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...

Woodland Adventure Days

Venue: Audley End Railway

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

Enjoy off-peak, great-value days, where you can make use of the adventure playground, explore the fairy walk and ride on one of the trains! The perfect day out for parents and grandparents to take the...

Buzz in The City

Venue: Chelmsford

Website: www.buzzinthecity.co.uk

Keep the kids active and discover over 30 artist designed bee sculptures across the city. Download the FREE app and input the codes on the sculptures to access rewards and find out more about the artists....

All About Swimming

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.allaboutswimming.co.uk

Dive into summer with All About Swimming. Whether you’re a newborn or an adult, they’ve got classes for all ages and abilities at the Shenfield and Brentwood pools.Weekly lessons and crash courses...

Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School

Venue: North London Camden, East, South East London and Loughton

Website: www.afperformingarts.com

Anna Fiorentini Holiday Schools give children the opportunity to explore their creativity while strengthening key life skills. For more information about Saturday and Holiday Schools, as well as courses...

BeWILDerwood

Venue: Cheshire and Norfolk

Website: www.bewilderwood.co.uk

Get outdoors and visit BeWILDerwood for a summer filled with fun, imagination, and muddy knees. Follow the Pongy Potions stink trail, watch their new show Minty and the Big Stink, meet Minty herself and...

Essex Explorers Summer Magic Trail

Venue: Essex Country Parks

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Pick up or download the free trail running across the county at seven Essex Country Parks and Cressing Temple Barns. Pack a picnic, have fun with the selfie board, enjoy the children's play and den making...

Exhilarating family fun

Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow

Website: www.essexoutdoors.com

Discover family friendly leisure activities and school holiday kids clubs to keep the kids entertained or embark on a memorable adventure to for all the family to enjoy. Harlow is an oasis of urban adventure,...

Great Notley Country Park Junior Parkrun

Venue: Great Notley Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old. Parkrun organise free, weekly, 2km timed runs around the world for children. They are open to everyone and take place...

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...

Leisure World’s Holiday Camp

Venue: Various locations

Website: www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/kids-activities/holiday-camp

Get ready for unforgettable camps at Ofsted-rated Holiday Camps for children aged 5–12. From team games and sports to splash time in the pool or cycling adventures on the pump track. Whether your child...

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...

Outdoor Laser Tag Fortnite Themed Events

Venue: Laser Mayhem

Website: www.laser-mayhem.co.uk

Battle your way round Tanks, Helicopters and Planes trying to hunt down and destroy the enemy. 2 hours of action-packed Battle Royale Fortnite Scenarios perfect for ages 7+ recreating your favourite Video...

Saffron Walden Museum’s Summer Exhibitions

Venue: Saffron Walden Museum

Website: www.saffronwaldenmuseum.org

Spark your child’s creativity with a fantastic line-up of craft workshops inspired by the Saffron Walden Museum’s exciting exhibitions. From making miniature Wonderkammer museums to painting 3D paper...

SEN Club

Venue: East Hanningfield Village Hall

Address: The Tye, East Hanningfield

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

SEN Club is a lively, fun club for children with special needs and their families. There are a variety of activities for children to explore including toys, crafts and biscuit decorating. The children...

Summer Adventures at Markshall

Venue: Markshall Estate

Website: www.markshall.org.uk

Throughout July, young explorers can enjoy a bug trail through the Arboretum, hunting for hand-painted creatures hidden amongst ancient trees. Trail maps from the Visitor Centre include a shorter route...

Summer Fun at Harlow Leisurezone

Venue: Harlow Leisurezone

Website: www.harlowleisurezone.co.uk

Enjoy fun activities such as Lazer Tag Challenge and the Mega Activity Day! Book a session at Kidzz Kingdom soft play, VertiGo Climb Challenge or Urban Limitz Adventure Trampoline Park! There’s also...

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...

Step into Summer at Stantons Farm

Venue: Stantons Farm

Website: www.stantonsfarm.co.uk

Visit every Friday over summer for ‘Friday Fundays’ which include bouncy castles, face painters and a sweet stall. The Snack Shack is open for hot and cold food and drinks, plus their two separate...

