Some frightfully good fun is in store for families and visitors this autumn when the first ever Southend Halloween Parade takes place on Saturday 30 October.
The parade will feature exciting entries for the whole family including the world-renowned Spark! street theatre drummers, dance performances, a lighting spectacular and giant lit up puppets made by local artists. A stunning fireworks display – hosted by the Southend Business Improvement District (BID) – will close the evening.
Making up the parade procession will be an eclectic mix of vehicle floats, artistic groups and pedestrian entries which is where you can really make a different and play your part (more details below). Like the Southend Carnival, parade entrants can also collect for their chosen charities.
The event is being organised by Southend Community Events in conjunction with Southend Council and Southend Tourism Partnership and replaces the annual August Carnival Procession which was cancelled this year due to uncertainty around Covid restrictions.
Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, culture, tourism & planning, said: “We are expecting the Southend Halloween Parade to be a huge boost to Southend and our local economy which has really suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are aiming to attract visitors from far and wide to jump on the train and arrive early to enjoy everything Southend has to offer before experiencing an amazing Halloween Parade in the evening culminating with a spectacular firework display.
“Being the first event of its kind in Southend, we expect it to be an amazing and colourful spectacle for all the family and will firmly put Southend on the map as a top destination.”
The parade will set up and leave at 5pm from the Gas Works Car Park on Eastern Esplanade and proceed along Marine Parade, Western Esplanade before dispersing between Shorefield Road and Grosvenor Road.
The parade will see several roads closed prior to the processions including:
- Southchurch Ave (south of Woodgrange Drive) from 4pm
- Eastern Esplanade (from Gasworks to Kursaal) from 4pm
- Marine Parade from 4pm
- Western Esplanade (from pier to Shorefield Rd) from 4pm
Jacqui Dallimore, chair of Southend Tourism Partnership, said: “The Southend Tourism Partnership are delighted to be supporting the Halloween Parade which will be a fabulous event for residents and visitors. The parade will help boost the town’s economy after what has been a difficult 18 months due to the pandemic and we hope it will become a recurring annual event to help extend the tourism season.”
Want to get involved?
You can really play your part on the night to create a fun and spooky atmosphere by lining the route and wearing your best Halloween costumes and face paint.
If you would like to take part in the parade itself or are from a school or artistic group and would like to get involved or provide sponsorship, please visit the Halloween Page portal for more details.
Full event details and the latest updates will be available on Visit Southend.