Jeff Innocent
Jeff Innocent performs live music at Chalkwell Park Rooms in Westcliff-on-Sea.
THECITYBRIEF
Southend-on-Sea
What's On in Southend-on-Sea – Events This Week & Things To Do
Southend-on-Sea right now: 21 events this week · across 1 venues · 4 categories
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You know Southend. Whether you're catching the sunset from the Pleasure Pier, browsing West Leigh's cafe scene, or exploring medieval corners like Rayleigh and Ashingdon, this city's got layers. But here's the thing: the best local happenings, new galleries, hidden events, neighbourhood gems, get lost in the noise. Social media churns it all into one blur. That's where we come in. Every week, we hand-pick what actually matters in Southend: the cultural shifts, the spots worth your time, the things that make this place move. No scrolling. No algorithm guessing. Just the signal, straight to your inbox.
A peek inside recent issues
Events in Southend-on-sea This Weekend
Oktoberfest Southend 2026
Oktoberfest Southend 2026 is a German cultural festival featuring traditional music, food, and drinks.
The Legends - Vegas: After Hours Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev…
A dance and music performance featuring 'Strictly Come Dancing' stars in Southend.
'C' Level
A pop-up craft beer tasting event at The Fishermen's Chapel in Leigh-on-Sea.
Southend Jazz Festival 2026 Cut Capers
Southend Jazz Festival 2026 features live jazz performances at Chinnerys, Southend-on-Sea.
The Legends in Vegas - After Hours
The Legends in Vegas - After Hours performs at Southend Cliffs Pavilion.
Events in Southend-on-sea This Week
Alison Moyet
Alison Moyet performs soulful concerts at Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea.
Sounds of The 60s Live With Tony Blackburn
Tony Blackburn performs classic 1960s hits live at Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea.
Sounds of The 60s Live - Hosted by Tony Blackburn Mbe
Tony Blackburn MBE hosts a live 60s music tribute performance at Southend Cliffs Pavilion.
Celya ab
Celya AB performs at Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea.
Boyzlife
Boyzlife performs pop hits at Southend-on-Sea Cliffs Pavilion.
Boyzlife Featuring Keith Duffy & Brian Mcfadden
Boyzlife, featuring Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden, performs their hits at Southend Cliffs Pavilion.
Explore Events by Category
Looking for something specific in Southend-on-Sea?
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Upcoming Events by Category
Culture & Arts
The Best of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells i ii & Iii
An orchestral performance of Mike Oldfield's classics Tubular Bells I, II, and III at Southend Cliffs Pavilion.
Southend Businesses Bloom With Poppy Artwork in Honour of Remembrance Sunday
Local businesses display poppy artwork in Southend to honour Remembrance Sunday, with a city-wide trail.
Spirit of The Blitz - Remembrance Sunday Special
A 1940s-themed musical tribute commemorates Remembrance Sunday at West-Cliff Theatre.
Family & Kids
Send Surgery - 20 October 2026
Southend-on-Sea Council holds monthly SEND Surgeries for families to receive professional advice and information.
Little Heroes Asd Support Group - Sendiass Workshop
Parents and carers attend a SENDIASS workshop for ASD support at Livewell Southend.
Southend City Community College Open Evening
Southend City Community College host an open evening to showcase courses and facilities.
Cake Club Send Holiday Club
Parents of children with special educational needs attend weekly Cake Club sessions at Livewell Southend.
Fitness & Outdoors
Ross County vs Airdrieonians
Ross County faces Airdrieonians in a competitive football match.
Ross County vs Peterhead
Ross County face Peterhead in a competitive football match at their home ground.
Food & Drink
Southend Food And Drink Festival
A 10-day festival featuring meal deals, discounts, and freebies from 18 Southend venues.
Harp Set to be Charity Partner at Southend's Big Switch on
HARP announced as official charity partner for Southend's Big Switch On event on November 15th.
Nightlife & Music
The Shamrocks
The Shamrocks band performs Irish folk music at Southend Cliffs Pavilion.
Justin Hayward: The Story in Your Eyes Tour
Justin Hayward performs classic tracks from The Moody Blues on his Story in Your Eyes Tour at Southend Cliffs Pavilion.
F*ck me It's Halloween
Halloween-themed event at F*CK venue in Leeds
Jools Holland And His Rhythm And Blues Orchestra
Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at Southend Cliffs Pavilion.
Jools Holland And His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra perform at Southend Cliffs Pavilion.
