Explore our events and activities
Check out activities taking place in our Essex Country Parks and Heritage Places in the listings below. From Forest School to parkrun and 22 things to do in 2022, we've got something for you and your family.
Read on to plan your perfect day out in Essex, or dip into our magazine, Essex Explorer for more inspiration. Explore our wildflower spotter guide, the new Marconi walking trail, a spotlight on Great Notley and Danbury Country Parks and so much more.
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 activities.
You might want to also check out our guide to the Essex Summer of Culture 2022, which has lots of family friendly listings.
Or read our blog to find out more about the filming of The Essex Serpent at Cudmore Grove Country park, and plan your visit to the iconic settings.
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Event search results

Frinton Summer Festival
We’re proud to be supporting the Frinton Summer Festival through the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund 2022
- Dates: July 12 - September 4, 2022
- Venue: Connaught Avenue
- For the whole family
- Price:

Jaywick Martello Tower: James McColl Smith exhibition
Local Artist James McColl Smith brings his vibrant artwork to Jaywick Martello Tower for a special exhibition this summer.
- Dates: July 14 - September 4, 2022
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

'The Singh Twins: Slaves of Fashion' at Firstsite
- Dates: July 23 - September 11, 2022
- Times: 10:00am - 5:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: FREE

Essex Explorer Bug and Butterfly Summer Trails
Turn your kids into mini explorers this summer holiday at our Essex Country Parks
- Dates: August 1 - 31, 2022
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Trail booklets: £2

Essex Outdoors: School Holiday Activity Days - Danbury
Action-packed kids holiday club activity days run at four Essex Outdoors centres during the school holidays.
- Dates:
- August 19, 2022
- August 22, 2022
- August 23, 2022
- August 25, 2022
- August 26, 2022
- (continued …)
- Times: 8:30am - 5:30pm
- 8-16
- Price: £35.00 per child per day. Summer Holidays only: Buy four get the fifth FREE! For this offer please call: 01245 223342.

Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days - Harlow
Action-packed activity day experiences run at our Harlow Centre during the school holidays.
- Dates:
- August 19, 2022
- August 22, 2022
- August 23, 2022
- August 24, 2022
- August 25, 2022
- (continued …)
- Venue: Burntmill Lane
- Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- 8-16
- Price: £35.00 per child per day. Summer Holidays only: Buy four get the fifth FREE! For this offer please call: 01279 620270. (Must be for the same child or their sibling)

Family-friendly boat trips in Essex: Essex Outdoors
Get ready to set sail with Essex Outdoors along the River Blackwater.
- Dates:
- August 20, 2022
- August 21, 2022
- August 27, 2022
- August 28, 2022
- September 3, 2022
- (continued …)
- Times: 10:30am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: All day sailing or powerboating adventure £190 for up to seven people. Picnic baskets from £9 per person

Zinc Arts Presents: Summer Arts Activities
FREE arts activities' for young people aged 10 to 16-years-old in Ongar
- Dates:
- August 23, 2022
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Teenagers
- Price: FREE but booking required

Family Wild Wednesdays at Danbury Country Park
Free family fun in the great outdoors this summer
- Dates:
- August 24, 2022
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free (car parking charges apply)

Illustration workshop with artist Allan Drummond: Naze Tower Shelter
Learn a new art technique with celebrated Eat Anglian artist Allan Drummond.
- Dates: September 3, 2022
- Venue: Old Hall Lane
- 8-16
- Price: FREE but booking required

ERO Presents: Big Boys Toys
Ernest Doe is a family firm which can trace it's history back to their first blacksmith's shop in Ulting near Maldon opening in 1898.
- Dates: September 6, 2022
- Venue: Wharf Road
- Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £5.75

Jaywick Martello Tower: We Are Music
We Are Music are back at Jaywick Martello Tower in September and are looking for young people with an interest in music to create new bands!
- Dates:
- September 6, 2022
- September 13, 2022
- September 20, 2022
- September 27, 2022
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
- Teenagers
- Price: FREE

Jaywick Martello Tower Coastal Open
The annual Jaywick Martello Tower Coastal Open is back for 2022! Join us for this special open exhibition celebrating the talents of local artists and craft makers, from painting to pottery to poetry and beyond.
- Dates: September 8 - October 30, 2022
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 9:00am - 9:00am
- For the whole family
- Price:

Naze Tower: Autumn Exhibition
The Autumn Exhibition features over 20 East Anglian Artists over five floors is well worth visit but also includes the 'Tall Tales’ View from the Top - interpretation and engagement room.
- Dates: September 10 - 11, 2022
- Venue: Old Hall Lane
- Times: 10:00am - 5:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Small charge applies to visit the Naze Tower, book tickets at www.nazetower.co.uk or buy from the Tower

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:
- September 12, 2022
- October 17, 2022
- November 7, 2022
- December 12, 2022
- January 16, 2023
- (continued …)
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price:

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:
- September 12, 2022
- October 17, 2022
- November 7, 2022
- December 12, 2022
- January 16, 2023
- (continued …)
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price:

Naze Day with artist Emma Eagle
Draw your stories, symbols and favourite aspects and views of the Naze onto canvas and then add it to our two large maps with artist Emma Eagle.
- Dates: September 24, 2022
- Venue: Old Hall Lane
- Times: 11:00am - 3:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: FREE

Wellness Weekend Festival: Mersea Minds in Motion
Boost mind, body and soul this October at Mersea Minds in Motion.
- Dates: October 7 - 9, 2022
- Venue: Rewsalls Lane
- Times: 9:00am - 11:00am
- Teenagers
- Price: Day tickets: Saturday 8 October Day early bird: £50 Day ticket: £60 Weekend early bird: £90 Weekend ticket: £100

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:
- October 8, 2022
- November 12, 2022
- December 10, 2022
- January 14, 2023
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £10

Great Notley Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 8:45am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Hadleigh Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 8:45am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Marsh Farm Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Marsh Farm Country Park
- Times: 8:45am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Cudmore Grove Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 8:45am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Weald Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 8:45am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Event location map

Frinton Summer Festival
We’re proud to be supporting the Frinton Summer Festival through the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund 2022
- Dates: July 12 - September 4, 2022
- Venue: Connaught Avenue
- For the whole family
- Price:

Jaywick Martello Tower: James McColl Smith exhibition
Local Artist James McColl Smith brings his vibrant artwork to Jaywick Martello Tower for a special exhibition this summer.
- Dates: July 14 - September 4, 2022
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

'The Singh Twins: Slaves of Fashion' at Firstsite
- Dates: July 23 - September 11, 2022
- Times: 10:00am - 5:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: FREE
Site Hire
Many of our parks and places are available for event and 3rd party hire.
