What's on

Explore our events and activities

Keep your family busy this season. Check out amazing activities and exciting events taking place in our Essex Country Parks, at our Heritage Places and Essex Outdoors centres. From Forest School to parkrun there are lots of ways to Explore Essex.

We're excited to have supported lots of exciting community events and programmes through the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund. Keep an eye on the below for lots of interesting sessions to enjoy near you.

Read our Essex Explorer magazine for fascinating features, more listings and seasonal inspiration for days out with your family and furry friends.

Discover our annual Essex Explorer Pass to help you save money on car parking at all the Essex Country Parks and more and 'get out more' with family and friends this season.

Sign-up to our Explore Essex newsletters to receive regular news and inspiration, discover what's going on around the county direct to your inbox.

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Scouts

Events

Jaywick Martello Tower: Growing up, digging deep: The story of Scouts, food and farming

Food is central to our lives. We all eat it, talk about it and most of us have a go at cooking or even growing it.

  • Dates: March 2 - April 28, 2024
  • Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
  • Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Free
Buy tickets for Jaywick Martello Tower: Growing up, digging deep: The story of Scouts, food and farming Find out more about Jaywick Martello Tower: Growing up, digging deep: The story of Scouts, food and farming
Lata 01

Events

Welcome to Essex: A sculptural installation by Lata Upadhyaya (Chelmsford Library)

Welcome to Essex (2023) transforms a family of three Matryoshka dolls with the identities of the communities that call Essex home, celebrating the rich diversity of contemporary Britain and reflecting on the valuable contribution that immigration has made to British society.

  • Dates: March 18 - April 19, 2024
  • Venue: Market Road
  • Times: 9:00am - 7:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Free
Find out more about Welcome to Essex: A sculptural installation by Lata Upadhyaya (Chelmsford Library)
EO Bradwell Jul22 504 sailing

Events

Essex Outdoors Bradwell: Sailing Experience Days

Take to the water in a keelboat to experience a day on the River Blackwater with your family.

  • Dates:
    • April 20, 2024
    • April 21, 2024
    • May 4, 2024
    • May 5, 2024
    • May 6, 2024
    • May 18, 2024
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Bradwell
  • Times: 10:00am - 4:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £210 for up to seven people (minimum age seven)
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors Bradwell: Sailing Experience Days Find out more about Essex Outdoors Bradwell: Sailing Experience Days
EO Bradwell Jul22 1606

Events

Essex Outdoors Bradwell: Family Powerboating Experience Days

Take to the water on a powerboat to experience a day on the River Blackwater with your family.

  • Dates:
    • April 20, 2024
    • April 21, 2024
    • May 4, 2024
    • May 5, 2024
    • May 6, 2024
    • May 18, 2024
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Bradwell
  • Times: 10:00am - 4:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £280 for up to seven people.
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors Bradwell: Family Powerboating Experience Days Find out more about Essex Outdoors Bradwell: Family Powerboating Experience Days
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0683

Events

Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park

Don’t let the children have all the fun, connecting with nature is beneficial for everyone. Come and join us at our Family Forest School sessions.

  • Dates:
    • April 20, 2024
    • May 11, 2024
    • June 8, 2024
    • July 13, 2024
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £10 for the first child. £6 for siblings. Accompanying adults Free. Under 18 months free.
Buy tickets for Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park Find out more about Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park
Lata 01

Events

Welcome to Essex: A sculptural installation by Lata Upadhyaya (Harlow Library)

Welcome to Essex (2023) transforms a family of three Matryoshka dolls with the identities of the communities that call Essex home, celebrating the rich diversity of contemporary Britain and reflecting on the valuable contribution that immigration has made to British society.

  • Dates: April 22 - May 24, 2024
  • Times: 9:00am - 5:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Free
Find out more about Welcome to Essex: A sculptural installation by Lata Upadhyaya (Harlow Library)
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0431

Events

Woodland Play at Danbury Country Park

Join us for woodland play sessions, aimed at the under-5's. Activities include forest crafts and building dens.

  • Dates:
    • April 22, 2024
    • April 29, 2024
    • May 13, 2024
    • May 20, 2024
    • June 10, 2024
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • For under 5s
  • Price: Now booking: 15 April to 30 May – 5 sessions £42.50. 10 June to 15 July – 6 sessions £51.00. Sibling discounts available. Call to enquire.
Buy tickets for Woodland Play at Danbury Country Park Find out more about Woodland Play at Danbury Country Park
Shutterstock 303586721

Events

Home education Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park

Aimed at home educated children, this series of six sessions at Danbury Country Park includes nature activities, forest crafts, imagination, physical play and building things.

  • Dates:
    • April 22, 2024
    • April 29, 2024
    • May 13, 2024
    • May 20, 2024
    • June 10, 2024
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
  • Primary School aged children
  • Price: Now booking: 15 April to 30 May – 5 sessions £42.50. 10 June to 15 July – 6 sessions £51.00. Sibling discounts available. Please call to enquire.
Buy tickets for Home education Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park Find out more about Home education Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park
NWY TAW2023 SOCIAL MEDIA QUALITY 562

Events

Temple at War: Keeping History Alive

Temple at War is a two day military and vintage event packed full of everything to create one of the largest interactive and immersive historic re-enactment events in the south east of England whilst being totally family friendly.

  • Dates:
    • May 11, 2024
    • May 12, 2024
  • Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
  • Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Saturday and Sunday tickets: £8.00 to £53.00. Weekend ticket: £17.00 to £72.00.
Buy tickets for Temple at War: Keeping History Alive Find out more about Temple at War: Keeping History Alive
Helen Rollason Vintage Fair

Events

Helen Rollason: A Vintage Day Out

Shoppers and classic vehicle enthusiasts, start your engines as Helen Rollason Cancer Charity invites vintage and retro lovers to roll back the years and dress to impress for the Vintage Weekend.

  • Dates: July 14, 2024
  • Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
  • Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Adults: £8 per person. Concessions (over 65): £7 per person. Children Uncer-16: £2 per person.
Buy tickets for Helen Rollason: A Vintage Day Out Find out more about Helen Rollason: A Vintage Day Out
Notley2

Events

North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley

North Essex Astronomical Society is one of the larger astronomical societies in the UK with over 200 members. They are also one of the few providing members with access to a full-sized observatory at a dark-sky location

Buy tickets for North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley Find out more about North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley

Event location map

Cressing Temple barn

Site Hire

Many of our parks and places are available for event and 3rd party hire.

Find out more about Site Hire

A film crew at work

Filming

Our parks and places are available for filming.

Find out more about Filming