Audience Information

Admission

The Festival is a celebration of the Arts in Southend and for that reason anyone is welcome to come along and watch the competition. So, if you’d like to see some of the best performances in the area, then tickets are available to purchase at the door; for the whole day (£5) or any of the three-hour sessions (£2.50). Information on the itinerary is available in the programme. For those attending the second Tuesday session (Ensembles) there is no admission fee. For those who would like to attend many sessions, we have a ‘Friend of the Festival’ which is £12 for an individual or £20 for a family and gives you access to all sessions.

Please note Audience Information for the Primary School Choirs Morning on 27th November 2026

All audience tickets must be purchased online  in advance, the link will be available closer to the time when the scheduling has taken place. 

Tickets will not be available on the door for the school choir morning.

Tickets: £3 per class

To watch both classes, you will need to purchase a separate ticket for each class. This helps us manage audience numbers and ensures everyone enjoys a comfortable experience.

The timetable

The timetable will be available for all classes by the end of October once the entries have been submitted and the schedule has been created.

Prize Winners’ Concert

As a celebration of the Festival, on the Sunday after the Singing Section we hold the Prize Winners’ Concert. This is where a selection of the winners from all sections perform again. It is a wonderful opportunity to see a collection of music and speech and drama from across the region. Tickets are available from the reception of the festival £7 (including interval festive refreshments), there is no charge for those under 12.

Refreshments

At both venues you will find a reception area where refreshments will be available to buy.

No food or drink is allowed in either Performance Area

Toilets

Toilet facilities are available at both venues

Sheet Music/CDs

We have a large selection of second-hand sheet music, CDs and some books at the Church, which you are welcome to browse through – if you’d like to take any, all we ask is that you make a suitable donation

General Guidelines

We will ask you, in all areas, to remain as quiet as possible to not disturb the performers. Due to copyright and safeguarding reasons, there is no audio or video recording of any of the performers.

Finding Us

Kings Road United Reformed Church

Crowstone Road
Westcliff-On-Sea
Essex SS0 8LH

Directions

There are a limited number of parking spaces beside the Church, although local street parking is relatively painless. The nearest public car parks are around a 15 minute walk away at Shorefield Road & Hamlet Court Road

The Frampton Theatre

Southend High School for Boys
Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-On-Sea
Essex SS0 0RG

Directions

The Frampton Theatre is situated in the grounds of Southend High School for Boys and the car park is situated in the school grounds off Prittlewell Chase. When parking, please be cautious of pedestrians.