A Brand New Summer Festival

Venue: Audley End Miniature Railway

Website: www.audley-end-railway.co.uk/seasonal-events

Climb aboard this enchanting miniature train and set off on a journey through the magical woods, where you’ll spot teddy bears enjoying festival activities. Includes Face Painting at the Craft Lodge,...

Old Macdonald's Summer Circus

Venue: Old Macdonald's Farm

Website: www.omdfarm.co.uk

Open daily from 10am–5pm, it's a family fun experience featuring circus performers from all over the world who will delight all ages.The farm is packed with family rides and fun attractions which, along...

Summer of Fun and Games

Venue: Audley End House and Gardens

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

It’s all fun and games at Audley End House and Gardens this summer, with loads of activities for the whole family to get stuck into. From soft play and mini golf to archery and den building, there’s...

The Monster Obstacle Course

Venue: Braintree Village

Website: www.braintree-village.com

Braintree Village is set for an action-packed summer as the world’s largest inflatable assault course, The Monster, arrives. Packed with more than 40 obstacles including the 18-metre Mega Slide, the...

Woodland adventurer challenge and Tremendous trees trail

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/whats-on/summer-holidays

Will you be a Forest Fledgling, Tree Trainee or a Woodland Wizard? Explore the world of mighty trees and discover facts about them. Which tree lives the longest, which grows the tallest, or has the most...

Kids Holiday Camps and Courses

Venue: Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centres

Website: www.Chelmsford.gov.uk/Getin

Ready for a summer of fun? Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centres awesome Mini Camps, City camps, and Kids Courses are back! Fun, creative and active whole and half day camps for kids aged...

Play in the Park

Venue: Various parks and parish venues in Chelmsford including SWF

Website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/play

A series of free two hour play sessions in parks and parish venues around Chelmsford and SWF. Activities include sports, games, crafts, and free play. Most sessions have additional 'Extras' including inflatables,...

Summer Activity Sheet

Venue: Hollytrees Museum

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

A free summer activity sheet to help younger visitors learn more about the collections and history inside Hollytrees Museum. Included in Hollytrees Admission.

Summer Holiday at Colchester Zoo

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

Party with the Wild Vibe Crew, discover more at The Exploratorium and transform into your favourite species at the Face Painting Station! Take a trip on the Lost Madagascar Express Road Train and find...

Costumed Characters

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Step into a world of legends with mythical creature-themed gallery sessions. Meet costumed characters, enjoy fun games, and collect a special sticker. Perfect for curious kids and families exploring the...

Family Tours: Dragon and Unicorn Quest!

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Experience Colchester Castle like never before on this family-friendly tour that brings folklore and mythical creatures to life. Join us as we embark on a quest to discover dragons and unicorns. £3.75...

Mythical Mission: Kids Club

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Through themed games, storytelling, and hands-on crafts, young adventurers will dive into the world of legends and imagination. Each session includes a craft to take home and may also feature a short guided...

Mythical Storytelling

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

The friendly storyteller will share thrilling tales full of myths, legends, and fiery surprises. This fun-filled, interactive session is perfect for little ones aged 4+ and guaranteed to spark imaginations...

Wild Summer with Essex Wildlife Trust

Venue: Various locations

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk/events?tags=510

Join Essex Wildlife Trust for a season packed with family-friendly events, full of discovery and hands-on fun in nature! Try your hand at bushcraft, pond dipping, fossil hunting, and creative nature crafts....

Farmer John's Maize Maze

Venue: Boydland Farm, Old London Road

Website: www.farmerjohnspumpkinpatchandmaizemaze.co.uk/maize-maze

Get ready for an a-maze-ing day of fun for all the family. Try the new mini and mega mazes to challenge all ages, there’s an adventure at every turn! Plus kids will love climbing the giant straw tower,...

Summer School – Play in a Week 2025

Venue: Queen's Theatre

Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Looking for something to keep you busy during the summer holidays? Join this fun week of drama, games and acting where you will create your own ‘Play in a Week’ to perform to family and friends. Sessions...

Woodland crafts

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/whats-on/summer-holidays

Get creative with hands-on forest-themed crafts. Enjoy two fun craft activities that celebrate the wild woodland and spark your imagination. Suitable for all ages (must be accompanied by an adult). £2.50...

