A Complete Guide To The Christmas Events In Essex 2025
If you’re looking to kick start the festive season in Essex, you’ve come to the right place! There are lots of Christmas events in Essex this year – from festive Christmas markets to Santa’s Grottos and glittering Christmas light trails.
If you are in Essex during the festive season and looking for things to do at Christmas in Essex, you won’t be disappointed.
I’m always looking for Christmas events near me so that we can try something new each year – while we have two small believers at least!
So – what’s going on at Christmas in Essex this year?
**Not all of the Christmas events in Essex 2025 dates have been released yet so keep checking back for updates. This post contains affiliate links. If you book something using one, we may earn a small commission but at no extra cost to you**
These are the Christmas events in Essex happening in 2025
Santa’s Grottos in Essex
Looking for places to see Father Christmas in Essex? The great news is that there are lots of Santa’s Grottos and places to see Father Christmas. It’s one of the most festive things to do in Essex with kids.
Before that….if you’re going to be away on holiday over the festive season, you might be looking for a Santa’s Grotto further afield. We have a great post on 100+ Places to See Santa in the UK.
But here’s where to see Santa in Essex this Christmas:
Audley End
Address: Audley End, Audley End Rd, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF.
Dates: Mid November to 24th December.
Tickets: Adult – £22.00 – £25.00 per person, child (under 92cm) £11.00 – £12.50 and child under 1 – FREE.
As Audley End is on the border with Cambridgeshire, you might want to take a look at the Christmas events in Cambridgeshire this year.
Marsh Farm
One of the best children’s Christmas events in Essex.
Address: Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Rd, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5WP.
Dates: mid November to 24th December.
Tickets: From £35.00 – £75.00 per person. Under 1 – FREE.
Colchester Zoo
Santa Experience, Reindeer Experience, Light Trail and more!
Address: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Rd, Heckfordbridge, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL.
Dates: End of November – 24th December.
Tickets: Tickets are £12.50 per child (adults do not need a ticket). This is in addition to zoo entry.
Down Hall
Festive Afternoon Tea with Santa
Address: Down Hall, Matching Road, Hatfield Heath, Essex, CM22 7AS.
Dates: Select dates from beginning of December..
Tickets: Adult – £52.50, Child (5 – 15) – £26.25, under 5 – £5.00.
Epping and Ongar Santa Train Ride in Essex
Markshall Estate
Address: Markshall Estate, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG.
Dates: TBC for December.
Tickets: Child – £20.00. Adult – FREE.
Colchester Town Hall
Address: Colchester Town Hall, High Street, Colchester, CO1 1PJ.
Dates: End of November.
Tickets: Adult: £4.99, Child: £10.49.
Museum of Power
Address: Museum of Power, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: Adult: £8.00, Child – £12.00 (includes 1 ride on miniature railway and visit to Santa).
Adventure Island
Address: Adventure Island, Sunken Garden, Western Esplanade, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS1 1EE.
Dates: Weekends in December..
Tickets: Christmas entry (with 1 free accompanying adult) – £20.00. Includes free wristband to come back and visit in February 2022. Additional adult – £5.00.
Epping Ongar Railway
Santa’s Special Trains – see also Santa train rides for more festive train rides in the UK.
Address: Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar Station, Station Approach, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN.
Dates: End of November – 24th December.
Tickets: Compartment for up to 8: £225 / up to 6: £175 / family group in open coaches (up to 6 people): £160 / family group in open coaches (up to 4 people): £105. Tickets on sale from 9am on 13th September.
Colne Valley Railway
Address: Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DZ.
Dates: Beginning of December to 24th December.
Tickets: From £22.00 per person. Under 1 – £10.00.
If you like trains, you might also like to check out the Polar Express train rides in the UK.
Ingatestone
Address: Ingatestone & Fryerning Community Centre, Ingatestone, Essex, CM4 9ED.
Dates: Mid December.
Tickets: TBC.
Poplar Nurseries
Address: Poplar Nurseries, Coggeshall Road, Marks Tey, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1HR.
