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.


Event search results

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
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
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:
    • March 25, 2024
    • April 15, 2024
    • April 22, 2024
    • April 29, 2024
    • May 13, 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.
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:
    • March 25, 2024
    • April 15, 2024
    • April 22, 2024
    • April 29, 2024
    • May 13, 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.
EO Harlow Launch 173

Events

Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Harlow

Our action-packed activity day experiences run at our Harlow Centre during the school holidays and are the ideal way for young people aged 8-16 to try exciting new experiences in the outdoors.

  • Dates:
    • April 2, 2024
    • April 3, 2024
    • April 4, 2024
    • April 5, 2024
    • April 8, 2024
    • April 9, 2024
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • 8-16
  • Price: £37.50 for the whole day! Book four days get fifth free! (Must be for the same individual or siblings) Call us on 01279 620270 for the discount.
Danbury

Events

Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Danbury

Our action packed activity day experiences run at our Danbury Centre during the school holidays and are the ideal way for young people aged 8-16 to try exciting new experiences in the outdoors.

  • Dates:
    • April 2, 2024
    • April 3, 2024
    • April 4, 2024
    • April 5, 2024
    • April 8, 2024
    • April 9, 2024
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Danbury
  • Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • 8-16
  • Price: Price £37.50 per child per day.
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0956

Events

Easter Forest School at Thorndon Country Park - featuring The Gruffalo

Join us for this special session of Forest School as part of our Gruffalo 25th birthday celebrations

  • Dates:
    • April 3, 2024
    • April 10, 2024
  • Venue: Thorndon Country Park
  • Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • Primary School aged children
  • Price: £10 (price includes car parking and accompanying adults)
Two smiling girls in a hammock

Events

*New* Family Forest School at Great Notley Country Park

Following the success of Spooky Forest School in 2023, we are pleased to confirm a brand NEW Family Forest School running once a month on Saturdays at Great Notley Country Park.

  • Dates:
    • April 6, 2024
    • May 18, 2024
    • June 1, 2024
    • July 6, 2024
  • Venue: Great Notley Country Park
  • Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £10
EO Bradwell Jul22 504 sailing

Events

Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Bradwell

Our action packed activity day experiences run at our Bradwell Centre during the school holidays and are the ideal way for young people aged 8-16 to try exciting new experiences in the outdoors.

  • Dates:
    • April 8 - 9, 2024
    • April 10 - 11, 2024
    • April 11 - 12, 2024
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Bradwell
  • Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • 8-16
  • Price: Price: £37.50 per child per day. Buy four days get the fifth free. To book this offer please call the centre on 01621 776256.
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.
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
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.
Helen Rollason Vintage Fair

Events

Helen Rollason Vintage Weekend

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.
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

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