If you are looking for a fun Christmas themed day out with family and friends in Essex we have pulled together lots of great activities including pantomimes, Christmas shows, Christmas Markets and other events.
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| Ideas of where to go and what to do it Essex this Christmas |
Christmas Events In Essex This Year
Pantomimes and Shows in Essex
Great Shows For Little Ones
Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT
3 Dec 2024 - 24 Dec 2024
Santa, elves, puppetry, magic and snow- what more could you want for a Christmas show? Aimed at little ones aged 3+. Tickets are between £9.50 - £13.50.
The Great Christmas Sleigh Ride 2024
Harlow Playhouse, The High, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1LS
7 Dec 2024 until 24 Dec 2024
The Great Christmas Sleigh Ride is a fun-filled, sing-along, interactive festive show aimed at 2-6 year olds. Follow Lily and Jack as they adventure to the North Pole in an attempt to deliver a letter to Father Christmas. Following the show children can meet Santa and receive a gift too! Tickets are £12.50 for a child (with present), Under two (with present) is £10.00 and adults are £9.50. All are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.
The Owl Who Came For Christmas
Palace Theatre, 430 London Road, Southend, Essex, SS0 9LA
27 - 31 Dec 2024
With songs, puppetry and a heart warming Christmas message, children aged 1 and up will love this show about Rosie the owl who mistakenly ends up in the branches of a family's new Christmas tree. Tickets are between £16.50-£22.00.
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| Essex has some great professional pantomimes this year |
Great Shows And Pantomimes For Children and Families
Harlow Playhouse, The High, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1LS
November 2024 - 5th January 2025
An entertaining family pantomime full of panto classics and modern twists. Will Sir Rattington get rid of Dick Whittington so he can become mayor of old Harlow Town? Well being panto of course he wont, but there are lot of laughs, boos and hisses on the way. Tickts cost from £19.00 plus booking fees.
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| Dick Whittington Panto at Harlow Playhouse, Essex |
The New Adventures of Peter Pan
Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, CO1 1PT
23rd November 2024 to 19th January 2025
"The dastardly and devilish Captain Hook is back and seeking vengeance… With Peter Pan and the lost children in mortal danger Tinkerbell heads back to Colchester to get help. On arrival she realises many years have passed, and she must now convince Wendy’s granddaughter, to travel to Neverland and help save the infamous Peter Pan from certain death." Suitable for children 5 and upwards (having seen a previous panto in Colchester their baddies can be pretty scary), although they also have 18 plus performances.
Tickets cost from £10 to £42.
Chelmsford Theatre, Chelmsford Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JG
29th November to 5th January 2025
Expect singalongs, jokes, silliness, and of course a dame in this classic Christmas panto. Tickets start at £18.00 per person plus booking fees.
Chelmsford Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JG
Saturday 7 December
A festive version of the live comedy game show where you, the audience, participate with your smartphone/tablet to compete in a range of games, puzzles and quizzes to win prizes. They have two showings where the matinee performance is suitable for 6yrs and up and the evening performance is recommended for 12+. Tickets range from £12.00 - £16.00 plus booking fee.
Christmas drive in movies at Barleylands
Barleylands Farm Park & Craft Village, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex,CM11 2UD
What a novelty to watch a Christmas movie from the comfort of your own car. Prices start from £29.99 (For 1 Car + 2 People) which includes entry and popcorn. You can order and pay for food and drinks online (hot dogs, nachos, American pancakes etc) which will be delivered to your car during the film. Toilet facilities also available.
30th November 2024- Arthur Christmas 6:30pm // Home Alone 7:30pm
6th December 2024 - The Grinch 6:30pm // The Holiday 8:55pm
7th December 2024 - Polar Express 5:00pm // Elf 7:30pm
13th December 2024 - Nativity 6:30pm // Love Actually 8:55pm
14th December 2024 - The Muppet Christmas Carol 5:00pm // Elf 7:30pm
Christmas Light Switch Ons
One of the most affordable ways to get in the festive spirit is to visit your local town's Christmas light switch on. Whilst full details are unlikely to be announced for a while keep an eye out on your local council's social media channels. Last year Chelmsford had a fantastic free event including a marshmallow fire pit, live entertainment, the Grinch, Santa and his sleigh and fireworks accompanying the light switch on.
Another cheap and cheerful option is to take a walk around your local neighbourhood at dusk/early evening to look at the neighbour's outdoor decorations. Most roads have at least one house that go all out with inflatables and flashing fairy lights. Wrap up, take a flask of hot chocolate and enjoy seeing how many Christmas trees you can spot.
Christmas Markets and Gift Fairs In Essex
Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, SS11 7QU
Open 7 days a week during garden centre opening hours.
The German markets have come to Essex with these festive, chalet style stalls and the smell of gingerbread in the air.
With an array of specialist German foods including Frankfurter, Apple strudel and Schokokusse (chocolate kisses) there is plenty of Christmas gift inspiration or just delicious things to try.
Once you have finished perusing the market you can visit the rest of the garden centre including their Christmas department which has Christmas trees and decorations. They also have a mini golf course and the option to have a go at one of the oldest winter sports- Bavarian Curling charged at £10 per game, max 8 people per lane but 4 people per lane recommended. The market is free of charge to enter and no tickets are required.
RHS Garden Hyde Hall Christmas Gift Fair
Creephedge Lane, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford
8th to 10th November 2024 10am–3pm
Enjoy the seasonal gardens and play area whilst also having a shop for any Christmas gifts. With a range of stalls including jewellery, food, photography, handmade crafts, art and much more. Read my review on Hyde Hall here. Normal garden admission fees apply- adults from £15.85, children £7.95 and under 5 are free. However if you are in receipt of certain benefits you can visit Hyde Hall for just £1. Check their website for details.
Barleylands Craft Village, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex,CM11 2UD
Taking place on Saturday 30th November from 10am- 4pm.
Fair entry and parking is free. There will be a variety of stalls, entertainment, music, 'Skittleman' the children's entertainer and princess meet and greets, plus you may be lucky enough to see Father Christmas making an appearance. This does not include entry to Barleylands Farm.
Museum of Power, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA
30th November & 1st December 2024
Meet Santa, enjoy a ride on the miniature steam train and have a look for some Christmas gifts at the indoor Christmas stalls. There will also be entertainment and children’s rides.
Tickets can be bought including a Santa visit, or without . Children: £14 (includes 1 train ride, santa visit, presents & santa’s snacks) Adults: £9 (includes 1 train ride, santa visit & santa’s snacks). Standard entry without a visit to Santa: Children aged between 5 and 15- £5, Adults £8, Under 5’s free.
Other Christmas Events In Essex
Light Trails
A414 to Chipping Ongar
Saturday 7th December 2024 at 4pm.
See these festively decorated tractors as they pass through the villages. Free to spectate but spare change appreciated so as much money as possible can be raised for Essex and Herts air ambulance
The convoy will leave RW Crawford CM1 3SS at approximately 4pm via the A414 to Chipping Ongar, and returning via Stondon Massey and Blackmore) for approximately 5.30pm. More information and route details available on the link above.
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