With the sunshine making a welcome return, it’s the perfect time to plan your May bank holiday weekend and half‑term break.
If you're thinking about a vibrant, great‑value staycation by the sea, stay put because Southend is the place to be.
Right at your doorstep you have seven miles of beaches, green parks, cultural venues and a packed programme of free and low‑cost offerings alongside standout attractions.
It's also easy to get around, with excellent public transport links and a range of council‑run car parks across the city, including free parking at certain times and locations, helping you save more and stress less.
Aida Esposito, Director of Culture and Tourism, said: "There's an incredible range of things to do in Southend, both the well‑known favourites and the hidden gems you find when you explore a little further. Whether you live here or are visiting, spending time in the city always reveals something new or something new to do, whether you are keeping the kids occupied, want to learn a new skill, engage with others or enrich your own (creative) soul. That sense of discovery and rediscovery is at the heart of what makes Southend such a special place."
May half-term runs from Monday 25 to Friday 29 May 2026, with plenty going on during the weekends either side too. Here are 15 blooming lovely ways to make the most of your Southend staycation.
Somewhere beyond the sea
You know that no outing in Southend is complete without time by the water, and the city's iconic seafront offers plenty to keep all ages happy. Take a stroll along the world‑famous Southend Pier, enjoy the views across the Thames Estuary on Thorpe Bay Beach or, if you haven't yet, dip into the Pier Museum to learn more about its remarkable history.
Rain, rain, go away!
If the skies decide to shower us with rain, you can still have a great time indoors at the number one Zooquarium in Essex, Sealife Adventure, or the fun-tastic family amusement park Funtopia.
Just inland, Southend Central Museum and Planetarium provide a brilliant mix of local heritage and space‑themed wonder, while the Beecroft Art Gallery offers free access to rotating exhibitions spanning classic and contemporary art, perfect for a calmer cultural pause. Find more top attractions to explore on the Visit Southend website.
Shop, eat, repeat!
From Leigh Broadway to Hamlet Court Road to Southchurch and others, our shopping districts are an attraction in their own right! It's a treat of boutiques, gift shops, markets, galleries and thriving cafe culture, all set against a relaxed seaside backdrop. Find new places to shop on the Visit Southend website.
Between adventures, there's no shortage of places to relax and refuel, from classic fish and chips by the shore to kid‑friendly cafes and innovative culinary experiences that turn a quick stop into part of the experience. Try something new by browsing all Southend eateries on the Visit Southend website.
Upcoming events
Organic Farmers' Market at the Leigh community Centre
Free - Saturday 30 May 2026 from 10am to 2pm
We're still talking food, but this time organic, locally sourced and full of community flavour. The Farmers' Market is bringing together an amazing line-up of stallholders, offering everything from seasonal fruit and veg from local growers to artisan baked goods, small-batch preserves, local honey, handmade crafts, herbal remedies, organic meats and eggs, and flavour‑packed homemade curries. Learn more about this delicious event on the Visit Southend website.
Music in the Park
Free - Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May 2026 from 3pm to 4.30pm
Grab a picnic, find a sunny spot and let the music carry you through half‑term. Music in the Park returns to Priory Park, offering a free, relaxed programme of live performances in a beautiful outdoor setting, perfect for families who like their culture with space to roam.
Half‑term and nearby performances include:
Sat 23 May: Yardarm Folk Orchestra
Sun 24 May: John Seeley Jazz and Saxophone Groups
Bank Holiday Mon 25 May: Friends of the Shadows
Sat 30 May: Tilbury Band
Sun 31 May: Pavilion Brass
Walk, cycle or hop on a classic open-top bus
Free and low-cost - 23 May to 31 May (tour bus) at various times
Explore Southend your way: walk or hike along coastal paths and green routes, cycle along the dedicated seafront track, or hop on Southend's 99 Open Top Seafront Bus to enjoy the views in comfort. We particularly love the Shoeburyness Garrison Family Heritage Trail. Learn more about it on the Visit Southend website.
Whichever way you choose to travel, it's easy to discover more of the city while enjoying fresh air, great views and the benefits of being active.
Essex Book Festival and the Summer Reading Challenge
Free and low-cost - Available during May half‑term and beyond
Whether you're keen to attend a literary event or get involved behind the scenes, there are plenty of ways to take part.
Essex Book Festival (28 May to 28 June) brings stories to life across the county, while Southend Libraries are recruiting volunteers for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, helping children build confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of books. Learn more and how to take part on the Council's website.
In Harmony Festival and Eastwood Summer Fete
Free - Sunday 24 May @12pm to 4.30pm
Free - Sunday 31 May from 11am to 3pm
Who doesn't love a street party?
Celebrate local talent and community spirit at the free, multi‑cultural In Harmony street festival on 24 May, set in the welcoming surroundings of Hamlet Court Road. You'll get to enjoy a lively mix of music and entertainment alongside a dedicated children and families' corner, with more than 50 stalls offering information, food and crafts. New for this year, Freedom Leisure will be bringing exercise challenges, health checks, fitness consultations and even the chance to claim a free pass. Find out more on the Visit Southend website.
