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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 S anta Specials at Epping Ongar Railway, 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 festive candle-lit concert in Colchester, or create memories that will last a lifetime with Christmas at Ho Ho Hopefield! 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. See him at the Mercury Theatre or head to Colchester Zoo for holiday fun and animal encounters! There are many places to visit Santa in Essex this Christmas – the only question is, will you be on the naughty or nice list?

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 S hrek the Musical taking place at Charter Hall is set to be quite the performance.

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. The T iptree Tea Room Christmas Fair is set to be an enchanting Christmas market that you won’t want to miss, offering an array of gifts and seasonal treats.

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Number of results: 32

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Flavours of Autumn

Address

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ET

Telephone
01245 402019

hydehallevents@rhs.org.uk

Rettendon, Chelmsford

A celebration of all things home-grown! Discover the delights of growing your own fresh produce as we celebrate the humble journey from field to fork at RHS Garden Hyde Hall. Enjoy live talks and cookery demonstrations, explore the food market, take…

Dates

From:

2 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026
Christmas Special

Address

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

Telephone
01799 510726

enquiries@aeer.co.uk

Price
Price £23.50 Per Ticket

Saffron Walden

A very special Christmas at Audley End Enchanted Railway.

Dates

From:

21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026
Lumina

Address

Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 5WP

Telephone
01245321552

help@marshfarm.co.uk

Price
Price £12.95 to £40.00 Per Ticket

South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford

Come and Explore
Marsh Farm's Winter Light Trail in Essex
Step into a world of wonder this winter as Marsh Farm transforms into a dazzling after-dark light trail.

Dates

From:

21 Nov 2026to20 Feb 2027Open 16:30 - 19:00
Jack and the Beanstalk

Address

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

Colchester

Expect lots of laughter, marvellous music, spellbinding choreography and jaw-dropping sets in this unmissable festive extravaganza that promises fee-fi-fo-FUN for everyone!

Dates

From:

21 Nov 2026to17 Jan 2027
Christmas with Essex Makers Markets

Address

Basin Road, Heybridge Basin, Maldon, essex, CM9 4RS

Telephone
07493 057 297

info@essexmakersmarkets.co.uk

Price
Free

Maldon

Christmas with Essex Makers Markets at The Jolly Sailor Heybridge Basin

Dates

From:
22 Nov 2026Open 10:30 - 15:00
Step Into Christmas

Address

Colchester Charter Hall, Leisure World, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH

Telephone
01206506905

info@colchester-events.co.uk

Price
Price £36.00 Per Ticket

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester

Back by Popular Demand for 2026!

Dates

From:
22 Nov 2026Open 19:30 - 22:00
The Christmas Orchestra

Address

Chelmsford Cathedral, New Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1TY

Price
Price £34.00 Per Ticket

Chelmsford

Experience the magic of Christmas with a live 16-piece orchestra performing festive favourites and iconic film music, accompanied by a stunning light show in an unforgettable seasonal concert.

Dates

From:
24 Nov 2026Open 21:30 - 22:45
From:
24 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 20:15
Essex Makers Markets

Address

Arterial Rd, Rayleigh, essex, SS6 7SP

Telephone
07493 057 297

info@essexmakersmarkets.co.uk

Price
Free

Rayleigh

Essex Makers Markets & Harvester Rayleigh have Teamed up to bring a Festive Market Experience to Rayleigh

Dates

From:
25 Nov 2026Open 15:00 - 21:00
Christmas Candle Masterclass

Address

High street, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1AG

Telephone
01371499149

support@elanhomefragrances.co.uk

Price
Price £75.00 Per Ticket

Great Dunmow

Pour into one of our special vessels, created just for this season. Choose the London Townhouse, which glows beautifully from within as the candle flame illuminates the etched cityscape, or the gold glass geo jar, faceted and elegant enough for the…

Dates

From:
26 Nov 2026Open 03:00 - 05:30
From:
26 Nov 2026Open 19:00 - 21:30
From:
27 Nov 2026Open 10:30 - 13:00
From:
27 Nov 2026Open 15:00 - 17:30
From:
27 Nov 2026Open 19:00 - 21:30
Epping Ongar Lights Party Express 2026

Address

Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar Station, Ongar Station High Street, Station Approach, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN

Telephone
01277 365200

enquiries@eorailway.co.uk

Station Approach, Ongar

The Lights Party Express returns in 2026 as one of the top Christmas family events in Essex. Enjoy a festive steam train party with music, lights and interactive entertainment for all ages.

