.
Website: Wind in the Willows
6. Adventure Cinema presents The Greatest Showman Sing-a-long
Venue: Hedingham Castle
Town: Halstead
Date: Aug 13, 2024
Time: 19:15 – 23:00
Price: From £15.50
Description: This is the greatest show! Get ready for some pure entertainment as you watch and singalong with The Greatest Showman on a huge open-air screen. The incredible movie musical that has sold cinemas out across the world. Plus music to enjoy before the movie. Gates open at 7:15pm, with the film starting at 8:45pm. Film length is 1 hour 45 minutes.
Website: Adventure Cinema presents The Greatest Showman Sing-a-long
7. Clacton Airshow
Venue: Essex Sunshine Coast
Town: Clacton-on-Sea
Date: Aug 24-25, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: FREE to attend – attractions at extra cost
Description: Head down to the glorious seaside to celebrate 30 years of the Clacton Airshow! Enjoy dynamic aerial displays and land based entertainment and attractions across the August bank holiday weekend – there’s plenty to do and see for the whole family!
Website: Clacton Airshow
8. Abberton Home Education Insects & Invertebrates
Venue: Essex Wildlife Trust
Town: Colchester
Date: Aug 24, 2024
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Price: £7.69
Description: Our Abberton Home Education Group runs on the 4th Wednesday of every month (exc. August and December). These are drop-off sessions so children do not need to be accompanied – it is for children aged 8-15. Each session has a theme where we will complete activities and engage with nature based on the topic that month. This is a relaxed session where 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. In July it’s time to go on a bug hunt. We will do a butterfly transect for the big butterfly count. Do some sweep netting to see who lives in the long grass and compare to the insects in the ground. Time to learn all about minibeasts. Please bring children to education shelter to sign them in (directions can be given at front desk). A consent form should be completed ahead of the session so that children can be dropped off.
Website: Essex Wildlife Trust
9. The Maldon Doggie Weekend
Venue: Promenade Park
Town: Maldon
Date: Aug 31, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
Price: From £5 in advance, £8 on the gate
Description: Join us on 31st August 2024 for a memorable family-friendly event with Doggie Agility Shows, Fun Doggie Competitions, Human & Doggie Shopping, Cool Photo Opportunities, Childrens Activities, Have-A-Go BikeJorling, Plus Food & Drink and More.. There will be a special early entry on Saturday for families with Dogs under 8 kilos. If you feel you have a little pup who sometimes feels intimidated by being around bigger dogs then an early admission ticket is for you. Early entry will be from 9am-10am.
Website: The Maldon Doggie Weekend
10. Hadleigh Grace Church – Kids Summer Activity 2024
Venue: Hadleigh Grace Church
Town: Benfleet
Date: Aug 5-7, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 15:00
Price: From £5.00
Description: Get ready for an exciting 3 days of adventure at the Kids Summer Activity 2024 event! Join us on Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th, and Wednesday 7th, August 2024 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM as we kick off a summer filled with fun activities and memorable experiences for kids 5 – 12 years old. From arts and crafts to games, Bible discovery, and sports, we have something for everyone to enjoy. Our team of experienced and enthusiastic staff will be on hand to ensure that your kids have a safe and enjoyable time.
Website: Hadleigh Grace Church
11. Essex Fest
Venue: Harrow Lodge Park
Town: Hornchurch
Date: Jul 12 – 14, 2024
Time: Friday & Saturday Afternoon / Evening, Sunday Daytime
Price: from £5 – £27
Description: Friday 12th July: NEW for 2024 – The ESSEX POP FEST. We are excited to announce a new live music event featuring some of the biggest acts from the 00s including Atomic Kitten, Gareth Gates, East 17 & more.
Saturday 13th July: Returning for 2024 – The ESSEX TRIBUTE FEST We are excited to present our annual tribute festival featuring 9 fantastic live tributes – including Total Boybands and Queen Jovi.
Sunday 14th July: The ESSEX FAMILY FEST! The event features a whole range of family themed shows, performances and attractions including tribute acts, family shows, dinosaurs, animals, a fun fair, bar, stalls, car show and much more!
All money raised goes to local mental health charity Mind in Havering, Barking and Dagenham.
Website: Essex Fest
12. RHS Garden Hyde Hall – Little Acorns
Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Town: Chelmsford
Date: Jul 17, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Price: £7
Description: Join the Education Team for Little Acorns, RHS Garden Hyde Hall’s 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 of practical activities inspired by the garden, plants, and wildlife. There will be a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, so please come appropriately dressed.
Website: RHS Garden Hyde Hall
13. Colchester Zoo – Summer Lates
Venue: Colchester Zoo
Town: Colchester
Date: Aug 10, 2024
Time: 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Price: £21.00 – £28.50; FREE for Zoo Passholders.
Description: Experience a summer like no other as we stay open until 9.00pm! Enjoy an extra three hours of exploring at no additional cost! Journey around the park and watch as our animals soak up the summer sun with additional evening encounters. Plus, dance into the night with live musical performances at selected locations around the Zoo! Feeling toasty yourself? Duck out of the heat and head into one of our many undercover areas! You can even pick yourself up a delicious and cooling treat at one of our many seasonal catering outlets! There will be lots to see and do as you relax into the evening.
Website: Colchester Zoo
14. Clacton Pier – Clacton Pier Free Fireworks Display 2024
Venue: Clacton Pier
Town: Clacton-on-Sea
Date: Jul 27, 2024
Time: 9:00 PM
Price: Free
Description: Get ready for an explosion of excitement as we unveil our bumper-free fireworks programme for 2024. As a token of appreciation to our loyal customers, both local and from afar, we’re thrilled to announce ten thrilling extravaganzas that promise to light up the sky and dazzle spectators of all ages. Join us throughout the year as we celebrate special occasions and holidays with breathtaking fireworks displays.
Website: Clacton Pier
15. Nuclear Races Wild Forest – Nuclear Splash
Venue: Nuclear Races Wild Forest
Town: Brentwood
Date: Jul 25 – Aug 29, 2024
Time: Mon – Fri 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM; Sat – Sun 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Price: £15 – £19
Description: Ditch the screens and get your adrenaline pumping. Small groups with own designated instructor. Buoyancy aids for everyone. All staff experienced water safety trained.
Website: Nuclear Races Wild Forest
If you’re looking for other summer holiday ideas, events or camps take a look at our other articles on our what’s on page HERE.
