Unless you're off to the beach to enjoy some sunshine this weekend, here are ten things to keep you entertained:

  • CARNIVAL Colchester Carnival, town centre

When: Tomorrow 1pm to 3pm

How much: Free, donations welcome

Contact: colchestercarnival.com

IT’S that time of year again as Colchester Carnival rolls into town. This year's theme is fairy tales, myths and legends, so expect some fantastic costumes and decorated floats. The procession begins at 1pm at Abbey Field (Circular Road North), and continues on to Butt Road, Headgate, Head Street and finishes at the end of the High Street. 

  • Circular Road North – 1.00pm
  • Butt Road – 1.05pm
  • Southway – 1.15pm
  • Headgate – 1.20pm
  • High Street – 1.30pm
  • Colchester Castle – 1.40pm

Gazette:

  • WALK Criminal Colchester, town centre

When: Tomorrow, 4.30pm

How much: Adults £4.20, children (five to 15) £3.10 – booking essential

Contact: 01206 282920

JOIN retired Inspector McCabe as he investigates the illicit, illegal and downright felonious side of Colchester’s colourful past on this one-and-a-half-hour walk.

  • EXHIBITION Frinton-on-Sea Model Railway Exhibition, St Mary's Church Hall, Old Road, Frinton

When: Tomorrow, 10am to 4.30pm

How much: Adults £5, children £2, families £12

MORE than 12 model railway layouts, along with a number of trade stands, will be on show in a variety of scales from tiny Z gauge to garden sized G scale.
The exhibition is being supported by clubs and modellers from around Essex and Suffolk and many of the layouts are new to the exhibition circuit. 

Gazette: Model Railway Exhibition

  • FESTIVAL Eight Ash Green Music Festival, Fordham Heath, Huxtables Lane, Eight Ash Green

When: Today and tomorrow, 7pm to 11pm (today), 1pm to 11pm (tomorrow)

How much: Free

THERE'S a huge programme of the very best in local musical acts taking to the Fordham Heath stages this weekend.

It all starts tonight with sets from the likes of Castaway and The Occupants and then tomorrow Clacton band Surge will be performing on the Main stage as will Ghosts of Men and Stone Shuffle Jones, while over on Theo's Acoustic Stage acts include Matt Selley, Phil Marino and Cake Stupid.

  • COUNTRY AND GARDEN SHOW Marks Hall Country and Garden Show, Marks Hall, Marks Hall Road, Coggeshall,

When: Until tomorrow, from 10am

How much: Adults £9, £7 on website, children under 15s free

Contact: 07802 282193

A FUNDRAISING event for Essex Air Ambulance and Colchester Rotary Club, there's classic cars, heavy horses, a falconry display and a whole lot more to amuse both young and old.

Gazette:

  • FAMILY Roman Fun Day, Roman Circus Centre, Roman Circus Walk, Off Butt Road, Colchester

When: Tomorrow, 11am to 4pm

How much: Free

Contact: 01206 501785

IT'S easy to forget we have one of the most important Roman archaeology sites in the world right under our feet.

So celebrate the Roman Circus Track with a day of flint-knapping, Roman jewellery-making, pot-making and Lego building courtesy of Colchester Young Archaeologists’ Club.

There's also guided tour of the circus site and centre by Trust guides, at 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

Gazette:

When: Tonight, doors 7.30pm

How much: £11, £10 concessions

Contact: 01206 500900

HEAVY metal outfit well known for their dual vocal assaults which should blow the roof off the Church Street venue once again. There's also a good support line-up with London's bright new metal things, Stoneghost and Belfast hardcore outfit By Any Means.

Gazette:

When: Sunday 1pm and 3pm

How much: £6

Contact: 01206 366000

DOT Productions Youth Groups host their annual summer show with a selection of songs and dances all based on myths and legends, written by Louisa-Marie Hunt.

  • FAMILY Puzzles in the park, Castle Park, Colchester

When: Tomorrow, 11am to 3pm

How much: Adults £3, children free

More info: stragglers.info/home/

NAVIGATE your way round Castle Park and take a selfie at each checkpoint, or take part in a timed maze challenge using electronic race-timing equipment. Activities are suitable for all ages.

Gazette:

  • MUSIC Sweeting Swing Band, the Band Stand, Castle Park, Colchester

When: Sunday, 3pm to 5pm

How much: Free

ENJOY some swing music in the park, from classic big band swing to film and stage classics, to rock and pop favourites.