THOUSANDS of families will line Southend’s seafront tonight for a spectacular Halloween carnival boasting a packed programme of music, dancing, and amazing costumes.

The Halloween Parade, now a fixture in Southend’s event calendar, will return to the seafront this evening with ghastly ghouls, spooky skeletons and much more marching through the city.

The free event, which is “bigger and better than ever”, will see a dazzling spectacle featuring more than 70 acts and a mesmerising fireworks finale that will light up the night sky.

It will begin at 6pm from the Eastern Esplanade car park, before arriving at Southend Pier between 6.30pm to 6.45pm.

The parade will then continue up towards the Western Esplanade, where it is set to finished by Roberto’s at around 7.30pm.

After the parade, visitors will be able to take in the fabulous set of free fireworks which can be seen from anywhere along Southend seafront to finish off the night.

With thousands of people expected, car parks will fill up fast. The eastern esplanade will be closed for the parade as well as Western Esplanade from Southend Pier to Roberto’s between 7am and Midnight.

Some of the car parks that are nearby include Fairhead Green, Seaway Car Park, Royals Shopping Centre, Alexandra Street, Clarence Road, York Road, Tylers Avenue, Warrior Square, University Square, Essex Street, and Victoria Shopping Centre.

The weather in Southend on Saturday is expected to be between 12’c and 15’c with light rain and a moderate breeze.

There will be many people involved in the parade, from families, to clubs, to performers, and charities - all on different spooky floats.

Kieran Walker, from Southend Ghostbusters, said: “Myself and the rest of the Southend Ghostbusters will be in the parade again along with the Ghostbusters car ECTO-1.

“That will also be parked up by the Odeon during the day before the parade for photos.

“We absolutely love doing the Halloween Parade every year. We have taken part every year since it began. It brings the whole of Southend together and there are always good vibes at the parade.

“It puts Southend on the map, as I know people from all over the country who know about this parade. We simply love it.”