What's On in Basildon: Annual Events, Theatre and Seasonal Fun

Where do I find out what's on in Basildon?

Basildon Borough Council keeps a listings page at basildon.gov.uk/events, with separate pages for recurring and one off community events. Local venues publish their own programmes as well, so it is worth checking the Towngate Theatre and Barleylands directly. Dates change and events get cancelled, so treat this guide as a planner and confirm on the organiser's page before you travel.

What is on at the Towngate Theatre?

The Towngate Theatre is at St Martin's Square, Basildon, SS14 1DL, and its box office number is 01268 205 300. Its what's on page shows a mix of drama, music, comedy, dance and children's entertainment across the main theatre and the Mirren Studio. The 2026/27 pantomime is Aladdin, billed as a genie-us panto, and it runs from 26 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Later in the season the listing includes Fireman Sam Live on 25 April 2027. Check the theatre's site for ticket details and performance times, because the programme is added to through the year.

What happens at Barleylands in autumn and winter?

Barleylands, on Barleylands Road outside Billericay, publishes a year round programme on its events page. For 2026 it lists a Halloween Festival from 24 October to 1 November, running 10am to 4pm, with pumpkin decorating, a maze and magic shows. Spooky Nights are listed for 29 to 31 October from 5.30pm. Family Fireworks are listed for 5 to 8 November, with fireworks at 6.30pm. The Christmas Experience runs from 28 November to 24 December, and outdoor Christmas markets run on selected dates from 28 November to 23 December. The farm's own Christmas markets page lists the Festive Fayre on 28 and 29 November. Its farmers market and a monthly gourmet food and craft market also appear on the listings, so check the page for the next date. Ticket prices vary by event, so book through Barleylands rather than relying on gate prices.

What does the council run every week?

Basildon Council's events pages list a free 5km timed run for adults and a 2km event for juniors every Saturday at 9am at Northlands Park in Basildon and at Lake Meadows in Billericay. Read the council's recurring community events page for the current details before you turn up, since arrangements can change.

Are there summer sports events?

Each summer the council runs its Summer of Sport programme of free and low cost activities, including subsidised swimming, tennis and badminton sessions at two pounds a head at the time of writing. The Basildon Half Marathon and the Find Your Active Festival are part of the programme, and this year's half marathon was listed for Sunday 13 September 2026, with a children's race alongside it. Look for the 2027 dates on the same page in spring.

When are the Christmas lights switched on?

The council lists a series of town centre and village celebrations each year, run with partners including Eastgate Shopping Centre, Towngate Theatre and Gateway 97.8. Last year Basildon Town Centre's celebration was on 15 November 2025, Wickford followed on 22 November and Billericay High Street on 27 November. The council has not published 2026 dates as far as we could confirm, so watch the Christmas events page. It has also offered free parking at selected car parks during key events, which is worth checking for.

How can I plan a run of events across the winter?

A simple way to use this guide is to work backwards from the dates that are already fixed. Barleylands opens its Halloween Festival on 24 October, followed by fireworks in the first week of November and its Christmas Experience from 28 November. The Towngate Theatre panto begins on 26 November, so the last weekend of November is busy, and families may want to choose between the two or book on different days. Look at the council's Christmas page in early November for the town centre, Wickford and Billericay celebrations, and check the school holiday dates in advance so that visits fall in half term or after school breaks up. If you spot an event that is missing from the official pages, ask the organiser directly rather than relying on social media posts.

Quick answers

For theatre, go to the Towngate Theatre for Aladdin from 26 November 2026. For farm events, see Barleylands for Halloween, fireworks and Christmas. For weekly exercise, try the Saturday 9am timed runs at Northlands Park and Lake Meadows. Looking for daytime plans with children as well? Read our things to do with kids in Basildon guide, and note the school holidays in our Essex term dates guide.