What's On in Essex

Guess How Much I Love You - A Garden Adventure

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

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

The Guess How Much I Love You Garden Adventure is a trail inspired by the book of the same name. The trail contains a series of activities that encourage children to learn through play, using the senses...

Halloween Pumpkin Patch

Venue: Cammas Hall Farm

Website: https://bookings.cammashall.co.uk/book/halloween-pumpkin-patch/39

Experience the ultimate Halloween adventure at our Cammas Hall Pumpkin Patch. Featuring over 50 varieties of pumpkins and squash. Pick your favourite and purchase by weight. Enjoy a 20% discount on entry...

Pumpkin Field

Venue: The Green Barn Farm

Website: www.greenbarnfarmshop.com/events/pumpkin-field

Just off the A130, a sea of orange has appeared, where thousands of pumpkins grow. Vintage tractors and trailers await to transport eager pumpkin pickers around the two 20 acre fields. Stilt walkers wander,...

Pumpkin Patch Colchester

Venue: The Pumpkin Patch

Website: www.foxesfarmproduce.co.uk 

Get ready for an unforgettable autumn adventure at Pick Your Own Pumpkin Field! Whether you’re planning a fun-filled family day, a team outing, or a cute seasonal date, there's something truly magical...

Jigsaw Performing Arts Brentford

Venue: Becket Keys Secondary School, Sawyers Hall Ln

Website: www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk

From babies as young as 6 months to teens of 18, Jigsaw's wide range of classes offers something for every budding performer. Join them this term and let your child take centre stage. Their journey in...

Mythical Creatures

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle

Embark on a magical story quest through folklore and legend, where you’ll meet a Dragon, Unicorn, Griffin, and Mermaid brought to life through curious, enchanted objects. Inspired by medieval tales,...

Free Spooky Trails (and treats) at the Essex Country Parks

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.explore-essex.com/blog/halloween-country-parks

Watch out when you go down to the woods this half term. There are some curious creatures lurking in the parks - can you help the rangers find them and complete the spell to send the ghouls home? Pick up...

Fright Week Halloween services

Venue: Epping Ongar Railway

Website: www.eorailway.co.uk

Dress up in your scariest outfit and join this full size ghost train and have some Hallowe'en fun with the living dead! Find the ghosts haunting the eerie gruesome graveyard, meet the manic magician and...

Ghoulish Gallery Games

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle

Discover and enjoy playing with fun games placed around the museum. Take a break, have a game or two and then continue your journey through time with the Castle's treasures and displays - not forgetting...

Halloween Festival

Venue: Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

Website: www.hopefield.org.uk/visit/whats-on

Whether you've got little ones who love a fright, or more timid ghouls, there's something for everyone. Here's what is included: Spooky Barn, Indoor Pumpkin Picking, Pirate Treasure Trail, Halloween Arts...

Halloween Festival

Venue: Clacton Pier

Website: www.clactonpier.co.uk/events/halloween-festival

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 Fright Fantastic

Venue: Adventure Island

Website: www.adventureisland.co.uk

Enjoy a chilling line-up of activities, including:Trick-or-Treating, Halloween Treasure Hunt, Eerie Entertainment, Free Face Painting and Best-Dressed Competition with exciting prizes!

Halloween Trail

Venue: Markshall Estate

Website: www.markshall.org.uk

Complete the trail to win a munchkin pumpkin prize (subject to availability). Alongside spooky surprises for the whole family, you may just sense something a little ghostly around the grounds... Follow...

Harlow Leisurezone Spooktastic October Half Term

Venue: Harlow Leisurezone

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

Join in the Spooktastic Multi-Activity Day, a full day of thrills featuring go karts, trampolining, Kidzz Kingdom soft play, sports and games, arts and crafts, and Halloween party games – all under one...

Haunted History Family Tours

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle

Step into the shadows of the past with this Haunted History Family Tour. Designed for families seeking both thrills and education, you’ll uncover stories and historical secrets that have surrounded the...

October half-term with Essex Wildlife Trust

Venue: Multiple locations with Essex Wildlife Trust

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk

This October half-term, Essex Wildlife Trust invites families to step into nature for a week of fun-filled adventures. From pumpkin decorating and potion making to crafting your own woodland wand, there’s...

Wizards, Witches and Wonder

Venue: Museum of Chelmsford

Website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk

Make magnificent magic wands, spooktacular spell jars, ghastly origami ghosts, decipher ancient runes and more! Dress up like a Witch or Wizard and meet the Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins if you're...

