Are you looking for Family Festivals and Events in Essex for 2025? Somewhere with great food, music and activities to keep the kids happy?
If so, you’re in the right place as I have rounded up the best festivals and events in Essex during 2025.
If you have an Event or Festival in Essex that you would like included for FREE, please email [email protected] and i’ll add it to the list.
Essex Festivals and Events January
Crank up and Wassail
Dates : 1st January 2025
Location : Museum of Power, Langford
For further information CLICK HERE
Horror on Sea Film Festival
Dates : 10th – 19th January 2025
Location : The Park Inn, Southend on Sea
For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Winter Ale Festival
Dates : 29th January – 1st February 2025
Location : Colchester Arts Centre
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events February
Basildon Creative Tech Art Fest
Dates : 10th – 28th February 2025
Location : Basildon
For further information CLICK HERE
Southend Winter Pride
Dates : 22nd February 2025
Location : Southend
For further information CLICK HERE
Chappell Winter Beer Festival
Dates : 27th February – 1st March 2025
Location : East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel, nr Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events March
Southend City Day
Dates : 1st March 2025
Location : Southend
For further information CLICK HERE
SX Festival
Dates : 8th March 2025
Location : The Lamb & Lion, Westcliff
For further information CLICK HERE
Holi Festival of Colours (Chelmsford)
Dates : 15th March 2025
Location : Chelmsford Central Park
For further information CLICK HERE
Holi Festival of Colours (Basildon)
Dates : 16th March 2025
Location : Basildon Sport & Leisure Club
For further information CLICK HERE
Harwich Inclusion and Diversity Festival
Dates : 21st March 2025
Location : 8 Harwich Schools
For further information CLICK HERE
Clacton Spring Fair
Dates : 23rd March 2025
Location : Clacton
For further information CLICK HERE
Light Up Thurrock – Arts Outburst
Dates : 25th – 28th March 2025
Location : Thurrock
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex International Film Festival
Dates : 27th – 30th March 2025
Location : Essex
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events April
Soul Spirit & Wellbeing Festival
Dates : 5th April 2025
Location : Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall
For further information CLICK HERE
Chelmsford City Racecourse Good Friday Family Fun Festival
Dates : 18th April 2025
Location : Chelmsford City Racecourse
For further information CLICK HERE
Mersea Island Brewery Easter Beer Festival
Dates : 18th – 21st April 2025
Location : Mersea Island Vineyard, East Mersea
For further information CLICK HERE
Maldon Food and Drink Festival
Dates : 20th – 21st April 2025
Location : Bank of the river Blackwater, Maldon’s Promenade Park
For further information CLICK HERE
Emofest Southend
Dates : 25th April 2025
Location : Chinnerys Southend
For further information CLICK HERE
Saffron Walden Crank Up
Dates : 26th – 27th April 2025
Location : Carver Barracks, nr Saffron Walden
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events May
Black Sunday Film Festival
Dates : 1st – 3rd May 2025
Location : Firstsite, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
VW The Only Meet Is Essex (TOMIE) Show
Dates : 2nd – 5th May 2025
Location : Orsett Showground
For further information CLICK HERE
Emofest Colchester
Dates : 3rd May 2025
Location : Charter Hall, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Musik in the Park
Dates : 3rd – 4th May 2025
Location : Castle Park, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Dance on Arrival Festival
Dates : 4th May 2025
Location : Trilogy, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Maldon Mud Race
Dates : 4th May 2025
Location : Maldon
For further information CLICK HERE
Ongar Town Festival
Dates : 4th May 2025
Location : Chipping Ongar
For further information CLICK HERE
All About Dogs Show (Hylands)
Dates : 4th – 5th May 2025
Location : Hylands Park, Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Bocking May Day Fayre
Dates : 5th May 2025
Location : Bocking
For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Indie Short Film Festival
Dates : 10th May 2025
Location : The Curzon, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Temple at War
Dates : 10th – 11th May 2025
