All you need to know for Southend's Halloween Parade - including road closures

Taking place on Saturday October 29, from 6pm to 7.30pm, the free event will kick off at Southend Seafront at the Gas Works car park on Marine Parade.

• The route will be the same route as last year, marching along Marine Parade and then on to Western Esplanade and will finish just after Roberto’s Beachside cafe on Western Esplanade for the fireworks finale.

Fun event - the streets illuminated at last year's parade. Pic: Southend City Council (Image: Southend City Council)

• The 0.7 mile walk will take around 14 minutes to complete.

• Road closures go on at 4pm until approximately 10.30pm at Southchurch Ave (south of Woodgrange Drive roundabout to Eastern Esplanade), Eastern Esplanade (from Victoria Road to Kursaal), Marine Parade and Western Esplanade (from pier to Shorefield Rd).

• Great views can be had along the route including a good vantage point along Pier Hill, leading to the viewing platform.

• The free event will feature the amazing Spark! Drummers who are back again for a second year with a high-tech drumming and light show. There will also be giant illuminated puppets made by Southend artists and more than 50 community groups already involved.

Amazing outfits - will you dress up for the parade? Pic:Southend City Council (Image: Southend City Council)

• Visitors can expect the seafront parking to fill up quickly but there are plenty of alternative places to park: The Royals Shopping centre car park has 400 spaces and is a five minute walk, Alexandra Street has 73 spaces and is a five minute walk, Clarence Road has 126 spaces and is a five minute walk to the start of the parade, York Road car park has 96 spaces and is a five minute walk, Warrior Square has 403 spaces and is an eight minute walk, University Square has 304 spaces and is an eight minute walk and Victoria Shopping centre has 500 spaces and is a ten minute walk.

• People are welcome to join the parade and there are some rules that need to be followed. Every entrant must be illuminated whether it is with glow sticks, solar lights or neon paint.

• Don’t make the costumes too scary as it is a family event.

• Do not give anything out to the crowd to avoid a large majority of leaflets, flags and other promotional items being dropped and potentially harming the environment and all participants must entertain and interact with the crowds. If you’d like to be part of the parade, visit www.southendhalloween.org/join