Dates: Tickets on sale beginning of October.
Tickets: TBC.
Lathcoats Farm
Christmas at Lathcoats – this year there will be a Christmas Nativity Trail.
Address: Lathcoats Farm, Beehive Lane, Galleywood, Essex, CM2 8LX.
Dates: Beginning of December to 24th December.
Tickets: £4.50 per person.
Barleylands Farm Park
Address: Barleylands Farm Park & The Village, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2UD.
Dates: End of November to 24th December.
Tickets: From £23.60 per child and £12.40 per adult (members).
East Anglian Railway Museum
Address: East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel & Wakes Colne Station, Station Rd, Wakes Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DS.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: From £12.10 per child and £16.50 per adult. Under 2 – FREE.
Orsett Hall
Address: Orsett Hall Hotel, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett, Essex, RM16 3HS.
Dates: Mid December to 24th December.
Tickets: £26.95 per person. Under 2 – £16.50.
English Heritage
There are lots of English Heritage properties in Essex and each one usually has some lovely Christmassy things to do in Essex. Keep an eye out for updates on their website.
If you like visiting English Heritage properties, we would recommend getting an English Heritage membership. Just a couple of visits to English Heritage properties will cover the cost of the pass and will get you into many of the special events for free.
Christmas lights in Essex
There are a couple of exciting Christmas light trails in Essex this year. You can also wander around some of the towns and villages in Essex and check out their light displays.
If you happen to be heading into London, here is where you can find the Christmas light displays in London.
We love a Christmas light trail. There are loads happening all over the country (see more Christmas light trails here) but these ones are some of the loveliest Christmas events in Essex.
If you are thinking of heading further afield, we can highly recommend the Blenheim Palace Christmas lights.
RHS Hyde Hall
Address: RHS Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ET.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: Adult (non-member) £12.95 (RHS member) £7.95. Child (non-member) £6.95 (RHS Member) £3.95. Under 5 – FREE.
Hylands Estate
Address: Hylands Estate, London Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8WQ.
Dates: End of November to beginning of January.
Tickets: Adult – £16.00, Child (4-15) – £12.00. Under 3 – FREE.
Colchester Castle Park
Address: Hylands Estate, London Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8WQ.
Dates: Beginning to end of December.
Tickets: Adult – £12.50, Child (4-15) – £9.00. Under 3 – FREE.
Markshall Estate
Address: Markshall Estate, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG.
Dates: 1st to 24th December.
Tickets: From £12.00 per child and £15.00 per adult.
Colchester Zoo
Address: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Rd, Heckfordbridge, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL.
Dates: End of November – 24th December.
Tickets: Tickets are £10.00 per person in addition to zoo entry fee.
Christmas markets in Essex
We love a Christmas market. We usually try to go to one of the European Christmas markets each year but there are also some fantastic Christmas markets in the UK.
They are a great place to pick up some handmade Christmas gifts. We usually grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine, select a decoration for the Christmas tree and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Here are a selection of the Essex Christmas markets worth a visit this year. We also have a more comprehensive guide to the Christmas markets in Essex if you want more ideas.
Colchester Town Hall Christmas Market
Colchester Town Hall Christmas Market
Address: Colchester Town Hall, High St, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PJ.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: FREE – but you must book tickets
Braxted Park
Address: Braxted Park Estate, Great Braxted, Witham, Essex, CM8 3EN.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: TBC.
Meadow Croft Garden Centre
German Market & Christmas Fair
Address: Meadow Croft Garden Centre, Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, Essex, SS11 7QU.
Dates: End of September to 23rd December.
Tickets: Free.
Ingatestone
Address: Ingatestone & Fryerning Community Centre, Ingatestone, Essex, CM4 9ED.
Dates: Mid December.
Tickets: Free.
Prested Hall
Address: Prested Hall, Feering, Colchester, Essex CO5 9EE
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: Free.
Markshall Estate
Address: Markshall Estate, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG.