Dates

From:

27 Nov 2026to20 Dec 2026
Haven House Christmas Trail 2026

Address

Haven House Children's Hospice, High Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 9LB

events@havenhouse.org.uk

Price
Price Free to £10.00 Per Ticket

Woodford Green

Festive fun for the whole family!

Dates

From:

28 Nov 2026to29 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
Greenacres Glass Christmas Workshop

Address

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

Telephone
01206 282931

museums@colchester.gov.uk

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

Colchester

Create three fused glass Christmas decorations, enjoy festive refreshments, and explore Colchester Castle in this beginner-friendly seasonal workshop.

Dates

From:
28 Nov 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
From:
28 Nov 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
Wonderland

Address

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

Telephone
01702 443400

enquiries@stockvale.co.uk

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Southend-on-Sea

Adventure Island presents Wonderland at Funtopia Indoor Amusement Park

Dates

From:

28 Nov 2026to29 Nov 2026Open 10:00 -

From:

5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 10:00 -

From:

12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026Open 10:00 -

From:

19 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 -
The Essex Witchcraft & Pagan Yule Market

Address

Old London Road, Marks Tey, Colchester, CO6 1EJ

Telephone
07544244704

admin@earthspiritevents.co.uk

Price
Price £3.00 Per Ticket

Marks Tey

For years you've asked… and now the Wheel turns in your favour. This Yule, our gathering grows — not just a market, but a proper weekend celebration of craft, community, and the old ways.

Dates

From:
28 Nov 2026Open 10:30 - 16:00
Christmas Wine Shop

Address

Tuffon Hall Vineyard, Tuffon Hall, High Street Green, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, Essex, CO9 3LL

Telephone
01787 462288

info@tuffonhall.co.uk

Price
Free

High Street Green, Sible Hedingham

Join us for our Christmas Wine Shop on 28th & 29th November, 10am–4pm. Discover award-winning wines in our stunning 16th-century barn and stock up for Christmas!

Dates

From:
28 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
From:
29 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
Santa Specials

Address

Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar Station, Ongar Station High Street, Station Approach, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN

Telephone
01277 365200

enquiries@eorailway.co.uk

Station Approach, Ongar

Create a magical Christmas family day out in Essex aboard Santa's festive steam train. Meet Santa, receive a gift and enjoy a joyful seasonal experience perfect for children and families.

Dates

From:

28 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026
Layer Marney Tower's Christmas Countdown with Steve Scruton & Ian Wyatt

Address

Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9US

Telephone
01206330784

admin@layermarneytower.co.uk

Colchester

A fun and unique evening featuring a three course Christmas Dinner and entertainment to kick start your festive season

Dates

From:
2 Dec 2026Open 18:30 - 23:00
My! My! ABBA Festive Party

Address

Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend, Essex, SS0 7RA

Telephone
0343 310 0030

boxoffice@southendtheatres.org.uk

Southend

This Christmas, celebrate in style at the Cliffs Pavilion with a welcome drink and a fabulous three course dinner created by our talented chefs, that is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.

Dates

From:
2 Dec 2026
A Christmas Carol with Christmas Dinner

Address

Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9US

Telephone
01206330784

admin@layermarneytower.co.uk

Colchester

Enjoy a lovely evening of entertainment, Christmas traditions and good food with family or friends.

Dates

From:
3 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 15:15
From:
4 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 22:15
From:
6 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 15:15
A Christmas Carol - A One-Man Performance

Address

Church Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JW

Telephone
01799524002

hello@vintageverse.co.uk

Price
Price £21.00 Per Ticket

Saffron Walden

Performed straight from Dickens' own performance text, this one-man A Christmas Carol strips the story back to its essentials — intimate, immediate, and unlike any other version you've seen.

Dates

From:
4 Dec 2026Open 18:00 - 19:15
From:
4 Dec 2026Open 20:30 - 21:45