Screen Printing Activity

Venue: Wells Suite, Museum of Chelmsford

Website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/whats-on

To celebrate the launch of a new outdoor photographic gallery in Oaklands Park, come and create your own screen-printing artwork at the Museum of Chelmsford.There will be a choice of designs for participants...

Summer at Meadows Shopping Centre

Venue: Meadows Shopping Centre

Website: www.themeadows.co.uk

With a range of awesome activities on offer to suit all ages this August, The Meadows is the weekend place to be! Saturdays will see great games for all the family, whilst Sundays are dedicated to face...

Summer Lates

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

On selected Saturdays throughout the summer holidays, enjoy more value for your money as Colchester Zoo remains open until 8pm! Dance through the evening with live musical performances from the Wild Vibe...

Classic and Vintage Car Show

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Featuring a huge range of vintage, pre 1940s classic, classic and modern classic vehicles, this show is a must for all car lovers! There will be food trucks, live music and local stallholders. Picnics...

Small Trains Day

Venue: East Anglian Railway Museum

Website: www.earm.co.uk

The Miniature Railway will be in operation giving rides, and along with the Braintree and Halstead Model Railway Club there will be a Model Railway exhibition featuring a number of visiting layouts in...

Small Trains Day

Venue: East Anglian Railway Museum

Website: www.earm.co.uk/events/small-trains-day

Unlimited rides on a train hauled by a vintage Steam Locomotive at this Miniature Railway and Model Railway Show. Plus a full sized steam locomotives and a Diesel locomotive will also be in action with...

Splat!

Venue: Mercury Theatre

Website: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

Splat! is a family-friendly physical and sensory comedy about art and creativity for ages 3-7. Set in an artists studio the show follows two aspiring artists one dedicated and serious the other erratic...

Dinosaur Adventure Live: The Big Jurassic Storm

Venue: Mercury Theatre

Website: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

The adventure of a lifetime awaits… take the family on a T-Rex-iffc journey with brand new dinosaurs, meet their roar-some babies and help the rangers save the Island. Are you brave enough to face the...

Fortnite-Themed Outdoor Laser Tag

Venue: Mayhem Paintball, Airsoft and Outdoor Laser tag

Website: www.mayhempaintball.co.uk

2 hours of outdoor laser tag with Fortnite-style missions. Kids will play around tanks, planes, and helicopters—perfect for young adventurers! Suitable for 7-year-olds.

Robin Hood Performance by DOT Productions

Venue: Museum of Power

Website: www.dot-productions.co.uk/ticket-booking-robin-hood

Meet Robin and his Gang as they battle against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and steal from the rich to give to the poor. Full of memorable characters, silliness, songs and charm this production is an...

Sense and Sensibility

Venue: Museum of Power

Website: www.dot-productions.co.uk/ticket-booking-sense-sensibility

2025 marks the 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen, and what better way to celebrate her life than to delve into the world of one of her finest novels. A cast of five actors and DOTS ‘renowned comedic...

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Venue: Green Island Gardens

Website: www.quantumtheatre.co.uk

Quantum Theatre presents a brand new adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic, with live music and the full array of Carroll’s fantastical characters, this lively new version follows Alice’s adventures...

Fun for Little Ones: A Tribute to Ms Rachel

Venue: Mercury Theatre

Website: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

With over 5 Billion Views and over 8 million subscribers on YouTube, Ms Rachel is the biggest viral sensation to hit our children’s screens since Baby Shark!This UK Premier tribute is the only one of...

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

Venue: Langdon Nature Discovery Park

Website: www.quantumtheatre.co.uk

Michael Whitmore's delightful new adaptation is packed full of songs, action and drama, with a score by Gideon Escott, and is guaranteed to to delight and enthrall all ages.

Vintage Transport and Traction Engine Weekend

Venue: Epping Ongar Railway

Website: www.eorailway.co.uk

Join Epping Ongar Railway for a weekend of vintage transport and traction engines. Includes a wonderful collection of steam traction engines big and small on display and moving around North Weald station...

Bubble Rush

Venue: Carver Barracks

Website: www.ehaat.org/support-us-get-involved/events/bubble-rush

Bubble Rush is a foamy adventure where you’ll be surrounded by vibrant clouds of frothy fun at every turn! The course begins with a bubble blast at the start line, followed by four epic Bubble Stations...

