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Here is our BIG Christmas guide, helping you to plan the festive season! Below are our top pick of events, light trails, Christmassy days out and ideas of things to do, including some FREE and low cost ideas too. Don't forget, for ALL events and everything on in the area, click here to view our full 'what's on guide'.
Santa's Grottos
Firstly, is it even Christmas without seeing the big man himself? If you haven't yet booked, see our article below for where to visit Father Christmas! Click on the image for a full list.
Christmas Markets
Click the image below for a regularly updated list of local markets. There are currently over 27 to choose from.
Christmas Tree Farms
If you fancy a real tree this year, here are a few of our readers suggestions of where to find one
🎄The Christmas Tree Farm (Leigh Trees) - Prince Avenue, SS0 0JJ, 07988 816997
🎄Hurleys Christmas Tree Farm - Battlesbridge, Woodham Road SS11 7QL, 07951734481 (Open daily from 25th November, including some family fun whilst choosing your tree)
🎄Wheatley farm garden centre - Rayleigh SS6 9ES, 01268 785222
🎄Slatfords Nursery and Garden Centre - Wier Cutting, SS6 7TU, 01268 771569
🎄Lathcoats Farm - Chelmsford CM2 8LX, 01245 353021 (Christmas Trail and free access to small farm for customers)
🎄Morley's Nurseries - Great Wakering, SS3 0PU, 01702 585668
🎄Potash Garden Centre & Tea Rooms - Hockley, SS5 4JN, 01702 562 003
Christmas Lights Switch On
☃️Southend Big Christmas Switch on - 16th November 2024
☃️Westbourne Lights Christmas Display - Switch on 30th November 2024 and running until 28th December 2024 (This is a motorised Christmas light display, raising money for charity. Running everyday between 5pm-8pm)
☃️Hockley Christmas Lights Switch on - 30th November 2024
☃️Hullbridge Fayre and Lights Switch on - 30th November 2024
☃️Leigh Lights Switch on - Library Gardens - 29th November 2024
Christmas Drive In Movies
Barleylands, Billericay CM11 2UD
Elf - 29th November
Arthur Christmas 30th November
Home Alone - 30th November
How The Grinch Stole Christmas - 6th December
The Holiday - 6th December
The Polar Express - 7th December
Elf - 7th December
Love Actually - 13th December
The Muppet Christmas Carol - 14th December
Elf - 14th December
Christmassy days out and attractions
These are just some *top picks* taken from our What's on guide. For a full list of events, click here
🎅Christmas at Canvey Seafront - Fantasy Island - 23rd and 24th November 2024
A magical Christmas event with something for everyone. Christmas market, Christmas ice-skating rink, street entertainers, live entertainment on stage at Jimmy macs, fun fair, crazy golf, Santa's sleigh, pictures with Christmas characters in front of the 25foot Christmas tree and much more.
🎅Mental Elf Festive Fun Run 2024 - Belfairs Woods - 1st December 2024 Get ready to dust off that Elfy fancy dress and raise vital funds for local mental health services this Christmas. Take part in a 5K(ish) trail around the woodlands and enjoy a well deserved medal and mince pie at the finish line. All ages, abilities, families and dogs are welcome!
🎅Destination Christmas @ Lakeside - Lakeside - 15th November - 5th January 2025
Here's what you can expect: Snow Dome Waltzer, Santa's Roller Coaster, avalanche, Observation Wheel, Vintage Dodgems, Santa's Wacky races, Balloon ride, Circus funhouse, Toy Town carousel, Catch A Santa Claus, Candy cane bungee trampolines as well as Christmas game stalls and more!
🎅Merry Megafest - Rayleigh Megacentre - 20th December 2024
Soft play, laser tag, Christmas movies, bouncy castle, festive face painting, School choirs, Santas grottos and lots more!!
🎅Christmas at Stubbers - Upminster - 7th December 2024
A seasonal festival at Stubbers including Winter Walks, Christmas Carols, Marshmallow Toasting, Christmas Arts and crafts, Silent disco, Christmas stalls and Snowboard Simulator
🎅Community Christmas Event - Garon Park - 14th and 15th December 2024
Imagine the Hive nature school area of the park, all lit up enticing you in and guiding you through a very special Christmas woodland trail. Along the atmospheric trail you will find Mrs Claus’s kitchen with an edible activity for kids and the elves workshop where you can make a Christmas decoration to take home. Hidden along the trail will be our collection of fairy houses, specially decorated for the celebrations - find them all and receive a present!
🎅Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - Hyde Park, London - Open from 21st November to 1st January 2025 Whether you want to see the city from new heights, chill out in the coolest bar in Hyde Park, catch a thrill on an exhilarating coaster, indulge in a delicious dish or immerse yourself in a frozen world, there’s so much to do at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Don’t forget that if you spend £25 on attractions, rides and food & drink you’ll get your entry for free, check out below to see what we’ve got in store for you.
