What’s new in 2026: festivals, trails, wild dining and 150 years of Essex Cricket!

1st January 2026

Visit Essex, the county’s tourism organisation, reveals what’s new to see and do in 2026. 

From the new State Fayre Festival at Hylands Park, Chelmsford to wild table dining and dog walking trails, the county has lots of new attractions to offer. 
Councillor Mark Durham, Chair of Visit Essex, is excited about the growing tourism offer in the county. He explained: “Tourism in Essex is big business. Our tourism industry is bigger than Cornwall’s and brings in £3.57 billion a year. It’s great to see our hospitality and attraction providers are investing in their offer and launching new experiences for our visitors to enjoy.” 

What’s new in Essex in 2026?
1   Essex County Cricket Club’s 150th anniversary
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Essex County Cricket Club. Catch a match at their Chelmsford base and see where the cricketing greats, such as Alastair Cook, Graham Gooch and Nasser Hussain once stepped up to the wicket. 

2   Vegan beer
Say ‘cheers’ to 2026 with a bottle of Brentwood Brewery’s finest. This year they will be launching a new vegan beer, just in time for everyone’s New Year’s resolutions. Take a visit to their brewery for tastings, tours and even make your own brew!

3   Afternoon Teas and Lunches with a twist!
Wivenhoe House Hotel will be serving up a twist on their traditional afternoon teas, with a series of special collaborations. Enjoy the fragrances of Jo Malone with one of their expert stylists, before indulging in a delectable afternoon tea, 15 February. Treat your ‘soul sister’ to a music themed Mother’s Day afternoon tea with MJ Soul, 14-15 March. 

Beauty lovers can enjoy a two-course lunch at the Wivenhoe House Hotel with a make-up and skincare masterclass from the team at Charlotte Tilbury, 29 March. 

4   State Fayre Festival
The new festival launches in Chelmsford this year. State Fayre Festival promises to deliver ‘good times, good music and good food’ and will take place on 26-28 June at Hylands Park, Chelmsford. Topping the bill will be Neil Young, Kings of Leon, Elvis Costello and The Lumineers. 

5   Colchester Castle Summer Series
Essex is attracting even more world-class names to its Colchester Castle Summer Series this year. Headline acts include global DJ and dance icon Fat Boy Slim, former lead singer of the Verve, Richard Ashcroft, indie pop sensations, Bastille, plus Becky Hill and Billy Ocean. Catch the sights and sounds in Colchester’s Castle Park from 20-29 August. 

6   Dog Walking Trails
Walkies! Essex is home to eight ‘Explore Essex’ country parks, from Cudmore Grove on Mersea Island to Belhus Woods in South Ockenden. Set among natural beauty the country parks are a wonderful place for locals to walk, run or take their four-legged friend on an adventure! New this Spring will be a series of dog walking trails at each of the sites. Treat your canine to fresh sights and smells at each of these country parks, ideal to keep those tails wagging. 

7   Rochford Treasure Trails
Get the family moving in 2026 by heading out on a treasure trail in Rochford! The local council has enabled three new trails which cover woods and villages (Hockley and Hawkwell), town and reservoir (Rochford), rivers (Roach and Crouch). Each trail is themed as a detective mystery, treasure hunt or spy mission! Each take about two hours to complete and the self-guided tours can be downloaded at www.treasuretrails.co.uk. 

8   Take off from Stansted
Essex is a hub for international travel. New destinations being launched at Stansted this year include, flights to Istanbul via Turkish Airlines (from 18 March) and Bodrum, Turkey with Ajet (from 26 June). Fights will also be taking off to Malmo, Sweden with Ryanair from 1 April and Paris with EasyJet from 5 March.  

9   Sailing adventures
January is a great time to set resolutions. If you’ve always dreamt of learning to sail, now is the time! Essex Outdoors are launching ‘learn to sail’ weekends in Bradwell. Wannabe sailors can take to the waters on the Blackwater estuary under expert tuition. The course includes all equipment and  accommodation at the Essex outdoor centre. 

10   Wild table dining and world supper clubs
Essex is a hotbed for culinary talent. Treat yourself to a wild table woodland dining experience at Teybrook Orchard, near Marks Tey. Sit among the trees as chef prepares the freshest seasonal ingredients over a roaring fire. Meet new people, make new friends and share the beauty and tastes of the great outdoors. 

Join foodies at Tuffon Hall Vineyard, near Sible Hedingham, for their new ‘Around the World Supper Club.’ Celebrate a continent through a specially curated menu with perfectly paired drinks. Slow down, share stories, and explore the world by cuisine.

To discover more about the icons of Essex, go to www.visitessex.com.