CHELMSFORD AT NIGHT
YOUR CITY CENTRE AFTER HOURS
Chelmsford After Hours helps the city centre thrive after dark. We champion nights out, back local venues and organisers, and help fund the safety work behind a welcoming night in Chelmsford.
YOUR NIGHT OUT
WHAT’S ON AFTER HOURS
Chelmsford after dark has more than one rhythm. Find live music, comedy, culture, screenings, games, all-ages events and inclusive nights out.
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Comedy
Stand-up and alcohol-free comedy nights, from city-centre gigs to one-off live shows.
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Culture & Screenings
Theatre, Cathedral events, special screenings and NT Live broadcasts at Everyman.
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Food, Drink & Games Nights
Competitive games, from axe throwing to augmented reality darts and karaoke.
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Under 18s & all-ages
All-ages events, from Riverside’s ice disco to teen-friendly live music.
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Live Music & DJs
Live sets and club nights at venues like Hot Box Live and Voodoo Keller.
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LGBTQ+ & Drag
Inclusive nights out, from drag bingo to queer-friendly events.
Ready to plan your next night out? Browse Chelmsford’s evening listings and find something worth staying out for.
WHAT CFY DOES
WE BACK THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THE NIGHT
Chelmsford For You is the city-centre Business Improvement District. We work with local businesses and partners to support a stronger, safer and more active Chelmsford.
Through After Hours, we champion the city’s night-time offer, support the people creating it and help coordinate the partnerships behind it.
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Promote Chelmsford after dark
We champion Chelmsford’s nightlife, profile local venues and help bring more visitors in.
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Support organisers
We help promoters, venues and community groups bring more events and nights to Chelmsford.
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Support safer nights out
We help fund and coordinate the city-centre safety network, supporting safer nights out for everyone.
ABOUT AFTER HOURS
WHY CHELMSFORD’S NIGHTS MATTER
Chelmsford’s evenings are shaped by the people who open the doors, book the acts, serve the drinks and give people reasons to stay out.
After Hours is CFY’s way of backing that work. We help connect the partners, funding and practical support that keep Chelmsford welcoming, active and well-run at night.
Our role is practical and behind the scenes: funding, signposting, partnership working and support for the venues, promoters and people who make the night happen.
PURPLE FLAG CITY
RECOGNISED FOR SAFER
NIGHTS OUT
Purple Flag recognises places with safe, varied and well-managed evening and night-time economies. Chelmsford has held Purple Flag status for 13 consecutive years.
SAFER NIGHTS
THE NETWORK BEHIND A SAFER
NIGHT OUT
Chelmsford's nighttime economy is supported by venues, police, outreach teams and city-centre safety schemes working together.
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Women's Safety Charter
Venues pledge to prioritise safety, train staff and support women who feel unsafe.
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Anti-spiking kits
Available in city centre venues torespond quickly where spiking is suspected
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Pubwatch
Licensed venues share safety informationand work together.
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CCTV & Townlink
Townlink links city-centre businesses with the CCTV Control Room, helping share information when incidents happen.
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Chelmsford SOS
On-street welfare support and a place of safety for anyone who needs help on a night out.
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Night Marshals
Visible city-centre support during busy night-time hours.
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Ask for Angela
Discreetly ask a participating venue for help if you feel unsafe.
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Best Bar None
An accreditation for well-run venues with trained staff and a commitment to customer safety.
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Taxi Marshals
Licensed marshals help manage city-centre taxi queues at busy times and support safer journeys home.
CONTACT CFY
TELL US WHAT YOU’RE PLANNING
Want to list an event, ask about the night-time economy or speak to the CFY team?
Send us the details and we’ll point you in the right direction.