Southend-on-Sea is set to come alive this Halloween, with a range of events taking place across the city.
From pumpkin patches and parades to fireworks and spooky storytelling, there's something for everyone to enjoy this October half-term.
Here are five fun things to do this Halloween in Southend:
1. Prittlewell Pumpkin Patch and Petting Farm taking place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October between 11am and 16pm at Prittlewell Park: Pick your perfect pumpkin, meet friendly farm animals and enjoy the autumn outdoors at this family-friendly event.
2. Southend Halloween Parade on Saturday 25 October between 6.30pm and 7.45pm on Marine Parade, Southend seafront: The city's famous Halloween Parade is back and bigger than ever. Expect illuminated floats, street performers, music and costumes, ending with a spectacular fireworks display.
3. Spooky Space Day on Wednesday 29 October between 11am and 5pm at Southend Central Museum and Planetarium: Step into a world of intergalactic spooks with themed planetarium shows, hands-on activities for curious space explorers.
4. Southend City Fireworks taking place every Saturday evening until 15 November, from 8pm on Southend seafront: Free fireworks light up the night sky every weekend, the perfect way to round off your Halloween celebrations. (October fireworks are from 8pm, November fireworks are from 7:30pm)
5. Library Halloween Fun, hosted by Southend Libraries
Enjoy a host of free and low-cost family activities taking place across Southend Libraries this half-term. Perfect for younger children and families looking for indoor Halloween fun.
- Kent Elms Library - Friday 31 October between 11am and 12pm: Celebrate Halloween with spooky stories and ghoulish games galore!
- Southchurch Library - Four sessions throughout half-term: Spooktacular craft activities from paper plate monsters to scarecrow spoons.
- The Forum Library - Tuesday 28 October between 11am and 1pm: Bone Appétit! Join our Halloween Craft Event and make your very own paper skeleton to take home.
Kent Elms Library is also running a children's competition throughout October to name the library skeleton and take part in a Halloween Cat Hunt around the library.
Cllr Matt Dent, cabinet member for Business, Culture, Music and Tourism, said: "It's fantastic to see our community come together to celebrate Halloween in such creative and inclusive ways. These events showcase the spirit of Southend and offer something for everyone to enjoy, from outdoor parades and pumpkin patches to indoor family-friendly library fun. We encourage all residents to get involved and make this half-term a memorable one."
More information is available on the Visit Southend website.