Halloween in Southend and Leigh-on-sea: Fun, thrills and chills await!

October 18, 2023

From monster hunts to parades, there's something for the whole family this Halloween as Southend and Leigh-on-sea gears up for a hauntingly good time with a host of family-friendly events throughout the half term week.

Kick off your Halloween adventure with the Monster Hunt on Southend Pier from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 October. Everyone is invited to explore the pier and find the hidden monsters to win a spooktacular prize! Price is just £2 per child, in addition to the usual pier admission prices.

‘Fright at the Museum’ is on at Prittlewell Priory from Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 October. This fantastic event offers two thrilling experiences. During the day, you can enjoy spooky arts and crafts, face painting, and an eerie Halloween trail, whilst the evening of Friday 27 October, the Priory will host a screening of cult classic horror comedy, Beetlejuice (1988). Please note this has a 12A certificate so will not be suitable for younger audiences.

Don't miss the highlight of Southend's Halloween celebrations - the Halloween Parade on Southend Seafront on Saturday 28 October. This year, it's bigger and better than ever! Join in with the excitement and enjoy a dazzling spectacle featuring over seventy acts, including music, dancing, entertainment, and a mesmerising fireworks finale that will light up the night sky. Best of all, it's a free event, so the whole family can join in on the fun!

Cllr Derek Jarvis, cabinet member for arts, culture, heritage and leisure, said: "We're happy to present a variety of events for people of all ages this half term. For all our activities we work hard to create a welcoming atmosphere with a touch of added spookiness for our Halloween events. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in making these events happen and hope both residents and visitors to our City have an enjoyable time.”

If Halloween isn’t your thing there are lots of other activities to get involved in over the half term.

Southend Family Centres offer free play sessions for families with children under five, on every weekday between 10am to 2pm.

Why not pop along to our free family Water Fair event, part of the Catchment to Coast project, at Belfairs Woods on Friday 27 October from 11am to 3pm; you’ll find out more about our plans for Belfairs River with fun arts and crafts activities like building a leaky dam.

Or get involved in free family learning events being hosted at libraries across our city from musical instrument taster sessions, family yoga and poetry events – you can book your place at any of these free events by visiting southendlibraries.eventbrite.com.

Other local events happening:-

Halloween Party At Leigh-on-sea Community Centre -Wednesday 25th Oct 2 Til 4

Lemon Witch Leigh-on-sea Halloween Half Term Events 17th to 31st October

Day of the Dead Halloween Party at Indirock Southend Friday 27th October 6 Til 9.30 pm

Rock Painting at Southchurch Library Tuesday 24th October 9 Til 5

Hadleigh Farm Estate Free Half Term Activities Oct 24th, 25th and 26th

Monster Hunt on Southend Pier 21st To 29th October

The Crooked Billet Leigh-on-sea, Halloween Party Friday 27th Octber 7 Til 11

The Sarah Moore Pub Leigh-on-sea, Halloween Party Saturday 28th October

Seafront Fireworks Southend Seafront Saturday 21st and 28th October 8 Til 8.15

Pumpkin Trail in Belfairs Park Nature Reserve Leigh-on-sea 24th to 26th October 10 Til 3pm

Spooky Animal Encounters Belfairs Park Nature Reserve Wed 25th October 7 To 8.30 pm

Tales From the Shadows at The Royal Hotel Southend Thursday 26th October

And finally, don’t forget to make the most of our outdoor spaces and explore our amazing award-winning parks, gardens and beaches.

For information on these events and everything else going on in Southend during Half Term, visit www.visitsouthend.co.uk. Or visit www.southendfamilycentres.co.uk for details about our Family Centre activities.