A mix of community festivals, creative showcases and family entertainment will take place across south Essex during the bank holiday weekend.
While there is plenty more taking place across the region, these five events are among the stand-out highlights.
Southend City Jam returns for its fifth year today and will run until Sunday, as the event turns the city centre and seafront into a large-scale open-air gallery.
Visitors can watch international street artists create murals live, alongside creative installations and community projects.
Highlights include mural painting in the High Street, hands-on workshops, a community doodle cube, and street art sessions at The Forum.
Aviation enthusiasts can take to the skies at the Spitfire Experience Flights event on Saturday and Sunday.
Operating from Southend Airport, the experience offers 30-minute flights in a historic Supermarine Spitfire.
Passengers can enjoy views of the Essex coastline and countryside, take the controls under supervision, and choose between scenic flying or more adventurous manoeuvres before returning for photographs with the aircraft.
Food and music come together at the Taste of the Caribbean Food Festival, which arrives at Priory Park on Saturday and Sunday.
The family-friendly event celebrates Caribbean culture through food stalls, street food vendors and an artisan market.
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Cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs, live music featuring reggae, Motown and R&B, and activities for children are also planned across the weekend.
Art lovers can head to the Old Leigh Artist Market on Monday.
Taking place on Strand Wharf, the popular event brings together painters, sculptors, ceramicists, photographers and jewellery makers.
Visitors can meet artists, watch demonstrations and browse original works in the setting of Leigh’s historic Old Town.
Also on Monday, Raver Tots returns to Garon Park with a family-focused outdoor dance festival.
The line-up includes So Solid Crew members Lisa Maffia, Romeo and Dan Da Man, alongside Artful Dodger, Matt Jam Lamont and others, with rides, arts and crafts, food stalls and entertainment for all ages.
With something for art fans, food lovers, families and thrill-seekers, the bank holiday weekend offers a varied programme across south Essex.
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