Essex

It’s nearly Christmas! Okay, it’s six weeks away, but time will fly by and before you know it you’ll be eating turkey and watching the King’s (!) speech. To make the most of the build-up, I’ve compiled the ultimate Essex Xmas guide &#8211; from wreath making workshops to festive illuminations, you won’t be short of ways to bring the spirit of Christmas alive this year (and I don&#8217;t mean gin).&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-to-meet-santa">WHERE TO MEET SANTA&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Santa-copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9678" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Santa-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Santa-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Santa-copy-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Santa-copy-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Get on the right track and see Santa at the <a href="https://www.wtm360.co.uk/colne-valley-railway-1562688060-santa-special-2022.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colne Valley Railway</a> this season! First kids get to meet him in his grotto, then it’s a ride on a diesel train to pick up their present from Santa’s toy shop (various dates 3-24 Dec; £15 per child, under 3s, £8).&nbsp;



There are still a few dates available to meet <a href="https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/meetfatherchristmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Father Christmas at Colchester Castle</a>, where he’ll be hanging out in his grotto&nbsp; and handing out gifts (£7.95 per child, including gift).&nbsp;



The <a href="https://www.marshfarm.co.uk/events/father-christmas-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Father Christmas Experience at Marsh Farm</a> (19 Nov- 24 Dec; from £35pp) goes way beyond a usual meet-and-greet; think Elf Academy, meeting with Mother Christmas and Passport Control so you can have access to the North Pole plus the chance to ride an Xmas train and ice skate too!&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="924" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-9679" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown-1-800x739.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown-1-768x710.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown-1-568x525.jpeg 568w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.colchester-zoo.com/magic-of-christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colchester Zoo’s Santa Experience</a> is always a good one, with elves, festive scenery and great gifts (my kids still love their cuddly reindeer toys from a past Santa experience!). Time slots from 9.30am onwards still available on 26 and 27 Nov and 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 24 Dec; tickets £12.50 per child.&nbsp;



Santa will also be in his Grotto at <a href="https://www.visitessex.com/whats-on/christmas-fair-and-santa-p1562281" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Langford Museum Of Power</a> (4 Dec, 10am-3pm; tickets £12pp), book a slot to meet the main man, enjoy a miniature steam train ride, entertainment and Christmas stalls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wreath-making-workshops">WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/cHJpdmF0ZS9sci9pbWFnZXMvd2Vic2l0ZS8yMDIyLTA1L3Vwd2s2MTg2MDY1Ni13aWtpbWVkaWEtaW1hZ2Uta293ZGlyZm4uanBn.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9680" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/cHJpdmF0ZS9sci9pbWFnZXMvd2Vic2l0ZS8yMDIyLTA1L3Vwd2s2MTg2MDY1Ni13aWtpbWVkaWEtaW1hZ2Uta293ZGlyZm4uanBn.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/cHJpdmF0ZS9sci9pbWFnZXMvd2Vic2l0ZS8yMDIyLTA1L3Vwd2s2MTg2MDY1Ni13aWtpbWVkaWEtaW1hZ2Uta293ZGlyZm4uanBn-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/cHJpdmF0ZS9sci9pbWFnZXMvd2Vic2l0ZS8yMDIyLTA1L3Vwd2s2MTg2MDY1Ni13aWtpbWVkaWEtaW1hZ2Uta293ZGlyZm4uanBn-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/cHJpdmF0ZS9sci9pbWFnZXMvd2Vic2l0ZS8yMDIyLTA1L3Vwd2s2MTg2MDY1Ni13aWtpbWVkaWEtaW1hZ2Uta293ZGlyZm4uanBn-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/cHJpdmF0ZS9sci9pbWFnZXMvd2Vic2l0ZS8yMDIyLTA1L3Vwd2s2MTg2MDY1Ni13aWtpbWVkaWEtaW1hZ2Uta293ZGlyZm4uanBn-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



Fancy making your own Christmas wreath for the front door this year? If it’s a yes, you’d better book a place on <a href="https://www.tiptree.com/tiptreetearoom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiptree Tearoom’s</a> wreath workshop (24 Nov), which includes all materials and a cream tea too, from £65pp. Email hello@hannahlouiseflowers.co.uk to book a place. 



More Xmas wreath making’s on offer at <a href="https://www.wivenhoehouse.co.uk/event/amnesia-flowers-wreath-making-master-class-at-wivenhoe-house/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wivenhoe House</a>, where Amnesia Flowers is running a master class on how to create the perfect Christmas decoration, using natural materials like pine cones and cinnamon sticks (28, 29 and 30 Nov, from £77).&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="809" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/RA84980-845x684-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9681" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/RA84980-845x684-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/RA84980-845x684-1-800x647.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/RA84980-845x684-1-768x621.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/RA84980-845x684-1-649x525.jpg 649w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Christmas wreath making at a gin distillery &#8211; what could go wrong? I love the idea of this workshop (19 Nov 5-8pm; £60pp) taking place at the <a href="https://eastcoastdistillery.co.uk/shop/christmas-wreath-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">East Coast Distillery</a> in Thorpe-Le-Soken and including tuition, all materials and a Tide’s Fortune cocktail to get those creative juices flowing.&nbsp;



