What's On In And Around Maldon
The Maldon District offers a wide variety of events and attractions, including the world-famous Maldon Mud Race held in Promenade Park.
Details of many events and activities can be found listed here.



Show Dates From 24th July 2026
A free all-day community festival to celebrate everything that makes life worth living!
An exciting day of events is being planned, running from 11am to 4pm, with live music, activities, stalls and events for the whole community, focusing on health, wellbeing and fun. There will be music and bands, plus a fantastic selection of games, sports and activities to take part in throughout the day.
Cost: Free entry
Secure your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable day!
The UK’s No.1 BBQ & Outdoor Cooking Festival — Bigger, Hotter and Better in 2026
If you only visit just one food festival- make it Smoke and Fire Fire — the ultimate celebration of BBQ, live fire cooking, street food and family fun.
Experience live music, top BBQ and fire chefs, BBQ Alley, Extreme Eating Contests, award-winning street food, artisan stalls, and a brilliant Kids Zone with FREE activities. Dive into bold flavours, unforgettable demos on the Feast from the Fire Stage , and the full energy of the festival that sets the standard for BBQ in the UK.
Proudly supporting local charities.
Click to purchase tickets online
Click to go to the event website
Discover the wonder of reptiles in this unforgettable event; featuring millipedes, cockroaches, boa constrictor, blue tongue skink & bull frog. We are delighted to be joined by Barleylands Farm for this fundraising event.
During this immersive experience, perfect for all the family, you'll learn about their environments, habitats, and ongoing conservation efforts.
This rare opportunity to get up close and personal with reptiles is not to be missed! The main event lasts approximately one hour and begins promptly at 7.30pm. Join us beforehand for a relaxed social hour starting at 6.30pm—don't forget to bring your own drinks and nibbles.
Cost: £12 per person
Click to go to the event website
More details: 01245 830813
The Stow Maries Air Show is a celebration of heritage aviation, with an exciting programme of air events as well as ground displays. With a barbecue, bar and children’s activities, The Stow Maries Air Show is a fantastic day out for the whole family. Tickets must be bought in advance.
Cost: Adults £25, children 6-15 £12, 0-5 free, family 2+2 £65
More details: info@stowmaries.org.uk
A fun educational activity based experience aboard the historic Thames sailing barge Centaur built in 1895
Explore the barge above and below deck with your childs fee activity book and carry out various craft activities
The event is split into 4 one hour sessions.
Children should be aged 5 - 11 years
Entrance is by donation and prebooking is essential
All Children MUST be accompanied by an Adult
Cost: Free
Click to go to the event website
More details: 07587 141054
Maldon Food and Drink Festival August 2026
Join us for two delicious days of food, drink, shopping, music, and family fun at one of Essex’s favourite summer events – right by the river at Promenade Park!
Expect a fantastic mix of…
🍕 Street Food from Around the World
🧁 Cakes, Bakes & Sweet Treats
🍺 Craft Beer, Cider & Gin Bars
🧀 Artisan Cheeses, Sauces & Local Produce
🌱 Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free & Halal Options
🎶 Live Music All Day
🎡 Kids Rides & Family Fun
🛍️ Craft & Gift Stalls
Whether you’re a foodie, a family looking for a great day out, or just fancy a relaxed Bank Holiday with something tasty in hand – this event has it all.
🎟️ Entry: £8 per adult
👶 Under 16s FREE
♿ Disabled visitors - Carers are FREE
🐾 Dogs with responsible owners welcome
📍 Easy access, plenty of parking, and a great atmosphere all day!
Don’t miss this mouth-watering treat in Maldon – bring your appetite, your friends…
Cost: Adults £8 Under 16’s FREE. Disabled visitors - Carers are FREE. ALL day parking £5 pre book only
Our annual Gala is back this year with many added attractions & events. It'll be a full weekend of family fun including a kid's disco at the Village Hall on the Friday evening alongside the ever popular events such as the Chequers beer & cider festival, classic car & bike display, local talent displays, 'make, bake & grow' show, village flower pot trail, fun dog show, BBQ, live music, karate demos, kid's sports, teddy parachute jumps, fancy dress bike parade, football tennis & tug-of-war. Live music in the Chequers on both afternoons. Ice cream van, sweet stall and pizza van (pm) on Saturday and Goldhanger's usual fish & chip van on Sunday at 5pm. Plenty of off road parking.
Click to go to the event website
More details: jillcrooks66@icloud.com
The Nearly Festival is an affordable alternative to the bigger touring festivals & features not only the UK’s best touring tribute acts live on stage, but a ‘Kidzone’ with cool kids attractions & activities, a tasty & local ‘Street Food Market’ & a pub priced ‘Pub in the Park’
Get more information and book your tickets online.
Click to purchase tickets online
Click to go to the event website
Come and join us to see our huge array of American cars and other American vehicles on the events field. We will also have live music and entertainment on the stage and amazing food vendors and stall holders. Competition for best in show for a variety of categories.
The annual drive through Maldon Town will be held the day before, Saturday 5th September, leaving the Museum around 3pm.
