Nine big events coming to Essex this summer have been revealed, with major music stars, cultural festivals and family favourites set to draw crowds across the county.
Visit Essex has highlighted a packed programme for 2026, featuring everything from headline concerts and opera to air displays and literary gatherings. Big names including Alanis Morissette, Fatboy Slim and Tinie Tempah are among those due to perform.
Lisa Bone, strategic tourism manager at Visit Essex, said there is “so much to see and do” this year, with events spanning multiple genres and interests.
Here are nine of the biggest events to add to your diary.
Essex Book Festival
Running from May 28 to June 28, the Essex Book Festival brings a month-long programme of talks, performances and workshops to venues across the county. Authors including Sarah Perry and Gyles Brandreth feature, alongside football writers Jonathan Wilson and Simon Kuper. Some events are free, while others are ticketed.
Essex Summer Opera Festival
The Essex Summer Opera Festival returns to Layer Marney Tower near Colchester from June 5 to 7. This year’s production is Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, staged in the historic surroundings of the Tudor tower. Tickets start from £42.50 for under-25s.
Leigh Folk Festival
Leigh-on-Sea hosts its folk festival from June 25 to 28, offering four days of music, dance, spoken word and street food. The community-focused event is free to attend and takes place across multiple venues.
State Fayre, Chelmsford
A new addition to the calendar, State Fayre arrives at Hylands Park from June 26 to 28. The festival combines music and barbecue culture, with headliners including Alanis Morissette, Kings of Leon and The Lumineers. Tickets start from £55.
Lazy Days Festival, Southend
Priory Park will host the Lazy Days Festival from July 24 to 26. Acts including Tinie Tempah, Feeder and Sister Sledge are set to perform, alongside The Feeling and Natalie Imbruglia. Day tickets start from £54.95.
Heritage Live at Audley End
The Heritage Live concert series returns to Audley End House and Gardens from August 6 to 9. The line-up includes Faithless, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics, The Streets and Scissor Sisters. Tickets start from £64.15.
Colchester Castle Summer Series
A series of concerts will take place in Castle Park across two weekends, August 20 to 23 and August 27 to 29. Performers include Billy Ocean, Becky Hill, Bastille and Richard Ashcroft, as well as Hollywood Vampires featuring Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper.
Clacton Air Show
The Clacton Air Show returns on August 27 and 28, bringing aerial displays to the seafront. Visitors can expect historic aircraft and aerobatic performances, with free entry along the town’s coastline.
Chelmsford Summer Series
Closing out the bank holiday weekend, Chelmsford Summer Series takes place in Central Park on August 28 and 29. Sugababes and McFly headline, with support from Melanie C, The Ordinary Boys and Twin Atlantic.
For more information and tickets, visit the Visit Essex website.
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