Last updated: 11 November 2024
Get excited, Rayleigh! Our holiday guide is here to help you make the most of the season. Whether you're a local or a traveler, our guide unlocks the festive treasures of Rayleigh.
One highlight of the season is the enchanting Barleylands Christmas Experience, offering families a chance to explore a winter wonderland filled with delightful activities and festive cheer. The Audley End Miniature Railway also features a magical ride through a beautifully illuminated garden, perfect for creating lasting memories. And the Father Christmas at Audley End House and Gardens is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it provides an idyllic setting for children to meet the man in red himself. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Rayleigh Holiday Markets and Shopping
Braintree Christmas Street Market
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of local produce and handmade gifts in a bustling town centre setting.
- Description
- Braintree Christmas Street Market offers a vibrant shopping experience with local traders selling a variety of goods, including traditional fudge, meats, fresh produce, and handmade gifts. The market is set in the town centre, featuring stalls in Great Square, along the High Street, New Street, and Bank Street.
- Where
- Braintree | More Info : Braintree Christmas Street Market
Christmas Market at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome
- What to Expect
- Local crafters and makers showcase their festive creations.
- Description
- 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 : Christmas Market at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome
Rayleigh Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Epping Ongar Santa Special Trains
- What to Expect
- Interactive LED wristbands and live brass band entertainment.
- Description
- Join Epping Ongar Railway for a unique Santa Special Train experience. Board a vintage London bus from Epping or Ongar, then take a return journey on the fantastically festive train to meet Santa and his friends. Enjoy festive food stalls, live brass bands, and interactive entertainment.
- Where
- Ongar | More Info : Epping Ongar Santa Special Trains
Christmas Train to Wickford
- What to Expect
- Decorated train journey with free Father Christmas visit for children.
- Description
- Join a decorated Christmas Train journey to Wickford, featuring a free pass to visit Father Christmas in the grotto for each child ticket purchased. The train departs from Southminster at 1.05 pm.
- Where
- Southminster | More Info : Christmas Train to Wickford
Christmas Fair & Santa
- What to Expect
- Interactive Santa meet-and-greet with festive activities.
- Description
- Meet Santa at the Museum of Power, enjoy a miniature steam train ride, and explore indoor Christmas stalls with festive food and entertainment.
- Where
- Langford | More Info : Christmas Fair & Santa
Christmas Crooners
- What to Expect
- Swing band performance of classic Christmas hits.
- Description
- A fantastic cast of West End singers and the superbly talented swing band, the Jazz All-Stars, perform over 30 best-loved Christmas hits in a warm and delightful style reminiscent of the famous Andy Williams Christmas Shows. The evening features festive favourites like Baby It's Cold Outside, The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), Little Drummer Boy, White Christmas, and many more, including swing arrangements of Christmas hymns and songs.
- Where
- Southend-on-Sea | More Info : Christmas Crooners
Christmas Pantomime at Chelmsford Theatre
- What to Expect
- Interactive pantomime with a dame and comedic twists.
- Description
- Snow White glides into Chelmsford Theatre with a fun and fresh new version of the classic tale, featuring back-chatting mirrors, evil stepmothers, kind princes, singalongs, jokes, and silliness.
- Where
- Chelmsford | More Info : Christmas Pantomime at Chelmsford Theatre
Christmas Pantomime at Harlow Playhouse
- What to Expect
- Classic pantomime with a blend of comedy, music, and adventure.
- Description
- Join Dick Whittington on his journey through panto land as he seeks fame and fortune, facing the wicked King Rat and his rat horde threatening global chaos. This year promises a spectacular blend of everything you've come to expect from a Harlow Playhouse pantomime, ensuring an unmissable treat for all the family.
- Where
- Harlow | More Info : Christmas Pantomime at Harlow Playhouse
Irish-inspired Christmas Concert
- What to Expect
- Authentic Irish sing-along songs and traditional festive favourites.