Shopping & Markets
Southend Business Partnership Briefing 5 November
Local business leaders gather at Southend Business Partnership Briefing for sector insights and networking.
Featured Places in Southend-on-sea
Fitness & Outdoors
Chase Sport & Fitness CentreChase Sport & Fitness Centre is a large leisure facility on Park Lane in Southend-on-Sea.
View Info →Restaurant
Favorite Chicken & RibsFavorite Chicken & Ribs Southend-on-Sea is a fast food restaurant on Prince Avenue in Southend-on-Sea.
View Info →Bouldering Wall
IndiRockIndiRock is a bouldering wall on Chartwell Square in Southend-on-Sea’s High Street.
View Info →Restaurant
Old Walnut TreeOld Walnut Tree is a restaurant on Southchurch Boulevard in Southend-on-Sea.
View Info →Live Music Venue With Food
Peggy's Music BarPeggy's Music Bar is a live music venue with food on London Road in Leigh-on-Sea.
View Info →Southend-on-sea Places And Events Guides
Things to do in Southend-on-sea
What's on in Southend-on-Sea covers a wide range of activities across the town and surrounding areas. Things to do in Southend-on-Sea range from seafront leisure to cultural attractions, with plenty of events in Southend-on-Sea happening throughout the year. Whether you're looking for live music, theatre, food and drink experiences, family activities, shopping, or outdoor pursuits, there's a steady calendar of things taking place across Southend Central Area and beyond. This site helps you find events this week and events this weekend, so you can plan ahead or discover what's happening right now. The town's event scene reflects its character as a seaside destination with deep historical roots. It was first recorded in 1309 as Stratende. You can find theatre performances at Cliffs Pavilion, food and drink offerings from independent cafes and restaurants, family attractions near the seafront, and markets throughout the year. West Leigh offers a local cafe and bar scene, while Rayleigh, a historic market town nearby, hosts its own community events. The calendar includes festivals, live performances, shopping opportunities, and fitness activities that draw locals and visitors alike. Use the site to navigate by event category such as Food & Drink, Family & Kids, Nightlife & Music, Culture & Arts, Fitness & Outdoors, and Shopping & Markets. You can search by time period to plan your week or weekend, browse events by venue, or explore what's happening across different neighbourhoods. Whether you're based locally or visiting, these tools help you find exactly what matches your interests and when it's taking place.
Common Southend-on-sea Questions
### How often are Southend-on-Sea event listings updated? The City Brief maintains up-to-date event listings for Southend-on-Sea throughout the week. Our editorial team regularly refreshes event calendars to capture new additions across all categories, from Food & Drink to Culture & Arts, Nightlife & Music, Family & Kids, Fitness & Outdoors, and Shopping & Markets. ### What kinds of events happen in Southend-on-Sea during the week? Southend-on-Sea hosts a diverse range of weekly events. Culture & Arts events include exhibitions and performances at Cliffs Pavilion and Focal Point Gallery. Food & Drink gatherings take place in West Leigh, whilst Shopping & Markets events provide retail opportunities in the town centre. Families can explore dedicated programming, and Fitness & Outdoors activities make use of Southchurch Park and coastal spaces. ### What are the most popular event categories in Southend-on-Sea? Our site tracks six core event categories reflecting Southend-on-Sea's appeal. Culture & Arts draws visitors to Prittlewell Priory Museum and Southend Museums Collections Centre, as well as galleries and theatre venues. Family & Kids events are popular, supported by attractions such as Adventure Island and Sea-Life Centre. Nightlife & Music, Food & Drink, Shopping & Markets, and Fitness & Outdoors round out the calendar. ### How can I find out what's on in Southend-on-Sea this weekend? Use our homepage filters to browse 'this weekend' listings across all six event categories. You can also navigate by neighbourhood, such as Southend Central Area or West Leigh, browse by venue, or search specific categories like Nightlife & Music or Family & Kids. Our guides section provides curated recommendations, and you can filter by venue type to discover events at theatres, galleries, parks, or waterfront locations. ### Which Southend-on-Sea venues host the most events? Key venues include Cliffs Pavilion, a theatre hosting concerts and performances; Prittlewell Priory Museum and Southend Museums Collections Centre, supporting cultural programming; and waterfront venues near Southend Seafront and the Pier, which anchor family and leisure events. The Kursaal hosts bowling and entertainment. Southend Central Area is a focus for Shopping & Markets, and West Leigh supports Food & Drink and Nightlife & Music.