Location : Cressing Temple Barns, Braintree
For further information CLICK HERE
The National Flower Show
Dates : 16th – 18th May 2025
Location : Hylands House, Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Young Farmers Show
Dates : 18th May 2025
Location : Boyton Hall, Roxwell
For further information CLICK HERE
Hamlet Court Road in Harmony Festival
Dates : 18th May 2025
Location : Westcliff-on-Sea
For further information CLICK HERE
Festival in the Gardens
Dates : 24th – 25th May 2025
Location : Braintree and Bocking
For further information CLICK HERE
Kings Arms Frating Beer and Music Festival
Dates : 24th – 25th May 2025
Location : Kings Arms Frating
For further information CLICK HERE
Barleylands Spring Country Show
Dates : 25th – 26th May 2025
Location : Essex Showground, Billericay
For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Summer Beer Festival
Dates : 28th – 31st May 2025
Location : Colchester Arts Centre
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Book Festival
Dates : 28th May – 30th June 2025
Location : Various locations across Essex
For further information CLICK HERE
Meff-Fest 2
Dates : 31st May 2025
Location : Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events June
CAMRA Thurrock Beer and Cider Festival
Dates : 3rd – 7th June 2025
Location : Civic Centre, Thurrock
For further information CLICK HERE
Braintree Real Ale Festival
Dates : 5th – 7th June 2025
Location : Braintree
For further information CLICK HERE
Southend on Sea Film Festival
Dates : 5th – 8th June 2025
Location : Southend on Sea
For further information CLICK HERE
Coggeshall Summer Festival
Dates : 7th June 2025
Location : Horn Lane, Coggeshall
For further information CLICK HERE
Octain Auto Show
Dates : 7th June 2025
Location : Parish Fields, Clacton
For further information CLICK HERE
Soultasia Essex
Dates : 7th June 2025
Location : Maldon Promenade Park
For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Roman and Medieval Festival
Dates : 7th – 8th June 2025
Location : Lower Castle Park, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Rayleigh Trinity Fair
Dates : 8th June 2025
Location : Rayleigh
For further information CLICK HERE
All About Kids Family Fest
Dates : 14th June 2025
Location : First Site, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Taste of the Caribbean Festival
Dates : 14th June 2025
Location : Old Heath Rec. Grd, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
EA Festival
Dates : 14th – 15th June 2025
Location : Hedingham Castle
For further information CLICK HERE
Motorfest
Dates : 14th – 15th June 2025
Location : Kings Farm, Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Raver Tots Festival (Barnet)
Dates : 15th June 2025
Location : Copthall Playing Fields, Barnet
For further information CLICK HERE
Harwich Festival of the Arts
Dates : 19th – 29th June 2025
Location : Harwich
For further information CLICK HERE
Chelmsford Foodies Festival
Dates : 20th – 22nd June 2025
Location : Hyland’s Park Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Thaxted Festival
Dates : 20th June – 13th July 2025
Location : Thaxted
For further information CLICK HERE
Southend Sausage and Cider Festival
Dates : 21st June 2025
Location : Priory Park, Southend
For further information CLICK HERE
Maldon 1940s Revival Weekend
Dates : 21st – 22nd June 2025
Location : Maldon Promenade Park
For further information CLICK HERE
Summer in Nashville – Southend
Dates : 22nd June 2025
Location : Southend Priory Park
For further information CLICK HERE
Clacton Pride Family Festival
Dates : 28th June 2025
Location : Marine Parade West, Clacton
For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Food and Drink Festival
Dates : 28th – 29th June 2025
Location : Lower Castle Park, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex County Craft Show
Dates : 28th – 29th June 2025
Location : Ingatestone Hall, Nr Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Leigh Folk Festival
Dates : 28th – 29th June 2025
Location : Leigh On Sea
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events July
East Barnet Festival
Dates : 4th – 6th July 2025
Location : Oak Hill Park, East Barnet
For further information CLICK HERE
Chelmsford City Live
Dates : 4th – 6th July 2025
Location : Chelmsford City Racecourse
For further information CLICK HERE
Saffron Walden 8 Day Weekend (inc Carnival Day)
Dates : 4th – 12th July 2025
