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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: 79

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Hanningfield Sorcerer Seekers and Wand Whittlers

Address

Hanningfield Nature Discovery Park, Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1WT

events@essexwt.org.uk

Price
Price £8.80 Per Ticket

Downham, Billericay

Something wicked this way comes!

Dates

From:
29 Oct 2025Open 10:30 - 12:30
From:
29 Oct 2025Open 13:30 - 15:30
Lights Express Party Train

Address

Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN

Telephone
01277 365200

enquiries@eorailway.co.uk

Price
Price £20.00 to £25.00 Per Ticket

Ongar

A 90 minute family adventure aboard a heritage steam train with music, lights and a festive party atmosphere

Dates

From:

15 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 14:00 - 21:00
Christmas Party Night

Address

Holiday Inn Brentwood M25, Brook Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5NF

Telephone
03719429012

specialevents@hibrentwood.co.uk

Brentwood

Book Now for a sparkling Celebration.

Dates

From:

22 Nov 2025to10 Jan 2026Open 19:00 - 23:45
Wreath Making Workshops

Address

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

Telephone
01621 843183

enquiries@museumofpower.org.uk

Price
Price £40.00 Per Ticket

Langford, Maldon

Wreath Making Workshops

Dates

From:

22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00

From:

29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00
Magic of Christmas

Address

Colchester Zoological Society, Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL

Telephone
01206331292

enquiries@colchesterzoo.org

Price
Price £18.81 to £23.27 Per Ticket

Stanway, Colchester

Join us this Christmas!

Dates

From:

22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025Open 09:30 - 16:30

From:

29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025Open 09:30 - 16:30

From:

6 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 16:30

From:

13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 16:30

From:

19 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 16:30
Mother Goose

Address

Mercury Theatre, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT

Colchester

A Mercury Production of our beloved Pantomimes!

Dates

From:

22 Nov 2025to18 Jan 2026
Christmas at The Stables

Address

Hylands Estate, London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8WQ

Price
Free

Chelmsford

Get ready for a magical evening filled with live music, festive cheer, and local traders

Dates

From:
26 Nov 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
Havering Christmas Land

Address

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

Telephone
01708457040

ciaran.white@haveringmind.org.uk

Price
Price £5.00 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:

28 Nov 2025to2 Jan 2026Open 16:30 - 20:30
Enchanted Trail of Light

Address

Colchester Zoological Society, Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL

Telephone
01206331292

enquiries@colchesterzoo.org

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Stanway, Colchester

Enjoy a magical journey along a 1 mile route, featuring a BRAND NEW 40m light tunnel with over 20,000 lights, and NEW animal sculptures.

Dates

From:
28 Nov 2025Open 16:30 - 21:00
From:
29 Nov 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
30 Nov 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
5 Dec 2025Open 16:30 - 21:00
From:
6 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
7 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
12 Dec 2025Open 16:30 - 21:00
From:
13 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
14 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
19 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
20 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
21 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
28 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
29 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
Aladdin

Address

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

Telephone
01245 605600

boxoffice@chelmsford.gov.uk

Fairfield Road, Chelmsford

Flying into Chelmsford is our 2025 pantomime, the perfect family Christmas treat. Expect magic lamps, disguises, pure hearts, spectacular costumes, sing along songs and whole world full of fantastic adventure.

Dates

From:

28 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
Sleeping Beauty

Address

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1LS

Telephone
+441279 431945

playhouse.boxoffice@harlow.gov.uk

Harlow

Ticket prices vary across the run. Please go to our website for more information.

Dates

From:

28 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
Wonderland at Adventure Island

Address

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

Telephone
01702 443400

enquiries@stockvale.co.uk

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Southend-on-Sea

It's the big festive fun day out!

Dates

From:

29 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 -
Christmas Joiner Party Night

Address

Delta Hotels by Marriott Colchester, Marks Tey, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1DU

Telephone
441206210001

Christmas@deltahotelsbymarriottcolchester.com

Price
Price £49.95 Per Ticket

Marks Tey, Colchester

Three course choice meal and disco until 1am included. Discounted accommodation in newly refurbished bedrooms and complimentary use of the Health Club with gym, pool, steam room and sauna.

Dates

From:
29 Nov 2025Open 19:00 - 23:45
Christmas at Ho Ho Hopefield

Address

Sawyers Hall Farm, Brentwood, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9BZ

Telephone
01277201110

tracy@hopefield.org.uk

Price
Price £11.00 to £30.00 Per Ticket

Brentwood

Get in the festive spirit as we welcome you to Christmas at Ho-Ho-Hopefield!

Dates

From:

29 Nov 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
Tiptree Tea Room Christmas Fair

Address

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

lauren@tiptree.com

Price
Free

Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester

✨ Tiptree Tea Room Christmas Fair ✨
Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th November
Tiptree Tea Room Marquee & Overflow Car Park (transformed into our magical Christmas Courtyard!)
Join us for two days of festive fun at the Tiptree Christmas Fair! Make sure…

Dates

From:
29 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00
From:
30 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00
Santa Specials at the Epping Ongar Railway

Address

Epping Ongar Railway, Epping, Essex, CM5 9BN

Telephone
01277 365200

enquiries@eorailway.co.uk

Price
Price £80.00 Per Ticket

Epping

Family fun on our steam train with Santa and his Helpers. Includes a ride on our heritage bus too.

Dates

From:

29 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 16:00
Father Christmas at Audley End House and Gardens

Address

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

Telephone
0370 333 1181

customerexperience@english-heritage.org.uk

Saffron Walden

Join Father Christmas at Audley End House and Gardens this winter for a magical way to start the festive season.

Dates

From:

29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

From:

6 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

From:

13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

From:

20 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
Essex Witches & Pagans Yule Market

Address

Old London Road, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1EJ

Telephone
07544244704

admin@earthspiritevents.co.uk

Price
Price £3.00 Per Ticket

Colchester

Each item is a testament to nature's beauty, whimsical woodland fae, and mystical spirits, infused with a touch of pagan symbolism and enchantment. Our knowledgeable Exhibitors are eager to share their wisdom and insights, offering free talks,…

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2025Open 10:30 - 16:00
Christmas Fair

Address

JobServe Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5UP

Telephone
01206 755100

events@colchesterunited.net

Price
Price Free to £2.00 Per Ticket

United Way, Colchester

Join us for festive fun at our indoor Christmas Fair! Enjoy handcrafted gifts, seasonal treats, and holiday cheer. Free parking - just enter your car registration at reception. All ages welcome!

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
Festive Wreath Workshop

Address

Hedingham Castle, Castle Hedingham, HALSTEAD, Essex, CO9 3DJ

Telephone
01787460261

mail@hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Price
Price £65.00 Per Ticket

HALSTEAD

Join Evelyn Rose Floristry for a creative wreath-making workshop in the historic surroundings of Hedingham Castle this winter.

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 12:30