South Essex is bursting with festive cheer this weekend, offering everything from pantomime magic and Father Christmas visits to live music and seaside science.
Whether you’re after laughter, lights or local community spirit, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
At the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend, the curtain rises on Cinderella, this year’s glittering pantomime running from Saturday, December 13, 2025, through to Sunday, January 4 2026.
TV favourite Rylan stars as the Fairy Godfather alongside Ross King as Buttons and ventriloquist Steve Hewlett as Baron Hardup.
Expect dazzling costumes, laugh-out-loud comedy and all the traditional pantomime fun in a show that promises to be a highlight of the Christmas season.
Families can step into a storybook setting at Prittlewell Priory, where Father Christmas will be welcoming visitors on Saturday and Sunday, December 13–14, between 11am and 4pm.
Alongside meeting Santa, families can enjoy craft activities, storytelling, and a festive activity trail in the atmospheric surroundings of the historic priory.
Pre-booking is essential, as time slots ensure every child gets a personal visit.
In Basildon, engines will jingle instead of sleigh bells with the return of the Basildon Christmas Tractor Run on Saturday, December 13, starting at 5pm from the New Holland plant on Cranes Farm Road.
The illuminated procession of tractors will tour the town raising funds for St Luke’s Hospice, which provides vital palliative and end-of-life care for local residents.
Music lovers can lend their support to a good cause at the Leigh Folk Festival Fundraising Concert at Leigh Community Centre on Saturday evening.
Doors open at 7.15pm for a packed line-up featuring poet Hollie Dee, Isabel Inkcap and band No Good Woman and the Kingsnakes, helping raise funds for the 2026 festival.
Rounding off the weekend, seaside explorers can join The Big Rock Pool Challenge BioBlitz Battle at Shoebury East Beach on Sunday, December 14, from 11am to 1.30pm.
The event invites participants to discover and record sea life, contributing to biodiversity data in a fun citizen science challenge.
With panto, Santa, tractors, music and marine adventures, south Essex is set for a weekend of festive sparkle and community spirit.
Share