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Now that the summer holidays have arrived we've decided to put together a week by week guide of things to do and ways to keep busy during the summer holidays this year! ☀️
Here's a brief overview of some of the things you can do this summer:
**DONT TO CHECK OUT OUR WHATS ON PAGE FOR MANY, MANY MORE EVENTS HAPPENING THIS SUMMER**
Be sure to check out some of the other pages on our website to help you navigate the holidays this year.
🦒 Things to do - a page full of local attractions including farms & zoo's, museums, beaches, sports & leisure, out & about and transport.
📖 Summer Reading Challenge - visit any local libray and sign up for free!
Residents of Colchester have been asked to share their views for the refurbishment of the playground in Castle Park. The playground at Colchester’s award-winning Castle Park is set for a significant upgrade. Originally opened in 2011, the popular playground has seen extensive use over the last decade, leading to it now reaching the end of its life and needing an update.
To ensure the new playground meets the needs and desires of our community, the council invites everyone to share their ideas and preferences for its features and equipment.
In addition to the survey, workshops will be held to gather feedback from Colchester residents and primary school children.
As a token of appreciation, participants who complete the survey will have the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw to win one of two family passes to Colchester Castle Museum or tickets to Putt in the Park.
A second phase of the consultation, during Easter 2025, will ask the community to vote for their preferred design.
Construction of the new playground will be carried out in autumn 2025, with an expected open date in winter 2025.
Marvellous Makers is coming to a library near you this summer!
Essex Library Service and The Reading Agency are teaming up with Create for a very special 2024 Summer Reading Challenge which will be a celebration of the creative arts. We’ll be inspiring children to express themselves in creative ways, tap into a world of imagination and storytelling, and – of course – to read!
Children will join our wonderful characters, brought to life by the brilliant children’s illustrator Natelle Quek, as they prepare for a big festival to show off the work they have created, inspired by their favourite reads. However, the day before the festival, some objects mysteriously go missing from their creative toolbox. The children of Essex will help our characters find these missing objects and save the festival!
The challenge runs from Saturday 20 July to Saturday 7 September in all Essex libraries and mobile libraries. There will also be a special early joiners’ day on Saturday 13 July!
Children are being asked to read 6 books, they will collect stickers for their folder for each book they read. After reading 6 books they earn their certificate and medal.
Children can read any library book of their choice; fiction, non-fiction, picture books, books they share with parents and carers, e-books or e-audio – they all count. The under fours are not forgotten with a special version of Marvellous Makers just for them.
The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by libraries and produced by The Reading Agency. It is open to all children, free of charge.
Ghosts and Witches Tour
15th March
- 24th October
Colchester War Memorial, High Street, Cowdrey Crescent
Gaia at Colchester Castle
19th July
- 15th September
Colchester Castle, Colchester
Summer Circus at Old MacDonald's Farm
20th July
- 1st September
Old MacDonald's Farm, Brentwood
Pet Pals Workshop
(FREE)
20th July
- 1st September
Pets at Home, Colchester
Bubble 'n' Bop Children's Festival at Marsh Farm
21st July
- 1st September
Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
My Pet Pals workshops
(FREE)
21st July
- 1st September
Pets at Home, Rochford Road, Southend
Bubble 'n' Bop Children's Festival at Marsh Farm
21st July
- 1st September
Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
Musical with Matilda
22nd July
- 28th July
Theatricool Performing Arts School, Colchester
Summer Holidays at Lakelands
22nd July
- 1st September
Stanway Lakeland's Centre, Colchester
The Craft Hub Summer Camp
22nd July
- 30th August
The Craft Hub Cabin, Colchester
Endangered Species Week
22nd July
- 28th July
Cedars Nature Centre, Waltham Cross
Hopefield's Summer of Fun
22nd July
- 1st September
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood
Summer at Lemon Witch
