Sonny Green switches on Southend's lights on 14 November, the last free fireworks are on the 21st, Light Up Leigh on the 27th: listings with times and prices.

Saturday 14 November is the busiest day of the season in Southend: the pier’s festoon lights come back on at 5pm, Sonny Green switches on the Christmas lights at 6pm in Victoria Circus, the free fireworks go up at 7.30pm and the Santa’s grotto at The Royals opens. The last seafront fireworks of the year follow on Saturday 21 November, the same day Scott’s Light Up the Night opens in Rochford, and Light Up Leigh is on the 27th, with Adventure Island’s Father Christmas from the 28th. December brings the Frostbite and Trust Links fairs on the 5th, the panto, Snow White, from the 12th, the Rudolph Run on the 13th and The Nutcracker at the Palace from the 16th.

Every entry below comes from the organiser’s own listing: the council and its Visit Southend listings, Leigh-on-Sea Town Council, Southend Theatres’ box office, Southend Libraries, Southend Museums, Southend Pier, Southend City BID and the event organisers themselves. All were read on 9 November 2026, and each links back to its source so you can check before setting off. For places that are open whatever the week, see our guide to things to do in Southend.

Updated 9 November: listings now run to 23 December, with the first week of November dropped. Sonny Green, the Britain’s Got Talent finalist, is named for the 14 November switch-on. New: The Proclaimers (10 November), the Folk & Bespoke craft fairs in Leigh (14 November and 12 December), Scott’s Light Up the Night (from 21 November), the People’s Emergency Briefing (25 November), Merry Minds (28 November), Mrs Claus and Santa Paws (5 and 6 December), The Nutcracker (from 16 December) and Breakfast with Santa at Belfairs (19 to 23 December). Now sold out and dropped: Michael Akadiri (15 November) and Michael Starring Ben (28 November).

Updated 3 November: listings now run to 13 December, and half term and Halloween have dropped off. New: the Southend Pier Switch On (14 November), The Streets tonight, the Fabulous Fungi Walk (7 November), the Wildlife Hospital talk (19 November), Three Steps to Heaven at the Ironworks (21 November), Southend Comic Con (22 November), Michael Starring Ben (28 November), three Cliffs Pavilion Maritime Room nights, the candlelight meditation at Belfairs (5 December), Christmas By Candlelight (9 December), Grumpy’s Christmas Market (10 December), the panto, Father Christmas at Prittlewell Priory and the Rudolph Run. War of the Worlds (4 November) is back on sale. Now sold out and dropped: Hannah East (18 November) and Amy Matthews (21 November).

This week

  • Tony Hadley: The Christmas Big Band Tour, Monday 9 November, 7.45pm, Cliffs Pavilion. Selling fast, from £48 (Southend Theatres).
  • The Other Side Of Murder, Monday 9 to Saturday 14 November, 7.30pm, Palace Theatre. From £21 (Southend Theatres).
  • Diane M. Hinds: The Island Britain Bought, Tuesday 10 November, 1.30pm to 3pm, the Forum. A talk, Q&A and signing on her debut novel tracing Trinidad’s history. Free, from Southend Libraries’ Eventbrite page or the Forum reception (Visit Southend).
  • The Proclaimers, Tuesday 10 November, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. With support. Selling fast, from £45.25 (Southend Theatres).
  • Russell Howard: Don’t Tell The Algorithm, Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 November, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. Selling fast, from £42.75 (Southend Theatres).
  • The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Friday 13 November, 8pm, the Plaza Centre. “A Clare Benediction”, directed by Graham Ross, with music by Herbert Howells, Sir John Tavener and Sir John Rutter. £15, part of the council’s concert series (Southend-on-Sea City Council).
  • Southend Pier Switch On, Saturday 14 November, 4pm to 8pm, Southend Pier, Western Esplanade, SS1 1EE. The pier’s festoon lights go back on at 5pm, the pier says for the first time in over 20 years, and you can stay on the deck for the 7.30pm fireworks. Standard pier admission; last entry 7pm, last train ashore 7.45pm (Southend Pier).
  • Christmas Lights Switch-On, Saturday 14 November, Southend High Street. Southend City BID’s Christmas in the City: an artisan market from 9am, BBC Essex’s main stage from 12pm, the pier lights at 5pm, then Sonny Green and the Mayor switch on the lights at 6pm in Victoria Circus, with seafront fireworks at 7.30pm. Free. Our switch-on page has the running order and parking (Southend City BID).
  • Santa’s Grotto at The Royals, from Saturday 14 November to Christmas Eve, The Royals shopping centre, High Street. Father Christmas on the November weekends, then 4 to 6, 10 to 13 and every day from 15 to 24 December. £8 per child with a gift, adults free. Our Santa’s grotto page compares the options (The Royals; booking).
  • Southend United v Aldershot Town, Saturday 14 November, 3pm, Roots Hall. National League (Southend United tickets).
  • Konsztrukting Soundz: Evening 29, Saturday 14 November, doors 7pm, music 7.30pm, the Fishermen’s Chapel, New Road, Leigh-on-Sea. Four sets of improvised music. £8 plus an 80p booking fee (WeGotTickets).
  • Folk & Bespoke Craft Fair, Saturday 14 November, 10am to 3pm, Leigh Community Centre, 71-73 Elm Road, SS9 1SP. Handmade gifts, art, home decor and treats from local makers. It returns on 12 December (Visit Southend).
  • Being (T)here: A Celebration of Southend’s Caribbean Community, Sunday 15 November, noon to 4.30pm, the Old Waterworks Gallery. Free, but every ticket had gone by 27 October; Eventbrite offers a waitlist. Our Being (T)here page has the story of the vinyl and book (Eventbrite).
  • The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Sunday 15 November, 7.30pm, Palace Theatre. From £36 (Southend Theatres).
  • Fastlove: The Tribute To George Michael, Sunday 15 November, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. From £36 (Southend Theatres).