Creepy Crafts

Venue: Hollytrees Museum

Website: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/hollytrees-museum

Celebrate the spooky season with creative drop-in mask-making fun. Children can design their own Halloween masks—furry, scaly, sparkly, or spooky. With plenty of materials and friendly support, it’s...

Musical Theatre Workshop: The Addams Family (7-11)

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Start off with a high energy warm up and some great dance-based games to get you moving. Focusing on the opening number of the musical – ‘When You’re an Addams’, learn the lyrics, rehearse your...

Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show comes to the theatre bringing alive the illustrations and music that makes Tom Gates hugely popular around the world! With catchy tunes and hilarious performances, this fantastic...

Create a Colchester Mermaid

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle

Join and help create a collaborative Colchester Mermaid, inspired by a mermaid in Colchester Castle Mythical Creatures exhibition!.Using clean, recycled materials, visitors can contribute to the sculpture...

Musical Theatre Workshop: Beetlejuice (7-11)

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Get yourself in the Halloween spirit with the modern smash musical based on the cult classic film, Beetlejuice! Start off with a high energy warm up and some great dance-based games to get you moving.To...

Rude Science!

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Brace yourselves for BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates’ revolutionary, high-tech, highly-explosive new show, packed with outrageous science stunts. Expect enormous bottoms, f*rt machines, snot cocktails, vast...

Comedy Club 4 Kids

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

The show is family friendly, but without any patronising idiocy. In fact, it's just like a normal comedy club, but it's on in the day, kids are allowed in, and thus there is a higher than usual chance...

Family Fireworks

Venue: Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park

Website: www.marshfarm.co.uk/events/family-fireworks

Enjoy a magical evening of fireworks at Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park. There will be bangs and whizzes a plenty! There will be family entertainment and fire breathing, fantastic fun fair rides all included...

Reindeer Run 2025

Venue: Farleigh Hospice

Website: www.farleighhospice.org/events/reindeer-run-2025

The Reindeer Run is a sponsored run or walk for nurseries, schools and youth groups in mid Essex. It's your Reindeer Run - you set the date, distance and location. If you have any questions call the friendly...

Rollerworld – Skate and Scare

Venue: Charter Hall

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk/event/rollerworld-skate-and-scare

Rollerworld is back in action, teaming up with Charter Hall and Colchester Events Company again for a thrilling day and night of skating. Take advantage of 4 for 3 early bird tickets and save yourself...

Uncharted Territories - Map Workshop

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle

Inspired by the stunning regional map in the Castle’s Mythical Creatures exhibition, this creative workshop invites visitors to imagine the legends and magical beings that might be missing. Children...

Fireworks Spectacular

Venue: Chelmsford City Racecourse

Website: www.chelmsfordcityracecourse.com

Join Chelmsford City Racecourse for a fun-filled evening of dazzling fireworks, fantastic amusements, and delicious food and drink for all the family to enjoy. Children under the age of 3 go for free...

King Coel's Kittens Fireworks Spectacular

Venue: Castle Park

Website: https://kingcoelskittens.co.uk

This years Fireworks Display in Castle Park Colchester will be held on Wednesday 5th November.Gates Open 5.30pm, Entertainment 5.30pm-7pm, Guy Parade 7pm and Fireworks at 7.30pm.

Nativity! The Musical

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Feel-good, funny and full of yuletide joy, Nativity! The Musical features all of the favourite sing-along hits from the films including Sparkle and Shine, Nazareth, One Night One Moment, She’s the Brightest...

Crown Ballet present Swan Lake

Venue: Harlow Playhouse

Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk

Swan Lake is full of mystery and romance and has captured the imagination of generations over the years and it continues to attract worldwide audiences, young and old. A wonderful evening out and memories...

Backstage Tour: Nativity! The Musical

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Experience the magic of going behind the scenes at the theatre. You’ll learn about our theatre’s history and how various departments from the box office to theatre technicians come together to make...

Free Fireworks – Guy Fawkes Celebration

Venue: Clacton Pier

Website: www.clactonpier.co.uk

Clacton Pier lights up the skies with free fireworks displays throughout 2025. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting for the first time, these dazzling shows offer an unmissable evening of entertainment.The...

The Nutcracker

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to your local theatre for a dazzling production of the most famous ballet in the world – The Nutcracker. Snow flurries, sweets, princes, magic and love...

The Big Christmas Assembly

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

It’s time to crack out the Christmas jingles and join James B Partridge for an evening of pure nostalgia, stepping back in time for some joyous singalong tunes from Christmases past. Full of festive...

