Last updated: 11 November 2024
Experience the joy of the holidays in Harlow! Our guide has all the exciting festive events. For Harlow connoisseurs and first-timers, our guide is your key to unlocking holiday treasures.
One highlight of the season is the Audley End Miniature Railway Christmas, where visitors can enjoy a magical ride through beautifully decorated grounds. Colchester Zoo Christmas offers a splendid opportunity to witness festive animal encounters and enchanting light displays. And the Harlow Playhouse Pantomime is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring vibrant performances that bring classic tales to life. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Harlow Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Light Switch On
- What to Expect
- Vibrant city-wide Christmas light display.
- Description
- Chelmsford City Council presents the annual Christmas Light Switch On, a spectacular display of festive lights illuminating the city.
- Where
- Chelmsford | More Info : Christmas Light Switch On
Harlow Holiday Markets and Shopping
Markshall Estate Christmas
- What to Expect
- Unique gifts and local crafts in a historic setting.
- Description
- Markshall Estate's Christmas Market offers artisan gifts, handcrafted decorations, and delicious seasonal treats in a beautifully decorated setting.
- Where
- Coggeshall | More Info : Markshall Estate Christmas
Braintree Christmas Street Market
- What to Expect
- Local traders selling unique gifts and seasonal items.
- Description
- Braintree Christmas Street Market offers a vibrant shopping experience with local traders selling a variety of gifts, seasonal items, and delicious food. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the lively atmosphere and warm cider at Silks stall, while Nonna's serves tasty pizzas. The market is a great place to find unique Christmas pressies and enjoy the bustling town centre.
- Where
- Braintree | More Info : Braintree Christmas Street Market
RHS Garden Hyde Hall Christmas Gift Fair
- What to Expect
- Unique gifts from local traders in a beautiful garden setting.
- Description
- The RHS Garden Hyde Hall Christmas Gift Fair offers a wide range of unique gifts from small independent traders, including jewelry, accessories, photography, handmade crafts, and art. Enjoy browsing and tasting an array of food and drink while taking a stroll around the Winter Garden.
- Where
- Chelmsford | More Info : RHS Garden Hyde Hall Christmas Gift Fair
Harlow Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Harlow Playhouse Pantomime
- What to Expect
- Starring local favorites in a classic pantomime tale.
- Description
- Join Harlow Playhouse for a thrilling pantomime adventure as Dick Whittington seeks fame and fortune, facing the wicked King Rat and his rat horde. Starring Jimmy Burton-Iles and Ben Parsley, this spectacular blend of comedy, music, and drama promises an unmissable treat for all the family.
- Where
- Harlow | More Info : Harlow Playhouse Pantomime
The Great Christmas Sleigh Ride
- What to Expect
- Interactive festive show with audience participation and a special Christmas gift.
- Description
- The Great Christmas Sleigh Ride is an interactive show for 2-6 year olds and their families, featuring a fun-filled adventure where Lily and her brother Jack try to deliver a letter to Father Christmas. The show includes sing-alongs, audience participation, and a chance to meet Santa after the performance.
- Where
- Harlow | More Info : The Great Christmas Sleigh Ride
Old Macdonald’s Farm Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive festive activities with Santa and singing princesses.
- Description
- Old Macdonald's Farm Christmas features roaming Santa Claus, singing princesses, Christmas arts and crafts, a Christmas parade, an interactive gingerbread hunt, and a festive train ride, among other attractions.
- Where
- Brentwood | More Info : Old Macdonald’s Farm Christmas
Epping Ongar Railway Christmas Train
- What to Expect
- Interactive LED wristbands and live brass band entertainment.
- Description
- Join Epping Ongar Railway for a family-friendly Christmas experience featuring vintage London buses and steam trains. Enjoy festive food, live brass bands, and meet Santa and his friends. The event includes interactive activities and a return journey through ancient Epping Forest.
- Where
- Ongar | More Info : Epping Ongar Railway Christmas Train
Chelmsford Theatre Pantomime
- What to Expect
- Fresh adaptation of Snow White with comedic elements.
- Description
- Chelmsford Theatre presents a fresh adaptation of Snow White, featuring back-chatting mirrors, evil stepmothers, kind princes, singalongs, jokes, and silliness, with a feisty Snow White at its center.
- Where
- Chelmsford | More Info : Chelmsford Theatre Pantomime
Princes Theatre Pantomime
- What to Expect
- Traditional pantomime with interactive elements.
- Description
- Princes Theatre presents Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a classic pantomime featuring beautiful costumes and engaging performances.
- Where
- Clacton-on-Sea | More Info : Princes Theatre Pantomime
Christmas Crooners
- What to Expect
- Swing band performance of classic Christmas songs.
- Description
- A spectacular evening featuring a fantastic cast of West End singers and the superbly talented swing band, the Jazz All-Stars, performing over 30 best-loved Christmas hits, including classics by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. The event celebrates cozy cheer with festive favourites like "Baby It's Cold Outside," "The Christmas Song," and "White Christmas," all staged in the warm and delightful style of famous Andy Williams Christmas Shows.
- Where
- Southend-on-Sea | More Info : Christmas Crooners
Harlow Other Holiday Activities
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 enchanted woods to visit Father Christmas's winter workshop. Meet Mother Christmas and her elves, enjoy an illuminated woodland walk, create reindeer food, and write letters to Santa. The event includes a stage show, Adventure Play Area, and a magical carousel ride.
- Where
- Saffron Walden | More Info : Audley End Miniature Railway Christmas
Colchester Zoo Christmas
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- Description
- Colchester Zoo transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with festive decorations, animal-themed activities, and special events.
- Where
- Colchester | More Info : Colchester Zoo Christmas
Colchester Castle Park Christmas
- What to Expect
- Personalized encounters with Father Christmas in a festive setting.
- Description
- At Colchester Castle, children can meet Father Christmas and his helpers in a beautifully decorated grotto, sharing their Christmas wishes and receiving a special gift. Each child gets a few minutes to speak with Father Christmas, and the whole family can enjoy hot chocolate or mulled wine with a sweet treat.
- Where
- Colchester | More Info : Colchester Castle Park Christmas
Adventure Island Christmas
- What to Expect
- Dazzling firework displays every week.
- Description
- Adventure Island transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with dazzling firework displays, thrilling rides, and festive attractions.
- Where
- Southend-on-Sea | More Info : Adventure Island Christmas
Christmas Fair & Santa at Ho-Ho-Hopefield
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly Christmas activities with animal encounters.
- Description
- Join us for a family-friendly Christmas event at Ho-Ho-Hopefield, featuring letter writing to Santa, a Christmas trail, Santa's grotto with a gift, Christmas arts and crafts, access to a miniature Christmas village, and free gingerbread, warm squash, and mulled wine for adults.
- Where
- Brentwood | More Info : Christmas Fair & Santa at Ho-Ho-Hopefield
Christmas Wreath Making
- What to Expect
- Hands-on wreath-making experience with festive refreshments.
- Description
- Learn to create your own traditional Christmas wreath from scratch with all materials and decorations provided, accompanied by a welcome drink and a delicious Tiptree cream tea or cheese tea.
- Where
- Tiptree | More Info : Christmas Wreath Making