- 28 May -28 June 2026
- FREE
- In partnership
- Workshop
- Young Essex
National Saturday Club – Writing & Talking
Our new Writing and Talking National Saturday Club which will be taking place every Saturday 10am-1pm from March to July. Open to all 13-16 year olds living in and around the Chelmsford area who are passionate about writing and talking. Explore zine-making, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, blogging, spoken word poetry, podcasting and more. Read more
- Partner Event
- Performance
- Young Essex
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book
Come and delve into a range of books with Charlie Cook, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs, and perhaps you will be able to help his sister discover the wonderful world inside a book… Read more
- LAUNCH EVENT
- FREE
- Workshop
- Young Essex
This Land: The Launch Pad Workshops
Learn how to make traditional ink out of ink gall gathered from 25 destinations across Essex. Explore the art of calligraphy. Try your hand at a range of traditional printing and basic book-making techniques. Read more
- FREE
- Manifesto For Essex
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Eco-printing and Ink-making workshops – Chelmsford Science Festival
We are delighted to be taking part in Chelmsford Science Festival again this year. We will be at the Family Science Days at ARU Chelmsford. On Saturday 26th October Zoe will be running an eco-printing workshop and on Sunday 27th October Selena will be running an ink-making workshop. Read more
- FREE
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Celebrating Collecting Dreams, Shifting Futures
Join in the fun at the finale of Essex Book Festival and Kinetika's collaborative story-gathering project, Collecting Dreams, Shifting Futures: a community celebration of Harwich’s fascinating heritage and coastline. Lots of family-friendly activities including beach workshop, silk-flag procession, writing, film-making and eco-podcast workshops, and more... Read more
- Guided Walk
- FREE
- SOLD OUT!
- Young Essex
The Keeper of the Light – Beach of Dreams Silk-Flag Procession – SOLD OUT
A celebratory, community procession of beautiful Beach of Dreams silk penants taking in some of Harwich's key heritage sites including The High Lighthouse, Ha'penny Pier and Electric Palace Cinema Read more
- FREE
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Wildlife Detectives at The Wild Space, Maldon
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to uncover the mystery of who is causing mayhem in this hidden wildlife sanctuary. Gather your family and test your detective skills as we delve into this intriguing escapade. All welcome. Read more
- Manifesto For Essex
- Young Essex
Batty About Bats
Are you batty about bats? A rare chance to find out more about our bat-tastic friends who live with us in Rainham! From bat detectives, bat story writing, and bat masks, we will discover more about the species living in our local area and how we can help ensure their survival. Read more
- FREE
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Storytelling and Family Fun at The Minories
Join us for some midsummer family magic in The Minories Garden. Take your seat for our Twinkle, Twinkle Storytelling Armchair featuring BBC Essex’s Rob Jelly and local children’s authors. Explore the fascinating stories of spices from around the world with writer, cook and storyteller Radhika Howarth. Get creative and messy in our very own Earth Kitchen. Learn how to weave your own star… Read more
- Partner Event
- Young Essex
Future Power Half Term Fun
Come and get those ‘little grey cells working and discover how Future Power could impact your lives at home, at work and on the move through engaging and informative interaction with local community energy groups, themed activities and crafts, workshop and environmental power trails and hunts, making a great day out for all. Read more
- FREE
- Young Essex
Oi Chelmsford! Family Day at Museum of Chelmsford
This event is part of Oi Chelmsford! - a family day of author events and creative workshops at the Museum of Chelmsford set against the fabulous backdrop of the exhibition Oi Chelmsford! Kes Gray: Chelmsford Born and Read - a celebration of the work and life of Kes Gray. Read more
- SOLD OUT!
- Young Essex
Oi Chelmsford! Meet the Author – SOLD OUT
Join in this hilarious interactive event with the multi-award-winning Essex-born author behind the wildly popular 'Oi Frog' and 'Friends' series. Kes Gray eats Ideaflakes for breakfast, spreads silliness on his toast and loves to write books that will make children laugh out loud. He will be talking about his books, and how growing up in Chelmsford inspired them. Read more
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Comic Art Masterclass – SOLD OUT
Comic Art Masterclass with Kev F Sutherland who writes and draws for Beano, Doctor Who and Marvel comics, and makes graphic novels adapted from Shakespeare. Now he’ll teach you how easy it is. Learn everything he knows, so you could leave school and steal his job! Read more
- FREE
- Manifesto For Essex
- Partner Event
- SOLD OUT!
- Young Essex
Sketching & Story Adventure – SOLD OUT
Join us at The Wild Space, where nature reminds us that everyone is a storyteller. Families will search for natural treasures and transform their finds into imaginative characters. A joyful, creative session for all ages set in a hidden community Foraging Garden in Maldon. Read more
- FREE
- Young Essex
Midsummer Madness Family Fun
A day of other worldly storytelling and creative mayhem in the enchanted setting of The Minories, Colchester’s oldest art gallery and garden. Our Midsummer Madness Family Day is the perfect place to get crafty and messy with our delectable range of free hands-on drop-in workshops, and more. Read more
- FREE
- Young Essex
Behind the Scenes of Snowy Joy & The Toysavers
Following two sell-out runs at Colchester Arts Centre, this special event offers a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of Snowy Joy & The Toysavers! and discover how the story journeyed from page to stage. Meet some of the cast and Q&A session with the author, director and choreographer. Plus screenings of highlights from the shows. Read more
- SOLD OUT!
- Young Essex
From Oi Frog! to Oi Dinosaurs! – SOLD OUT
Join in this hilarious interactive event with multi-award-winning author Kes Gray as he talks about the evolution of his Oi! picture book series, from Oi Frog! to Oi Dinosaurs! Guaranteed to get everyone giggling. Read more
- Manifesto For Essex
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Know your Beach Workshop
Join Seaside Explorers on Clacton beach for this special BSL interpreted event. We'll explore the local habitat and look for treasures that the seaside has to offer to inspire some creative art from around the world. And, of course, there will also be some time for a story and maybe some marine mischief! Read more
