Last updated: 11 November 2024
Holiday cheer is here, Basildon! Discover all the top festive happenings with our guide. For both Basildon locals and tourists, this guide unveils the season's best activities and events.
One of the highlights of the season is the Lakeside Christmas Wonderland, where enchanting lights and festive displays create a magical atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Another exciting experience features a lively gathering filled with festive food and entertainment at Santa's Banquet Bash. And the Havering Christmas Land is something you definitely don't want to miss for its delightful attractions and holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Basildon Holiday Light Displays
Havering Christmas Land
- What to Expect
- Themed rooms and festive lights trail.
- Description
- Havering Christmas Land is an outdoor event featuring thousands of twinkling colored lights, themed rooms, and festive cheer. It includes a Christmas Walkway and Santa's Grotto, offering a delightful holiday experience for all.
- Where
- Hornchurch | More Info : Havering Christmas Land
Lakeside Christmas Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Largest ice rink outside London under a giant igloo.
- Description
- Lakeside Christmas Wonderland is an outdoor event at Lakeside Shopping Centre, featuring a large ice rink under a giant igloo, live music, games, rides, food outlets, and bars. It offers a variety of activities for all ages, including skating on real ice and enjoying festive treats.
- Where
- West Thurrock | More Info : Lakeside Christmas Wonderland
Enlightened at Hylands Estate
- What to Expect
- Dazzling light and sound installations with 3D special effects.
- Description
- Hylands Estate in Chelmsford presents Enlightened 2024, a spectacular winter light trail featuring over a mile of specially curated illuminations, including a 50m digital tunnel and awe-inspiring laser shows. The event showcases brand-new installations and 3D special effects, immersing visitors in a dazzling display of light and wonder.
- Where
- Chelmsford | More Info : Enlightened at Hylands Estate
Basildon Holiday Markets and Shopping
Summerhill Garden Centre Christmas
- What to Expect
- Extensive Christmas decoration display with various themes.
- Description
- Summerhill Garden Centre presents an extensive range of Christmas decorations, including stylish trees, magnificent nutcrackers, captivating lights, and dazzling baubles. The event features a variety of themes to suit all tastes, with meticulous planning to create a beautiful and breath-taking spectacle.
- Where
- Billericay | More Info : Summerhill Garden Centre Christmas
Poplar Nurseries Christmas
- What to Expect
- Christmas Showroom with festive decorations and gifts.
- Description
- Poplar Nurseries offers a Christmas experience with a beautifully set Christmas Showroom, featuring festive decorations, Christmas trees, lights, and gifts. The event also includes bespoke catering options and fresh fish from local markets.
- Where
- Colchester | More Info : Poplar Nurseries Christmas
Braintree Christmas Street Market
- What to Expect
- Artisan Hub with festive atmosphere and local crafts.
- Description
- The Braintree Christmas Street Market offers a variety of food stalls, bars, crafts, handmade items, local produce, and collectibles. It features an Artisan Hub with additional stalls in George Yard, Christmas entertainment, and the light switch-on.
- Where
- Braintree | More Info : Braintree Christmas Street Market
Christmas at Hylands House
- What to Expect
- Extensive Christmas market with local artisans and food vendors.
- Description
- Celebrate Christmas at Hylands House with Urban Food Fest's bumper Christmas Food and Gift Market, featuring stalls inside the Grand Pavilion. Enjoy a variety of delicious street food and local crafts, explore the Artist Studios, and visit the second-hand bookshop.
- Where
- Chelmsford | More Info : Christmas at Hylands House
Basildon Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Santa's Banquet Bash
- What to Expect
- Interactive entertainment for children with a special surprise.
- Description
- Santa's Banquet Bash is a delightful Christmas family event featuring entertainment by Moji Children's Entertainer, including a Mini Panto, Magic Show with Elves, and photo opportunities with Santa. The event offers delightful children's activities and a special surprise for every child.
- Where
- Orsett | More Info : Santa's Banquet Bash
Christmas Party Nights in Essex
- What to Expect
- Dazzling entertainment and delicious meals in a festive atmosphere.