Smaller/Local Christmas Activities
🦌Little Elves Early Year Show - Southend Central Museum - 1st December 2024
🦌Penguins and Polar Bears with Forest Tots - Do It Like A Mother - 14th December 2024
🦌Christmas Special at Canvey Miniature Railway - Canvey - 1st and 8th December 2024
🦌Elf Activity Morning - Robyn's Place, Leigh - 8th December 2024
🦌Needle Felting Snowman workshop - Garon's Park - 7th December 2024
🦌Christmas with the Cheeky Elf - Creations, Hullbridge - 22nd December 2024
Christmas Panto
🎭Jack and the Beanstalk - Cliffs Pavilion, Southend 9th - 14th December 2024 - 5th Jan 2025
🎭Cinderella - Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch - 21st November 2024 - 4th Jan 2025
🎭Jack and the Beanstalk - Towngate Theatre, Basildon - 28th November - 5th January 2025
Christmas Light Trails
⭐Garon Park Chrismas event - Garon's Park, SS2 4FA, 14th and 15th December 2024
Imagine the Hive nature school area of the park, all lit up enticing you in and guiding you through a very special Christmas woodland trail. Along the atmospheric trail you will find Mrs Claus’s kitchen with an edible activity for kids and the elves workshop where you can make a Christmas decoration to take home. Hidden along the trail will be our collection of fairy houses, specially decorated for the celebrations - find them all and receive a present!
⭐Enlightened Hylands ,CM2 8FS 29th November - 4th January 2024
For the 5th year running, the sell-out illuminated phenomenon is returning to the prestigious Hylands Estate in Chelmsford this winter. With a new & reimagined trail, Enlightened 2024 is set to be the biggest, boldest and brightest year yet!
⭐Glow 2024 at RHS Hyde Hall, CM3 8ET, Weds-Saturdays from 22nd Nov - 28nd December 2024
It’s the brightest night of the year! Packed with sparkling new features for 2024, bring family and friends for an enchanting festive experience at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex
⭐Epping Ongar Light Fantastic, Ongar CM5 9AB Various Dates from 16th November - January 2024
An interactive journey for the whole family like never before! Featuring "Voiceover Man" (as heard on Britain's Got Talent and X-Factor) Stunning neon views, A fully immersive lightshow to music, Interactive LED wristbands, Sound to light fun for the whole family to get you in the party spirit. The Epping Ongar Lights Express is an incredible light show on and in a steam train, consisting of thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns. The train looks amazing, inside and out!
⭐Enlightened at Colchester Park, Colchester Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, C01 1TJ : 6th December 2024 to 24th December 2024
In 2024, we unveil new installations and interactive wonders across all of our trails, promising our most dazzling and immersive season yet.
⭐Enchanted Trail of Lights, Colchester Zoo, Colchester CO3 0SL: 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 20th & 22nd December 2024
Experience a whole host of illuminations along a designated route, featuring an immersive blue ice tunnel, magical rainbow light bridge and life-sized animal illuminations. Plus, you can control the magic with special interactive light zones, all put together by our creative in-house events team.
FREE and low cost ideas
You can still have a festive day out without spending a fortune. Here are a few ideas for some free and low cost festive activities. Lots of the above markets also have free entry and we have some different ideas below.
🎅Christmas Family fun day - FREE - 16th November 2024 - Free family activities and grand opening of Santas Grotto
🎅 The Twelve Penguins of Christmas - FREE - Kent Elms Library - From Monday 2nd December young visitors to the library will be able to earn themselves a sticker and certificate if they can spot all 12 penguins, hiding somewhere in the warmth of the library! ❄
🎅Christmas Charity Tractor run - FREE - Basildon - 14th December 2024 - This tractor run is free for spectators but there will be donation buckets at the start point.
Bring your family and friends, and let's make this Christmas unforgettable while supporting a wonderful cause.
🎅Visit a Garden Centre - FREE - There are lots of local garden centre's that have some great Christmas displays and the children love them!
Meadow Croft Garden Centre - Battlesbridge, SS11 7QL (Also hosting a German Christmas Market)
Summerhill Garden Centre - Billericay, Essex CM11 2UJ
Alton's Garden Centre - Wickford, SS12 9JG
🎅Drive or walk and see the Christmas lights in the area - FREE
There are always some great trails shared around the area and we will share them when we have more information - Don't forget to visit Westbourne lights!
🎅Lathcoat's Farm Christmas Trail - From £5 per child - Chelmsford, CM2 8LX - 30th November - 31st December (not open 24th & 25th December)
A magical self-guided interactive walk through the beautifully decorated animal area and stables at Lathcoats Farm. Collect your activity sheet from the farm shop and then follow the trail as you discover the 12 days of Christmas
🎅Christmas Arts and Crafts with The Art Ministry - FREE EVENT - Leigh Community Centre, - 29th November 2024
A magical self-guided interactive walk through the beautifully decorated animal area and stables at Lathcoats Farm. Collect your activity sheet from the farm shop and then follow the trail as you discover the 12 days of Christmas.
🎅Christmas open day - FREE - Waterside Leisure Centre, SS8 9RA - 10th December 2023
Completely free event with soft play, entertainer/magician, bouncy castles, Christmas story corner, Christmas party games, £1 swimming all day and lots more activities
🎅Joe Banana Christmas Party - FREE - Leigh Community Centre - 29th November 2024
Create your own Christmas card with The Art Ministry
Elf on the shelf ideas
Now you've got your events planned, it's time to get organised at home. Give our list of Elf on the shelf ideas a try and we even have a printable planner and shopping list for you RIGHT HERE
Printable advent calendar/bucket list
Fancy making your own advent calendar this year to add in some excitement to those festive activities? We have a FREE downloadable template for you with some empty slots for your own ideas. You can download it HERE
Festive Planner
Lastly, let's get it all on paper so the family can see what you're up to over the festive season! Another FREE download for you here
If you would like to add anything to our What's on guide or would like to contact us about this article, please click here