23rd July
- 1st September
Lemon Witch, Leigh-On-Sea
SUMMER HOLIDAYS AT STANTONS WITH FRIDAY FUNDAYS
23rd July
- 1st September
Stantons Farm Petting Farm & Animal Experiences, Stantons Farm Witham Road Black Notley Braintree
Decorate a cupcake at Mrs Barnes Bakery
23rd July
- 27th July
Mrs Barnes Bakery, Leigh-On-Sea
Summer at Lemon Witch
23rd July
- 1st September
Lemon Witch, Leigh-On-Sea
Explorer Backpacks
(FREE)
23rd July
- 5th September
Valence House, Dagenham
Zoo Groove Rangers
24th July
- 1st August
Call of the Wild Zoo, South Woodham Ferrers
Holiday Camp
24th July
- 30th August
Leisure World, Colchester
Summer of Games
(FREE)
24th July
- 28th July
Rainham Hall National Trust, Rainham
The Cow Maize
(FREE)
25th July
- 1st November
The Green Barn Farm Shop, Benfleet
Kids' Rip Collage Workshop
27th July
Hobbycraft Romford, Romford
Marks Tey Market
(FREE)
27th July
Marks Tey Parish Hall, Colchester
Nearly Festival
27th July
- 28th July
Old Heath Recreation Park, Colchester
Summer beach party at Rollacity - All ages
27th July
Rollacity, Rochford
Kite Festival
27th July
- 28th July
The Naze Education and Visitor Centre, Walton on the Naze
Kids' Friendship Bracelets Workshop at Hobbycraft
27th July
Hobbycraft Southend, Retail Park
Summer Fayre at Green Island Gardens
27th July
- 28th July
Green Island Gardens, Colchester
Kids' Clay Pencil Toppers Workshop at Hobbycraft
27th July
Hobbycraft Southend, Retail Park
Music in the park
(FREE)
27th July
- 28th July
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Big up Southend
(FREE)
27th July
The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend-On-Sea
Catchment to Coast
(FREE)
27th July
Catchment to Coast at Belfairs Discovery Centre, Leigh-On-Sea
Open Day at Wanderers Haven Animal Sanctuary
27th July
Wanderers Animal Sanctuary, Cranham, Upminster
Community Big Summer Blow Out
27th July
St Ursula's Primary School, Harold Hill
Day of Discovery - Festival of Archealogy
(FREE)
27th July
Rainham Hall National Trust, Rainham
Barking Fire Station Open Day
(FREE)
27th July
Barking Fire Station, Barking
Slime Workshop
27th July
MyPlace Community Centre, Harold Hill
Steam Day
28th July
Chappel and Wakes Colne Station, Colchester
Summer Family Fun Day
(FREE)
28th July
Cottons Park, Romford
Royal Gunpowder Mills Open Day
28th July
Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey
Little Monkeys - at Nuclear High Ropes
28th July
Nuclear High Ropes, Brentwood
Essex Fire Museum - Family Open day
(FREE)
28th July
Essex Fire Museum (Grays Fire Station), Grays
Essex Fire Museum - Family Open day
(FREE)
28th July
Essex Fire Museum (Grays Fire Station), Grays
The Zoo club at Cedars Nature Centre
28th July
Cedars Nature Centre, Cedars Park, Waltham cross
Royal Gunpowder Mills Open Day
28th July
Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey
Little Monkeys - at Nuclear High Ropes
28th July
Nuclear High Ropes, Brentwood
Kids' Clay Pencil Toppers Workshop
29th July
Hobbycraft Romford, Romford
Animal Feeding FREE
(FREE)
29th July
- 2nd August
The Green Barn Farm Shop, Benfleet
Wicked Witches and Wizards
29th July
- 2nd August
Theatricool Performing Arts School, Colchester
Annual Soccer Camp
29th July
- 2nd August
Shrub End community and sports centre, Colchester
Activate Camp
29th July
- 2nd August
Shrub End community and sports centre, Colchester
Football Active Camp
29th July
- 1st August
Maldon & Tiptree FC, Maldon
Barracudas Activity Day Camps
29th July
- 23rd August
Colchester County High School, Colchester
Sports day actvities at Leigh Community Centre
29th July
Leigh Community Centre, Leigh-On-Sea
The Big Zoo Quiz @ Cedars Nature Centre
29th July
- 4th August
Cedars Nature Centre, Waltham Cross
Pond Dipping at Wat Tyler Country Park
29th July
Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon
Soft Archery at Wat Tyler Country Park
29th July
Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon
Ballet Summer Party
30th July
St Albans Church, Westcliff-On-Sea
Pixie and pirate party
30th July
Grumpy's Diner, Southend
Dinosaur Reading at Leigh Community Centre Cafe
30th July
Leigh Community Centre, Leigh-On-Sea
Marvellous Makers - FREE Toilet Roll Cacti
(FREE)
30th July
Southchurch Library, Southend-On-Sea
Inflatable fun day Southchurch Park
30th July
Southchurch Park, Southchurch
Summer fun days
(FREE)
30th July
Avenue Baptist Church, Westcliff-On-Sea
Crafty Tuesday at Thames Chase
30th July
Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster
Sports day with Families growing together 0-4 Years
30th July
