Southend is traditionally a place of family holidays and fun days out.

As well as all the static all-year-round attractions like Adventure Island, there is also a host of special events to help the summer go with even more swing.

These have already started with the popular (if wet this year) Southend Airshow, and the Southend band contest, and they continue throughout the next few months.

On June 11 the Southend half marathon and fun run will raise money for Fairhavens and Little Haven Children's Hospices.

The run will be held at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre. Entry forms are available by calling 01702 220350.

Leigh folk festival is all booked up and ready to run from June 23 to 25. The festival is one of the largest free music festivals with song, dance and over 500 performers.

For those who prefer orchestral music, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be heading into town to perform a programme of classical favourites on June 25.

John Giordiardis will take the orchestra through its paces ending up with a firework finale.

The concert will be held in Priory Park and concert-goers are encouraged to bring their own picnics, champagne and Union Jacks for that special Last Night of the Proms feeling.

More music is on offer during July, this time at the bandstand.

On July 2 Southend Festival Orchestra will perform music from favourite ballets. On July 9 the Southend Band will perform music from the stage and screen and on July 16 Southend Festival Orchestra and Chorus will perform an opera gala and proms finale.

The popular London to Southend Classic Car Run will finish on Southend Seafront, Western Esplanade, at 12.30am - old motors allowing.

The 200 vehicles, which all date from before 1970, will be on display following the drive.

August starts with the annual Jazz Festival. Veteran jazzmen George Melly and Kenny Ball will be among the performers coming to the town appearing at different venues between August 1 and 6.

The town carnival is on Saturday, August 19, with a week-long prelude from August 11 with special charity events and a fun fair.

The carnival will culminate with a celebrity switch-on of the seafront illuminations and a firework spectacular.

At the end of August there will be a Thames sailing barge match starting from the pier head.

Fifteen majestic and historic barges will race for trophies on August 26.

Cricket lovely cricket will be in Southchurch Park from August 30 with two championship matches between Essex and Glamorgan.

Every Saturday from September 9 until November 4 there will be a free firework spectacular from the end of the pier and the summer season will be brought to a close on the weekend of September 16 and 17 with Old Leigh Regatta.

The annual weekend of family fun has sailing races, novelty water events and on-shore entertainment that includes football in the mud and a cockle-eating competition.

Tickets for most of these events are already available from the Tourist Information Centre, High Street, Southend or call 01702 215120.

Summer fun - Leigh Regatta is one of the highlights of the special events in Southend's summer calander

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