- Description
- Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Irish culture as talented singers, musicians, and dancers perform a world-class concert featuring festive favourites like 'Driving Home for Christmas' and 'Step Into Christmas'. This ultimate Irish-inspired Christmas concert brings the spirit of St Patrick’s Day to Christmas Day with joyous jigs, powerful ballads, and haunting carols.
- Where
- Colchester | More Info : Irish-inspired Christmas Concert
Rayleigh Other Holiday Activities
Barleylands Christmas Experience
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas experience with Father Christmas and festive activities.
- Description
- At Barleylands, meet Father Christmas in his cozy grotto, visit the Toy Factory, and decorate gingerbread with Mother Christmas. Enjoy all-day access to the Farm Park with activities like meeting animals, tractor rides, and indoor soft play.
- Where
- Billericay | More Info : Barleylands Christmas Experience
Audley End Miniature Railway
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of nature and themed activities.
- Description
- Audley End Miniature Railway offers a delightful day out with its miniature steam train, fairy and elf walk, adventure playground, and woodland cafe. Explore the ancient woodlands and enjoy seasonal activities like Halloween and Christmas events.
- Where
- Saffron Walden | More Info : Audley End Miniature Railway
Father Christmas at Audley End House and Gardens
- What to Expect
- Interactive storytelling session with Father Christmas.
- Description
- Meet Father Christmas at Audley End House and Gardens, where he shares seasonal stories and gives each child a traditional present.
- Where
- Saffron Walden | More Info : Father Christmas at Audley End House and Gardens
Marsh Farm Father Christmas Experience
- What to Expect
- Interactive festive activities with Father Christmas and interactive farm fun.
- Description
- At Marsh Farm, embark on a festive journey with your family, featuring Elf Academy, Mother Christmas's Kitchen, and a special visit to Father Christmas. Enjoy interactive activities, decorate gingerbread, and choose your own teddy bear. The event includes a real ice rink and various farm activities.
- Where
- South Woodham Ferrers | More Info : Marsh Farm Father Christmas Experience
Colchester Zoo Christmas
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- Description
- Colchester Zoo transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with festive activities, animal encounters, and stunning light installations.
- Where
- Colchester | More Info : Colchester Zoo Christmas
White Elm Garden Centre Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive Santa's Grotto with gift-giving and photo opportunities.
- Description
- Visit White Elm Garden Centre for a festive experience where children can meet Santa in a beautifully decorated grotto, play in the petting farm, and enjoy various activities.
- Where
- Rayleigh | More Info : White Elm Garden Centre Christmas
Little Monsters Festive Grotto
- What to Expect
- Personalized Santa experience with festive activities.
- Description
- Join Little Monsters House of Fun for a special Christmas party with Father Christmas and his elves. Make your own 16-inch Gingerbread Man or Snowman, decorate a Gingerbread Man, enjoy festive soft play, and receive a Christmas gift from Santa.
- Where
- Great Dunmow | More Info : Little Monsters Festive Grotto
Christmas at Ho-Ho-Hopefield
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly Christmas activities with animal visits.
- Description
- Join Hopefield Animal Sanctuary for a family-friendly Christmas event featuring letter writing to Santa, a Christmas trail, Santa's grotto with gifts, Christmas arts and crafts, and access to a miniature Christmas village. Enjoy free gingerbread, warm squash, and mulled wine. General admission to the sanctuary is included.
- Where
- Brentwood | More Info : Christmas at Ho-Ho-Hopefield
Christmas Sunday Lunch with Father Christmas
- What to Expect
- Meet Father Christmas while enjoying a special holiday meal.
- Description
- Join us for a special two-course Sunday lunch with Father Christmas, featuring delicious seasonal dishes and a delightful encounter with the big man himself.
- Where
- Leavenheath | More Info : Christmas Sunday Lunch with Father Christmas
Festive Afternoon Tea
- What to Expect
- Themed afternoon tea in a winter setting with seasonal treats.
- Description
- Savor a deliciously themed afternoon tea in a picturesque winter setting, perfect for sharing with colleagues, friends, or loved ones.
- Where
- Leavenheath | More Info : Festive Afternoon Tea