Need something to do with the family? Fancy watching some music and sipping beer in the sunshine? We've gathered together a host of events going on this weekend in south Essex. 

Please use the comments section to add your own event or you can schedule an event for any day in the future in our dedicated events section by clicking here

1. LEIGH FOLK FESTIVAL 

The Leigh Folk Festival – the largest free event of its type in the UK – is now in its 23rd year.

This weekend is arguably the biggest and best yet, with a hugely diverse programme, including headlining national favourites Mike Heron and Trembling Bells, She’Koyokh, Danny and the Champions of the World, and Stick in the Wheel.

It runs until Sunday in Leigh and Leigh Old Town, and includes music, dance, comedy, poetry, puppetry, film, theatre, storytelling, children’s activities and much more.

2. ARMED FORCES DAY

South Essex plays host to several events this weekend to honour our troops. 

TODAY - SOUTHEND CHALKWELL PARK
From 10am

Schools camouflage day
Schools tag rugby festival, with Southend Spartans
Charity stalls and veterans’ stands
Displays by the Royal Signals White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team
Visit by Army outreach and Armed Forces recruitment teams

SATURDAY - SOUTHEND HIGH STREET
From 10am

Parade and open-air service
Military vehicles
Music stages with performances throughout the day and into the evening
Charities and associations displaying and collecting

CANVEY TOWN CENTRE
from 10.30am

Town centre procession from Castle View School car park to the Paddocks Centre

SUNDAY - SOUTHEND SEAFRONT (CITY BEACH)
1pm-6pm

Beach Tag Rugby Competition
Veteran, cadets and charity stalls
Military vehicles
Music performances and entertainment through the day
Flypasts

3. CONCERT IN THE PARK

This weekend is the big Concert in the Park in Priory Park, Southend.

The concert will feature the English Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Louis Clark, playing a mix of hits from the legendary Hooked On Classics album series, plus some additional music from films, the Beatles and a very special ELO hit arranged specially for the concert.

The evening will end with the Last Night of the Proms finale, with the traditional audience participation of Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem.

The concert will include two soloists, John Langley and Heidi Pegler, and a choir formed from members of the Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society.

The gates open at 4pm and there will be performances at 6.15pm from the Southend Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs and at 6.45pm by Flashbax Band.

The main programme starts at 7.30pm so bring a chair, blanket and a picnic and enjoy a great evening of music.

4. DANNY GREEN FUND 

On Sunday, Leigh Beck Junior School in Point Road, Canvey, will host a funday in aid of the Danny Green Fund until 5pm.

5. SHOEBURY FUN RUN 

Families are invited to take part in Southend community family fun run at Shoebury High School playing field at 9am on Saturday, June 28.

Children can run around a 1km course and families can complete a 5km course as a relay.

Entrance for the event, which will include entertainment, costs £1 per child or £5 per family.

6. PRETTY MUDDY ESSEX

Also at Basildon's Gloucester Park, competitors will run, jump and scramble through a muddy obstacle course 

7. PANDEMONIUM

A two day “Pandemonium” street festival will take place in Southend High Street on June 28 and 29 from 10.15am to 5pm.

The free, family friendly event will involve comedy sketches, circus shows, a samba procession and street theatre.

There will also be “superheroes, clowns and spys”.

8. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY 

St Georges Church in Thundersley are celebrating 50 years with a family fun day on Saturday.

9. RACE FOR LIFE - BASILDON

Thousands of people will turn Basildon's Gloucester Park pink this weekend for Cancer Research's Race for Life event.

Whether you are taking part, watching loved ones or just popping along to support the runners the event is always hugely popular.

10. WESTWOOD ACADEMY FUNDRAISER

The Westwood Academy in Beresford Close, Hadleigh, will host an event to raise money for the junior school playground on Saturday. 

There will be a petting zoo, inflatables, MB Falconry, vintage tea rooms, BBQ and traditional games stalls. There will also be a visit from firefighters.