New events coming to Hylands Estate this autumn from the producer of Enlightened

The producer of the popular Christmas light trail, Enlightened, is bringing two new seasonal events to Chelmsford’s Hylands Estate later this year.

In September, an outdoor drone light show – perfect for an early autumn evening – will come to Hylands, while in October, some frightening new trails will celebrate the spooky season.

The front exterior of Hylands House lit up at night.

The new events will further boost Hylands’ diverse calendar of activities, which for 2026 already includes: the National Flower Show; major music festival State Fayre; Adventure Cinema screenings; Shakespearian outdoor theatre and, of course, the Enlightened winter light trail.

Councillor Jennie Lardge, Cabinet Deputy for Cultural Services at Chelmsford City Council, says Hylands’ rich programme of events reinforces Chelmsford’s status as a bustling city of great experiences:

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“As we’ve seen from the huge programme of events coming to Chelmsford this year, our city is a hub of festivals and activities in the heart of Essex, and these two new events coming to Hylands add to this rich landscape of cultural experiences.

“Families, friends and individuals across Chelmsford will, I’m sure, be looking forward to these autumn events, which between them offer something new for all ages to enjoy.”

Councillor Jennie Lardge, Cabinet Deputy for Cultural Services, Chelmsford City Council

A Curious Adventure in lights for all ages

A Curious Adventure: The Alice in Wonderland Drone Spectacular comes to Hylands Estate for the first time on 4 and 5 September. This new show will see over 500 illuminated drones bring the enchanting story of Alice in Wonderland to life in the open air. Modern drone technology will recreate iconic scenes and characters from this beloved 19th-century tale, dancing across the night sky for all to enjoy.

The event will also feature scrumptious street food from local traders and an evening funfair, making it perfect for young families to enjoy. Don’t be late for this very important date!

A Curious Adventure tickets are on sale now. Get your tickets at www.alicedroneshow.com

Hylands Fear Fest trails to debut this October

Running nightly from Friday 16 October to Sunday 1 November, Hylands Fear Fest will transform the historic estate into a chilling Halloween playground, featuring two immersive experiences designed to thrill and entertain.

Families and children aged 7+ will enjoy a new magical and mischievous outdoor adventure with the Fear Fest Spooky Trail. Expect a creative world of playful ghouls, whimsical characters, and interactive moments, which blends gentle scares with plenty of eerie fun. At the trail’s end, visitors will also discover a lively fairground alongside a selection of tasty treats and warming drinks to round off the experience.

For older Halloween fans who are looking for a truly spine-tingling experience, Fear Fest Extreme offers a higher intensity scream experience. This nighttime trail through Hylands’ woodlands features live actors, terrifying set pieces, unexpected scares and cutting-edge special effects. Not for the faint-hearted, Fear Fest Extreme is suitable for thrill seekers aged 15+.

Tickets for Hylands Fear Fest go on sale from 1 June 2026. Sign up for pre-sale access at www.hylandsfearfest.com

Events organiser, Carl Miller, is thrilled to be bringing more events to Hylands Estate:

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“We’ve successfully worked with the team at Hylands Estate for many years now on our very popular Enlightened light trails and I’m excited to be bringing more events to the estate this year. Hylands’ stunning grounds – with its winding woodlands and historic pleasure gardens – are the perfect setting for our new whimsical drone show and eerie Halloween nights. I can’t wait to see visitors’ reactions to what we have in store.”

Carl Miller, Producer, The Colour Project & Aerial Artworks

The back exterior of Hylands House photographed at dusk.