Centre Place Family Centre, Southend
Decorate a cupcake at Mrs Barnes Bakery
30th July
- 3rd August
Mrs Barnes Bakery, Leigh-On-Sea
Stories & Songs FREE summer activities at Hadleigh Hub
(FREE)
30th July
Hadleigh Farm Estate, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh
Kids Summer Movie Marathon
(FREE)
30th July
- 31st July
The Bread and Cheese Pub, South Benfleet
Ballet Summer Party
30th July
St Albans Church, Westcliff-On-Sea
Pixie and pirate party
30th July
Grumpy's Diner, Southend
Inflatable fun day Southchurch Park
30th July
Southchurch Park, Southchurch
Crafty Tuesday at Thames Chase
30th July
Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster
Fairy Crafts
30th July
Upminster Library, Upminster
Pond Dipping at Wat Tyler Country Park
30th July
Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon
Orienteering at Wat Tyler Country Park
30th July
Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon
FREE Craft Tuesdays - Flower Mirrors
(FREE)
30th July
Romford Shopping Hall, Romford
Trolls day
31st July
Leigh Community Centre, 71 Elm Road
Mermaid Breakfast
31st July
View Garden Centre, Wickford
TinySplash sessions
31st July
Shoeburyness Leisure Centre, Shoeburyness
Diesel Days
31st July
East Anglian Railway Museum, Colchester
Kids' Clay Pencil Toppers Workshop at Hobbycraft
31st July
Hobbycraft Southend, Retail Park
Kids' Rip Collage Workshop
31st July
Hobbycraft Southend, Retail Park
Kids activities at Phab Life - Decorating gingerbread men
31st July
The Phabulous Cafe, Leigh-On-Sea
Summer Holiday Havoc
31st July
- 2nd August
Museum of Power, Maldon
Becoming a Birdwatcher
31st July
- 2nd August
Chelmsford Museum, Chelmsford
Space rocket craft - FREE summer activities at Hadleigh Hub
(FREE)
31st July
Hadleigh Farm Estate, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh
Trolls day
31st July
Leigh Community Centre, 71 Elm Road
Mermaid Breakfast
31st July
View Garden Centre, Wickford
FREE Family Fun Day
(FREE)
31st July
Park Lane Play Park, Hornchurch
Summer of Games
(FREE)
31st July
- 4th August
Rainham Hall National Trust, Rainham
Bear Buddies
31st July
Kiddiewinks Softplay, Romford
Summer Holiday Havoc
31st July
- 2nd August
Museum of Power, Maldon
Race Against Time at Wat Tyler Country Park
31st July
Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon
Race Against Time at Wat Tyler Country Park
31st July
Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon
Swiftie cruel summer
1st August
Mill Hall, Rayleigh
The Sunflower Field
(FREE)
1st August
- 31st August
The Green Barn Farm Shop, Benfleet
Lego at the Olympics
(FREE)
1st August
Christ Church, Leigh-on-Sea
Pokemon Club
(FREE)
1st August
Dice & a Slice, Colchester
Joe Banana party at Leigh Community Centre
1st August
Leigh Community Centre, Leigh-On-Sea
Inside Out 2 (Film)
1st August
Firstsite, Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester
Little Victories Teddy bears picnic
(FREE)
1st August
The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend-On-Sea
FREE pokemon trading session
(FREE)
1st August
Create98, Create98 ,98 Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea
Family Film night - FREE summer activities at Hadleigh Hub
(FREE)
1st August
Hadleigh Farm Estate, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh
Swiftie cruel summer
1st August
Mill Hall, Rayleigh
Lego at the Olympics
(FREE)
1st August
Christ Church, Leigh-on-Sea
Three Billy Goats Gruff - Family Theatre
2nd August
Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh
Family Fun Day
(FREE)
2nd August
Mountnessing Coronation Playing Fields, Mountnessing, Brentwood
Fairytale fest 24
2nd August
- 4th August
Basildon Sport and Leisure club, Basildon
Circus skills workshop
2nd August
Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster
Summer fun days
(FREE)
2nd August
Avenue Baptist Church, Westcliff-On-Sea
Circus SKills at Kiddiewinks
2nd August
Kiddiewinks Softplay, 43 Market Place, Romford
Three Billy Goats Gruff - Family Theatre
2nd August
Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh
Fairytale fest 24
2nd August
- 4th August
Basildon Sport and Leisure club, Basildon
Circus skills workshop
2nd August
Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster
Circus Skills at Kiddiewinks
2nd August
Kiddiewinks Softplay, 43 Market Place, Romford
Pond Dipping at Wat Tyler Country Park
2nd August
Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon
Soft Archery at Wat Tyler Country Park
2nd August
Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon
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