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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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Christmas Wreath Making

Address

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

Telephone
01206330784

admin@layermarneytower.co.uk

Price
Price £71.00 Per Ticket

Colchester

Join us for a festive wreath-making workshop led by our Head Gardener, Claire. Enjoy a glass of fizz and a mince pie as you create your own beautiful Christmas wreath.

Dates

From:
11 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Address

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

Telephone
0343 310 0030

boxoffice@southendtheatres.org.uk

Southend

TV's Shane Richie stars alongside Steps singer Faye Tozer in this year's highly-anticipated panto

Dates

From:

12 Dec 2026to3 Jan 2027
The Owl Who Came For Christmas

Address

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

Telephone
+441245606505

boxoffice@chelmsford.gov.uk

Fairfield Road, Chelmsford

Fly into a heart-warming tale this Christmas and join Rosie the Owl on her enchanting adventures as she finds herself nestled amidst the branches of a family's new Christmas tree.

Dates

From:

12 Dec 2026to2 Jan 2027
Puss in Boots

Address

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

Telephone
01787 460 261

mail@hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Price
Price £13.50 to £14.50 Per Ticket

HALSTEAD

Another festive pop-up panto from the team who brought you Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan and Goldilocks and the Three Bears!

Dates

From:
12 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 14:00
From:
12 Dec 2026Open 15:00 - 17:00
From:
13 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 14:00
From:
13 Dec 2026Open 15:00 - 17:00
From:
13 Dec 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
Supper with Santa

Address

Downham Hall, Castledon Road, Downham, Essex, CM11 1LG

Telephone
+44 (0)1268 422 464

info@downhamhall.com

Price
Price £35.00 Per Ticket

Castledon Road, Downham

Tuesday 15th and Tuesday 22nd December | 5pm – 8pm
Brunch with Santa: Thursday 24th December | 11am – 2pm
£35 per child (including gift and activities) | £35 per adult

Dates

From:

15 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026
The Nutcracker: Magic and Mischief

Address

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

Telephone
+443433100030

boxoffice@southendtheatres.org.uk

Price
Price £21.50 Per Ticket

Southend

A breath-taking adventure packed with epic battles, enchanted lands and heart-stopping bravery, The Nutcracker: Magic and Mischief has a sprinkle of magic and a dash of mischief, on a journey beyond your wildest dreams. Featuring original music and…

Dates

From:

16 Dec 2026to27 Dec 2026
The Nutcracker: Magic and Mischief

Address

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

Telephone
+443433100030

boxoffice@southendtheatres.org.uk

Price
Price £29.50 Per Ticket

Southend on Sea

Wind Song Theatre And The Palace Theatre presents The Nutcracker: Magic and Mischief - A festive treat for all the family

Dates

From:

16 Dec 2026to27 Dec 2026
'Keep' Christmastide Market and the Dwelling of St Nicholas

Address

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

Telephone
01787 460 261

mail@hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Price
Free

HALSTEAD

An exciting Christmas Market set against the magical Hedingham Castle Keep.

Dates

From:
18 Dec 2026Open 16:00 - 22:00
From:
19 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 22:00
Festive Murder Mystery Evening

Address

Downham Hall, Castledon Road, Downham, Essex, CM11 1LG

Telephone
+44 (0)1268 422464

info@downhamhall.com

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

Castledon Road, Downham

Friday 18th December | 6.45pm – 10pm
£55 per person

Dates

From:
18 Dec 2026Open 18:45 - 22:00
Christmas Treasures

Address

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

Telephone
+441245605700

Price
Price £6.00 Per Ticket

Moulsham Street, Chelmsford

Join our festive family workshop for primary-aged children, inspired by the incredible Iron Age gold coins found in Baddow

Dates

From:
21 Dec 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
From:
21 Dec 2026Open 13:30 - 15:00
From:
22 Dec 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
From:
22 Dec 2026Open 13:30 - 15:00
From:
23 Dec 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
From:
23 Dec 2026Open 13:30 - 15:00
TINGLED (Adult Panto)

Address

Towngate Theatre, St. Martin's Square, Basildon, Essex, SS14 1DL

Telephone
01268 205 300

towngateboxoffice@basildon.gov.uk

Price
Price £27.50 Per Ticket

Basildon

Essex's No.1 Adult Panto is back for its 9th year at the Towngate Theatre with Coldham Productions' next naughty instalment, Tingled! 15 JAN - 7 FEB

Dates

From:

15 Jan 2027to7 Feb 2027Open 20:00 - 22:00