What's on

Explore our events and activities

Check out amazing activities and exciting events at our unique collection of Essex Country Parks and heritage places. From Forest School to parkrun there are lots of ways to make the most of the amazing places on your doorstep and beyond.

Browse our blogs for ideas on what to do and where to go.

Read our Essex Explorer magazine for fascinating features, more listings and seasonal inspiration for days out for every generation with Culture Essex networks and Visit Essex members.

Sign-up to our Explore Essex newsletters to receive regular monthly news and inspiration direct to your inbox.

When are you visiting?

Or search between two dates

Or choose from the places listed below:

What events are you interested in?

Event search results

Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0683

Events

Family Forest School: 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:
    • March 7, 2026
    • April 11, 2026
    • May 2, 2026
    • June 6, 2026
  • 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: Danbury Country Park Find out more about Family Forest School: Danbury Country Park
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0431

Events

Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park

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

  • Dates:
    • March 9, 2026
    • March 16, 2026
    • March 23, 2026
    • April 13, 2026
    • April 20, 2026
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • For under 5s
  • Price: Now booking for the New Year 2026
Buy tickets for Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park Find out more about Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park
Shutterstock 303586721

Events

Forest School sessions for Home Ed: 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 9, 2026
    • March 16, 2026
    • March 23, 2026
    • April 13, 2026
    • April 20, 2026
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
  • Primary School aged children
  • Price: Now booking for the New Year 2026. Sibling discounts available.
Buy tickets for Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park Find out more about Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park
Lo res EO Lock Oct24 095 2

Events

The Lock Climbing Wall: Give it a go sessions (Adults)

If you want to see what all the fuss is about and want to try climbing for the first time, then this is the course for you. No experience required, just a desire to give it a go!

  • Dates:
    • March 12, 2026
    • March 12, 2026
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
  • For adults
  • Price: £24.00 (course fee includes all tuition and kit hire).
Buy tickets for The Lock Climbing Wall: Give it a go sessions (Adults) Find out more about The Lock Climbing Wall: Give it a go sessions (Adults)
Lo res EO Lock Oct24 090 1

Events

The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb - One Day

This course is recommended for those who want to learn the basics of climbing and how to stay safe on a climbing wall. The course covers all of the basics you will need to be able to climb unsupervised in an indoor climbing wall.

  • Dates:
    • March 15, 2026
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • For adults
  • Price: £78.00 course fee includes all tuition and kit hire plus wall membership (Approx. £20.00) to make climbing at The Lock even easier.
Buy tickets for The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb - One Day Find out more about The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb - One Day
Good time girls

Events

Jaywick Martwllo Tower Spring Talks: The Rise and fall of Colchester's Good Time Girls 1855-1895

This talk by Dr Jane Pearson examines the difficulties involved in attempts to control Colchester's serious prostitution problem which followed the arrival of the garrison in Colchester in 1856.

Buy tickets for Jaywick Martwllo Tower Spring Talks: The Rise and fall of Colchester's Good Time Girls 1855-1895 Find out more about Jaywick Martwllo Tower Spring Talks: The Rise and fall of Colchester's Good Time Girls 1855-1895
Army Navy

Events

Jaywick Martello Tower: Army, navy and a little local history

The Royal Navy despised the British Army, but Kaiser Wilhelm was seen as a threat, causing the need for a comprehensive invasion exercise to bring the armed forces into the modern era.

Buy tickets for Jaywick Martello Tower: Army, navy and a little local history Find out more about Jaywick Martello Tower: Army, navy and a little local history
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:
    • March 30, 2026
    • March 31, 2026
    • April 1, 2026
    • April 2, 2026
    • April 7, 2026
    • April 8, 2026
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • 8-16
  • Price: £40.00 for the whole day. Book four days, get a fifth day free. (Individuals and siblings only).
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Harlow Find out more about Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Harlow
A group of children paddling on a stand up raft

Events

Essex Outdoors Harlow: Stand Up Paddle Board Taster Session

Fun, challenging and great for fitness, Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) have it all.

  • Dates:
    • April 7, 2026
    • April 14, 2026
    • April 21, 2026
    • May 5, 2026
    • May 12, 2026
    • May 19, 2026
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Adult: £18.00, young person (eight to 17-years-old) £14.00
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors Harlow: Stand Up Paddle Board Taster Session Find out more about Essex Outdoors Harlow: Stand Up Paddle Board Taster Session
Two girls canoeing

Events

Essex Outdoors Harlow: Saturday Paddle Club

Saturday Morning Paddle Club gives you the opportunity to try out canoeing and kayaking.

  • Dates:
    • April 10, 2026
    • April 18, 2026
    • May 2, 2026
    • May 9, 2026
    • May 16, 2026
    • May 23, 2026
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 9:30am - 11:30am
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Adult: £18.00, young person (eight to 17-years-old) £14.00
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors Harlow: Saturday Paddle Club Find out more about Essex Outdoors Harlow: Saturday Paddle Club
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 9 - 10, 2026
  • Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
  • Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Saturday and Sunday tickets: £10.00 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
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:
    • May 26, 2026
    • May 27, 2026
    • May 28, 2026
    • May 29, 2026
    • July 23, 2026
    • July 24, 2026
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Bradwell
  • Times: 10:00am - 4:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £250 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 0422 Sailing

Events

Essex Outdoors Bradwell: RYA Adults Sailing Weekend

Get ready to set sail from our Royal Yachting Association Training centre at Bradwell Waterside in Essex.

  • Dates:
    • July 18 - 20, 2026
    • September 4 - 6, 2026
    • September 5 - 7, 2026
    • September 6 - 8, 2026
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Bradwell
  • Times: 12:00am - 12:00am
  • For adults
  • Price: RYA Adults sailing weekend Residential Package* (2 nights accommodation and all meals) £399 RYA Adults sailing weekend Day-based Package £299
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors Bradwell: RYA Adults Sailing Weekend Find out more about Essex Outdoors Bradwell: RYA Adults Sailing Weekend
EO Bradwell Jul22 2110

Events

Essex Outdoors Bradwell: RYA Youth Sailing Week

The coast is your host with the Royal Yacht Association Youth Sailing Week.

  • Dates:
    • July 27 - 31, 2026
    • August 10 - 14, 2026
    • August 11 - 15, 2026
    • August 12 - 16, 2026
    • August 13 - 17, 2026
    • August 14 - 18, 2026
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Bradwell
  • Times: 12:00am - 12:00am
  • Teenagers
  • Price: RYA Youth sailing week Residential Package* (four nights accommodation and all meals) £449 RYA Youth sailing week day-based Package £349
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors Bradwell: RYA Youth Sailing Week Find out more about Essex Outdoors Bradwell: RYA Youth Sailing Week

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