Visit Essex, the county’s tourism organisation, has picked the top five seasonal things to see and do this Christmas.
The tourism body is keen to inspire people to get together and find that festive feeling by enjoying a wide range of Christmas events in the county.
Councillor Mark Durham, Chair of Visit Essex, said: “Essex has so much to offer. From dazzling light shows in our beautiful countryside, to snug visits to Santa’s grottos. Don’t miss out on the huge variety of festivities taking place across the county, with events guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit.”
Light up the dark nights
Illuminated light shows are a great way to step into Christmas. Gardening enthusiasts will love RHS Glow, taking place at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, near Chelmsford. Their beautiful gardens will be covered in thousands of twinkling lights, with colourful light shows. The event takes place between 22 November and 28 December.
Another light spectacular, Enlightened 2024, provides an ever-changing display of multi-coloured light experiences, which will brighten dark skies across the county. Join the trails at Hylands Estate, Chelmsford, Colchester Castle Park, or Markshall Estate, Coggeshall. The shows start on 29 November 2024 and run until 4 January 2025. They offer a great way to experience these popular venues in a totally different way.
Young and old can catch the festive cheer onboard the Epping Ongar Lights Express. Travelling either by steam or diesel engine along an illuminated route, visitors become part of the light express experience thanks to interactive LED wristbands. Watch your band light-up to the onboard music and stories. The journeys run through November to January 2025 on selected dates.
Christmas shopping
Support local and find something very special this Christmas by buying from independent traders and shopping in your High Street. Essex is blessed with lots of shopping centres, from Bond Street in Chelmsford, to the precincts and independent stores in Colchester, plus big labels at Lakeside, there’s something different for everyone.
Foodies will love to shop at the world famous Wilkin and Sons at their Christmas Fair in the Tiptree Marquee. Visitors will enjoy a wide range of jams, gins and produce, plus Christmas stalls, along with trips to see Santa and his elves. Sip on mulled wine made with their damson gin liqueur whilst selecting the perfect tree, cut fresh from their farm! (Weekend of 7 and 8 December.)
The county’s town and city centres will be alive with festive markets. Wander through the streets of Braintree packed full of festive food stalls, local crafts and handmade items, topped off with an artisan hub in George Yard. Soak up the festive vibes and watch the Christmas light switch on, 23 November, for Braintree at its best!
The city of Chelmsford will also be hosting a festive market, housed within the historic walls of Chelmsford Cathedral. Treat yourself to seasonal decorations, sparkling jewellery, hand-crafted textiles and crafts. It’s a great place to find that unusual gift on Saturday 7 December.
Take in a show – ‘Oh yes you can!’
Panto is alive and well in Essex with top-class productions taking place across the county. This year ‘boo and hiss’ at Captain Hook at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre in their production of ‘The New Adventures of Peter Pan’. Further afield, watch Rylan Clark as ‘The Spirit of the Beans’ in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion.
Chelmsford Theatre is staging their newest version of Snow White. While the Harlow Playhouse is putting on the much-loved panto ‘Dick Whittington’, which stars local favourites, Jimmy Burton-Iles and Ben Parsley.
Or step into a Christmas scene from yesteryear. The Dickens Theatre Company presents a festive classic ‘A Christmas Carol,’ at the Palace Theatre, Southend, between 25 and 27 November.
See the Big Man Himself
Kids love to see Father Christmas and it’s great fun for all the family. Listen out for what they hope to find under the tree, or just delight in Santa’s reindeers and elves.
Meet the big man at ‘Wonderland’ at Adventure Inside, a huge indoor play centre next to Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea. Stroll through ‘Christmasville’, whilst enjoying lots of rides and games. Wonderland runs at weekends from 30 November.
Steam into the season with a Santa experience at Colne Valley Railway. Be transported on a pre-booked train to visit Santa in his new Christmas parlour. Pick the perfect present with help from elves in Santa’s Workshop, and ride on the miniature railway, from 30 November.
Perfect for little ones, make time for Marsh Farm’s ‘Father Christmas Experience’ this year. Watch the magical elf shows and the surprise-filled ‘snow show’. Have fun decorating your own gingerbread person, take a spin on the special ice rink and receive a teddy bear to build. The experience starts from 16 November.
Feast with Family
Everyone loves to tuck into a festive feast, so treat the family to an extra special get-together.
Enjoy Afternoon Tea with Santa at St Osyth Priory – a beautifully restored historic property, which offers the perfect backdrop for a luxurious Christmas. Enjoy welcome drinks in the Great Hall but listen carefully as Father Christmas reads a festive tale! Afternoon tea is served in the gallery. Expect sumptuously adorned fireplaces, fine china and insta-worthy photo opportunities at present giving time, 8 December only.
Christmas is a time for all the family, so treat the chef in your house to some much-deserved time off. The Stoke by Nayland Resort is offering Santa Sunday Events, which not only includes a first-class roast with all the trimmings but also an experience full of festive fun, including a Snow Queen singer plus games! Bookings start from 1 December.