Have you ever been on a <a href="https://www.markshall.org.uk/whatsonevent/bushcraft-wreath-making-workshop-3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bushcraft Wreath Making Workshop</a>? Me neither, which is why I’m intrigued by this two-hour session at Markshall Estate (4 Dec, 10am-1pm, tickets £45), where you get to head out into the gardens to forage your own foliage before heading back to the Arboretum to create your masterpiece. Wrap up warm ‘cause this is all outdoors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-illuminations">ILLUMINATIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="711" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-01-at-22.41.48.png" alt="" class="wp-image-9630" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-01-at-22.41.48.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-01-at-22.41.48-800x569.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-01-at-22.41.48-768x546.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-01-at-22.41.48-738x525.png 738w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



One of the county’s biggest light shows is <a href="https://www.enlightenedmoments.co.uk/events/hylands-2022/">Enlightened at Hylands Estate</a> near Chelmsford (24 Nov &#8211; 1 Jan; adult £16, child £12), with everything from magical tunnels to, lasers, illuminated trees and musical light shows.&nbsp;



More of the light fantastic at <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/audley-end-enchanted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enchanted Audley</a> (various dates 2-30 Dec; adult £19, children £11), which will feel like stepping into a fairytale as you follow the trail around the grounds plus there are fairground rides, marshmallows to toast and a gift shop packed with Xmas goodies too. &nbsp;



Chelmsford Lights Switch-On (20 Nov) will involve an afternoon of fun from noon onwards, including live music, giveaways and food stalls.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="818" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Audley.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9683" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Audley.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Audley-800x654.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Audley-768x628.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Audley-642x525.jpg 642w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Let it glow! <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/whats-on/hyde-hall-glow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Garden Hyde Hall</a> is running its spectacular Glow light trail again this year and I’m here for it. Expect a dazzling trail leading through the gardens and trees lit up in a rainbow of shades, plus there’s a Thatched Barn pit stop midway for a tasty meal, like sausage and mash and a lake cabin for mulled wine, hot choc and hotdogs.&nbsp;



Brand new at Colchester Zoo is <a href="https://www.colchester-zoo.com/event/enchanted-trail-of-light-7th/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enchanted &#8211; Trail of Light</a> (7 Dec; 4.30pm), including a route with dancing fountains, twinkling lights, live music from a brass band and seasonal food and drink.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-markets-fairs">CHRISTMAS MARKETS&nbsp;&amp; FAIRS </h2>



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Kick-start the season at the Christmas Street Market in Braintree (19 Nov, from 9am), where mulled wine, festive food stalls, seasonal produce, gifts and carols around the Christmas tree at dusk are sure to put you in the mood for a cool yule.



Head to Constable Park in Manningtree on 19 Nov (3-7pm) for a fun Christmas Fair, complete with outside bar, entertainment, open fire pit to roast marshmallows on, entertainment, festive food stalls and Christmas craft.



Don’t miss <a href="https://www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/event/christmas-market-and-santas-grotto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas Fayre in the Square</a> (20 Nov), Saffron Walden’s scenic Sunday market event this year, where you can stock up on all kinds of Xmas goodies, from gifts to gingerbread, plus there’s a FREE Father Christmas grotto in the town hall from 11am-3pm.&nbsp;



Things are getting festive in Maldon on 24 Nov (4-9pm) at the <a href="https://www.visitmaldon.co.uk/events/maldon-christmas-fayre.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maldon Christmas Festival</a>, which includes light switch-on and shopping, gifts, festive food and drink and live music.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/lynda-hinton-vtkJLtYM1rk-unsplash-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9686" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/lynda-hinton-vtkJLtYM1rk-unsplash-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/lynda-hinton-vtkJLtYM1rk-unsplash-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/lynda-hinton-vtkJLtYM1rk-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/lynda-hinton-vtkJLtYM1rk-unsplash-1-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://colchester-events.co.uk/event/christmas-market/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colchester Christmas Market</a> will be in full swing 27-28 Nov from 10am-5pm and <a href="https://prested.co.uk/christmas-market-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prested Hall Christmas Market</a> will be packed full of handmade gifts and decorations and runs on 14 Nov from 12-4pm.&nbsp;



Not forgetting <a href="https://www.essexchristmaswonderland.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Christmas Wonderland</a> in Garon Park, Southend, which really is your one-stop-shop for all Noël activities this year. Think fairground rides, ice-rink sessions, mulled-wine tastings and, of course, a quality selection of Christmas-themed goodies to pick up from the artisanal market. Just be sure to congratulate yourself with an eggnog (or three) when the Xmas shop is officially done. Takes place 10 Dec- 2 Jan.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pantomimes">PANTOMIMES&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown.png" alt="" class="wp-image-9687" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown-800x450.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown-768x432.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/11/Unknown-900x507.png 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/beauty-and-the-beast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beauty &amp; the Beast</a> is the big production at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre this season (26 Nov &#8211; 15 Jan; tickets from £15), while <a href="http://harlowplayhouse.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cinderella’s</a> sure to be a hit at Harlow Playhouse (oh no it isn’t!) from 1 Dec &#8211; 8 Jan, tickets from £17. 



Cinderella&#8217;s also the panto of choice this year at <a href="https://princestheatre.co.uk/event?i=873630346" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clacton’s Princes Theatre</a>, with Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson playing Prince Charming (Dec 10-Jan 1).&nbsp;



And Ashley Banjo and Diversity are the stars of <a href="https://southendtheatres.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs</a> showing at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea, from 9-31 Dec (tickets from £14).&nbsp;

Xmas in Essex: Christmas all wrapped up!

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