Southend High Street and the seafront host Christmas in the City on Saturday 14 November 2026 – a full day of festive entertainment building up to the switch-on of the Christmas lights.

Southend-on-Sea City Council lists the event as free. Expect street entertainment, stalls and family activities along the High Street before the big switch-on in the evening.

Full timings and the stage line-up are published by Southend BID, which runs the day with the council. Southend Central and Southend Victoria stations are both a short walk from the High Street.