You are here: What's On > Christmas

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.

Searching for something...

Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Number of results: 55

, currently showing 21 to 40.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Festive Lunches & Dinners

Address

Stoke by Nayland Resort, Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Colchester, Essex, CO6 4PZ

Telephone
01206 262836

sales@stokebynayland.com

Price
Price £29.95 Per Ticket

Leavenheath, Colchester

Celebrate the season with a festive lunch or dinner, with scenic views across the Dedham Vale.

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025
Santa Specials At the Colne Valley Railway

Address

Colne Valley Railway, Colne Valley Railway, Hedingham Station, Yeldham Road, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DZ

Telephone
01787461174

info@colnevalleyrailway.co.uk

Price
Price £10.00 to £25.00 Per Ticket

Yeldham Road, Castle Hedingham

All aboard the Santa Special at Colne Valley Railway: A festive family journey with a vintage train, Santa's grotto, oy Workshop, Model Railways, Seasonal Treats and Christmas Cheer This December 2025

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
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
Festive Elf Trail

Address

Hadleigh Country Park, Chapel Lane Car Park, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh, Essex, SS7 2PP

Telephone
+441708 865628

country.parks@essex.gov.uk

Price
Free

Chapel Lane, Hadleigh

Enjoy this free family trail at Hadleigh Country Parks this festive season.

Dates

From:

3 Dec 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 08:00 - 16:00
Festive Elf Trail

Address

Danbury Country Park Fishing, Woodhill Road, Danbury, Essex, CM3 4AW

Telephone
+441708 865628

country.parks@essex.gov.uk

Price
Free

Danbury

Enjoy this free family trail at the Danbury Country Park this festive season.

Dates

From:

3 Dec 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 08:00 - 16:00
Festive Fairy Door Trail

Address

Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, Cressing, Nr. Witham, CM77 8PD

Telephone
+441708 865628

country.parks@essex.gov.uk

Price
Free

Cressing

Enjoy this free family festive fairy trail at Cressing Temple Barns this season

Dates

From:

3 Dec 2025to3 Jan 2026Open 09:00 - 16:00
Festive Elf Trail

Address

Great Notley Country Park, Great Notley, Braintree, Essex, CM77 7FS

Telephone
+441708 865628

country.parks@essex.gov.uk

Price
Free

Braintree

Enjoy this festive trail at Greta Notley Country Park.

Dates

From:

3 Dec 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 08:00 - 16:00
Festive Elf Trail

Address

Weald Country Park, Weald Road, South Weald, Essex, CM14 5QS

Telephone
+441708 865628

country.parks@essex.gov.uk

Price
Free

South Weald

Enjoy this free family trail at the Weald Country Park this festive season.

Dates

From:

3 Dec 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 08:00 - 16:00
Brunch with Santa

Address

Culver Square, Colchester, colchester, essex, CO1 1JQ

Telephone
07507693801

kelly.pugh@toolbox-marketing.com

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

colchester

This Christmas, we're delighted to be partnering with TOAST Coffee to host a magical Brunch with Santa!

Dates

From:

6 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
The Great Christmas Snow Patrol

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:

6 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
Santa's On His Sleigh!

Address

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

Telephone
+443433100030

boxoffice@southendtheatres.org.uk

Southend

A show full of singing, laughter and Christmas spirit!

Dates

From:

8 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
Garon Park on Ice

Address

Garon Park Community Interest Company, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 4FA

Telephone
01702 965959

info@garonparkonice.com

Price
Price £7.00 to £13.00 Per Ticket

Southend on Sea

Garon Park on Ice
Celebrate Winter at Garon Park
Southend-on-Sea
11th December - 5th January

Dates

From:

11 Dec 2025to5 Jan 2026Open 12:00 - 22:00
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
The Snow Queen

Address

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

Southend

This Christmas, The Palace Theatre presents The Snow Queen—a magical, musical adventure through a snowy land, filled with mystery, wonder, original songs, and festive fun for the whole family.

Dates

From:

13 Dec 2025to28 Dec 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
Cinderella

Address

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

Southend

Join Rylan as the Fairy Godfather and Ross King as Buttons* in Cinderella, a magical panto full of laughs, songs, stunning costumes, and festive fun. Book now!

Dates

From:

13 Dec 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 14:00 - 17:00
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
The Snow Queen

Address

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

Telephone
+443433100030

boxoffice@southendtheatres.org.uk

Southend

The Palace Theatre and Wind Song Theatre bring a brand-new musical adventure to Southend this Christmas.

Dates

From:

13 Dec 2025to28 Dec 2025
The Santa Experience

Address

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

Telephone
01206331292

enquiries@colchesterzoo.org

Price
Price £16.50 Per Ticket

Stanway, Colchester

Step into Santa's magical world located within the Zoo…

Dates

From:

19 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 08:45 - 16:30
The Father Christmas Experience

Address

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

Telephone
01245321552

abbie.little@fabadousa.co.uk

Price
Price £35.00 Per Ticket

South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford

A truly magical time
We've added even more magic to our Father Christmas Experience

Dates

From:

19 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

From:
24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 14:00
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:

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