The Most Festive Christmas Markets In Essex 2025

Christmas is our favourite time of year and one of the things we love to do at Christmas with the kids is to visit a Christmas market.

We love venturing out and trying new places, and living just over the border from Essex, we’re happy to see that there are lots of Christmas markets in Essex this year!

Christmas markets 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.

Need more inspiration for things to do in Essex this Christmas season? Make sure to check out our post on the best Christmas events in Essex.

This post lists the best Christmas markets happening in Essex in 2025 and we aim to keep up with changes in case of any cancellations.

We have also linked to each Essex Christmas market so that you can see the most up to date information.

If you like Christmas markets, you might like to read about the best:

Child at one of the Christmas markets in Essex.

Here are the best Christmas markets in Essex this year

Colchester Town Hall Christmas Market

Lots of locally sourced and made Christmas gifts available.

Address: Colchester Town Hall, High St, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PJ.
Dates: End of November.
Tickets: FREE – but you must book tickets – see here.

Braxted Park

Braxted Park Christmas Market

Address: Braxted Park Estate, Great Braxted, Witham, Essex, CM8 3EN.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: £6.00 per adult, under 16 – FREE.

Braxted Christmas Market in Essex.

Meadow Croft Garden Centre

German Market & Christmas Fair

30 Christmas market stalls with festive gifts, crafts and food – including traditional Bratwurst and Gluhwein. It is one of the biggest German Christmas markets in Essex.

Address: Meadow Croft Garden Centre, Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, Essex, SS11 7QU.
Dates: Mid September to end of December.
Tickets: This is a ticket only event. Entry is free.

Brentwood

Essex Festive Gift & Food Show

Billed as the biggest and best Christmas shopping fair in Essex!

Address: Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9NN.
Dates: Beginning of November.
Tickets: Adult – £8.00, Child (5-15) – £5.50, Under 5 – FREE.

Ingatestone

Ingatestone Christmas Market

Over 60 stalls with Christmas crafts and gifts, a Santa’s Grotto and food stalls.

Address: Ingatestone & Fryerning Community Centre, Ingatestone, Essex, CM4 9ED.
Dates: Mid December.
Tickets: Free.

Ingatestone Christmas Market.

Maldon Christmas Festival

Enjoy the Maldon Christmas lights switch-on with Christmas shopping, festive food and drink and live music.

Address: Maldon High Street, Maldon, Essex,
Dates: End of November.
Tickets: Free.

Museum of Power

Christmas Fair & Santa

Address: Museum of Power, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA.
Dates: Beginning of December.
Tickets: Free (tickets to see Santa – including a miniature train ride & gift – £12.00 per child / £8.00 per adult).

Prested Hall

Prested Hall Christmas Market

Address: Prested Hall, Feering, Colchester, Essex CO5 9EE.
Dates: End of November.
Tickets: Free.

Hylands Park

Christmas at the Stables

Christmas Farmers’ & Craft Market – mid December.

See also their Christmas light trail (Enlightened) – one of the best Christmas light trails in the country.

Address: Hylands Park, London Rd, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8WQ.
Dates: See above for dates.
Tickets: Free.

Cromwell Manor

Cromwell Manor Christmas Market

As well as the Christmas market stalls you can watch a classic Christmas movie on a big screen, roast chestnuts around a firepit and enjoy Christmas food and drink.

Address: Cromwell Manor, Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex, SS16 4UH.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: £5.00 per ticket.