Pirates Love Underpants

Venue: Palace Theatre Southend

Website: https://trafalgartickets.com

Dodge hungry crocs beneath Long-John Bridge, bob upon the waves of Big Knickers Bay, spot sharks in fancy underpants and trek across Three Pants Ridge. Filled with music, puppetry and glittering pants...

Jack and the Beanstalk

Venue: Queen's Theatre

Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk

The panto we've all BEAN waiting for! Join Jack and his mum in their family-run farm-shop, where business is down, the rent’s overdue, and there’s nothing left to do but sell Pat the Cow at Romford...

Glow at RHS Hyde Hall

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk

In a truly enchanting experience, discover wonderful new installations of colour, music and light, along with festive food and Christmas shopping. Perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to add...

Magic of Christmas

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

Immerse yourself in the wonderful Christmas atmosphere with festive activities taking place throughout the day! Visit the website for more details coming soon....

Mother Goose

Venue: Mercury Theatre

Website: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

Expect breath-taking sets, dazzling costumes, side-splitting comedy and plenty of Mercury magic in this eggs-traordinary festive treat for the whole family. So flock to the box office, grab your golden...

The Santa Experience

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

Take a break at Mrs Claus’ Kitchen where you can enjoy a tasty treat on your journey to meet the big man himself.

Sleeping Beauty

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

Basildon favourites, Sophie Ladds and Ian Hallard, will return to the stage as everyone’s favourite panto villain and dame. With stunning scenery, colourful costumes, dazzling dancers and a fantastic...

Aladdin

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Expect magic lamps, a flying carpet, exceptional disguises, pure hearts, spectacular costumes, sing along songs, laughter and whole world full of fantastic adventure in a dazzling new ride through a classic...

Enchanted Trail of Light

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

Enjoy a magical journey along a 1 mile route, featuring a BRAND NEW 40m light tunnel with over 20,000 lights, and NEW animal sculptures, all put together by our creative in-house events team! Plus appearances...

Sleeping Beauty

Venue: Harlow Playhouse

Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk

Let the magic unfold this Christmas with the enchanting pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty”. With spectacular costumes and scenery, toe-tapping tunes, and plenty of surprises along the way, this is one pantomime...

Let's All Dance: The Nutcracker

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

The Let’s All Dance Ballet Company is delighted to present their dazzling festive favourite for the whole family. With stunning dancers, Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, beautiful costumes and crystal...

The Great Christmas Snow Patrol

Venue: Harlow Playhouse

Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk

Harlow Playhouse are proud to present this year’s festive adventure for younger theatregoers. The Great Christmas Snow Patrol is a fun-filled, sing-along, interactive show for 2-6 year olds, their families,...

The Magical Adventures of Peter Pan

Venue: Princes Theatre

Address: Clacton Town Hall

Website: www.princestheatre.co.uk

Join Peter Pan, the mischievous boy who refuses to grow up, and his loyal fairy sidekick, Tink as they return to Neverland, where pirates, fairies, mermaids, and lost children await. This magical pantomime...

Santa's On His Sleigh!

Venue: Palace Theatre Southend

Website: https://trafalgartickets.com

Santa’s on His Sleigh! is an exciting and interactive Christmas show starring Santa, the elves Snowdrop and Mistletoe, Rudolph and featuring on screen Santa’s virtual little helper Head Elf Justy,...

Cinderella

Venue: Cliffs Pavilion

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com

Go to the ball this Christmas with television presenter, radio DJ, podcaster and number one best-selling author Rylan, who returns for another year to play the Fairy Godfather! Cinderella features laugh-out-loud...

Shrek the Musical

Venue: Charter Hall

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk/event/shrek-the-musical

This award-winning musical brings to life the world of Shrek live on stage in an unforgettable production to melt hearts of all ages. Dreamwork’s spectacular musical is based on their much-loved Oscar...

The Snow Queen

Venue: Palace Theatre Southend

Website: https://trafalgartickets.com

This classic adventure story is being reimagined and brought to life with lovable characters making a journey through a snowy land, full of hidden mysteries and winter magic. The whole experience will...

Dick Whittington

Venue: Saffron Hall

Website: www.saffronhall.com

Step into a world of fun, laughter, and adventure as Dick Whittington sets out to seek his fortune and make the streets "paved with gold" a reality! Packed with spectacular sets, dazzling costumes, show-stopping...

Pop-up Panto: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Escape on another festive pop-up panto from the team who brought you Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan! Then meet Father and Mother Christmas! Expect circus tricks, silliness, songs and singalongs in...