Dates: Beginning of December.
Tickets: FREE.
If you like Christmas markets, you might like to read about the best Christmas markets in London or the best Christmas markets in the UK or even the best Christmas markets in Europe!
Pantomimes in Essex
One of our favourite things to do at Christmas in London with kids is to visit one of the big Christmas Pantomimes.
If you’re looking for a fun Christmas show in London this year, here are some of the best.
London Christmas shows
- The Snowman – an absolute must-see when in London at Christmas with kids.
- Elf – The Musical.
- The Nutcracker
- Christmas Actually
- Peter Pan Goes Wrong
We’ve also visited a fair few local pantomimes over the years too. Here are the best Essex Pantomimes to look out for this Christmas.
The Mercury Theatre Colchester
Address: The Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT.
Dates: End of November to beginning of January.
Tickets: From £15.00 to £32.00.
Harlow Playhouse
Address: Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1LS.
Dates: Beginning of December to beginning of January.
Tickets: From £18.00 for adults. From £16.00 for under 16s.
Chelmsford Theatre
Address: The Civic Theatre, Fairfield Rd, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JG.
Dates: Beginning of December to beginning of January.
Tickets: From £25.00 per person.
Cliffs Pavillion and Palace Theatre
Address: Cliffs Pavillion, Station Road, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA.
Dates: Throughout December.
Tickets: From £14.00 to £43.50.
Princes Theatre
Address: Clacton Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton on Sea, Essex, CO15 1SE.
Dates: Beginning of December to beginning of January.
Tickets: From £15.00 per adult and from £14.00 per child (under 16).
Christmas Afternoon Tea in Essex
Having afternoon tea is such a British thing to do – but have you tried a festive afternoon tea? It’s one of the best Christmassy things to do in Essex after a day of Christmas shopping at the Christmas markets.
Down Hall (Bishop’s Stortford) – available throughout December. £52.50 per adult / £26.25 per child.
Prested Hall (Colchester) – through December. £22.50 per person.
Roslin Beach Hotel (Southend on Sea) – through December. From £35.00 per person.
Markshall Estate (Coggeshall) – 23rd December. £25.00 per adult and £17.50 per child.
The Pier (Harwich) – every day through December. £23.00 per person.
Orsett Hall (Orsett) – weekends in December. £31.95 per person. Under 2 – £16.50.
You might also like to check out our posts on the best places to have afternoon tea in London and the best afternoon tea in London for kids.
Christmas at hotels in Essex
If you feel like getting away for Christmas and having everything taken care of for you, these are the best hotels to spend Christmas at in Essex.
Milsoms
If it’s luxury you’re looking for this Christmas in Essex, you need to take a look at Milsoms. They are offering a luxury 3-night Christmas break including dinner at Le Talbooth. Here is their festive brochure and you can book your stay here.
Down Hall
See more info on their Christmas breaks and book your luxury 3-day Christmas break at Down Hall here.
Roslin Beach Hotel
View their Christmas offerings here and book your stay at Roslin Beach hotel here
The National Trust also has a number of cottages in Essex if you are looking for a self-catering option. See here for National Trust Christmas breaks in Essex.
For more inspiration on where to stay this Christmas, check out our UK Christmas breaks post.
Other things to do in Essex at Christmas
Had your fill of Christmas events in Essex? How about trying out some of these alternative things to do at Christmas in Essex?
Go and pick out your own Christmas tree at Hurleys Christmas Tree Farm in Battlesbridge or The Christmas Tree Farm in Southend on Sea.
See here for more general ideas for things to do at Christmas. And once you’re done with all of the Christmas days out in Essex and ready to settle down at home, take a look at these Christmas movies for kids.
We haven’t listed all of the things to do in Essex in December so if there’s something you’d like to add, please let us know.
If it’s not quite Christmas yet, you might want to check out these things to do in Essex for Halloween or places to go pumpkin picking in Essex.
You might also like…
The most festive Christmas events in Kent this year
The best things to do at Christmas in Sussex
