Picnic in the Park
Picnic in the Park is back for summer 2025!
Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August 2025, Melbourne Park
In this free community event, children and families can enjoy the first week of the summer holidays with our friendly team.
The activities are suitable for all children aged 3 to 11 years old, and include sports, games, free play, balance bikes available to use, climbing wall and crafts.
The event is run and organised by the Community Sport and Wellbeing Team at Chelmsford City Council, alongside partnered organisations.
All sessions are suitable for everyone, including those with accessible needs.
Food demos
Felicitous Foodology are providing food demonstration and tasting workshops (morning sessions) and fruit and vegetable tasting (afternoon sessions) throughout the week with a different food to sample each day.
These are available for everyone to book. Places are limited so make sure you book a separate ticket online to avoid missing out. (You can book this when you book your general admission ticket.)
- Monday: Stir fry
- Tuesday: Gnocchi
- Wednesday: Chilli tacos
- Thursday: Mexican meat-free
- Friday: Spaghetti Bolognaise
Catering
JP's Kitchen are providing a free hot lunch for children eligible for benefit-based free schools meals, with a varied menu throughout the week. Please do not book a lunch ticket if your child is not eligible for benefit-based free school meals.
- Monday: Beef burger, coleslaw and salad
- Tuesday: Chicken curry, rice and naan
- Wednesday: Vegetarian five-bean chili, rice and sour cream
- Thursday: Lasagna and garlic bread
- Friday: Chicken kebabs, Mexican rice and salad
Bring your own
Feel free to bring a picnic along for your lunch. Cloud 9 Coffee will be with us all week with hot and cold drinks and snacks available to purchase.
There will be a limited number of deckchairs that you can use, or bring a blanket with you.
The morning session runs from 10am to 12pm. Lunch is from 12pm to 1pm and the afternoon sessions runs from 1pm to 3pm.
All sessions are suitable for everyone, including those with additional needs.
General admission tickets are available on a first come first served basis and will depend on the event capacity. You can book your ticket now.
Monday 28 July: Balloons and bubbles
- Inflatable play park
- Balloon themed assault course
- Mister B balloon workshops
- Rock climbing wall
- Smoothie bike
- Arts and crafts
- Sports and games
- Have-a-go balance bikes
Tuesday 29 July: Animals
- Dinosaur assault course
- Dog slide castle
- Essex Therapy Dogs
- RSPB
- Rock climbing wall
- Smoothie bike
- Arts and crafts
- Sports and games
- Have-a-go balance bikes
Wednesday 30 July: Wheels and movement
- Hot Wheels inflatable
- Dodgem inflatable
- Parkour
- Skateboarding and scooting
- Fire engine (to be confirmed)
- Rock climbing wall
- Smoothie bike
- Arts and crafts
- Sports and games
- PCSOs and Community Protection Team
- Have-a-go balance bikes
Thursday 31 July: Pirates and princesses
- Pirate galleon inflatable
- Princess fantasy slide castle inflatable
- Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service
- RSPB
- Rock climbing wall
- Smoothie bike
- Arts and crafts
- Sports and games
- Have-a-go balance bikes
Friday a August: Circus
- Fun fair games
- 4 in 1 games inflatable
- Mister B Circus Skills
- Face painting
- CHP
- Rock climbing wall
- Smoothie bike
- Arts and crafts
- Sports and games
- Have-a-go balance bikes
The event is taking place in Melbourne Park.
The road entrance to the park is on Salerno Way, but you can access it on foot from Cheviot Drive, Melbourne Avenue and via the woods.
By car
There is free parking available in the car park accessible via the service road off Salerno Way.
By bus
Use routes 32, C2 or C3. Alight at Langton Avenue or at Melbourne shops.
