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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: 55

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The Santa Claus Experience

Address

Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Enfield, EN9 2EF

Telephone
01245321552

abbie.little@fabadousa.co.uk

Price
Price £15.99 Per Ticket

Waltham Abbey

A Christmas treat for the whole family
Our fabulously festive Santa Claus Experience is a great way to start your festive celebrations this year.

Dates

From:

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

From:
24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 14:00
Meet Father Christmas at Hedingham Castle

Address

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

Telephone
01787460261

mail@hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Price
Price £12.50 to £18.00 Per Ticket

HALSTEAD

As part of the Magical Pop up Panto: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, all child tickets include meeting Father Christmas after the show and receiving a special gift

Dates

From:

22 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 18:00
Pop-up Panto: Goldilocks & the Three Bears

Address

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

Telephone
01787460261

mail@hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Price
Price £12.50 to £18.00 Per Ticket

HALSTEAD

Another festive pop-up panto from the team who brought you Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan! Then meet Father & Mother Christmas!

Dates

From:

22 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 18:00
Holiday Fun: December 2025

Address

Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH

Telephone
01206713700

info@firstsite.uk

Price
Free

High Street, Colchester

Get making, moving, dancing and munching with Holiday Fun in Colchester this Winter!

Dates

From:
23 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 14:30
From:
27 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 14:30
From:
30 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 14:30
From:
6 Jan 2026Open 10:00 - 14:30
Gingerbread Village

Address

Next door to, Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5WP

Telephone
01245 321552

help@fabadousa.co.uk

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

South Woodham Ferrers

Nestled beside Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park in South Woodham Ferrers, this enchanting winter experience is packed with seasonal fun for all ages.

Dates

From:
23 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 20:00
From:
24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 13:00
Oi Chelmsford!

Address

Museum of Chelmsford, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9AQ

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Moulsham Street, Chelmsford

Get hands on painting and making Christmas Gnomes, create your own Northern Lights picture, and have a go at our toy making time trial.

Dates

From:
23 Dec 2025Open 10:30 - 12:00
From:
23 Dec 2025Open 13:30 - 15:00
Dick Whittington

Address

Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4UH

Telephone
0845 548 7650

info@saffronhall.com

Saffron Walden

Step into a world of fun, laughter, and adventure as Dick Whittington sets out to seek his fortune and make the streets "paved with gold" a reality!

Dates

From:
23 Dec 2025Open 14:30 - 16:30
From:
24 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 13:00
From:
24 Dec 2025Open 14:30 - 16:30
From:
27 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 13:00
From:
27 Dec 2025Open 14:30 - 16:30
From:
28 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 13:00
From:
28 Dec 2025Open 14:30 - 16:30
From:
29 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 13:00
CBeebies Panto 2025: Cinderella

Address

Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH

Telephone
01206713700

info@firstsite.uk

Price
Price £5.50 to £11.50 Per Ticket

High Street, Colchester

CBeebies Panto 2025: Cinderella is full of music, magic and festive fun for all the family – plus a song exclusive to cinemas!

Dates

From:
24 Dec 2025Open 14:00 - 15:15
Christmas Day Lunch

Address

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

Telephone
441206210001

Christmas@deltahotelsbymarriottcolchester.com

Price
Price £89.95 Per Ticket

Marks Tey, Colchester

Enjoy a delicious 5-course meal alongside a visit from Santa. This is a family friendly event so sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious lunch, with all the festive trimmings.

Dates

From:
25 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 14:30
Boxing Day Carvery Lunch

Address

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

Telephone
01206 262836

sales@stokebynayland.com

Price
Price £20.00 to £45.00 Per Ticket

Leavenheath, Colchester

Sit back and relax with the family this Boxing Day with our special three-course carvery lunch.

Dates

From:
26 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:00
Farm for a Fiver - Twixmas

Address

Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Rd, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5WP

Telephone
01245 321552

help@fabadousa.co.uk

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

South Woodham Ferrers

Beat Twixmas boredom at Marsh Farm, from just £5 per person! Get a full day of fun for your family - including friendly farmyard animals, adventure play, jaw-dropping dinosaurs and more.

Dates

From:

27 Dec 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
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 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
From:
29 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
Mince Pie Mayhem

Address

White Dragon Activity Centre, Halstead, Bures, Colchester, Essex, CO9 4FA

Telephone
07724912334

info@whitedragonactivitycentre.co.uk

Price
Price £30.00 Per Ticket

Bures, Colchester

It's time for a fun festive fight! Shake off the post-Christmas lethargy and go wild as a family in White Dragon Activity Centre's castle-themed hall of fun.

Dates

From:
29 Dec 2025Open 14:00 - 15:30
From:
29 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 18:30
From:
31 Dec 2025Open 14:00 - 15:30
From:
31 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 18:30
From:
2 Jan 2026Open 14:00 - 15:30
From:
2 Jan 2026Open 17:00 - 18:30
From:
4 Jan 2026Open 14:00 - 15:30
From:
4 Jan 2026Open 17:00 - 18:30
2K Bobble Hat Run

Address

Essex, Parsonage Farm, Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA

Telephone
07970739037

sam@nuclear-races.co.uk

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch

Your designated instructor is on hand with top tips to conquer the obstacles and we guarantee muddy feet. Don't forget to bring some marshmallows to toast on the roaring fire pit.
Land obstacles only including ninja steps, beat the wall, monkey…

Dates

From:
30 Dec 2025Open 10:30 - 12:00
From:
2 Jan 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
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 2026