- Description
- Celebrate the joy of Christmas with a three-course festive meal, half bottle of house wine, and entertainment by our resident DJ.
- Where
- Orsett | More Info : Christmas Party Nights in Essex
Twilight Christmas Party
- What to Expect
- Three-course meal with live DJ entertainment.
- Description
- The Twilight Christmas Party at Orsett Hall features a delicious three-course festive meal, complemented by a half bottle of house wine per person. The evening is filled with DJ entertainment, offering a fantastic mix of classic hits and festive favorites.
- Where
- Orsett | More Info : Twilight Christmas Party
Swingmas Lunch
- What to Expect
- Live Christmas swing entertainment with a three-course meal.
- Description
- Swingmas Lunch offers a delightful afternoon with a three-course festive meal, live Christmas swing entertainment, and a delightful dining experience filled with holiday magic and swinging tunes.
- Where
- Orsett | More Info : Swingmas Lunch
Swingmas Afternoon Tea
- What to Expect
- Live Christmas swing entertainment with a delicious three-course meal.
- Description
- Savor a delightful afternoon with Swingmas Afternoon Tea, featuring a three-course meal and live Christmas swing entertainment.
- Where
- Orsett | More Info : Swingmas Afternoon Tea
Christmas Train to Wickford
- What to Expect
- Decorated train journey with free Father Christmas visit for children.
- Description
- Join a decorated train journey to Wickford for the Christmas Fayre, where each child gets a free pass to visit Father Christmas in the grotto.
- Where
- Southminster | More Info : Christmas Train to Wickford
Chelmsford Theatre Pantomime
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of classic tale with modern twists and comedic elements.
- Description
- Chelmsford Theatre presents a fresh adaptation of Snow White, featuring back-chatting mirrors, evil stepmothers, kind princes, singalongs, jokes, and silliness.
- Where
- Chelmsford | More Info : Chelmsford Theatre Pantomime
Harlow Playhouse Pantomime
- What to Expect
- Epic battle between Dick Whittington and King Rat.
- Description
- Harlow Playhouse presents "Dick Whittington," a thrilling pantomime starring Jimmy Burton-Iles and Ben Parsley. Join Dick on his quest for fame and fortune as he battles the wicked King Rat and his rat horde. This spectacular production promises a blend of everything you've come to expect from a Harlow Playhouse pantomime, making it an unmissable treat for all the family.
- Where
- Harlow | More Info : Harlow Playhouse Pantomime
Basildon Other Holiday Activities
Elm Farm Christmas
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday setting with bespoke flower arrangements and festive decorations.
- Description
- Elm Farm Christmas offers a charming setting with bespoke flower arrangements and festive decorations, creating a cozy atmosphere perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Where
- Billericay | More Info : Elm Farm Christmas
Audley End Miniature Railway Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas experience with Father Christmas and festive activities.
- Description
- At Audley End Miniature Railway, embark on a festive journey through ancient woodland to visit Father Christmas and his elves. Enjoy an illuminated woodland walk, create reindeer food, write letters to Santa, and participate in interactive storytelling. Each child receives a special gift.
- Where
- Saffron Walden | More Info : Audley End Miniature Railway Christmas
Tiptree Christmas Wreath Making
- What to Expect
- Hands-on wreath-making experience with expert guidance.
- Description
- Create your own traditional Christmas wreath from scratch with all materials and decorations provided, including a welcome drink, Tiptree cream tea or cheese tea, and a discount voucher for the gift shop.
- Where
- Tiptree | More Info : Tiptree Christmas Wreath Making
Barleylands Father Christmas Experience
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas experience with Father Christmas and farm park activities.
- Description
- At Barleylands, families can meet Father Christmas in his cozy grotto, receive a special token, and enjoy activities like gingerbread decorating and visiting the Toy Factory. The experience includes all-day access to the farm park with various animal encounters and play areas.
- Where
- Billericay | More Info : Barleylands Father Christmas Experience