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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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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 Fair & Santa

Address

Museum of Power, Museum of Power - Steam Pumping Station,Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6QA

Telephone
01621 843183

james.gulleford@museumofpower.org.uk

Price
Price £9.00 to £14.00 Per Ticket

Langford, Maldon

Christmas Fair & Santa

Dates

From:

30 Nov 2024to1 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop

Address

New Hall Wine Estate, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6PN

Telephone
07921291785

thecoppercacti@gmail.com

Price
Price £65.00 Per Ticket

Purleigh

Join us on Saturday 30th November for our festive wreath-making workshop, hosted by The Copper Cacti.

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
30 Nov 2024Open 13:00 - 15:00
Christmas Crooners

Address

Palace Theatre, 430 London Road, Southend, Essex, SS0 9LA

Telephone
0343 310 0030

Southend

Christmas Crooners is jam-packed with festive favourites, and the Christmas hits of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and ol' Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2024
Wreath Making Workshop

Address

Leaden Roding Village Hall, Leaden Roding, Essex, CM6 1GY

Telephone
07470 299035

wreathsattherodings@gmail.com

Price
Price £75.00 Per Ticket

Leaden Roding

Wreath making workshops at Leaden Roding Village hall.

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
30 Nov 2024Open 15:00 - 18:00
From:
3 Dec 2024Open 15:00 - 17:00
From:
4 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
4 Dec 2024Open 15:00 - 17:00
From:
5 Dec 2024Open 15:00 - 18:00
From:
5 Dec 2024Open 19:00 - 21:00
Wonderland

Address

Adventure Inside, Adventure Inside, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1EE

Telephone
01704 443400

enquiries@stockvale.co.uk

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea

Meet Father Christmas at Adventure Inside!

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2024Open 10:00 -
From:
1 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
From:
7 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
From:
8 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
From:
14 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
From:
15 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
From:
20 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
From:
21 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
From:
22 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
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23 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
From:
24 Dec 2024Open 10:00 -
Headway Essex Christmas Fayre 2024

Address

Woodland Walk, Colchester, Essex, CO4 6DH

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 845945

fundraising@headwayessex.org.uk

Price
Free

Colchester

Join us for festive fun and meet Elsa and Santa's Elf

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2024Open 10:30 - 14:30
Festive Fun at Audley End

Address

Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF

Telephone
0370 333 1181

customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Saffron Walden

Enjoy a family day out at Audley End this Christmas, as you soak up the festive atmosphere.

Dates

From:

30 Nov 2024to22 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00
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
Christmas at Ho Ho Hopefield

Address

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9BZ

Telephone
01277201110

tracy@hopefield.org.uk

Price
Price £4.99 Per Ticket

Brentwood

Join us for a festive event with Christmas at Ho-Ho-Hopefield – perfect for the whole family to create special memories.

Dates

From:

30 Nov 2024to22 Dec 2024
Father Christmas at Audley End

Address

Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF

Telephone
0370 333 1181

customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Saffron Walden

Join Father Christmas at Audley End this December for a magical way to start the festive season.

Dates

From:

30 Nov 2024to22 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00
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
Santa Sunday Events

Address

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

Telephone
01206 262836

sales@stokebynayland.com

Price
Price £12.00 to £34.00 Per Ticket

Leavenheath, Colchester

Join us for a very special two-course Sunday lunch with Father Christmas this December.

Dates

From:
1 Dec 2024Open 12:30 - 15:00
From:
8 Dec 2024Open 12:30 - 15:00
From:
15 Dec 2024Open 12:30 - 15:00
Christmas Craft Fayre

Address

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Hackmans Lane, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6RN

Telephone
01245 429134

info@stowmaries.org.uk

Purleigh

A chance to enjoy some truly festive creations from our community of local crafters, designers and makers - as well as the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome museum.

Dates

From:
1 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 15:00
Christmas Space Day

Address

Southend Central Museum & Planetarium, Central Museum, Victoria Avenue, Southend, Essex, SS2 6EW

museums@southend.gov.uk

Victoria Avenue, Southend

Festive planetarium shows, magical meteorite handling and spaceman storytelling sessions.

Dates

From:
1 Dec 2024Open 11:00 - 17:00
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
Rotary Club Carol Concert

Address

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

Telephone
01255 433344

boxoffice@westcliffclacton.co.uk

Price
Free

Clacton-On-Sea

The Rotary club return for their annual carol concert at the West Cliff with a wonderful afternoon of traditional songs, featuring Tendring Brass Band and other guests from the Tendring area.
A collection will be taken on the day, which helps to…

Dates

From:
1 Dec 2024Open 03:00 - 04:30
Lunch with Santa at 1935 Rooftop Restaurant

Address

Holiday Inn Southend, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6XG

Telephone
01702209085

salesmgr@hisouthend.com

Price
Price £19.95 to £34.95 Per Ticket

Southend-on-Sea

Join us for a delicious 3-course Sunday roast in our stunning 1935 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, followed by a meet-and-greet with the one and only Santa Claus!

Dates

From:
1 Dec 2024Open 12:30 - 14:30
From:
15 Dec 2024Open 12:30 - 14:30
Festive Shenfield from Brentwood Connected

Address

Hutton Road, Shenfield, Essex, CM15 8JD

Telephone
01277 312801

brentwoodconnected@brentwood.gov.uk

Shenfield

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

Dates

From:
1 Dec 2024Open 12:00 - 18:00
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