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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: 102

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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
Festive Wreath Making

Address

Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens, Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7DB

Telephone
+441206822007

matthew@bethchatto.co.uk

Price
Price £1.00 to £25.00 Per Ticket

Elmstead Market, Colchester

Festive Wreath Making every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Our morning session is child friendly. Little ones can join in and make their own version.

Dates

From:

21 Nov 2024to23 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00

From:

28 Nov 2024to30 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00

From:

5 Dec 2024to7 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00

From:

12 Dec 2024to14 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00
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
Haven House Santa's Grotto

Address

Northfield Nursery, Sewardstone Road, Chingford, Essex, E4 7RG

events@havenhouse.org.uk

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Chingford

Join Haven House for a magical Santa's Grotto open every weekend from Saturday 23 November to Sunday 22 December at Northfields Nursery.

Dates

From:

23 Nov 2024to22 Dec 2024Open 09:00 - 16:30
Lighting Up Brentwood

Address

High Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4AJ

Telephone
01277 312801

brentwoodconnected@brentwood.gov.uk

Brentwood

Annual Christmas event in Brentwood from BRENTWOOD CONNECTED Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with Brentwood Borough Council.

Dates

From:
23 Nov 2024Open 12:00 - 18:00
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
Braintree Christmas Street Market

Address

High Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 1TX

Telephone
01376 552525

streetmarket@braintree.gov.uk

Price
Free

Braintree

Our Braintree Christmas Street Market will be on Saturday 23 November, featuring food stalls, bars, crafts and handmade items, local produce and collectables.

Dates

From:
23 Nov 2024Open 09:00 - 17:30
Christmas Train to Wickford

Address

Southminster Station, Station Approach, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7EN

Telephone
+447735216593

esscrp@essex.gov.uk

Price
Price £3.00 to £5.00 Per Ticket

Southminster

Christmas Train
24 November 2024 | 1.06pm
Join us on this Christmas Train decorated and full of fun on the journey to Wickford to the Christmas Fayre in the town.
Adults £5 Children £3

Dates

From:
24 Nov 2024Open 13:00 - 18:30
Peake Spa Christmas Event

Address

Stoke by Nayland Resort, Colchester, Leavenheath, Colchester, Essex, CO64PZ

Telephone
01206 262836

peake@stokebynayland.com

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Leavenheath, Colchester

Join us for an evening of pampering and festive fun at our annual Peake Spa Christmas Event!

Dates

From:
27 Nov 2024Open 18:00 - 21:00
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
Dick Whittington - A pantomime written by Ben Crocker

Address

Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7ED

Telephone
+44 07580 532068

Price
Price £11.00 Per Ticket

Rayleigh

Rayleigh Operatic and Dramatic Society (RODS) present the family pantomime 'Dick Whittington' written by Ben Crocker, 28th -30th November 2024 at The Mill Arts and Events Centre, Rayleigh.

Dates

From:
28 Nov 2024Open 20:00 - 22:00
From:
29 Nov 2024Open 19:30 - 21:30
From:
30 Nov 2024Open 13:00 - 15:00
From:
30 Nov 2024Open 18:30 - 20:30
Christmas Wreath Making Workshops with Hannah Louise at The Tiptree Tea Room

Address

The Tiptree Tea Room, Museum & Jam Shop, Wilkin and Sons Ltd, Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester, Essex, CO5 0RF

tiptree@trooms.com

Price
Price £75.00 Per Ticket

Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester

Come and learn how to make your own traditional Christmas
wreath from scratch, with all materials and decorations
provided as well as a welcome drink on arrival, a delicious
Tiptree cream tea or cheese tea and a discount voucher for
the gift shop…

Dates

From:
29 Nov 2024Open 09:00 - 11:30
From:
29 Nov 2024Open 13:00 - 15:30
From:
30 Nov 2024Open 09:00 - 11:30
From:
30 Nov 2024Open 13:00 - 15:30
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
Dreamcoat Stars Christmas

Address

West Cliff Theatre, Tower Road, Clacton-On-Sea, Essex, CO15 1LE

Telephone
01255 433344

boxoffice@westcliffclacton.co.uk

Price
Price £27.00 Per Ticket

Clacton-On-Sea

Christmas carols, festive favourites and a sprinkling of musical hits showcased by the stars of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in this seasonal family concert.
The Dreamcoat Stars return to light up your Christmas! Experience the UK's…

Dates

From:
29 Nov 2024Open 19:30 - 22:00
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
Pagan & Spiritual Yule Market

Address

Old London Road, Marks Tey, Colchester, Essex, C06 1EJ

Telephone
+44 7544244704

admin@earthspiritevents.co.uk

Price
Price £3.00 Per Ticket

Colchester

Our Fayre will be full of beautiful ethical and spiritual gifts many handcrafted and inspired by nature, the woodland fae, and spirits with an added touch of pagan symbolism and magic.

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2024Open 10:30 - 16:00
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
Meet Father Christmas

Address

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

Telephone
01206 282939

museums@colchester.gov.uk

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Colchester

Each child gets a few minutes to speak to Father Christmas and enjoy this magical start to Christmas!
Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. This event is suitable for all ages.

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2024
From:
1 Dec 2024
From:
7 Dec 2024
From:
8 Dec 2024
From:
14 Dec 2024
From:
15 Dec 2024
From:
21 Dec 2024
From:
22 Dec 2024
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