What's On - Discover Essex for less
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Here are the fabulous events you can visit around Essex throughout the Autumn by bus...
Oktoberfest Southend - Friday 20th and Saturday 21st October 2023
This October, experience a traditional Oktoberfest as Southend is being transformed
for one weekend into a traditional Bavarian bash with our authentic Oktoberfest steins!
Catch services 3,20, 21 and 25 (Priory Park Stop on Fairfax Drive) or X30 (Earls Hall Avenue Stop)
More info: https://www.oktoberfestsouthend.co.uk/
Colchester United Open Day - 16th July, JobSe
rve Community Stadium
rve Community StadiumThe Summer Open Day returns for 2023 for a day of fun and football at the Jobserve Community Stadium. The U's first team squad will be in attendance, hosting a training session on the pitch and then signing autographs and posing for photos. Don’t miss out on the chance to catch us at the event!
First Essex Team will be attending the event with our Colchester Zoo bus and X20 Bus (New Service). Come and find out more…. ?
Find out more: U's Open Day Returns For 2023 - News - Colchester United (cu-fc.com)
Wild Vibe Wonderland - 22nd July - 3rd September, Colchester Zoo
To make this summer extra zoo-rific for our 60th birthday, Colchester Zoo have teamed up with Jammy Creative Studios to provide you with a full 6 weeks of entertainment as they bring an exclusive Wild Vibe Wonderland to the zoo! This zoo-mazing extravaganza will include 2 wonderfully wacky parties per day during the summer holidays on the main stage by Penguini’s. Not only will they have zoodles of fun at the parties but there will also be themes parades at various times at different locations within the park. Hop on the 75 bus running from Maldon to Colchester to get there.
Website link for timetable: https://www.colchester-zoo.com/summer-at-the-zoo/wild-vibe-wonderland/
Summer Nights - 22nd July, 5th August,
19th August & 2nd September, Colchester Zoo
SEE MORE, DO MORE as Colchester Zoo remains open until 8:30pm for their Summer Nights where you can enjoy the Zoo into the evening. Why not make the most of the later opening by adding an exclusive evening Animal Experience to your wild adventure from only £85! Hop on the 75 bus service running from Maldon to Colchester, calling at Colchester Zoo.
Website link for timetable: https://www.colchester-zoo.com/summer-at-the-zoo/summer-nights/
NEW DATE: Ufest - 18th August, Maldon Promenade Park
UFest is a fantastic community event with something for all the family, held in Maldon’s Promenade Park on Friday 4 August. The free, all-day festival is intended to celebrate everything that makes life worth living, and will include live music, stalls and events focusing on health, wellbeing and fun.
Between 11am and 4pm, there will be opportunities to try out different exercise classes and workshops, or sit back with some street food and enjoy the music – as well as all the many facilities and entertainments that this great park has to offer.
UFest is easy to reach by bus, with First Bus services 31, 331 and 332 from Chelmsford and 75 from Colchester stopping right outside Promenade Park’s Edwardian wrought iron gates.
For more information about UFest and other events and activities in Promenade Park this summer, visit https://www.visitmaldondistrict.co.uk/prompark
Smoke & Fire Festival - 26th-28th August, Maldon Promenade Park
The popular Smoke & Fire Festival returns to Maldon’s Promenade Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend, with its unique mix of barbecue food, bands, competitions and food and drink stalls.
Events and attractions include first rounds of the Great British BBQ Competition, fire jockeys demonstrating the magic of BBQ, live music and bands and rides for children. Tickets are available from £19.80 and First Bus services 31, 331 and 332 from Chelmsford and 75 from Colchester stop right at the park gates. For more information visit Smoke & Fire Festival - Food / Drink Festival in Maldon, Maldon - Visit Maldon District
Mega Inflatables fun days - every Wednesday
in August, Maldon Promenade Park
in August, Maldon Promenade ParkWondering where to take the kids in the holidays? Mega Inflatables fun days are taking place every Wednesday in August at Maldon’s Promenade Park and First Bus services 31, 331 and 332 from Chelmsford and 75 from Colchester stop right at the park gates.
Advance booking is recommended, with tickets from £8.99 for two hours of unlimited bouncy fun. There are lots of other fun attractions in the park as well, including a petting zoo, Splash park, sandpits, play equipment and adventure golf. For more information visit https://www.visitmaldondistrict.co.uk/prompark
Gladiators: A day at the Roman Games - 15th July - 14th January 2024, Colchester Castle
Exhibition Date: 15 July – 14 January 2024
NEW Exhibition opens at Colchester Castle this summer
Colchester Castle’s spectacular new exhibition is now open, giving visitors an insight into a day at the Roman Games in Colchester. 'Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games' is a must-visit for anyone who is fascinated by Roman history and Colchester's rich Roman heritage. The exhibition will showcase items on loan from the British Museum, including the 2,000-year-old Murmillo gladiator helmet that was discovered in Pompeii. It will also feature many other fascinating objects from Colchester Museum's own rich collection and beyond.
