Summer is just around the corner and we’re getting ready for long, sunny days in our home county of Essex. What better way to celebrate the start of the summer season than by attending a festival?

We’ve put together a list of our top 24 local summer festivals across Essex. From May to August the county will host everything from film festivals and food festivals to music festivals and even niche performance and craft festivals. This summer’s events are a real mixed bag, so there is something for absolutely everyone!

Highlights include the annual V Festival in Chelmsford (20 – 21 Aug); this year will be the event’s 21st birthday and they are celebrating with their biggest line-up yet. If you’re more into art and culture, keep weekends free for the Burnham Art Trail (6 – 10 July), The Fling Art Festival (2 July) and the Brentwood Children’s Literary Festival (9 July).

For those that love to while away the day trying delicious new foods and sipping at their favourite tipple, a food festival is just the ticket. Luckily, Essex is spoilt for choice this summer with the likes of the Essex Festival of Food and Drink (16 – 17 Aug), Clacton-on-Sea Real Ale and Cider Festival (24 – 27 Aug) and a huge number of tasty beer festivals. Get us to the beer tent!

For more information on all the fantastic events going on in Essex, download our free Ultimate Essex Local Summer Festival Guide below.