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Christmas Events in Essex

Christmas Events & Activities in Essex

It's the most wonderful time of the year - Christmas in Essex is packed full of festive fun and things to do for the whole family. Discover some excellent Christmas events and activities near you in Essex such as the Marsh Farm Magical Christmas Experience, ice skating at Lakeside in Thurrock, and so much more. Attend Christmas fairs and markets, visit Santa in his grotto, and laugh till your stomach hurts at a pantomime show taking place at your local theatre!

Christmas Activities

Whether you’re looking for the perfect children’s Christmas day out near you or Christmas activities to do with friends, you won’t be short of things to do in Essex this festive season. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas Fair and visit with Santa at the Museum of Power in Maldon, or create memories that will last a lifetime with Christmas at Ho Ho Hopefield! If you enjoy traditional Christmas activities, spend a lunchtime or evening at Layer Marney Tower and step into the tale of A Christmas Carol. For an outdoor Christmas activity, you won’t want to miss the stunning Enlightened in Colchester Castle Park – walk through a wonderland of amazing lights and colour!

Visit Santa

Are you ready to visit Santa in Essex this Christmas? Meet Father Christmas at his grotto where he'll be waiting with a gift for those on the nice list at one of the various Santa experiences across Essex. Hop on the train to see him at Audley End Miniature Railway or head to Colchester Zoo for holiday fun and animal encounters! Enjoy soft play and visit Santa at Little Monster’s House of Fun or enjoy the Father Christmas experience at Chelmsford Museum. There are many places to visit Santa in Essex this Christmas – the only question is, will you be on the naughty or nice list?

Christmas Meals Out

Enjoy delicious food and drink from three-course Christmas dinners to festive afternoon teas and more in Essex this winter. Step into a winter wonderland at Talliston House & Gardens and enjoy their fantastic Faerie Tale Christmas complete with a festive afternoon tea. Feast upon a delicious Christmas Day or Boxing Day lunch at the 1935 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar in Southend-on-Sea. Stoke-by-Nayland Resort will be serving up a delectable Boxing Day Carvery Lunch. Which Christmas meal out will you choose?

Pantomime Shows

Of course, we can't forget the classic family day out to the theatre for the traditional Christmas pantomime shows in Essex! Choose from one or more of Essex's top theatres including Cliffs Pavilion, Princes Theatre, Mercury Theatre, and Harlow Playhouse for your festive production. If you’re looking for a pantomime in Colchester, we hear that Elf: The Musical taking place at Charter Hall staring Jake Quickenden is set to be quite the performance. Learn more about pantomimes in Essex here.

Christmas Markets in Essex

What better place to do a spot of Christmas shopping than a Christmas fair or market? Peruse a variety of stalls selling crafts, food and drink, and other fantastic presents for your loved ones at an array of events taking place across the county. Christmas at Markshall is set to be an enchanting Christmas market that you won’t want to miss, offering an array of gifts and seasonal treats. If you love a street market, attend the Braintree Christmas Street Market or Maldon High Street market! We highly recommend the Chelmsford Cathedral Christmas Market too. Discover more Christmas fairs and markets in Essex here.

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Number of results: 40

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The Christmas Destination at Lakeside

Address

Lakeside Shopping Centre, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex, RM20 2ZP

Telephone
01277600320

laura@key-lime.co.uk

Price
Free

West Thurrock, Grays

Round up your friends, family or even work colleagues and create new memories together on our all-weather, fully-covered ice rink! ⛸️

Sessions are an hour long, with 45 minutes of skating time for you to show off your moves. Not too confident or…

Dates

From:

15 Nov 2024to5 Jan 2025Open 04:00 - 10:00
Christmas Special at Audley End Miniature Railway

Address

Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JB

Telephone
01799 510726

enquiries@aemr.co.uk

Price
Price £23.00 Per Ticket

Saffron Walden

Make memories this Christmas at Audley End Miniature Railway and journey into the magical woods to the grotto. Each child will receive a special Christmas gift.

Dates

From:

21 Nov 2024to24 Dec 2024Open 09:00 - 20:00
Santa's Wild Wonderland

Address

Call of the Wild, Wickford Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 5QZ

Telephone
01245324043

info@callofthewildzoo.co.uk

Price
Price £45.00 Per Ticket

South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford

Embark on a festive experience like no other at Call of the Wild Zoo's brand new Christmas experience 'Santa's Wild Wonderland'

Dates

From:

23 Nov 2024to24 Dec 2024Open 09:30 - 16:00
The New Adventures of Peter Pan

Address

Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT

Colchester

Take flight with Peter Pan in an epic pantomime adventure!

Dates

From:

23 Nov 2024to19 Jan 2025
Havering Christmas Land

Address

Hornchurch Road, HORNCHURCH, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1JU

Telephone
01708457040

ciaran.white@haveringmind.org.uk

Price
Price £4.50 Per Ticket

Hornchurch

A spectacular Christmas lights trail, where thousands of dazzling lights and festive decorations will create an enchanting experience for all ages

Dates

From:

27 Nov 2024to1 Jan 2025Open 16:30 - 20:30
Christmas Corner at Festival Leisure Park

Address

Festival Way, Basildon, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3WB

Telephone
01277600320

laura@key-lime.co.uk

Basildon

Join us for some festive family fun, toast marshmallows over a live fire, and catch a thrill on the rides including Twister, Ferris Wheel, Dodgems, Bungee Trampolines, and more!

