What's On in Southend
Things to do in and around Southend: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.
Top story
Southend Halloween Parade: 6pm, 31 Oct, Route and Fireworks
Free on Saturday 31 October: the parade leaves Eastern Esplanade at 6pm, reaches the pier by 6.45pm and ends at 7.30pm with fireworks. Route, parking, joining.
Dates for the diary
- On now to 3 Oct Burlesque The Musical
- Thu 1 Oct Sindhu Vee: Swanky
- Fri 2 Oct Waverley 80th anniversary cruise to the Thames forts
- Sat 3 Oct Simon Evans Is Staring At The Sun
- Sat 3 Oct Southend parkrun
- Sat 3 Oct Southend United v AFC Fylde
- Sat 3 Oct 40s and 50s Hangar Dance at the Vulcan
- Sat 3 Oct Seafront fireworks
- Sat 3 Oct Southend seafront fireworks
- Sun 4 Oct The Best Of Queen
- Sun 4 Oct Phil Wang: UH OH
- Mon 5 Oct What The World Needs Now: The Burt Bacharach Songbook
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Events
What's On in Southend: Oktoberfest, Jazz Week and the Halloween Parade
Seafront fireworks every Saturday, the Jazz Festival from 12 October, Oktoberfest in Priory Park, the Halloween Parade on the 31st and the Big Beach Bang.
Remembrance
Southend Remembrance Sunday 2026: Cenotaph Service at 11am
Remembrance Sunday in Southend is 8 November 2026. Last year the parade formed at Prittlewell Square at 10:15am for the 11am service at the Cenotaph.
New Year's Eve
Southend New Year's Eve Fireworks 2026: 6pm and Midnight?
Southend has held free New Year's Eve fireworks at 6pm and midnight off the pier for two years running. What is confirmed for 31 December 2026 so far.
Christmas
Southend Santa's Grotto 2026: Adventure Island From 28 Nov
Adventure Island's Father Christmas opens 28 November 2026 at £40 per child with one adult free. Prittlewell Priory's £16 visits, and what else is confirmed.
Southend Pier
Southend Pier Winter Opening Times: Wednesday to Sunday
Southend Pier is open daily 10:15am to 6pm now, but last winter it opened Wednesday to Sunday only, 10:15am to 5pm. Ticket prices, the train and the museum.
Leigh-on-Sea
Old Leigh Regatta 2026, held 12-13 Sept: Times and Roads
The regatta is free and opens at 11am on Saturday 12 September. High Street and Belton Bridge shut 7am to 9pm from Friday, and two car parks lose every bay.
Fireworks
Southend Fireworks 2026: Free Saturdays 7.30pm to 14 Nov
Free seafront fireworks every Saturday at 7.30pm until 14 November, seven displays left. Big Beach Bang is 7 November at Shoeburyness, tickets still £7.
Christmas
Southend Christmas Lights Switch-On: 6pm, Sat 14 Nov
The lights go on at 6pm on Saturday 14 November at Victoria Circus, with market stalls from 9am and seafront fireworks at 7.30pm. Parking and the day's plan.
Theatre
Cliffs Pavilion Panto 2026: Snow White, 12 Dec to 3 Jan
Southend panto 2026 is Snow White at the Cliffs Pavilion, 38 shows from 12 December to 3 January, from £26.50, with Shane Richie as Muddles and Faye Tozer.
Trains and Travel
Steam Train Leaves Southend Central for Chester, 19 Nov
A steam-hauled excursion leaves Southend Central at 06.35 on Thursday 19 November for Chester Christmas Market, back at 22.50. Fares start at £245.
City Jam
Southend City Jam 2026, held 28-30 Aug: Map and Workshops
City Jam is free from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August, with 200+ artists painting live. Workshop times, where to find the murals, and how to get in.
What's On
Things to Do in Southend in 2026: Pier, Beaches & Prices
Southend Pier costs £3.10 to walk and £7.70 with the train ride. 2026 prices and hours for Adventure Island, Sealife, the museums, Old Leigh and Belfairs.