Last checked: 1 November 2026. Please confirm times, availability and event status with the organiser.
November 2026
Ongoing until 29 November: Between Us
Sunday 6 September to Sunday 29 November | Painting, sculpture and mixed-media exhibition | Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Avenue | Gallery open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm; closed bank holidays.
Peter Haugh, Jonathan Rust and Victoria Sills bring together painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and digitally composed images. The exhibition explores how meaning develops between the work, the artists and the people looking at it.
Ongoing until 20 December: 62nd Essex Open
Saturday 26 September to Sunday 20 December | Regional art exhibition | Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Avenue | Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm; check visitor information before travelling.
Selected by artist Heidi Wigmore, the exhibition features more than 130 works by artists from Essex and East London. Most pieces are available to buy, offering a chance to discover work by regional artists as well as explore different media and styles.
14 November: Christmas in the City
Saturday 14 November | City-centre celebrations | Southend High Street and Victoria Circus | Market stalls from 9am; activities from noon; lights at 6pm; seafront fireworks at 7.30pm.
Southend City BID's programme brings together local schools, choirs, theatre groups and musicians, with roaming entertainment and family activities. Explore the market and city-centre shops before gathering in Victoria Circus for the Christmas lights switch-on.
28 November: Carols by Candlelight
Saturday 28 November, 4pm to 6.30pm | Community choir concert | St Mark's Church, Hamlet Road, Southend | Ticketed fundraiser; book and check prices through Trust Links.
Out of the Mist, The Show Choir and The Rock Choir perform in support of local mental health projects. The evening combines choir performances, a candlelit setting, seasonal drinks and mince pies while raising funds for Trust Links' work across Essex.
December 2026
5 December: Trust Links Christmas Fayre
Saturday 5 December, 11am to 2pm | Community Christmas fayre | Trust Links Westcliff, 47 Fairfax Drive | Free entry; purchases and activities may have separate charges.
Browse handmade gifts and local stalls, enjoy seasonal refreshments and hear festive live entertainment. The charity's programme also includes a Santa's Grotto, bringing families and neighbours together at its Westcliff site.
5 and 6 December: Deck the Malls
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, 11am to 5pm | Family entertainment, workshops and shopping | The Victoria Centre, Southend | Free event with advertised free activities.
The centre's programme includes live performances, craft workshops, market stalls and a free Father Christmas experience with a small gift. Local singers, choirs, dance and theatre groups contribute to the weekend, with activities for children and adults.
10 December: Grumpy's Christmas Market
Thursday 10 December, 6pm to 9pm | Evening market and festive entertainment | Grumpy's Diner, 759 Southchurch Road, Southend | See the organiser's details for visitor arrangements.
Visit this independent Southchurch venue for seasonal stalls, handmade gifts, food and Christmas music. An evening format offers another option for browsing local traders after the daytime markets have finished.
From 12 December: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Saturday 12 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Family pantomime | Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea | Performance times and prices through Southend Theatres.
Shane Richie and Faye Tozer headline the Cliffs Pavilion's Christmas pantomime. Expect comedy, songs, dance and audience participation as Snow White faces the Wicked Queen; use the venue's booking calendar to choose a performance.
13 December: Southend Rudolph Run
Sunday 13 December, main race at 10.30am | Five-mile run and one-mile Junior Scurry | Race HQ beside Ness Road on the Esplanade, Shoebury | Advance registration through Nice Work; on-the-day entry only if available.
Run the flat seafront route in festive dress, with a junior option for younger runners. The event supports Havens Hospices and Shelter, and finishers receive a medal. Check the organiser's entry choices and final race instructions before travelling.
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