Whether you are looking for handcrafted gifts from local small businesses or you want to soak up a festive atmosphere shopping surrounded by the smell of mulled wine and mince pies we've compiled a definitive list of the Christmas markets in Essex for 2025. Highlighting local gems and much loved annual events you can shop in the surrounds of stunning architecture like Cressing Temple Barns or Chelmsford Cathedral or outdoor markets on pedestrianised streets.
With Christmas markets in Essex taking place throughout November and December 2025 from Colchester to Chelmsford, Brentwood to Billericay you will find one near you. Stick the dates in your diary and make sure to check their websites or socials to get the latest info.
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| Enjoy festive food and gift shopping at Essex's Christmas markets |
Great Christmas Markets To Visit This Year In Essex (and nearby)
(Markets listed in date order)
Meadow Croft German Christmas Market (Wickford)
Location: Meadow Croft Garden Centre, Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, SS11 7QUDates: Thursday 11th September to Tuesday 23rd December 2025 (Daily: Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm / Sunday 10am – 4pm)
Highlights: One of the biggest German Christmas markets in the county. With 30 stalls offering traditional Bratwurst, Gluhwein and festive crafts, it is worth multiple visits throughout the season.
Website
Essex Festive Gift & Food Show (Brentwood)
Location: Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9NNDates: Saturday 1st to Sunday 2nd November 2025, 10am – 5pm
Highlights: Billed as the biggest and best Christmas shopping fair in Essex, this two-day event is perfect for getting your festive shopping done early. Discover unique gifts, artisan food and drink and seasonal inspiration.
Website
RHS Hyde Hall (Chelmsford)
Location: RHS Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET
Dates: Friday 7th to Sunday 9th November, 10am to 3pm
Highlights: The beautiful RHS gardens in Essex have a 3 day Christmas fair. Free entry for RHS members, otherwise garden admission must be paid for entry. Stalls include jewellery, handmade crafts, art and accessories. List of traders available on their website.
Essex County Christmas Fair (Witham)
Location: Braxted Park Estate, Witham, Essex, CM8 3ENDates: Friday 14th (2pm to 8pm), Saturday 15th November (10am to 6pm) to Sunday 16th November (10am to 5pm).
Highlights: The fair is expected to have150 stalls with handcrafted gifts, artisan food and festive treats. Visitors can enjoy live music, stilt walkers, LED performers, horse and cart rides and a walkabout Father Christmas in a picturesque setting.
Website
Essex Christmas Fair (Braintree)
Location: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, Braintree, Cressing,Essex, CM77 8PDDates: Friday 14th November to Sunday 16th November (10am to 4pm)
Highlights: A very popular Christmas Fair set in wonderful surroundings with great exhibitors, including Arts and Crafts, Fashion and Beauty, Food and Drink, Gifts and Household Accessoriesa and unique items.
Website
Jimmy’s Christmas Fayre, Suffolk
Location: Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park, Pannington Hall Lane, Suffolk IP9 2APDates: Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November 2025, 10am to 5pm
Highlights: Just outside of Essex, this market has lots of stalls all from East Anglia, live music, delicious food and drink. Free parking, free entry and it is dog friendly too. Note that entry to the Christmas fayre does not include access to the wildlife park.
Website
Braintree & Bocking Christmas Market
Location: Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens, 43 Bocking End, Braintree, CM7 9AE.
Dates: Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November, 4pm to 9pm.
Highlights: Gifts, crafts, food and bar. There is also Santa's grotto which you can prebook tickets for (£5.50 and selling out fast). Free entry
Langham Handmade Christmas Fair (Colchester)
Location: Langham Community Centre, School Road, Langham, Colchester, Essex CO4 5PADate: Saturday 22nd November 2025, 10am to 3.30pm
Highlights: Free entry and onsite parking. Explore a curated collection of unique handcrafted gifts by local artisans from both indoor and outdoor stalls. The fair features a stunning selection of handpicked makers, artists and small businesses.
Website
Creeksea Place Christmas Market (Burnham on Crouch)
Location: Creeksea Place, Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJDate: Saturday 22nd November 2025, 11am to 3pm
Highlights: An outdoor Christmas Market. Peruse the handmade gifts available, sip on hot chocolate or mulled wine and admire the twinkling lights. Entry £1 per person, limited parking.
Website
Markshall Christmas Market (Colchester)
Location: Markshall Estate, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TGDates: Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd November 2025, 10am to 4pm
Highlights: This free market in the Coach House of the picturesque Markshall Estate promises artisan gifts, seasonal treats and handcrafted decorations from local vendors. They have food and mulled wine to keep your energy up too.
