AS the summer holidays continue, you may be stuck for things to do.

Here in and around Colchester, there is plenty to whet your appetite and make the most of the weather and holiday season.

Having said that, here are some of the things happening in and around Colchester across next weekend, August 20 and 21.

ParkPlay

ParkPlay is an event that happens every Saturday, and next weekend is no different.

Children and families can join in with free games, have fun, move more, and make friends. It’s the perfect way to start the weekend and to enable communities to get active.  

The event is at the Old Heath Recreation Ground in Colchester from 9.30am.

Before coming to your first ParkPlay, attendees need to register. You’ll then be able to quickly sign in when you arrived on a Saturday morning and get playing straight away.

To register to attend Old Heath Recreation Ground ParkPlay visit park-play.com/register/.

Cirque – The Greatest Show

Coming to the Mercury Theatre in town, is a top set of circus acts.

Direct from their international tour and recent performance for the Royal Family, Cirque: The Greatest Show invites you to ‘roll up’ and see this unique circus concert brought to life by West End performers and world-class acrobats.

Featuring hit songs from popular movie musicals such as The Greatest Showman and Moulin Rouge and mesmerising specialist artistes such as aerialists, contortionists, trapeze and fire-eaters, this award-winning musical masterpiece is a hit for audiences both old and young.

The show is ay 7.30pm on August 20. To book tickets, visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/cirque-the-greatest-show/#book.

Smoke & Fire Festival

The popular festival is back in Colchester for just the second time next weekend, at Castle Park.

The event had been held at Maldon’s Promenade Park for three years and attracted more than 18,000 visitors back in 2019.

It was due to move to Colchester in 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic halted plans, with the first outing in 2021.

At the Smoke and Fire Festival attendees can watch some of the top BBQ chefs and open-fire cookery, pitmasters' live demonstrations and masterclasses, all whilst feasting on a tremendous variety of BBQ'd and open-fire cooked food.

There will be cooking and eating competitions to compete in and vote on, live music, DJs and dancing, children's fun, games and entertainment.

The event is across both Saturday August 20, and Sunday August 21.

Visit smokeandfirefestival.com/bbq-festival-east/ for information or tickets.

Mersea Island Festival

Starting in 1981 the Mersea Island Festival has been an annual event each August at Essex Outdoors Mersea.

The festival aims to bring together children, young people and adults with or without a physical or learning disability to take part in a wide variety of activities that challenge and stimulate, helping to build the confidence and feelings of self-worth in participants.

At the same time, they are fun and exciting and an opportunity to make new friends.

Camp one begins next Sunday, August 21, lasting until Friday, August 26. Camp two then begins on the same Friday, lasting until August 29.

To find out more or book, visit merseafestival.org.uk//.

The Big 500 Celebrations

In August 1522, Henry VIII paid a visit to Henry Marney at Layer Marney Tower. Now, on August 21, the tower will commemorate 500 years since this visit and take guests back to Tudor times.

There will be lots going on with actors of Henry Marney and Henry VIII, a medicine woman, craftsmen & many more.

There will also be lots of activities and shows throughout the day such as Eden Falconry bringing some of their birds of prey, maypole dancing and archery.

The event is Sunday August 21 starting at 11am at Layer Marney Tower.

For more information or tickets, visit layermarneytower.co.uk/events/500-year-celebration-of-henry-viiis-visit/.