Bag of treats
Essex certainly doesn’t shirk on the festive spirit, as this round up of Christmas events shows. Ho, ho, ho indeed…
’Tis the season for pantos, Father Christmas and spectacular decorations… Christmas will soon be upon us, so build your excitement and visit the top festive spots in Essex this December, as picked out by the county’s tourism organisation, Visit Essex.
Take a trip to visit Santa
Santa Claus will be popping up all across Essex this year, so why not take the family to visit him? Head to South Woodham Ferrers for Marsh Farm’s Christmas walking tour, where you’ll find plenty of festive characters, a Father Christmas experience, jolly songs and enchanting wonderlands (18 Nov to 24 Dec, from £20pp). Or pop into Little Monsters House of Fun in Great Dunmow to visit Santa’s Grotto where little ones will meet Santa, receive a gift and get a free Santa hat (selected dates from 2 to 23 Dec, £16.95pp).
See Santa by train, as Colne Valley Railway and Audley End Miniature Railway will welcome Santa this year. Meet Santa in his grotto at Colne Valley Railway, before travelling on a diesel train to collect a present from Santa’s workshop (selected dates from 2 to 24 Dec, from £10). You can also hop aboard the Polar Express at Audley End Miniature Railway, and journey deep into the enchanted woods to visit Santa’s workshop (18 Nov to 24 Dec, from £9pp).
Exciting encounters for animal-lovers
Experience the magic of Christmas at Colchester Zoo this festive season. Children will love to transform into their favourite festive character with face paints, post their letters to Santa in a special Christmas post box, and spot fairies and pixies in the zoo’s magical woodland. Santa’s reindeer will also make an appearance, so come along and get closer to Ash, Ronnie and Sami, the zoo’s reindeer (selected dates from 25 Nov to 24 Dec, from £15pp).
Or enjoy some festive fun at Old MacDonald’s Farm in Brentwood, with an interactive Gingerbread Hunt, Christmas Chicken Show and a Reindeer ride. Guests can also see their favourite Christmas characters in the delightful Christmas Parade and head out on a Christmas Train Ride (24 Nov to 24 Dec, from £19.50pp).
You can also take the little ones to meet Santa’s reindeer before the big day at Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park. Based in Waltham Abbey, their Santa Claus Experience invites families to meet Father Christmas’s reindeer, visit Santa’s Grotto, and decorate a gingerbread person to take home (3 to 24 Dec, from £15.99pp).
It’s in front of you
Christmas activities wouldn’t be complete without a panto trip. In Harlow, watch Belle and the Beast fall in love in a production of Beauty and the Beast at Harlow Playhouse (selected dates from 1 Dec 2023 to 7 Jan 2024, from £15pp), or head to Chelmsford Theatre for their spin on the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk (selected dates from 1 Dec 2023 to 7 Jan 2024, from £15pp).
Another classic story, the swashbuckling Peter Pan, will pop up at Hedingham Castle. On 20 and 21 December only, join the Lost Boys as they battle Captain Hook in the heated and seated Ballroom Marquee in the stunning grounds of Hedingham Castle (20 and 21 Dec, from £12pp).
Also, in the run-up to the special day, Chelmsford Theatre will be putting on a production of The Night Before Christmas, an unforgettable adventure full of magic, mischief and festive fun, perfect for young children (15 to 24 Dec, from £12.50pp).
We all love to be beside the seaside, and this Christmas a spectacular production awaits you in Clacton-on-Sea, at the Westcliff Theatre’s annual Christmas Show. From laugh-out-loud comedy artists to sublime vocalists and fabulous dancers, this festive treat will be a night to remember for the whole family (20 to 23 Dec, from £17pp, one child ticket free with every adult/concession purchase).
Treat yourself this Christmas
Hotels across the county are hosting a variety of celebrations this year. Enjoy a festive lunch or afternoon tea in Holiday Inn Southend’s stylish rooftop restaurant and bar, or tuck into a festive Sunday roast with all the trimmings (1 to 23 Dec, from £21.95pp). Lovers of afternoon tea are in for a very special festive treat at Down Hall, on the Herts/Essex borders. Guests will be able to tuck into an array of sandwiches, including turkey, stuffing and cranberry, delicious scones and an assortment of sweet treats. Plus, Santa will be making a surprise appearance for younger guests to enjoy (1 to 31 Dec excl. 24, 25, 26; from £23.75pp).
A world of wonder awaits at Talliston House in Great Dunmow. The attraction is putting on an enchanted world of light, music and colour, as the house is transformed with decorations, candles and more. Explore each of the thirteen unique rooms at Talliston, then settle down for a decorated candlelit tea in the Victorian Watchtower (4 Dec 2023 to 15 Jan 2024, £39.99pp).
For something different, why not head to Colchester Castle for a free Christmas Open Evening? Immerse yourself in the festivities at the castle, while exploring 2,000 years of history. The castle will be adorned with Christmas decorations, and there will also be an opportunity to meet Father Christmas and receive a small gift (selected dates from 2 to 23 Dec, £9.95 per child).
Children will love heading to Harlow Museum this festive season. Elf on the Shelf will be making an appearance, and the mischievous elves will be hiding all around. See if you can spot them and figure out which important figure in Harlow history each elf represents (2 to 30 Dec, free).
To discover more things to do this Christmas, see visitessex.com
