Events in Southend-on-sea From 20th April – 26th April 2026

Events in Southend-on-Sea this week

This week’s programme includes music and community events across Southend, with performances at venues including Belfairs Park, Victoria Road, Milton Green, and Marine Park & Gardens. A country music evening takes place at Eastwood Community Centre, featuring local musicians playing acoustic guitar with minimal amplification, intimate by design, drawing small but attentive crowds who arrive early to secure seats near the stage. On Friday night, a string ensemble from Southend High School for Boys performs in Belfairs Park as part of an annual arts collaboration between educational institutions and public space operators; the event continues past sunset with ambient lighting reflecting off nearby trees.

Saturday features live jazz at The White Hart pub on Victoria Road, an established spot since the 1970s, where performers engage directly with listeners, often improvising in response to audience energy. A screening of early cinema footage from the Southend Pier Theatre archives (circa 1924–1935) is shown at Chichester Road bus station during daylight hours as part of a project focused on pre-World War II entertainment.

Martial arts practitioners meet weekly in Belfairs Park to practice Norse-inspired drills under the guidance of an instructor from Norwich; these sessions are open to all but require prior registration via Southend Council’s community outreach portal. For families navigating university pathways during National Education Awareness Week 2026 (18–30 April), an information session runs at Victoria Library on Wednesday evening, organised by the East of England Regional Careers Hub.

The event includes panels from admissions officers across six local universities and one independent college; attendees are advised to bring written questions in advance as space is limited. Weekend markets remain active, York Road Market Car Park hosts traders offering second-hand children’s clothing, baby gear, handmade toys, and small household items. These gatherings follow a formal booking system managed by Southend Council through the Marketplace Connect scheme; stalls are assigned via application form submitted weekly.

Residents seeking to attend events should consult official listings at southend.gov.uk or visit Victoria Library in person for printed schedules, as digital access remains inconsistent across all wards, including Milton and Kursaal, where internet connectivity issues affect public service delivery during peak hours.