Website
The Royal Corinthian Christmas Fayre (Burnham On Crouch)
Location: Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, The Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AXDate: Sunday 23rd November 2025, 11am to 3pm
Highlights: Festive shopping, food and drinks. There is also a charity raffle, where all proceeds go to this year's chosen charity: Action for ME.
Website
Christmas at The Stables (Chelmsford)
Location: The Stables, Hylands Estate, London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8WQDate: Wednesday 26th November 2025, 5pm to 9pm
Highlights: Live music, food, drink and shopping. The artist studios will be open and there will be additional stalls. Free event and parking.
Website
Greenwoods Christmas Market (Near Billericay)
Location: Greenwoods Hotel & Spa, Stock Road, Stock, CM4 9BEDate: Thursday 27th November 2025, 4pm to 9pm
Highlights: Free entry event with over 50 local makers and producers, street-food, mulled sips and live festive cheer.
Website
Light Up Maldon
Location: Maldon High Street, EssexDate: Thursday 27th November 2025, 5pm to 9pm (Lights switch-on at 6pm)
Highlights: Maldon High Street comes alive for the annual lights switch-on event. Expect Christmas shopping, festive food and drink, and live music to get you in the seasonal spirit.
Website
Tiptree Tea Room Christmas Fair (Colchester)
Location: Tiptree Tea Room, Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester, Essex CO5 0RFDates: Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November 2025, 10am to 3pm
Highlights: Free entry to the festive fun with local craft and gift stalls, delicious food vendors, children's activities, real Christmas trees for sale, the Tiptree Bus serving festive drinks and Santa's Grotto. It is dog-friendly.
Website
Barleylands Annual Festive Fayre (Billericay)
Location: Barleylands Craft Village, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2UDDates: Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November 2025, 10am to 4pm
Highlights: The fair is bigger than ever, running across a whole weekend. Free entry and parking. Enjoy shopping, eating, drinking, crafting and free entertainment, including four Christmas Princesses across the two days. All resident shops and studios will also be open. Dog friendly. (Does not include entry into the Farm Park)
Website
Danbury Christmas Fair (Chelmsford)
Location: Danbury Leisure Centre, Danbury, Essex, CM3 4NQDate: Saturday 29th November 2025, 12pm to 4pm
Highlights: Christmas market with a variety of local vendors including jewellery, food and greeting cards. Also includes Santa's Grotto, face painting and crafts. Free parking
Website
Bishops Stortford Christmas Fayre
Location: North Street, Market Square, Potter Street, and South Street, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 3UUDate: Saturday 6th December 2025, 9.30am to 4.30pm
Highlights: Just outside Essex, the town centre will be pedestrianised for the Fayre. Over 100 stalls will complement the regular traders, selling unique handmade gifts, Christmas items, hot food stalls, and festive beverages. There will be music, entertainment and a visit from Santa. Free parking available at Northgate End Car Park.
Website
Chelmsford Cathedral Christmas Market
Location: Chelmsford Cathedral, New Street, Chelmsford CM1 1TY
Date: Saturday 6th December, 10am to 3pm
Highlights: Browse the festive stalls in the beautiful Cathedral including: including decorations, crafts, gourmet food and jewellery. There will also be a pop up cafe.
Ingatestone Festive Fair (Brentwood)
Location: Ingatestone High Street, CM4 9EDDate: Sunday 7th December 2025, 12pm to 6pm
Highlights: A free entry festive fair with Christmas Market, live music, food and drink, family fun and entertainment. Includes a Christmas Toy Trail, free face painting and indoor community market at Ingatestone Community Centre with a Santa's Grotto.
Website
Moot Hall Christmas Gift Market (Colchester)
Location: Moot Hall, Colchester Town Hall, High Street, Colchester, CO1 1QHDate: Sunday 7th December 2025, 10am to 4pm
Highlights: Free entry indoor Christmas market, running along side the High Street Market. Browse 40 handcrafted and locally sourced gift stalls in the historic Moot Hall.
Website
Colchester Farmer's Christmas Evening Market
Location: Piazza, Mercury Theatre, ColchesterDate: Saturday 13th December 2025, 4pm to 8pm
Highlights: A special Christmas evening farmers' market with a selection of stalls selling local artisan food, drink and handmade crafts. There will be a programme of entertainment including carol singers and festive performances. Free entry.
Website
If you are happy to travel then you might want to consider a weekend away to visit some of the magical Christmas Markets around the UK.
Markets all listed in good faith, but no guarantee can be made about the quality of the markets.
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