Events in Essex 2026
Want to know what’s on in Essex today?
Discover the best Essex events all year round!
Discover the latest Essex events, from seaside festivals and live music to theatre, food & drink celebrations, and family-friendly activities happening across the county. Whether you’re planning a visit or considering a holiday home in Essex, our events calendar makes it easy to see what’s on and enjoy Essex all year round.
January
1st
NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK
Ingrebourne Valley, Hornchurch
10th
BEST OF FRANKIE VALLI STARRING PETER ANDRE
Princes Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
15th
MARTELLO LOUNGE PRESENTS: THE SWAGGER ‘UNPLUGGED ACOUSTIC’ SHOW
Martello Lounge, Clacton-on-Sea
24th
COLCHESTER UNITED VS. FLEETWOOD TOWN (SKY BET LEAGUE TWO)
JobServe Community Stadium
February
8th
THE ANGLIA COMEDY ALLSTARS
Princes Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
10th
OUR LITTLE HOUR: MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
Mercury Theatre, Colchester
15th
ABBERTON PANCAKE PARTY
Abberton Reservoir, Colchester
17th
MY LIFE WITH KENNETH WILLIAMS: DAVID BENSON TRIBUTE SHOW
Mercury Theatre, Colchester
26th – 28th
CHAPPEL BEER FESTIVAL 2026
East Anglian Railway Museum, Colchester
March
6th
SOUNDS OF THE ’60S – THE ZOOTS
Princes Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
7th
SOUTHEND CITY DAY
High Street, Southend-on-Sea
8th
ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS FAIR
Village Hall, Great Bromley
10th
DESIREE BURCH: THE GOLDEN WRATH
Colchester Arts Centre
20th
MAC: LOVE AND INFORMATION
Mercury Theatre, Colchester
28th
HENRY CLUNEY’S XSLF
Three Wise Monkeys, Colchester
28th – 12th April
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Clacton Pier
28th
JESSICA FOSTEKEW: ICONIC BREATH
Colchester Arts Centre
April
1st
ACTIVE MALDON WELLBEING WALK
Car Park of St Peter-on-the-Wall, Bradwell-on-Sea
5th
FREE EASTER SUNDAY FIREWORKS
Clacton Pier
10th
COLCHESTER VS. SWINDON (SKY BET LEAGUE TWO)
JobServe Community Stadium
17th
CLAUDE BOURBON WITH (PROGRESSIVE BLUES)
Headgate Theatre, Colchester
22nd – 25th
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Palace Theatre, Southend-on-sea
26th
MALDON MUD RACE
Promenade Park, Maldon
29th
CLINTON BAPTISTE – SPECTRAL INTERCOURSE
Mercury Theatre, Colchester
30th
LIPSTICK ON YOUR COLLAR
Mercury Theatre, Colchester
May
2nd
BARRY STEELE’S ROY ORBISON STORY
Princes Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
3rd
ALL ABOUT DOGS
Hylands Park
3rd
FREE MAY DAY BANK HOLIDAY FIREWORKS
Clacton Pier
15th – 17th
NATIONAL FLOWER SHOW
Hylands Park
16th – 17th
ESSEX MOTORFEST
Orsett Showground
23rd
FUNERAL TEETH
Mercury Theatre, Colchester
24th
FREE SPRING BANK HOLIDAY FIREWORKS
Clacton Pier
June
5th
LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU – A TRIBUTE TO ROBBIE WILLIAMS
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
10th – 12th
THROUGH THE DECADES WITH ELVIS – STEVE HALLIDAY
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
19th
COUNTERFEIT 60S – TRIBUTE SHOW
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
25th – 28th
LEIGH FOLK FESTIVAL
Library Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea
26th
STATE FAYRE FESTIVAL
Hylands Park, Chelmsford
26th
ROY CHUBBY BROWN – NOT MEANT TO OFFEND COMEDY
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
27th
BEAUTIFUL CRAZY – THE LUKE COMBS COLLECTION
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
27th
COLCHESTER FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
Castle Park, Colchester
July
10th
IBIZA ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE
Castle Park, Colchester
11th
SAUSAGE AND CIDER FESTIVAL
Castle Park, Colchester
11th
TENDRING SHOW
Lawford House Park
12th
SUMMER IN NASHVILLE
Castle Park, Colchester
24th – 26th
LAZYDAYS FESTIVAL
Priory Park, Southend-on-Sea
25th
FREE SUMMER HOLIDAY FIREWORKS
Clacton Pier
August
8th
FREE SUMMER HOLIDAY FIREWORKS
Clacton Pier
27th – 28th
CLACTON AIRSHOW
Clacton Seafront
27th
FREE AIRSHOW FIREWORKS
Clacton Pier
29th
BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY – TRIBUTE TO FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
29th
WEELEY TRIBUTE FESTIVAL
Colchester
30th
FRANK – OL’ BLUE EYES IS BACK!
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
30th
FREE AUGUST HOLIDAY FIREWORKS
Clacton Pier
30th
PROPER FEST
Weeley Carboot Site
September
6th
JAMES BOND CONCERT SPECTACULAR
Princes Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
8th – 12th
CHAPPEL BEER FESTIVAL 2026
East Anglian Railway Museum, Colchester
12th
MARTY WILDE – A LIFETIME IN MUSIC
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
19th – 20th
OKTOBERFEST
Clacton Pier
20th
ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS FAIR
Village Hall, Great Bromley
26th
CELEBRATING CELINE – A NEW DAY
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
26th – 27th
OKTOBERFEST
Clacton Pier
October
3rd
THE VINTAGE BOYS ROCK ’N’ ROLL SHOW
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
3rd – 4th
OKTOBERFEST
Clacton Pier
9th – 11th
HARWICH INTERNATIONAL SHANTY FESTIVAL
Harwich
11th
CHELMSFORD MARATHON & HALF MARATHON
Central Park, Chelmsford
17th
THE PHANTOMS – STARRING LEE MEAD
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
24th – 1st Nov
HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
Clacton Pier
November
7th
FREE GAY FAWKES FIREWORKS
Clacton Pier
8th
SPIRIT OF THE BLITZ
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
15th
STORY OF SWING
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
15th
ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS FAIR
Village Hall, Great Bromley
29th – 24th Dec
A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE
Clacton Pier
December
1st – 5th
THE MOUSETRAP
Palace Theatre, Southend-on-sea
TBC
CASTLE PARK LIGHT TRAIL
Colchester Castle Park
TBC
GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET
Meadow Croft Garden Centre, Battlesbridge
TBC
FESTIVE TRAIN RIDE
Epping Ongar Railway