Wonderland Puppet Show

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

A brand new magical show from Theatrix Arts. Join the Hatter as he brings Alice's adventure to life with charming puppets, vibrant painted scenery, lively music, and, of course, hats! Plus optional crafty...

Outdoor Theatre: The Wind in the Willows

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre proudly bring their trademark style and energy to the riverbank with heaps of interaction, stunning costumes, toe-tapping music, and larger-than-life characters....

Outdoor Theatre: The Wind in the Willows

Venue: Hylands Estate

Website: www.hylandsestate.co.uk

Pack your picnics and join Ratty, Mole, Badger, and the fantastically irrepressible Toad as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime culminating in a colourful battle to save Toad Hall from the mischievous...

Summer Holidays: Let's Rock! (And fossil)

Venue: Wells Suite, Museum of Chelmsford

Website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/whats-on

Explore what rocks and fossils you can find in Essex and where it may have come from. Take along a rock or fossil you've found, enjoy getting sandy with digging trays, take part in some fun crafts and...

Flowers and Friendship Bracelets

Venue: Princes Theatre

Website: www.princestheatre.co.uk

Get ready for a dazzling explosion of Music, Dance, and Excitement as Flowers and Friendship Bracelets takes to the stage! Join them for the ultimate pop concert and celebrate the biggest hits from the...

The Stow Maries Air Show

Venue: Stow Maries

Website: www.stowmaries.org.uk

As part of the event, weather permitting, Stow Maries own and guest aircraft will entertain and amaze in the skies above us, just like they did in 1918. On the ground there will be plenty to see and do,...

Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians

Venue: Palace Theatre

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

We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So it’s time to prepare for Horrible Histories live on stage with the acclaimed production of Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians....

Knights of Albion Joust

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Prepare for an unforgettable clash of courage and might as The Knights of Albion make their triumphant return to Hedingham Castle this August Bank Holiday weekend for their final joust of the season. An...

The Amazing Bubble Man

Venue: Palace Theatre

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

Louis explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. The Amazing Bubble Man...

Annie

Venue: Princes Theatre

Website: www.princestheatre.co.uk

Set in 1930’s New York City during the Great Depression, Annie is the heartwarming story of a brave young orphan who dreams of finding her parents.With her unbreakable spirit and infectious optimism,...

Fairytale Fest Suffolk

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

A magical day filled with characters, live performances, unicorn rides, a petting farm, disco, soft play, crafts, storytime and more! There will be 15 characters all in one place mingling, meeting and...

Robin Hood

Venue: Headgate Theatre

Website: www.headgatetheatre.co.uk

Meet Robin and his Gang as they battle against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and steal from the rich to give to the poor.Full of memorable characters, silliness, songs and charm this production is an...

Flowers And Friendship Bracelets - The Ultimate Pop Concert

Venue: Palace Theatre

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

Get ready for a dazzling explosion of Music, Dance, and Excitement as Flowers and Friendship Bracelets takes to the stage! Join them for the ultimate pop concert and celebrate the biggest hits from the...

Sweet and Sour

Venue: Charter Hall

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk/event/sweet-sour

From captivating vocals to striking visuals, Sweet and Sour delivers the ultimate showdown that’ll make you sing, dance, and relive every bittersweet moment. Whether you’re Team Rodrigo, Team Carpenter,...

Walkern Hall County Fair and Dog Show

Venue: Walkern Hall, Walkern, Stevenage

Website: www.ehaat.org

A fun day out for all the family in aid of EHAAT. Displays and attractions include The Royal Engineers assault course, Working Police Dogs, archery, vintage tractors, working gun dogs, and dog shows.

Haven House Mud Run

Venue: Nuclear Races, Brentwood

Website: www.havenhouse.org.uk/Event/mudrun25

Whether you're a group of friends, a family unit, an office crew, or an individual, the Mud Family race is all about teamwork and having a blast together. You can run, jog or walk the distance making this...

Glow for Havens

Venue: Little Havens Hospice, Daws Heath Road

Website: www.havenshospices.org.uk

Light up the night and support Havens Hospices! Put on your brightest outfits, load up on glow sticks, and sparkle your way around the exciting 5k or 10k route in the Little Havens woodlands and Hadleigh...