Smoke and Fire Festival

Dates: 17-18 August
Location: Promenade Park, Maldon
Ignite your excitement this August at Maldon’s Promenade Park for the Smoke and Fire Festival, the UK’s largest family BBQ and outdoor cooking event. Witness the excitement of the BIG K British Open Freestyle BBQ Championships™, enjoy culinary masterpieces from top pitmasters, and groove to live music, including The Hoosiers. An unforgettable weekend lies in store. Smoking!
Outdoor Shows

Dates: 17-18 August
Location: Canvey Island
A big weekend of live music is coming to Canvey Island this month to kick-start a new programme of outdoor entertainment for the town. ‘The Big 90s vs 00s Festival’, at Waterside Farm recreation ground on Saturday, 17 August, will feature one of the UK’s best-loved radio DJ and TV presenters, Toby Anstis, plus live performances from Toploader, Let Loose, Livin’ Joy, and Baby D. On Sunday 18 August, ‘The Canvey Taylor Eras Experience’ promises a must-see show for all Taylor Swift fans.
Heritage Live

Date: 4 August
Location: Audley End House and Gardens
Heritage Live will return to Audley End House and Gardens for its summer concert series in 2024. Elbow will headline the show on Sunday 4 August 2024, and perform in the stunning grounds with very special guests, The Waeve and Dana Gavanski. Elbow, one of Britain’s most cherished bands, recently scored a number-one album in Audio Vertigo. Over the past two decades, the Mancunians have dominated the charts with multiple number-one albums, notably winning the Mercury Prize in 2008 for The Seldom Seen Kid.
Clacton Airshow

Dates: 22-23 August
Location: Clacton Seafront
The Clacton Airshow is back for its 31st year, promising thrilling aerobatics, historic aircraft, and spectacular twilight displays. Take in the breathtaking airshow display, browse the various stallholders, and enjoy food and entertainment along the seafront. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, will be one of the main highlights.
Essex Heavy Horse Show

Date: 4 August
Location: Beechwood Equestrian Centre
Essex Shire Horse Association’s annual show returns for the 36th time. Expect arena displays of stunning heavy horses in hand, ground-shaking harness turnouts, beautifully decorated harnesses, elegant ridden classes, quick-stepping light horses in harness, and more activities for all the family such as fast and furious dog agility, countryside activities, classic cars, and children’s rides and entertainment.
BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair

Dates: 30 August-1 September
Location: Audley End House and Gardens
Highlights of the popular show will include inspiring Showcase Gardens, Beautiful Borders by local designers, and the Association of Professional Landscapers’ Skills Competition. BBC Gardeners’ World presenters Adam Frost, Joe Swift, and Rachel de Thame, who are new to the fair, will be sharing seasonal gardening tips at the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage.