What's On in Chelmsford
Things to do in and around Chelmsford: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.
Top story
Chelmsford Halloween 2026: Fear Fest From £19.50
Hylands Fear Fest runs 16 to 31 October, Extreme trail from £19.50, family Spooky Trail from £12.50 a child. Pumpkin picking and Marsh Farm too.
Dates for the diary
- On now to 1 Nov Pumpkin Village
- On now to 1 Nov Halloween Festival at Marsh Farm
- On now to 31 Oct Hurley's Pumpkin Forest
- Thu 8 Oct Dr Richard Shepherd: Time of Death
- Sat 10 Oct Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Fair
- Sat 10 Oct SEN Friendly Day at the Museum of Chelmsford
- Sun 11 Oct Chelmsford Marathon and Half Marathon
- Sun 11 Oct Hylands Open Estate Day
- Mon 12 Oct Memory Café at the Museum of Chelmsford
- Mon 12 Oct Royal British Legion Remembrance Concert
- 16 Oct to 1 Nov Hylands Fear Fest
- 16 to 31 Oct Hylands Fear Fest Spooky Trail
More stories
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Pantomime 2026: Cinderella Dates and Prices
Cinderella runs at Chelmsford Theatre from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, 45 shows, £19.50 to £34.50. Every performance time and access show listed.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Remembrance Sunday 2026: Parade and Service
Remembrance Sunday is 8 November 2026. Chelmsford's service is held at the Duke Street War Memorial, from 10.55am last year, with Duke Street closed from 10am.
RHS Hyde Hall
RHS Hyde Hall in Winter: Glow 2026 Dates and Prices
Glow at RHS Hyde Hall runs on selected dates from 26 November to 30 December 2026, 4.30pm to 9pm, from £12 an adult. Winter garden hours and prices too.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Santa's Grotto 2026: Where to See Santa
Marsh Farm's Father Christmas Experience returns on 21 November 2026, the only grotto announced so far. Last year's Beaulieu and Danbury grotto dates listed.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Christmas Markets 2026: Dates So Far
Christmas at The Stables at Hylands is confirmed for Thursday 19 November 2026, 5pm to 9pm. The city centre Christmas Cabins have no 2026 dates yet.
Events
What's On in Chelmsford: Cocktail Weekend, Then the Marathon
Chelmsford Cocktail Weekend runs 2 to 4 October and the marathon is Sunday 11 October; three fireworks displays share 7 November. Forty listings with prices.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Science Festival 2026: 27 of 34 Events Are Free
Chelmsford Science Festival runs 20 to 28 October: 27 of its 34 events are free. Chris Packham is £10, and David Olusoga's cathedral talk has gone up to £15.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Fireworks 2026: Admirals Park Is Sat 7 November
Round Table's Admirals Park display is Saturday 7 November: gates 5pm, fireworks 7.30pm, £12 early bird. Marsh Farm and Battlesbridge are the same night.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Christmas Lights Switch-On: No 2026 Date Yet
The 2026 date has not been announced. The last three switch-ons were all Sundays in November, 2024 was cancelled by Storm Bert, and 12,000 people came in 2025.
Chelmsford
Enlightened Hylands 2026: 27 Nov to 2 Jan, From £12
Dates and prices are confirmed and tickets are on sale. Entry is the Writtle gate off Greenbury Way, not Hylands House, and the last slot is 8pm.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Marathon 2026: Half Full, Marathon Places Left
The £38 half marathon entry is now waiting list only; marathon places are left for Sunday 11 October, 9am from Central Park. Entries close 10 October.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Remembrance Sunday 2026: Parade and Service
Remembrance Sunday is 8 November 2026. Chelmsford's service is held at the Duke Street War Memorial, from 10.55am last year, with Duke Street closed from 10am.
RHS Hyde Hall
RHS Hyde Hall in Winter: Glow 2026 Dates and Prices
Glow at RHS Hyde Hall runs on selected dates from 26 November to 30 December 2026, 4.30pm to 9pm, from £12 an adult. Winter garden hours and prices too.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Santa's Grotto 2026: Where to See Santa
Marsh Farm's Father Christmas Experience returns on 21 November 2026, the only grotto announced so far. Last year's Beaulieu and Danbury grotto dates listed.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Christmas Markets 2026: Dates So Far
Christmas at The Stables at Hylands is confirmed for Thursday 19 November 2026, 5pm to 9pm. The city centre Christmas Cabins have no 2026 dates yet.
Events
What's On in Chelmsford: Cocktail Weekend, Then the Marathon
Chelmsford Cocktail Weekend runs 2 to 4 October and the marathon is Sunday 11 October; three fireworks displays share 7 November. Forty listings with prices.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Science Festival 2026: 27 of 34 Events Are Free
Chelmsford Science Festival runs 20 to 28 October: 27 of its 34 events are free. Chris Packham is £10, and David Olusoga's cathedral talk has gone up to £15.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Fireworks 2026: Admirals Park Is Sat 7 November
Round Table's Admirals Park display is Saturday 7 November: gates 5pm, fireworks 7.30pm, £12 early bird. Marsh Farm and Battlesbridge are the same night.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Christmas Lights Switch-On: No 2026 Date Yet
The 2026 date has not been announced. The last three switch-ons were all Sundays in November, 2024 was cancelled by Storm Bert, and 12,000 people came in 2025.
Chelmsford
Enlightened Hylands 2026: 27 Nov to 2 Jan, From £12
Dates and prices are confirmed and tickets are on sale. Entry is the Writtle gate off Greenbury Way, not Hylands House, and the last slot is 8pm.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Marathon 2026: Half Full, Marathon Places Left
The £38 half marathon entry is now waiting list only; marathon places are left for Sunday 11 October, 9am from Central Park. Entries close 10 October.