We will be back at the Palace Theatre for Christmas Film Sunday on 6th December 2026. Watch this space for the programme.
We will be back at the Palace Theatre for Christmas Film Sunday on 6th December 2026. Watch this space for the programme.
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events
Sunday films at the Palace
Sadly, the Sunday at the Palace films have come to an end for the time being.
We will however be back again for our Christmas Film Sunday on 6 December 2026 so please add this date to your diaries.
White Bus Secret Cinema Club
We are delighted to present the White Bus Secret Cinema Club every Wednesday in our cinema at The Old Waterworks.
These evenings are centred around our huge collection of 16mm and 35mm film. This includes hundreds of documentaries, cartoons and short films as well as over 260 feature films. Every Wednesday we screen a selection of films from the archive, starting at 7pm with an hour or so of documentaries and short films, followed by a feature film. Most of the material is British, with the features ranging in age from the 1930s to the 1990s. All this for a minimum donation of £3 towards our running costs.
These are fun, social events entirely staffed by volunteers who love 'real' film! Tea, coffee and biscuits are available for a nominal amount during the interval.
cult night screenings
Once a month the Alone in the Dark: Over a Century of Stalk and Slash book in conjunction with The White Bus Cinema bring you a double-bill of exploitation, horror, action, and just plain sleaze from around the world. Our Cult Night takes place on one Friday every month (except January and August) bringing you mainstream genre classics alongside rarely seen cult or B-movies unearthed and curated by co-authors Phil Morrison and Haydn Watkins.
Next screening:
Friday 5th December
Doors open at 18:30 at the White Bus cinema with the first film beginning at 19:00. Tickets just £5.
outdoor summer screenings
That's a wrap for 2025! Check back for the 2026 schedule.
Big Screen Southend in conjunction with The White Bus and Visit Southend host FREE summer outdoor cinema screenings outside The Forum in Southend-on-Sea.
These screenings take place on Saturdays throughout August at 15.00. Please bring your own chairs and blankets.
The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1NB
relaxed children's screenings
We are pleased to present, in our cinema at The Old Waterworks, film shows for children in a relaxed atmosphere. These allow the opportunity to experience a 'big screen' film show while allowing parents and carers to relax, safe in the knowledge that, if their children are a bit boisterous (or even want to leave halfway through!), it doesn't matter at all.
The screenings are funded by the Council under their Short Breaks initiative and admission is free to children and parents/carers. Soft drinks and tea/coffee are available all at no cost or you are welcome to bring your own food and drink. There's ample parking on site.
Screenings are held one Saturday a month from September to March, excluding December. All films are either 'U' or 'PG' certificate. Classic cartoons are shown for half an hour before the films come on.
Our 2025/26 programme
Saturday 10 January - Rebellious
Saturday 7 February - Cats in the Museum
Saturday 7 March - Panda Bear in Africa
The films will be shown at 10.30am and 2pm (doors open at 10.00am and 1.30pm)
For further information or to make a booking contact David Simpson at david@thewhitebus.org.uk or 07754 391163
The White Bus cinema, The Old Waterworks, North Road, Southend-on-Sea SS0 7AB