Last updated: November 11, 2024
Create a memorable holiday season in Bishops Stortford with our itinerary guide. Find all the best events and activities. Locals and travellers alike, explore the holiday magic of Bishops Stortford with our comprehensive guide.
Popular events during this festive season include the enchanting Christmas Fayre, where you can find local crafts, seasonal treats, and a cheerful atmosphere. With delightful stalls and a mix of entertainment, it captures the true spirit of Christmas. You’ll also love the Marsh Farm Santa Experience, featuring a winter wonderland, interactive activities, and a chance to meet Santa himself. And the Audley End Miniature Railway is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a magical train ride through beautifully decorated grounds. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Pedestrianized streets with a variety of local artisan stalls.
The Christmas Fayre in Bishop's Stortford features over 100 stalls selling unique handmade gifts, local jams, and hot food, with live music and Santa's visit.
Where: Bishop's Stortford | More Info: Christmas Fayre
Artisan gifts and seasonal treats in a historic estate setting.
Markshall Estate's Christmas Market offers a delightful day filled with artisan gifts, handcrafted decorations, and delicious seasonal treats. Enjoy food trucks, mulled wine, and crisp walks amidst the beautiful estate grounds.
Where: Coggeshall | More Info: Markshall Estate Christmas
Christmas festivities with steam train rides and model village attractions.
The Museum of Power Christmas Fair features a market with gifts and crafts, a train ride to visit Santa, and refreshments. The Astaria Model Village is open, and 'Marshall' the Lilleshall pumping engine will be run by air and other oil/diesel engines.
Where: Langford | More Info: Museum of Power Christmas
Unique blend of local produce and handmade gifts.
Braintree Christmas Street Market offers a variety of local produce, handmade gifts, and seasonal items in the town centre. Enjoy spiced cider, pizza, and other delicacies while browsing the stalls.
Where: Braintree | More Info: Braintree Christmas Street Market
Local crafters and makers showcase their festive creations.
Explore a vibrant array of local crafters, designers, and makers at the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Christmas Craft Fayre. Enjoy award-winning exhibitions, hangars, and tours alongside festive creations.
Where: Purleigh | More Info: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Christmas
Vintage London bus and steam locomotive train ride with festive activities.
Join Epping Ongar Railway for a memorable Christmas experience with Santa's Special Trains. The journey begins on a vintage London bus from Epping or Ongar, leading to a festive train ride through ancient Epping Forest. Enjoy festive food, live brass bands, and meet Santa and his friends along the way.
Where: Ongar | More Info: Epping Ongar Railway Christmas
Free pass to visit Father Christmas for each child buying an event ticket.
Join a decorated Christmas Train journey to Wickford for the Christmas Fayre, where each child buying an event ticket gets a free pass to visit Father Christmas in the grotto. Adults £5, Children £3.
Where: Southminster | More Info: Christmas Train to Wickford
A feisty Snow White in a modern retelling of the classic tale.
Chelmsford Theatre presents a fresh and fun adaptation of Snow White, featuring back-chatting mirrors, evil stepmothers, kind princes, singalongs, jokes, and silliness.
Where: Chelmsford | More Info: Chelmsford Theatre Pantomime
Classic pantomime with a blend of comedy, music, and adventure.
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 faces the wicked King Rat and his rat horde, ensuring an unforgettable adventure for all the family.
Where: Harlow | More Info: Harlow Playhouse Pantomime
Unique blend of drag queen performances and festive dining.
Hunters Meet Hotel in Hertfordshire offers a variety of Christmas events, including drag queen performances, live music, and themed brunches. Enjoy a 4-course meal with Fanny Galore, or join in for a Christmas Bingo brunch with bottomless cocktails.
Where: Near Stansted Airport | More Info: Hunters Meet Hotel Christmas Events
Interactive Elf Academy and Teddy Bear Market.
At Marsh Farm, children can embark on a special journey to the North Pole, where they'll meet Mother Christmas, learn spells at the Elf Academy, and visit the Teddy Bear Market to create their own furry friend. The experience includes festive activities like ice skating and enjoying the farm's special Yuletide menu.
Where: South Woodham Ferrers | More Info: Marsh Farm Santa Experience
Seasonal train rides with themed activities.
Audley End Miniature Railway offers a delightful day out for families, featuring a miniature train ride through ancient woodlands, an adventure playground, and seasonal events like Halloween and Christmas specials.
Where: Saffron Walden | More Info: Audley End Miniature Railway
Holiday celebration with animal encounters and festive activities.
Colchester Zoo transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with festive activities, animal encounters, and special events like the Santa Experience and Enchanted Trail of Light.
Where: Colchester | More Info: Colchester Zoo Christmas
Family-friendly Christmas celebration with various interactive attractions.
Old Macdonald's Farm Christmas features roaming Santa, singing princesses, Christmas arts and crafts, a Christmas parade, and interactive gingerbread hunts, among other festive activities.
Where: Brentwood | More Info: Old Macdonald’s Farm Christmas
Santa's special gift for families.
Enjoy a delightful afternoon tea experience at Down Hall, where Santa will surprise and delight families with a special gift from the North Pole. Served from 2:30 to 5:30 PM, this event offers a delightful treat for all ages.
Where: Hatfield Heath | More Info: Down Hall Festive Afternoon Tea with Santa
Interactive Christmas experience with Father Christmas and various holiday activities.
At Adventure Island, Christmas is a time for joy and excitement. Meet Father Christmas, receive a special toy, and enjoy a free adult admission. Each child also gets a voucher for Sealife Adventure, a round of golf, and other holiday treats.
Where: Southend on Sea | More Info: Adventure Island Christmas
Hands-on wreath making with expert guidance and festive treats.
Create your own traditional Christmas wreath from scratch with all materials and decorations provided, along with a welcome drink and a delicious Tiptree cream tea or cheese tea.
Where: Tiptree | More Info: Tiptree Christmas Wreath Making
Interactive Christmas activities with Santa and his elves.
Join Little Monsters House of Fun for a special Christmas party with Father Christmas and his elves, featuring activities like making your own 16-inch Gingerbread Man or Snowman, decorating a Gingerbread Man, and enjoying festive soft play. The event includes a Christmas Munch Box, a Santa Hat, and a gift from Santa.
Where: Great Dunmow | More Info: Little Monsters Festive Grotto
Family-friendly Christmas activities with Santa's grotto and animal sanctuary access.
Join us at Ho-Ho-Hopefield for a family-friendly Christmas event featuring Santa's grotto, a Christmas trail, and a miniature Christmas village. Enjoy letter writing to Santa, Christmas arts and crafts, and access to the Hopefield Animal Sanctuary. The event includes free gingerbread, warm squash, and mulled wine for adults. General admission tickets allow both indoor and outdoor activities, ensuring the event goes ahead rain or shine.
Where: Brentwood | More Info: Ho-Ho-Hopefield Christmas