Next week

  • Sh!t Faced Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Tuesday 17 November, 7.30pm, Palace Theatre. Selling fast, from £31.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Six The Musical, Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 November, Cliffs Pavilion, 8pm on the opening night. Selling fast, from £28.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Pie, Mash and Quiz, Wednesday 18 November, 7pm, Maritime Room at the Cliffs Pavilion. From £16.95 (Southend Theatres).
  • Steam train to Chester Christmas Market, Thursday 19 November, leaving Southend Central at 6.35am and back at 10.50pm. Vintage carriages, steam hauled from West London on the way out. First Class from £245, Pullman Dining from £465. Our Chester steam train page has the details (Steam Dreams).
  • South East Essex Wildlife Hospital talk, Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre, Eastwood Road North, SS9 4LR. A behind-the-scenes evening on caring for injured wildlife; suggested donation £5 (Visit Southend).
  • Southend Youth Short Film Festival, Friday 20 November, 5pm to 7pm (doors 4.30pm), Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Avenue. Short films by young local filmmakers, then a Q&A, run by the Southend Youth Council (Visit Southend).
  • Festive Friday, Friday 20 November, from 4pm, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff. A tree light switch-on, festive food and drink, choirs, a Santa’s grotto, a children’s trail and late-night shopping, run by the Hamlet Court Calling group. Our Christmas markets page has the other festive markets (Visit Southend).
  • Tropicana Nights: The Ultimate 80s Party Night, Friday 20 November, 8pm, Maritime Room at the Cliffs Pavilion. From £10 (Southend Theatres).
  • Southend United v Boreham Wood, Friday 20 November, 7.45pm, Roots Hall. National League (Southend United tickets).
  • Song for The Lonely, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November, Palace Theatre, 6.30pm on the first night. From £17.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Elaine Taylor-Brown: I Think We’re Done Now, Saturday 21 November, 2pm to 3.30pm, the Forum. The local author talks about her memoir, with readings and poetry. Free; tickets from 27 October on Southend Libraries’ Eventbrite page or at the Forum reception (Visit Southend).
  • The Long Run: Three Steps to Heaven, Saturday 21 November, doors 7pm, music 7.30pm, the Ironworks, 71-73 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1SP. The songs of Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran and Ritchie Valens from a three-piece band, with seating, a bar and room to dance (Visit Southend).
  • Scott’s Light Up the Night, from Saturday 21 November to Sunday 3 January on 30 evenings, 4.30pm to 8pm, Scott’s of Southend garden centre, Sutton Road, Rochford, SS4 1LQ. An indoor and outdoor Christmas light trail. £7 adults and children, under-2s free, booked in 10-minute slots. Our Light Up the Night page lists every open date (Scott’s of Southend).
  • Southend Comic Con, Sunday 22 November, 10am to 4pm, Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, SS2 4FA. Creed Comic Cons brings artists, actors and creators, trader stalls, panels and a cosplay contest (Visit Southend).
  • The Story of Guitar Heroes, Sunday 22 November, 7.30pm, Palace Theatre. From £27 (Southend Theatres).
  • The Stylistics, Sunday 22 November, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. With support, from £42.75 (Southend Theatres).

