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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: 11

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Mother Goose

Address

Mercury Theatre, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT

Colchester

A Mercury Production of our beloved Pantomimes!

Dates

From:

22 Nov 2025to18 Jan 2026
The Ho Ho Ho! Mrs Christmas Show

Address

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

Colchester

From the team behind The Ho Ho Ho Christmas Show comes a new enchanting show about thankfulness.

Dates

From:

2 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
Christmas - The Candlelight Concert

Address

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

Telephone
01206506905

info@colchester-events.co.uk

Price
Price £27.00 Per Ticket

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester

Experience the Enchantment of 'Christmas – The Candlelight Concert' in an Unforgettable Festive Musical Celebration presented by Xperience Live

Dates

From:
3 Dec 2025Open 19:30 - 21:45
Christmas Party Nights

Address

Essex County Cricket Club, Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0PG

Telephone
01245 254063

christmas@essexcricket.org.uk

Price
Price £47.00 Per Ticket

New Writtle Street, Chelmsford

Enjoy your festive celebrations with Essex County Cricket Club! Delicious food, drink and DJ entertainment to keep you dancing all night.

Dates

From:

4 Dec 2025to20 Dec 2025
Christmas Party Nights

Address

Delta Hotels Waltham Abbey, Old Shire Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 3LX

Telephone
01992717170

dhr.lonwd.events@deltahotels.com

Price
Price £59.00 Per Ticket

Waltham Abbey

Christmas Join in Party Night from £59.00 per person

Dates

From:
5 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 23:45
From:
12 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 23:45
From:
19 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 23:45
Sam Campbell, Bridget Christie, Maisie Adam, Tom Rosenthal: Live At Christmas

Address

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

Telephone
01206506905

info@colchester-events.co.uk

Price
Price £28.00 Per Ticket

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester

The country's best comedians are coming to Colchester for a spectacular all-star festive show!

Dates

From:
6 Dec 2025Open 19:30 - 22:00
TRC Christmas Market

Address

The Rayleigh Club, Hullbridge Road, Hullbridge, Essex, SS6 9QS

Telephone
01702 232377

info@therayleighclub.com

Price
Free

Hullbridge

We are holding a Christmas Market on Sunday 7th December, with stalls open between 11am-3pm! With free entry for buyers, this is an event you don't want to miss!

Dates

From:
7 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
Town Hall Christmas Gift Market

Address

Moot Hall, Town Hall, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PJ

Telephone
01206506905

info@colchester-events.co.uk

Price
Free

Colchester

The Moot Hall Christmas Gift Market – Returning for 2025!

Dates

From:
7 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
Santa at The Thatched Cottage Grotto

Address

1-3 Mill Road, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PZ

fiona.clegg1@gmail.com

Burnham on Crouch

Sunday 10 December/Saturday 16 December. Come and visit Santa in the beautiful historic atmosphere of the Thatched Cottage with its lovely grotto.

Dates

From:
10 Dec 2025
Enlightened 2025

Address

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

Telephone
01206506905

info@colchester-events.co.uk

Price
Price £12.00 Per Ticket

Colchester

Step into a world of wonder at Enlightened at Colchester Castle Park!

Dates

From:

12 Dec 2025to28 Dec 2025Open 16:30 - 20:00
Shrek the Musical

Address

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

Telephone
01206506905

info@colchester-events.co.uk

Price
Price £20.00 to £25.00 Per Ticket

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester

THE WEST END & BROADWAY HIT MUSICAL COME TO COLCHESTER FOR CHRISTMAS 2025

Dates

From:

13 Dec 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 14:00 - 22:00