The Most Festive Christmas Markets In Essex 2021
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 2021 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 Christmas markets in Norfolk, the best Christmas markets in London or the best Christmas markets in the UK or even the best Christmas markets in Europe!
Here are the best Christmas markets in Essex this year
Colchester Town Hall Christmas Market
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: 27th and 28th November 2021 (10 am to 5pm).
Tickets: FREE – but you must book tickets – see here.
Braxted Park
Address: Braxted Park Estate, Great Braxted, Witham, Essex, CM8 3EN.
Dates: Postponed to 2022.
Tickets: £6.00 per adult, under 16 – FREE.
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: 16th September to 223rd December 2021 (evening events on 4th and 25th November).
Tickets: This is a ticket only event. Entry is free. Car parking is £5.00 which will be redeemable against a purchase.
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: 6th & 7th November 2021 (12pm to 6pm).
Tickets: Adult – £8.00, Child (5-15) – £5.50, Under 5 – FREE.
Ingatestone
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: 12th December 2021 (12pm to 6pm).
Tickets: Free.
Foakes Hall
Christmas Craft Fair at Great Dunmow 2021
30 artisans will be displaying their handmade fayre.
Address: Foakes Hall, Stortford Rd, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1DG.
Dates: 6th November 2021 (10am to 4pm).
Tickets: Free.
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: 25th November 2021 (4pm to 9pm).
Tickets: Free.
Museum of Power
Address: Museum of Power, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA.
Dates: 12th November 2021 (10am to 3pm).
Tickets: Free (tickets to see Santa – including a miniature train ride & gift – £12.00 per child / £8.00 per adult).
Prested Hall
Address: Prested Hall, Feering, Colchester, Essex CO5 9EE.
Dates: 14th November 2021 (12pm to 4pm).
Tickets: Free.
Hylands Park
Christmas at the Stables – 1st December 2021 (6pm – 10pm)
Christmas Farmers’ & Craft Market – 19th December 2021 (10am to 4pm).
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: 4th to 13th December 2021 (4.30pm to 9pm).
Tickets: £5.00 per ticket.
Coggeshall Christmas Market
Outdoor Christmas stalls on Stoneham Street and indoor stalls at the Village Hall.
Address: Coggeshall Christmas Market, Stoneham Street, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1UH.
Dates: 4th December 2021 (12pm to 4pm).
Tickets: Free.
There is also an earlybird Christmas market on October 16th.
London is just a short train ride or drive away so if you are popping into London for a day out, make sure to see our Christmas in London posts:
The best things to do at Christmas in London with kids
The best places to see the London Christmas lights
The best Christmas markets in London
The best Ice Skating rinks in London
The best Igloo restaurants in London
The most family-friendly restaurants in London
Or click here for all of our Christmas posts.