Later in November

  • A Christmas Carol, Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 November, Palace Theatre, from 1pm on the first day. Dickens Theatre Company, from £29 (Southend Theatres).
  • Hobson’s Choice, Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 November, 7.45pm, Dixon Studio at the Palace Theatre. From £18 (Southend Theatres).
  • Nish Kumar: Angry Humour From A Really Nice Guy, Wednesday 25 November, 7.30pm, Palace Theatre. From £30 (Southend Theatres).
  • The Overtones: Jivin’ Home For Christmas, Wednesday 25 November, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. From £39 (Southend Theatres).
  • People’s Emergency Briefing, Wednesday 25 November, 7pm to 9pm, Indirock, first floor of The Victoria Centre, SS2 5SP. A screening of a 50-minute film on the climate and nature crisis, then questions and discussion. Free, booked on Eventbrite (Eventbrite).
  • Mike Lamborn: The Dreaming Season, Thursday 26 November, 2.30pm to 4pm, the Forum. The local author on the last book of his Woodcoombe Saga, with a Q&A and signing. Free; tickets from 3 November on Southend Libraries’ Eventbrite page or at the Forum reception (Visit Southend).
  • Gareth Malone: Sing-A-Long-A-Gareth at the Movies, Thursday 26 November, 7.30pm, Palace Theatre. From £39.75 (Southend Theatres).
  • Step Into Christmas, Thursday 26 November, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. From £32.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Cult Classics: Dead Poets Society, Thursday 26 November, 6pm, Beecroft Art Gallery. From £5.04 (Southend Museums on Eventbrite).
  • Balls Out Comedy Club, Thursday 26 November, 8.30pm, Maritime Room at the Cliffs Pavilion. From £8.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Light Up Leigh, Friday 27 November, from 4pm, Leigh Broadway. Leigh’s own Christmas evening, with Elm Road, Broadway, Broadway West and Rectory Grove closed to traffic from 3pm to 8pm, a Christmas market, choirs in the Library Gardens and late-night shopping. Free; all three bookable children’s sessions have sold out. Our Light Up Leigh page has the road closures and the running order (Leigh-on-Sea Town Council).
  • Meat Loaf By Candlelight, Friday 27 November, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. From £26.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Adventure Island Wonderland, from Saturday 28 November, 10am. Father Christmas in a Christmas village on 28 and 29 November and the December weekends, then daily from 19 to 24 December. £40 per child with one adult, and half price for everyone on the opening weekend. Our Santa’s grotto page compares the options (Adventure Island).
  • SEND-friendly Christmas arts and crafts, Saturday 28 November, 1pm to 2.30pm, Leigh Community Centre. A calm festive session with the Leigh Art Society for ages 10 to 16, £2 (Leigh-on-Sea Town Council).
  • Southend Vox Presents: Lost Christmas, Saturday 28 November, 2pm, Palace Theatre. From £17.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Merry Minds, Saturday 28 November, 9am to noon, Belfairs Park, Eastwood Road North, SS9 4LR. A festive 5k fun run around Belfairs Wood for South East and Central Essex Mind; walk, jog or run. Register on the charity’s site, which publishes no entry fee (SECE Mind).
  • That’ll Be The Day: That’ll Be Christmas, Sunday 29 November, 7pm, Cliffs Pavilion. From £32 (Southend Theatres).
  • John Lydon, Sunday 29 November, 7.30pm, Palace Theatre. From £42.75 (Southend Theatres).
  • The Elvis World Tour, Monday 30 November, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. From £29 (Southend Theatres).

