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Here is our BIG summer holiday guide, helping you to plan the next 6 weeks! Below are our top pick of events, events not to miss and even a guide for working parents. Find days out, free and lost cost things to do and everything in between. We've done the research so you don't have to!
Check out the following articles:
- What's on guide - A calendar with hundreds of events over summer. View the full events list or jump to any date in the future
- 65+ FREE & low cost things to do this summer
- Summer guide specifically for under 5's - NEW
- Things to do - A huge category of local attractions including museums, farms and zoo's, sports and leisure, transport, out and about and hands-on activities.
- Summer Holiday Planner - An A3 planner to print out and help you get organised
- Summer bucket list - A cute activity to do together
- Guide for working parents - Evening and weekend events for working parents NEW
- Mum's Guide to Waddle On Sea - - More info on the Waddle-On-Sea trail and where ideas to make a day of it! NEW
- Places to stop on The Open Top Bus - Suggestions on where hop on and off! NEW
- Pubs with play areas
- Holiday clubs and classes - Local summer camps and regular groups still running through the holidays. This includes baby and toddler groups!
- 10 FREE & low cost days out in London - COMING SOON
- Where to play Crazy golf - A round-up of all the places you can play crazy golf in and around Southend
- Places to go Fruit Picking
- Cafes with play areas
- Days out for teens & tweens
- Where to find discounted tickets for local attractions - Get discounted tickets for Adventure Island and Sealife!
- Places to take babies and toddlers - If you're looking for somewhere quieter to take the younger ones!
- Summer Reading Challenge - Sign up at any library for free!
- Kids week - Take the kids to a London Theatre for FREE with a full paying adult ticket
- Summer Scavenger hunt - A cheap idea to keep you busy whilst out and about
- Kids eat free - COMING SOON
Don't Miss!
These are just some *top picks* taken from our What's on guide. For a full list of events, click here
Waddle-On-Sea - After two successful trails in Southend, Havens Hospices have teamed up to work with Wild in Art to bring another trail, Waddle-on-Sea to Southend. For over six weeks from July 2025, Southend-on-Sea will be brought to life by a huddle of beautiful painted penguins and baby penguins.
Garon's Community fun day - 20th August - A day for the whole family not to be missed. Held at the beautiful Wellbeing Park within Garon Park, we'll have activities for all ages, food stalls, entertainment, and much more. It's the perfect opportunity to meet your neighbour's, enjoy the fresh spring air, and create lasting memories.
The outdoor cinema at The Big Screen in Elmer square is back - The first four Saturdays in August, you can watch Paddington, Shaun the sheep, Migration and The Wild Robot.
Scott's Maize Maze and Footgolf at Scott's - New for 2025 - Get lost (on purpose!) in the twisting, turning maize maze - open everyday in the summer holidays 26th July to 31st August. Also get ready for 9 holes of outdoor fun, combining the best of mini golf and football! Just like mini golf, you'll kick the ball from where it lands each time, aiming to get it into the hole in as few kicks as possible. You'll get a score sheet to track who's the ultimate foot golfer in your group!
Ellis Leisure are back with their inflatable days in Southend park's across the summer on selected dates.
Further afield
Marsh Farm Bubble 'n' Bop festival - Don't miss Marsh Farm's summer children's festival, Bubble 'n Bop! It's bursting with bubbles and exploding with excitement. There will be so much going on, including our AWESOME Dinosaur Adventure to explore, the much loved foam machine, our popular Beach & Splash Pool, the Train Ride, fairground rides and so much more!
Audley End Miniature Railway - A one-of-a-kind experience awaits. Climb aboard the enchanting miniature train and set off on a journey through the magical woods, where you'll spot teddy bears enjoying festival activities. Once in the woods meet Cristabelle the Wishing Fairy and Twig the Elf! They will tell you all about the importance of wishes! Listen to their story before you make your own wish. The brand-new Summer Festival is HERE, and it's bursting with fun, joy, and unforgettable moments.
Hopefield Summer of fun - A great summer line up including Character Meet & Greets - including the ROARsome Roary the Dinosaur, Inflatables to jump, bounce, and play all day, Soft Play Bus, Creepy Crawlies, Children's Library and animal Talks & Feeds - learn all about the rescue residents. Also get unlimited visits throughout the holidays once you've booked!
Free downloads
Scavenger hunt - We have a free scavenger hunt for you to download if you're looking for a cheap activity!
Don't forget to download our summer holiday planner to help you get organised!
As usual, these guides will continue to be updated throughout the holidays so please keep checking back. If you would like to add anything to our What's on guide or would like to contact us about this article, please click here
