Last updated: 11 November 2024
Can't wait for the holiday joy in Clacton-on-Sea? Dive into our guide for the best festive events! Whether Clacton-on-Sea is your permanent address or your seasonal escape, this guide ensures you make the most of the festivities.
This season, the Audley End Miniature Railway offers enchanting train rides through its beautifully decorated woodland, perfect for families looking to embrace the festive spirit. With twinkling lights and enchanting sights, Colchester Zoo Christmas invites visitors to experience an animal kingdom adorned in festive cheer featuring dazzling displays. And the Lakeside Christmas Wonderland is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a magical ice rink and a charming Christmas market. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Clacton-on-Sea Holiday Light Displays
Colchester Zoo Christmas
- What to Expect
- Immersive light displays and interactive animal experiences.
- Description
- Colchester Zoo transforms into a vibrant Christmas setting with immersive light displays, festive activities, and interactive experiences featuring life-sized animal illuminations and special animal feedings.
- Where
- Colchester | More Info : Colchester Zoo Christmas
Epping Ongar Light Fantastic
- What to Expect
- Interactive LED wristbands synchronized to music.
- Description
- The Epping Ongar Lights Express is an interactive light show on a steam train featuring thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands. The train is decorated both inside and out, creating a kaleidoscope of colours and flashing patterns. Each passenger receives an interactive LED wristband synchronized to the music, making them part of the show. The event is hosted by the legendary Voiceover Man and includes a festive DJ mix of music, on-board games, and hot and cold light refreshments.
- Where
- Ongar | More Info : Epping Ongar Light Fantastic
Havering Christmas Land
- What to Expect
- Thousands of twinkling lights and themed rooms.
- Description
- Havering Christmas Land is an outdoor attraction featuring thousands of twinkling coloured lights, themed rooms, and festive scenes. It includes a Christmas Walkway and Santa's Grotto, with food, mulled wine, and beer available nightly.
- Where
- Hornchurch | More Info : Havering Christmas Land
Clacton-on-Sea Holiday Markets and Shopping
Markshall Estate Christmas
- What to Expect
- Local artisan gifts and seasonal treats in a historic estate setting.
- Description
- Join us at Markshall Estate for a weekend of Christmas shopping and seasonal delights. Browse over 60 stalls offering unique, locally crafted gifts, artisan products, and festive treats. Enjoy delicious food from food trucks, mulled wine, and crisp walks through the beautifully decorated grounds.
- Where
- Coggeshall | More Info : Markshall Estate Christmas
Braintree Christmas Street Market
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of local produce and handmade gifts.
- Description
- Braintree Christmas Street Market offers a vibrant social experience with a variety of local traders selling traditional fudge, meats, fresh produce, handmade gifts, and more. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the bustling atmosphere and diverse offerings.
- Where
- Braintree | More Info : Braintree Christmas Street Market
Summerhill Garden Centre Christmas
- What to Expect
- Extensive collection of festive decorations.
- Description
- Summerhill Garden Centre's Christmas display features a vast range of decorations, including stylish trees, magnificent nutcrackers, captivating lights, and dazzling baubles. The event showcases a beautiful and breath-taking spectacle with themes to suit all tastes.
- Where
- Billericay | More Info : Summerhill Garden Centre Christmas
Poplar Nurseries Christmas
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of festive decorations and gourmet food offerings.
- Description
- Poplar Nurseries Christmas features a beautifully decorated showroom, bespoke catering, and a variety of festive gifts and decorations. Enjoy the freshest fish, Christmas seed potatoes, and home-cooked products in their food hall.
- Where
- Marks Tey | More Info : Poplar Nurseries Christmas
Clacton-on-Sea Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Harlow Playhouse Pantomime
- What to Expect
- Classic pantomime with a blend of comedy, music, and adventure.
- Description
- Join Harlow Playhouse for a dazzling adventure with "Dick Whittington," starring Jimmy Burton-Iles and Ben Parsley. Dick's journey through panto land is filled with excitement as he seeks fame and fortune, facing the wicked King Rat and his rat horde. This pantomime promises a spectacular blend of everything you've come to expect from Harlow Playhouse, ensuring an unmissable treat for all the family.
- Where
- Harlow | More Info : Harlow Playhouse Pantomime
Chelmsford Theatre Pantomime
- What to Expect
- A feisty Snow White in a modern retelling of the classic tale.
- Description
- 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
Cliffs Pavilion Pantomime
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly pantomime with special discounts.
- Description
- Cliffs Pavilion presents a delightful pantomime featuring Jack and the Beanstalk, offering a fun-filled experience with family-friendly entertainment and special discounts for families, under 16s, over 60s, and students.
- Where
- Southend on Sea | More Info : Cliffs Pavilion Pantomime
Princes Theatre Pantomime
- What to Expect
- Traditional pantomime with a beloved fairy tale.
- Description
- This Christmas, join us for Clacton's biggest ever pantomime, featuring beautiful Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in a delightful and entertaining show.
- Where
- Clacton on Sea | More Info : Princes Theatre Pantomime
Scotts of Southend Victorian Festive Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Meet Father Christmas in a festive setting.
- Description
- Scotts of Southend Victorian Festive Christmas Market offers a delightful holiday celebration with a variety of activities and treats for all ages, including a chance to meet Father Christmas and enjoy festive fun.
- Where
- Southend | More Info : Scotts of Southend Victorian Festive Christmas Market
Clacton-on-Sea Other Holiday Activities
Audley End Miniature Railway
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly train ride through Capability Brown-designed woodlands.
- Description
- Audley End Miniature Railway offers a delightful day out with a miniature train ride through ancient woodlands, an enchanted fairy and elf walk, an adventure playground, and a woodland cafe serving locally sourced food.
- Where
- Saffron Walden | More Info : Audley End Miniature Railway
Lakeside Christmas Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Largest ice rink outside London.
- Description
- Lakeside Christmas Wonderland is a festive event featuring a large ice rink, fun rides, live music, and food outlets, all set in the outdoor leisure space of Lakeside Shopping Centre.
- Where
- West Thurrock | More Info : Lakeside Christmas Wonderland
Old Macdonalds Farm Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive farm activities with festive entertainment.
- Description
- Old Macdonalds Farm Christmas features Roaming Santa, singing Princesses, a Christmas train ride, and various interactive activities like the Gingerbread Hunt and Reindeer Ride.
- Where
- Brentwood | More Info : Old Macdonalds Farm Christmas
Down Hall Festive Afternoon Tea with Santa
- What to Expect
- Santa's special gift for each family.
- Description
- 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 adults (£52.50) and children (2-12 years, £25; under 2 years, £5).
- Where
- Hatfield Heath | More Info : Down Hall Festive Afternoon Tea with Santa
Colchester Castle Park Christmas
- What to Expect
- Personalized 10-minute interactions with Father Christmas.
- Description
- Visit Father Christmas at Colchester Castle, where children can share their Christmas wishes, receive a special gift, and enjoy a memorable encounter with festive cheer.
- Where
- Colchester | More Info : Colchester Castle Park Christmas
Adventure Island Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas activities with Santa and festive treats.
- Description
- At Adventure Island, Christmas comes alive with a special Father Christmas experience. Meet Santa in a cozy cottage, receive a toy, and enjoy festive activities like letter writing and colouring. Each child's ticket includes one free adult admission, and you can also visit the Christmas toy store to exchange vouchers for gifts. The event features a variety of holiday treats and activities, including meeting the Grinch, Mother Christmas, and the elves.
- Where
- Southend on Sea | More Info : Adventure Island Christmas