Southend City Jam 2026: Where to find live art this August
Southend-on-Sea is set to transform into a sprawling open-air gallery this August as the Southend City Jam returns for its fifth anniversary. The three-day festival, which is completely free to attend, will run from Friday 28 August to Sunday 30 August 2026, bringing a global lineup of street artists to the city centre and seafront.
Festival locations and map access
This year’s event covers a wide footprint across the city centre and the seafront. To assist residents and visitors in navigating the various installations, the Southend-on-Sea City Council has published an official festival map. This digital resource is the primary tool for attendees to pinpoint exactly where internationally renowned street artists will be working live throughout the weekend.
The map is designed to help the public plan their route to see large-scale murals and installations as they are created in real-time. It also identifies the specific locations for community workshops, which are returning by popular demand to provide people of all ages with the opportunity to engage directly with the creative process.
What to expect at the fifth anniversary
As one of Europe’s largest street art festivals, the 2026 edition features a diverse range of talent. Australian street art star Sofles has been confirmed as a headline artist for the event. The festival aims to balance world-class creators with local talent, with the intention that much of the resulting artwork will remain in the city as a permanent addition to its cultural collection.
Cllr Matt Dent, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture, Music and Tourism, noted that the festival is designed to be an immersive experience. Beyond observing live mural creation, the event encourages visitors to meet the artists and participate in community-led creative activities, moving beyond the role of a passive spectator.
The practical picture
To help you plan your visit, here are the essential details for the weekend:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday 28 August – Sunday 30 August 2026 |
| Venue | Southend city centre and seafront |
| Cost | Free entry |
| Official Resources | Map and schedule at www.southendcityjam.co.uk |
While the official map provides the locations for art and workshops, visitors are encouraged to explore the city centre and seafront at their own pace across the three-day weekend. There is no requirement to book tickets for general attendance, and the event is open to the public throughout the specified dates. For the most up-to-date information on specific workshop timings and artist locations, attendees should refer to the official festival website.
Source: Southend-on-Sea City Council
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Source check Event verification
The event details were verified against the official council press release and the festival's official portal.
- Confirmed dates: 28-30 August 2026
- Confirmed location: City centre and seafront
- Confirmed cost: Free
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- Southend-on-Sea City Council
- Scope
- Southend-on-Sea
- Updated
- 2026-08-21 10:04
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