Last updated: 11 November 2024
Get pumped for the festive season in Wickford! Our guide highlights all the top holiday events and activities. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, our guide unlocks the festive spirit of Wickford.
One highlight is the Lakeside Christmas Wonderland, which transforms the lakeside into a magical hub of lights and attractions. With family-friendly activities and enchanting displays, it’s perfect for all ages. Another must-see, Havering Christmas Land, features an array of merry attractions, including a charming festive market and thrilling rides. And the Epping Ongar Light Fantastic is something you definitely don’t want to miss, bringing seasonal cheer with its spectacular illuminated train journey. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Wickford Holiday Light Displays
Havering Christmas Land
- What to Expect
- Community-driven Christmas lights trail supporting local mental health charity.
- Description
- Havering Christmas Land is an outdoor attraction in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch, featuring a Christmas lights walkway with thousands of twinkling coloured lights, themed rooms, and festive decorations. The event includes a Santa's Grotto, food, mulled wine, and beer, with all proceeds supporting local mental health charity Mind in Havering, Barking & Dagenham.
- Where
- Hornchurch | More Info : Havering Christmas Land
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 hosted by Voiceover Man and includes a festive DJ mix, interactive LED wristbands, and a fully immersive lightshow to music.
- Where
- Ongar | More Info : Epping Ongar Light Fantastic
Essex Christmas Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Extravagant light displays throughout the park combined with live entertainment.
- Description
- A delightful celebration in Southend, featuring stunning light displays, seasonal attractions, and festive activities for families. Visitors can wander through beautifully decorated areas and enjoy a variety of entertainment, including live performances and children's activities. Food stalls offer seasonal treats, creating a warm atmosphere that embodies the spirit of the season.
- Where
- Southend | More Info : Essex Christmas Wonderland
Wickford Holiday Markets and Shopping
German Market & Christmas Fair
- What to Expect
- Authentic German market with handcrafted stalls and traditional foods.
- Description
- The German Market & Christmas Fair at Meadow Croft Garden Centre features over 30 handcrafted stalls offering high-quality artisan products, traditional German foods, and festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Battlesbridge | More Info : German Market & Christmas Fair
Braintree Christmas Street Market
- What to Expect
- Local traders selling traditional goods in the town centre.
- Description
- Braintree Christmas Street Market offers a variety of local traders selling traditional fudge, meats, fresh produce, cakes, and handmade gifts. The market is set in the town centre, featuring a food and drink court with seating areas and a range of independent businesses.
- Where
- Braintree | More Info : Braintree Christmas Street Market
Meadow Croft Garden Centre German Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional German market with authentic artisan products and festive foods.
- Description
- The Meadow Croft Garden Centre German Market offers a traditional German experience with over 30 handcrafted stalls, featuring high-quality artisan products, authentic German foods, and festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Battlesbridge | More Info : Meadow Croft Garden Centre German Market
Wickford Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Crooners
- What to Expect
- Swing band performance of classic Christmas songs.
- Description
- Christmas Crooners features a fantastic cast of West End singers and the Jazz All-Stars performing over 30 best-loved Christmas hits, including classics by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. The evening is staged in the warm and delightful style of the famous Andy Williams Christmas Shows, complete with stunning decor and festive favourites.
- Where
- Southend | More Info : Christmas Crooners
Christmas Fair & Santa
- What to Expect
- Meet Santa amidst historic steam engines and festive stalls.
- Description
- Meet Santa at the Museum of Power, where you can enjoy a miniature steam train ride and explore indoor Christmas stalls.
- Where
- Langford | More Info : Christmas Fair & Santa
Snow White Pantomime
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of comedy and classic fairy tale elements.
- Description
- Snow White Pantomime at Chelmsford Theatre features back-chatting mirrors, evil stepmothers, kind princes, singalongs, jokes, and silliness in a fresh new version of the classic tale.
- Where
- Chelmsford | More Info : Snow White Pantomime
Dick Whittington Pantomime
- 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, Dick and friends must do all they can to save the day. 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 : Dick Whittington Pantomime
Wickford Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Train to Wickford
- What to Expect
- Free pass to visit Father Christmas's grotto for children.
- Description
- Join a decorated Christmas Train journey to Wickford's Christmas Fayre, where each child buying an event ticket gets a free pass to visit Father Christmas's grotto. The train departs at 1.05pm from Southminster, with tickets available from September 24th.
- Where
- Southminster | More Info : Christmas Train to Wickford
Epping Ongar Santa Special Trains
- What to Expect
- Steam locomotive-hauled train with festive activities.
- Description
- Join Epping Ongar Railway for a unique Christmas experience where children receive a present from Santa. The event includes a return journey on Santa's Fantastically Festive Special Train from North Weald, starting with a vintage London bus service from Epping or Ongar. Enjoy festive food stalls and live brass bands while meeting Santa and his friends.
- Where
- Ongar | More Info : Epping Ongar Santa Special Trains
Father Christmas Experience at Marsh Farm
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas activities with real ice skating and festive treats.
- Description
- At Marsh Farm, the Father Christmas Experience is a 2.5-hour journey designed for families with children up to age 12. The event includes activities like the Elf Academy, Snow Show, Mother Christmas's Kitchen, and a visit to the Teddy Bear Market. Participants can also meet Father Christmas, decorate gingerbread persons, and enjoy festive rides and treats. The event is cashless, accepting major credit and debit cards.
- Where
- South Woodham Ferrers | More Info : Father Christmas Experience at Marsh Farm
Christmas at Ho Ho Hopefield
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly Christmas celebration with animal encounters.
- Description
- Join Hopefield Animal Sanctuary for a family-friendly Christmas event 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. General admission to the sanctuary is included.
- Where
- Brentwood | More Info : Christmas at Ho Ho Hopefield
Audley End Miniature Railway Santa Experience
- 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 near Saffron Walden. Climb aboard the Christmas Express to visit Father Christmas's winter workshop, where Mother Christmas and her elves are busy preparing toys. Meet Father Christmas, enjoy an illuminated woodland walk, create reindeer food, and write your Christmas wish list. The event includes a stage show, an Adventure Play Area, and a magical carousel ride.
- Where
- Saffron Walden | More Info : Audley End Miniature Railway Santa Experience
Little Monsters Santa Grotto
- What to Expect
- Create your own 16-inch Gingerbread Man or Snowman.
- Description
- Join Little Monsters House of Fun for a special Christmas party with Father Christmas and his elves, featuring Rudolph and Olaf. Make your own 16-inch Gingerbread Man or Snowman, decorate a gingerbread man, enjoy a photo opportunity with Santa and his guests, and participate in festive soft play activities.
- Where
- Great Dunmow | More Info : Little Monsters Santa Grotto
Christmas at Audley End
- What to Expect
- Interactive storytelling 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. The event includes group storytelling sessions and opportunities for photographs.
- Where
- Saffron Walden | More Info : Christmas at Audley End
Tiptree Christmas Wreath Making
- What to Expect
- Hands-on wreath making with local materials and refreshments.
- Description
- 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