Visitors will discover immersive displays where they can learn all about the life and death of Gladiators fighting in the arena through the exhibition's thematic displays. Suitable for the whole family it includes zones such as 'Let the Games Begin', 'Morning Beast Hunts', 'Midday Executions', and 'Afternoon Gladiatorial Combat'.
Enjoy this stunning exhibition which is included with admission to Colchester Castle. Find out more - Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games | Colchester Museums (cimuseums.org.uk)
First Essex Service: Catch any Colchester services to get you there.
The Colchester Siege Spectacular - 19th-20th August, Colchester Castle Park
Sounds of musket and cannon-fire will be filling Colchester’s city centre over the weekend of the 19-20 August, as Colchester City Council and the English Civil War Society prepares to stage an epic re-enactment and commemoration of the 73-day siege of Colchester, that took place 375 years ago, in 1648.
The free event has been organised by Colchester City Council as part of the city’s Year of Celebration to commemorate its modern city status. More info: Colchester Siege Spectacular - Historical Event in Colchester, Colchester - Visit Colchester
First Essex Service: Catch any Colchester services to get you there.
Chelmsford For You Presents: Green City
Dates: Monday 21 – Saturday 26 August, 10am – 5pm daily
Cost: FREE Event
Location: Chelmsford High Street
Overview: Green City is a fun and inspiring event set to bring the city centre to life with a range of FREE family entertainment, whilst raising awareness of environmental issues and educating the public in ways they can be more green! Green City will run in multiple locations across the city centre from Monday 21st – Saturday 26th August 2023. The programme of activities features a family friendly mix of unique street entertainment, music, poetry, creative installations, fun shows, exciting story sessions, engaging workshops, a local green market and more. The full programme and schedule will be available to download in early August for families to start planning their visit - www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk/green-city
All Chelmsford services run either to alongside the High Street, or the bus station (5 minutes walk way).
Colchester Pride - Saturday 12th August 
Come and Celebrate Pride in Colchester. This event includes music, food and fun activities for all ages. Our Colourful Pride Bus will be leading the march too!
Catch any of the First Essex services running into Colchester Head Street for the start of the march or High Street for the main event site.
More info: The main event | Colchester Pride
Basildon Pride - Saturday 2nd September 
First Essex’s FREE Pride bus shuttle service is returning for the Basildon Pride Festival on Saturday 2nd September 2023. Our shuttle service runs every 20 mins from Basildon Bus station (Stand T1) to the festival site. Please use underpass to walk into the event.
More info including shuttle timetable: Getting There - Festival 2023 — Basildon Pride
Street Eats "n" Beats 2023 - Saturday 9th September 2023
A boutique dance music festival for all the family with DJ's, Street food trucks, pop up boutique bars and cool beats!
? Central Park, Chelmsford, Essex
Catch any services running into Chelmsford. The nearest stops are Chelmsford, Retail Market (Multi-Storey) or Chelmsford Bus / Rail Station
More info: https://www.streeteatsnbeats.com/
Towngate Theatre
Towngate Theatre is the hub for the arts at the heart of Basildon. The Towngate Theatre brings wonderful concerts, drama and much more to Basildon and Essex.
Catch any Basildon services to get there
Find out what on: What’s on | Towngate Theatre
Autumn Craft Fair
Unusual and unique gifts created by local artists and crafters organised by the Bourne Valley Crafters.
Catch service 86 or S8 (Mersea Road stop) to get there.
South Woodham Leisure Centre 
The centre is in the heart of South Woodham and has always been a popular space for the local community to get involved with many different sports activities.
Catch service 336 to get there
More info: South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre (chelmsford.gov.uk)
Braintree Weekly Market
Discover the traditional style market in the heart of the historic market town, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Catch service 70, 170, X20 or X70 to get you there.
Find out more: Weekly markets – Trade at a market – Braintree District Council
Shriek Week at Colchester Zoo - 21st-29th October
Let your little one transform into a scary witch or creepy vampire at the Face Painting Station, create wands and potions at the Witches’ Coven, and explore the range of FANG-TASTIC family activities.
Catch service 75 to get there