Or pop over to neighbouring Eastwood on 31 May for the Eastwood Summer Fete, where you'll get to enjoy a free, family-friendly day of live music and over 30 local stalls, featuring food, crafts and more. With plenty of space for children to play, it's the perfect way to enjoy the end of half term.
May Half-Term Party at the Eastwood Community Centre
Tuesday 26 May from 10.30am to 12pm
There's no party like a half-term party, especially when it's all for a good cause. This children's May Half-Term Party is raising funds for the Aspirations Program and promises plenty of fun, with entertainment from Lil' Red's Entertainers alongside stalls, a teddy tombola, lucky dips and a bake sale. The event is open to all ages, so come along by booking your ticket on the Visit Southend website.
Behind-the-scenes at the Southend Museums Collection Centre
Thursday 28 May at 2pm
Step behind the scenes and discover the stories usually kept out of sight. The Southend Museums Collection Centre is now open to the public, offering access to nearly 500,000 fascinating objects from South Essex's past. From archaeology and art to everyday objects, it's an eye‑opening visit for curious families and history lovers alike. Learn more and book your tour on the Council's website.
Wildlife Weekend at Prittlewell Priory
Low-cost - Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May from 11am to 3pm each day
Celebrate nature with a weekend packed full of wildlife fun at the historic Prittlewell Priory. Expect bird of prey encounters, craft activities, scavenger hunt, face painting, trails, games, food and drinks, and a special flying display at 1pm each day. With under‑3s going free, it's a brilliant end‑of‑half‑term treat for animal‑loving families. Learn more and book your spot on the Eventbrite website.
"Happy Feet" at the Beecroft Cinema Club
Low-cost - Wednesday 27 May from 11am to 1pm
Head over to the Beecroft Art Gallery's Cinema Club for a big dose of happiness and laughter. "Happy Feet" (2006) has been chosen to complement the "Wildlife Weekend" event (above) and it's suitable for the entire family. With stunning visuals and an amazing soundtrack, this feel-good children's classic celebrates what makes each person special and delivers an important message about our responsibility to care for the world's wildlife.
Doors will open and refreshments will be available from 10.30am and the film will start promptly at 11am; there are no adverts or allocated seating.
Book your tickets on the Eventbrite website and have a very "happy" time!
Belfairs Woodland nature sessions
Low-cost - Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 May
Various times and booking required
Belfairs Woodland is bursting with life this half‑term, with a range of bookable family‑friendly nature activities led by expert wildlife educators. Sessions are fully outdoors and designed to spark curiosity, encourage exploration and embrace a bit of muddy fun.
Highlights include:
Meadow Bug Hunt: Wed 27 May, 10am to 11am or 11.30am to 12.30pm. Book it on the Eventbrite website.
Woodland Bug Hunt: Wed 27 May, 1.30pm to 2.30pm.Book it on the Eventbrite website.
Nature Tots Special: Thu 28 May, 10am to 12pm (ages 18 months+).Book it on the Eventbrite website.
Family Forest Fun Special: Thu 28 May, 2pm to 4pm.Book it on the Eventbrite website.
Butterfly Bonanza: Sat 30 May, 10am to 11.30am.Book it on the Eventbrite website.
SEND-friendly Leigh Art Society by The Ironworks
Low-cost - Wednesday 27 May from 3pm to 4.30pm
Get creative this half‑term with affordable arts and crafts sessions organised in Leigh‑on‑Sea. These relaxed workshops are ideal for keeping hands busy and imaginations flowing, with activities designed to be inclusive, SEND‑friendly and fun for families looking for a calmer pace. Learn more and book your spot on the Leigh Community Centre website.
A separate Art Ministry session for all children will take place on Thursday 28 May at the same location, from 2.15pm to 3.15pm. Get the scoop via this link.
Creative, casual and playful open day workshops
Free - Saturday 30 May from 11am to 3pm
Head over to the bustling Focal Point Gallery for a choice of two workshops, running side by side and welcoming people of all ages to drop in and leave whenever they wish. These are open, informal spaces for playful exploration, reflection, and shared creativity across generations.
With Jos Garca Oliva: How Words Fly and What Happens When They Land
This workshop explores language as something physical and unstable; something that can be held, suspended, dropped, or broken apart. Using sculptural paper, poetry, and free multilingual writing, participants will experiment with words as material forms rather than fixed meanings.
With Luca Pizzani: Clay, Plants, and Traces of Place
This workshop uses clay to open conversations around identity, migration, landscape, and memory. Working with clay and collected plants, participants will shape materials by hand, create marks and textures, and transfer these impressions onto paper to make clay drawings, similar to monotypes.
To book, please head to Focal Point Gallery's Eventbrite page.;
Afternoon Tea and Cabaret charity event
Low-cost - Saturday 30 May from 3pm to 5.30pm
Travel the globe without leaving your seat at this lively "Around the World" themed afternoon tea and cabaret. Expect toe-tapping entertainment, delicious treats and plenty of laughs, plus the feel-good factor of raising funds for the Intensive care ward, Southend Hospital. Be quick, tickets tend to fly faster than a long-haul flight! Book your tickets on the Ticket Source website.
Your guide to Southend
Check out the School Holidays Guide on the Visit Southend website to perfectly plan your May holiday.
We hope you discover something new in Southend this May or take the chance to enjoy somewhere you've always wanted to visit.