Adults: £10.00
Concessions: £9.00
Family: (2 Adults & Up to 3 Children) £30.00
Children: (5-15) £5.00
Children Under 5 Free
Click to go to the event website
Show Dates From 12th September 2026 Amazing remote-controlled aircraft will be entertaining in the skies above Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome at the Large Model Air Show on Saturday 12 September. From WW1 biplanes to contemporary jet fighters, these incredible models are detailed replicas of the originals. As well as aircraft through the ages, you’ll also find model vehicles of all kinds on the ground, making this a superb family day out! There’s a barbecue, stalls to browse, cakes and meals in The Airmen’s Mess café – plus all the Museum hangars and exhibitions are open for visitors. Order tickets online to be sure of entry, gate tickets are subject to availability and may not be available.
Cost: Adults £15, Concession £8, under 6 free. Family 2+2 £39.99 (plus booking fee)
More details: info@stowmaries.org.uk
Admission for the viewing public is free but there is a charge for parking in the park.
Click to go to the event website
Join us as we partner with the Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association to celebrate military communications of the last 100 years.
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome has a long history with communications. From its inception, it worked at the cutting edge of radio. In fact, it was the first place to equip aircraft for Home Service with Wireless Communication - in 1918!
Now, to trace that long history from the Great War right up to recent conflicts in the 21st century, we are joining with the Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association. Alongside our popular 'Words without Wires' exhibition, you can enjoy a day among living historians, vehicles and enthusiasts that will clear away all the static from this fascinating part of our modern world that has come so far in such a short space of time. We would welcome enquiries from Living Historians with a radio set up of any 20th or 21st century period, radio clubs and relevant trading stands.
Cost: Adults £12, children 0-10 free, 11-15 and concessions £9
Love aircraft? Fancy seeing some up close? Come along to our Late Summer Fly-In at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome on Saturday 26 September and you never know what you might see! The Fly-In is a chance for the local aviation community to pay us a visit by air, with reduced landing fees, as a fun way to end the summer (PPR must be arranged in advance). So while visitors enjoy the Museum's attractions, they can also watch aircraft arriving and departing and see them up close.
Cost: Adults £12, children 0-10 free, concessions £9
Caroline Coastal and Mars Garden are back together for their biggest event yet! Join us at Maldon Plume for a night full of singing, dancing and pure 60's nostalgia!
Essex band Mars Garden will play all the biggest hits from the decade that changed the world - from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Kinks to Wilson Pickett, Manfred Mann and the Who!
All profits from the night support your local radio station Caroline Coastal FM. Meet presenters from the team and pick up brand-new merch on the night too.
It's a night of 60's music not to miss!
Cost: £15pp
Click to go to the event website
A fascinating one-day history seminar, on an original Great War site. Speakers are:
Peter Hart - Peter worked for 40 years as oral historian at the Imperial War Museum and is an experienced civilian/military tour guide. He has written books on World War One and Two. His talk is titled: I'm Out: Escape from German POW Camps, 1914-18.
Steve Erskine - Steve is the Regimental Researcher at the Green Howards Museum. He has also written for Britain at War Magazine. His talk is called: A loyal and simple soldier. Lt. Gen. Sir David Henderson, father of the RAF?
Kelsey Ellington - Kelsey is a public historian and researcher specialising in World War One aviation. Her talk is titled: What Makes a Good Pilot? Dr Martin Flack and the Search for the Right Mind to Fly.
The day includes close up viewing of the Museum's aircraft, object handling and a delicious lunch in the historic environment of the original 1917 Mess, now The Airmen's Mess café
Cost: £38
This autumn half term we have a special Family Nature Day focusing on our woodland areas, so if you fancy an alternative to endless Halloween pumpkins, come and join our Wildlife Team for a drop-in day of woodland-themed activities!
Included within the standard admission price, you can enjoy activities including a mini-beast safari, leaf trail, leaf and bark rubbings, autumn/woodland themed craft activities, fungi hunting, learning about hornets, and even dissecting some owl pellets to find out what our birds of prey have been having for their dinner!
Wear warm clothes and sensible footwear as activities will be outside in the woods come rain or shine! Don't worry if you get a bit chilly, though, The Airmen's Mess cafe will be open with a warm welcome and hot food and drink to thaw you out at the end. Activities are included within the normal entry fee.
Cost: £12 adults, free for children 0-10, children 11-15 and concessions £9
Join us as we commemorate the Fallen at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenancy of Essex. The Remembrance Parade at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is a hugely popular event. While the event is free to attend with a ticket, we welcome donations.
We welcome ticket holders to arrive from just before 11am, although our parade will begin promptly at 2pm. The Ceremony will be led by The Lord Lieutenancy of Essex. The Honour Party will include representatives from Essex County Council, Maldon District Council, HM Government as well as Colchester Garrison. Assembled together, the Uniformed Youth Units representing all arms will be joined by serving members of HM Forces as they pay their respects to those lost in all conflicts.
As the last remaining functioning Great War aerodrome, hosting the largest collection of Great War Royal Flying Corps buildings, Stow Maries is a poignant and appropriate place to visit for this sensitive service.
Cost: Free but must hold a ticket
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Topsail Charters organise regular and varied trips on of their fleet of historic Thames Sailing Barges all through the year. Click here for details of their trips
Viking Saga operates 40 minute cruises from The Hythe out past Heybridge Basin towards Osea Island and back again during the season. Details here

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