December

  • Comedy Crackers starring Russell Kane, Tuesday 1 December, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. From £37 (Southend Theatres).
  • The Mousetrap, Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 December, 7.30pm, Palace Theatre. From £26.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Jerusalem, Wednesday 2 to Saturday 5 December, 7.30pm, Dixon Studio at the Palace Theatre. Jez Butterworth’s play, from £18 (Southend Theatres).
  • Simon Brodkin: Unleashed, Friday 4 December, 7.30pm, Cliffs Pavilion. Selling fast, from £31.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Trust Links Christmas Fayre, Saturday 5 December, 11am to 2pm, Trust Links, 47 Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, SS0 9AG. Handmade crafts, local stalls, festive food and a Santa’s grotto (Visit Southend).
  • Frostbite, Saturday 5 December, 11.45am to 4.30pm, Southchurch Road between Belle Vue Road and Surbiton Road, SS1 3EA. The fifth Southchurch Christmas Experience: the road’s independent traders, stalls outside the shops and Santa at South Street Coffee. Our Christmas markets page has the rest (Visit Southend).
  • Southend United v Harrogate Town, Saturday 5 December, 3pm, Roots Hall. National League (Southend United tickets).
  • The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert, Saturday 5 December, 4pm, Cliffs Pavilion. The film with a live orchestra, from £39.75 (Southend Theatres).
  • Candlelight Sound Meditation, Saturday 5 December, 5pm, Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre, Eastwood Road North, SS9 4LR. Forty-five minutes of sound and guided meditation with Louise of Healing House By The Sea, lit by battery tea lights; bring a mat and a blanket. £10, booked on 01702 477467 (Visit Southend).
  • Mrs Claus and Santa Paws, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, 11am to 4pm, Prittlewell Priory Visitor Centre, Victoria Avenue, SS2 6NB. Dogs meet Mrs Claus for a treat, a gift and a family photo in 20-minute slots. £8.30 per dog on Eventbrite, people free (Southend Museums on Eventbrite).
  • Christmas films at the Palace, Sunday 6 December, Palace Theatre: Elf at 1pm, Home Alone at 4pm and White Christmas at 7pm, each from £11.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Southend United v Boston United, Tuesday 8 December, 7.45pm, Roots Hall. National League (Southend United tickets).
  • Christmas By Candlelight, Wednesday 9 December, 3pm, Palace Theatre. From £26.50 (Southend Theatres).
  • Grumpy’s Christmas Market, Thursday 10 December, 6pm to 9pm, Grumpy’s Diner, 759 Southchurch Road, SS1 2PP. An evening market with Christmas stalls, food, music and festive entertainment (Visit Southend).
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Saturday 12 December to Sunday 3 January, Cliffs Pavilion, 2pm on the opening day. The pantomime, with Shane Richie as Muddles and Faye Tozer as the Wicked Queen. Selling fast, from £26.50. Our Southend pantomime page has the show times (Southend Theatres).
  • Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Fair, Saturday 12 December, 10am to 3pm, Leigh Community Centre, 71-73 Elm Road, SS9 1SP. The second Folk & Bespoke fair of handmade gifts (Visit Southend).
  • Father Christmas at Prittlewell Priory, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, 11am to 4pm, Prittlewell Priory, Priory Park, Victoria Avenue. Half-hour visits with a gift, storytelling, a craft and a festive trail. £16 per child, adults and under-threes free; still on sale on 3 November. Our Santa’s grotto page compares the options (Southend Museums on Eventbrite).
  • Southend Rudolph Run, Sunday 13 December, 10.30am, race HQ on the promenade by Ness Road, Shoeburyness, SS3 9HG. A festive five-mile race with a one-mile junior scurry and fancy dress; on-the-day entry £30, juniors £7, if places are left. Our Rudolph Run page has the route and parking (Nice Work).
  • The Nutcracker: Magic and Mischief, Wednesday 16 to Sunday 27 December, Palace Theatre, 1pm on the opening day. The Palace’s Christmas family show with Wind Song Theatre. Selling fast, from £21.50. Our Southend pantomime page has the Christmas shows (Southend Theatres).
  • Breakfast with Santa at Belfairs, Saturday 19 to Wednesday 23 December, 8.30am to 10am, Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre, Eastwood Road North, SS9 4LR. A Santa pancake breakfast with crafts and an early present. £15 per child, up to two adults per child; book in person or on 01702 477467 (Visit Southend).

Regular events

  • Southend parkrun, every Saturday at 9am, Gunners Park, off New Barge Pier Road, Shoeburyness. A free 5k to walk, jog or run; register once before your first visit (parkrun).
  • Seafront fireworks, Saturdays at 7.30pm: two left, 14 and 21 November. The 21 November display replaces 24 October, cancelled by Storm Austen, and is the last of the season. Free, fired from a barge east of the pier, and can be cancelled in bad weather. Our fireworks page has where to watch (Southend-on-Sea City Council; Visit Southend, 21 November).
  • Cult Classics at the Beecroft, the last Thursday of each month (Southend Museums on Eventbrite).
  • Tiny Tots at the Ironworks, every Tuesday in term time, 10am to noon, Leigh Community Centre, 71-73 Elm Road. A free drop-in for little ones, no booking (Leigh-on-Sea Town Council).

Send us your event

Running something in Southend, Leigh, Westcliff or Shoeburyness? Email hello@southendtoday.co.uk with the date, time, venue, price and a photo. Listings are free of charge, and your event goes on this page and in the diary on our front page.

This page is rewritten as organisers confirm new dates. Dates can still change, so use the links before you travel. More in our What’s On section.

Sources