What’s on in Essex 2025
Essex is home to the second-longest coastline in the UK, and both the oldest and smallest towns. It's exciting mix of nature, history and culture makes it a fab place to holiday!
Our Orchards Holiday Village near Clacton-on-Sea showcases everything Essex has to offer, right on your doorstep. To help you plan when to visit, we’ve put together some Essex events that are happening in 2025.
Year-round
Not sure when to head to Essex? Here are some events that happen all-year round
Witham Market
Where: Lockram Lane car park, Witham
When: Every Saturday from 7.30am to 3.30pm
This weekly traditional market is ideal for grabbing a few bargains while you’re holidaying in Essex. There’s always a range of stalls from local fruit and veg and fishmongers to woodcarvings and antique jewellery. Coming by car? There’s plenty of parking in Witham town centre.
St Osyth Beach Sunday Market
Where: Beach Road, St Osyth, Clacton-On-Sea, Essex CO16 8TB
When: Every Sunday. (Every Wednesday too during school summer holidays)
St Osyth Beach Sunday Market is a great day out browsing for some bargains. Steps from the seafront and surrounded by amusements, a café, fish and chip shops and a play park, it’s suitable for all the family. With over 100 car parking spaces, it’s a practical option too.
Clacton Seafront parkrun
Where: Clacton Seafront, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 1NB
When: Every Saturday at 9am
Everyone is welcome at Clacton Seafront parkrun. This inclusive event is suitable for everyone, regardless of how fast you are. Buggies and dogs are also welcome! The 5k event happens on a weekly basis and is FREE to enter. Just head to parkrun UK’s website to register and get your barcode for the event.
March
Discos for Grown Ups
Where: Colchester Charter Hall, Leisure World, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH
When: 1 March 2025, 8-11pm
Get your glad rags on and have a boogie! This disco is exclusively for adults to dance the night away. 70s, 80s, and 90s tunes with a laser light show–what more could you want? Oh, there’s free glow sticks and sweets for all, too. Time to let your hair down!
The Romans: Settling in Southend exhibition
Where: Southend Central Museum, Victoria Ave, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6EW
When: From 2024 until 23 March 2025 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Essex is steeped in Roman history. For the first time, history buffs can come and see Roman artefacts found across south Essex, celebrating the domestic side of Roman life that’s often overshadowed by the battles and conquests of the Roman Empire. There are finds from settlements across the Southend area.
There’s convenient parking at the Beecroft Art Gallery if you’re coming by car or a two-minute walk from the train station.
April
Essex Spring Shopping Fair
When: 12-13 April 2025
Where: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham CM77 8PD
Set in stunning medieval barns, you can admire the historical architecture while perusing the many unique items up for sale. Pick up some handmade arts and crafts, enjoy a range of food and drink on offer, and pick up household gifts, jewellery and so much more.
May
All About Dogs Show
When: 4-5 May 2025
Where: Hylands Park, 10 Meadgate Terrace, Chelmsford CM2 8FS
Billed as the perfect day out for dogs, there’s plenty to get tails wagging at this popular event. You’ll find arena displays, expert advice, shopping stalls and even agility activities for keen canines. You never know, your pooch could even walk away with a coveted rosette!
June
Motorfest
Where: Kings Farm, Chelmsford, CM1 3PJ
When: 14-15 June 2025, 10am to 5pm
Adrenaline junkies and casual cruisers rejoice– this motor show in the heart of Essex has a range of amazing activities to get your motor running! From live stunt shows and family-friendly wrestling to a gigantic inflatable village and magic show. Little ones under three get in for free! When you’ve spent the weekend looking at the iconic classic cars and military vehicles, there’s street food to fill your tank.
July
Sausage and Cider Festival
When: 12 July 2025
Where: Castle Park, Castle Road, Colchester C01 1UW
Expect a heady combination of 30 types of cider, 20 sausage flavours, and an array of top tribute acts, all set in the lush surroundings of Castle Park. What more could you ask for? There’s even axe throwing, an eating competition and character meet and greets for the kids.
August
The Stow Maries Air Show
Where: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Hackmans Ln, Chelmsford CM3 6RJ
When: 23 August 2025
Experience the golden age of flight in Europe’s largest Great War aerodrome! On the day, there will be a traditional display of aircraft above your heads and you’ll even get a chance to have photos with your favourite planes. On the ground, you can wander round the exhibitions and grab a bite to eat at the cafe and BBQ. Free parking on site.
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Pre-loved holiday homes from £14,995 with free site fees - UPDATED 6 February 2025
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 1 January 2025, completing by 31 December 2025.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Burnham-On-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Haggerston Castle, Marton Mere, The Orchards and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2025 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 17 January 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a new 2-bedroom Willerby Ellerton holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 17 January 2025, price is available at Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, The Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 17 January 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 17 January 2025, price is available at Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Quay West, Skegness, The Orchards and Wild Duck. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments for 7 years
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Victory Ashberry 3 Bed or equivalent grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion.
An example of how ‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Victory Ashberry 3 Bed holiday home at Seton Sands with a monthly site fee of £667.08 (includes purchasing discount of £17.08) and monthly letting income of £673.17. The monthly difference equates to £23.17, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2025 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Victory Ashberry 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading as of 2024.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.