Dates

From:

29 Nov 2024to24 Dec 2024

From:

26 Dec 2024to5 Jan 2025
Snow White

Address

Chelmsford Theatre, Chelmsford Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JG

Telephone
01245 606505

boxoffice@chelmsford.gov.uk

Fairfield Road, Chelmsford

Snow White and friends glide into Chelmsford for our 2024 pantomime with all the ingredients of a perfect family Christmas treat at Chelmsford Theatre.

Dates

From:

29 Nov 2024to5 Jan 2025
Dick Whittington

Address

Harlow Playhouse, The High, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1LS

Telephone
01279431945

Playhouse.Boxoffice@Harlow.Gov.Uk

Price
Price £22.00 to £24.00 Per Ticket

Harlow

Join us this Christmas on a dazzling adventure at Harlow Playhouse for our 2024 Pantomime, "Dick Whittington,"

Dates

From:

29 Nov 2024to5 Jan 2025
Visit Santa's Magical Grotto

Address

Romford Shopping Hall, Romford, Essex, RM13AB

Telephone
01708740492

michelle.fitzgibbons@landmanagementltd.co.uk

Price
Price £12.50 Per Ticket

Romford

Santa's Magical Grotto Returns

Dates

From:

30 Nov 2024to24 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 15:30
Little Monsters Santa's Grotto

Address

Little Monsters House of Fun, Unit 5 Ford Farm, Braintree Road, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1HU

info@littlemonsterparty.co.uk

Price
Price £2.50 to £17.50 Per Ticket

Braintree Road, Great Dunmow

FOR CHRISTMAS 2024, Little Monsters will once again create a fantastic festive Grotto, offering a unique personalised Santa experience where you will MEET SANTA IN PERSON.

Dates

From:

30 Nov 2024to23 Dec 2024Open 09:30 - 16:30
You've been Grinched!

Address

Braintree Town Hall, Market Square, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3YG

Telephone
07927206108

Info@bigupthesky.co.uk

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

Market Square, Braintree

A party entertainment company is excited to present "YOU'VE BEEN GRINCHED!", a festive and interactive experience where the beloved Grinched will visit homes to create lasting Christmas memories for children and families.
• A choice between a…

Dates

From:

30 Nov 2024to24 Dec 2024Open 08:00 - 20:00
Christmas at Culver Square

Address

Culver Square, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JQ

Telephone
07507693801

kelly.pugh@toolbox-marketing.com

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Colchester

Ready to see Santa at Culver Square, Colchester?

Dates

From:

30 Nov 2024to23 Dec 2024
Festive Afternoon Tea

Address

Stoke by Nayland Resort, Leavenheath, Colchester, Essex, CO6 4PZ

Telephone
01206 262836

sales@stokebynayland.com

Price
Price £24.95 Per Ticket

Leavenheath, Colchester

Enjoy a festive afternoon tea with friends, colleagues or loved ones this December.

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2024to23 Dec 2024Open 12:00 - 15:00
Animal Mysteries Festive Trail

Address

Explore Essex County Parks, Various, Essex, CM3 4AW

Explore.Essex@Essex.gov.uk

Price
Free

Various

Find and count the winter animals hiding in the park and discover the magic number to enter our prize draw to win an Explorer Pass.

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2024to5 Jan 2025Open 08:00 - 04:30
Christmas at Riverside festive ice skating!

Address

Riverside Leisure Centre, Riverside Leisure Centre, Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1FG

Telephone
01245 615050

riverside@chelmsford.gov.uk

Price
Price £8.50 Per Ticket

Victoria Road, Chelmsford

Join us at Riverside Ice Rink from 1 Dec to 3 Jan for festive skating fun, music, lights, and delicious treats. Book online or call 01245 615050. Skate hire included!

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2024to3 Jan 2025Open 10:00 - 16:30
Faerie Tale Christmas at Talliston

Address

Great Dunmow, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1DT

Telephone
07760171100

info@talliston.com

Price
Price £44.99 Per Ticket

Great Dunmow

Talliston House & Gardens presents: Faerie Tale Christmas, an enchanted world of light, music, colour and sound at Britain's most extraordinary home.

Dates

From:

2 Dec 2024to12 Jan 2025Open 12:00 - 15:30

From:

2 Dec 2024to12 Jan 2025Open 19:00 - 22:30
The Ho Ho Ho Christmas Show

Address

Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT

Colchester

Get into the festive spirit as you travel to Santa's workshop to meet Ivy the new Head Elf.

Dates

From:

3 Dec 2024to24 Dec 2024
SNOW WHITE - CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME

Address

Thameside Complex, Orsett Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 5DX

Telephone
01375413981

dhoneywill@thurrock.gov.uk

Grays

Mirror Mirror On The Wall. What's the fairest panto of them all?
Following last year's record breaking pantomime the Thameside Theatre are proud to present this year's magical Christmas extravaganza SNOW WHITE.
This enchanting fairytale will…

Dates

From:

4 Dec 2024to5 Jan 2025
Enlightened 2024

Address

Colchester Castle Park, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ

Telephone
01206 636849

info@colchester-events.co.uk

Price
Price £8.00 to £11.00 Per Ticket

Colchester

For the 3rd year running, the sell-out illuminated phenomenon is returning to the magnificent Castle Park in Colchester this winter.

Dates

From:

6 Dec 2024to24 Dec 2024Open 17:00 - 20:00
The Great Christmas Sleigh Ride 2024

Address

Harlow Playhouse, The High, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1LS

Telephone
01279 431945

playhouse.boxoffice@harlow.gov.uk

Price
Price £9.50 to £12.50 Per Ticket

Harlow

A fun-filled, sing-along, interactive festive show

Dates

From:

7 Dec 2024to24 Dec 2024