Location : Saffron Walden
For further information CLICK HERE
Chelmsford Fake Festival
Dates : 5th July 2025
Location : Central Park, Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Summer Pop Fest (Hosted by Havering MIND)
Dates : 11th July 2025
Location : Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Summer Tribute Fest (Hosted by Havering MIND)
Dates : 12th July 2025
Location : Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch
For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Sausage and Cider Festival
Dates : 12th July 2025
Location : Castle Park, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
The Tendring Hundred Show
Dates : 12th July 2025
Location : Lawford House Park, Nr Manningtree
For further information CLICK HERE
Witham Carnival
Dates : 12th July 2025
Location : Witham
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Summer Family Festival (Hosted by Havering MIND)
Dates : 13th July 2025
Location : Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch
For further information CLICK HERE
Helen Rollason – Vintage and Makers Day Out
Dates : 13th July 2025
Location : Cressing Temple Barns
For further information CLICK HERE
Orsett Classic & Vintage Show
Dates : 13th July 2025
Location : Orsett Showground, Grays
For further information CLICK HERE
Summer in Nashville – Colchester
Dates : 13th July 2025
Location : Colchester Castle Park
For further information CLICK HERE
Maldon Nearly Festival
Dates : 20th – 21st July 2025
Location : Promenade Park, Maldon
For further information CLICK HERE
Festival of Essex Archaeology and Heritage
Dates : 24th July 2025
Location : Cressing Temple Barns
For further information CLICK HERE
Harwich Redoubt Beer Festival
Dates : 24th – 27th July 2025
Location : Harwich Redoubt Fort
For further information CLICK HERE
Balloons and Tunes Festival
Dates : 25th – 27th July 2025
Location : Basildon Sporting Village
For further information CLICK HERE
Lazydays Festival
Dates : 25th – 27th July 2025
Location : Priory Park, Southend
For further information CLICK HERE
Basildon and Pitsea Carnival
Dates : 26th July 2025
Location : Basildon and Pitsea
For further information CLICK HERE
Chelmsford Sausage and Cider Festival
Dates : 26th July 2025
Location : Central Park, Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Brightlingsea Regatta
Dates : 26th – 27th July 2025
Location : Brightlingsea
For further information CLICK HERE
The Naze Kite Festival
Dates : 27th July 2025
Location : Walton on the Naze Discovery Centre
For further information CLICK HERE
Summer in Nashville – Chelmsford
Dates : 27th July 2025
Location : Chelmsford Central Park
For further information CLICK HERE
Writtle Jazz Festival
Dates : 27th July 2025
Location : Writtle
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events August
Vulcan Music and Beer Festival
Dates : 1st August 2025
Location : Southend City Airport
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Farm Fest
Dates : 1st – 2nd August 2025
Location : Whitehouse Farm, Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Secret Island Festival
Dates : 2nd August 2025
Location : Mersea Island
For further information CLICK HERE
Brightlingsea Free Music Festival
Dates : 2nd – 3rd August 2025
Location : Hurst Green, Brightlingsea
For further information CLICK HERE
Echoes of History (Essex HMVA)
Dates : 9th – 10th August 2025
Location : Whitehouse Farm, Rettenddon
For further information CLICK HERE
UFest
Dates : 15th August 2025
Location : Promenade Park, Maldon
For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Pride
Dates : 16th August 2025
Location : Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
West Mersea Town Regatta
Dates : 16th August 2025
Location : West Mersea
For further information CLICK HERE
Smoke and Fire Festival (East)
Dates : 16th – 17th August 2025
Location : Promenade Park, Maldon
For further information CLICK HERE
Country Calling
Dates : 16th – 17th August 2025
Location : Hylands Estate, Chemsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Roots East
Dates : 17th August 2025
Location : Colchester Castle Park
For further information CLICK HERE
Saffron Walden Motor Show
Dates : 17th August 2025
Location : Saffron Walden
For further information CLICK HERE
Clacton Air Show
Dates : 21st – 22nd August 2025
Location : Clacton Seafront
For further information CLICK HERE
Weeley Tribute Festival
Dates : 23rd August 2025
Location : Clacton
For further information CLICK HERE
Appetite on the Farm
Dates : 23rd – 24th August 2025
Location : Kelvedon Hall, Brentwood
For further information CLICK HERE
Brightlingsea Food & Drink Festival
Dates : 23rd – 24th August 2025
Location : Promenade Way, Brightlingsea
For further information CLICK HERE
Cozfest
Dates : 23rd – 24th August 2025
Location : Sible Hedingham
For further information CLICK HERE
Burnham Week (Regatta)
Dates : 23rd – 30th August 2025
Location : Burnham on Crouch
For further information CLICK HERE
Proper Fest
Dates : 24th August 2025
Location : Clacton On Sea
For further information CLICK HERE
United Community Reggae Festival
Dates : 24th August 2025
Location : Great Wakering FC
For further information CLICK HERE
Maldon Food and Drink Festival
Dates : 24-25 Aug 2025
Location : Bank of the river Blackwater, Maldon’s Promenade Park
For further information CLICK HERE
New World Festival
Dates : 24th – 25th August 2025
Location : Kings Farm, Chemsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Raver Tots Outdoor Festival (Southend)
Dates : 25th August 2025
Location : Garon Park, Southend-on-Sea
For further information CLICK HERE
Fairy Tale Festival
Dates : 29th August 2025
Location : Hedingham Castle
For further information CLICK HERE
Mersea Island Scooter Rally
Dates : 29th – 30th August 2025
Location : Essex Outdoors, Mersea
For further information CLICK HERE
Gaynorfest
Dates : 30th – 31st August 2025
Location : Coach and Horses, Newport
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events September
Basildon Pride
Dates : 6th September 2025
Location : Basildon
For further information CLICK HERE
Eco Festival
Dates : 6th September 2025
Location : Lower Castle Park, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Motofest
Dates : 6th September 2025
Location : Kings Arms, Frating
For further information CLICK HERE
Street Eats ‘n’ Beats
Dates : 6th September 2025
Location : Central Park, Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
The Orsett Show (117th)
Dates : 6th September 2025
Location : Orsett Showground, Grays
For further information CLICK HERE
Taste of the Caribbean Food & Drink Festival
Dates : 6th September 2025
Location : Priory Park, Southend
For further information CLICK HERE
Sounds Good Festival
Dates : 12th – 14th September 2025
Location : Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
ALB Festival
Dates : 13th – 14th September 2025
Location : Castle Park, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Barleylands Classic Motor Show
Dates : 14th September 2025
Location : Essex Showground, Billericay
For further information CLICK HERE
Roman River Festival
Dates : 19th – 28th September 2025
Location : Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Free Family Fun Festival
Dates : 20th September 2025
Location : Castle Park, Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Great Dunmow Carnival (75th anniversary)
Dates : 20th September 2025
Location : Great Dunmow Recreation Ground
For further information CLICK HERE
The National Country Show
Dates : 20th – 21st September 2025
Location : Hylands Park, Chelmsford
For further information CLICK HERE
Undercover Festival
Dates : 26th – 27th September 2025
Location : Battlesbridge
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events October
Harwich International Shanty Festival
Dates : 10th – 12th October 2025
Location : Various locations in Harwich
For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Fringe
Dates : 26th October – 2nd November 2025
Location : Colchester
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events November
Essex Festive Gift and Food Show
Dates : 1st – 2nd November 2025
Location : The Brentwood Centre
For further information CLICK HERE
Enlightened Hylands Estate
Dates : 28th November 2025 – 3rd January 2026
Location : Hylands Estate (Writtle Entrance off of Greenbury Way – A414), CM2 8FS
For further information CLICK HERE
Essex Festivals and Events December
Enlightened Markshall Estate
Dates : 4th to 31st December 2025
Location : Coggeshall, Colchester CO6 1TG
For further information CLICK HERE
Harwich Quay New Year Fireworks Spectacular
Dates : 31 Dec 2025
Location : Harwich Quay
For further information CLICK HERE
Looking for Festivals in a nearby county, check out Norfolk Festivals and Events and Suffolk Events and Festivals