Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-karma-relaxed-cinema-screening-firstsite-colchester"><a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/christmas-karma-relaxed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Christmas Karma</em> relaxed cinema screening</a>, Firstsite, Colchester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1029" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/8816-copy.jpg" alt="Billy Porter in Christmas Karma" class="wp-image-26922" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/8816-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/8816-copy-777x800.jpg 777w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/8816-copy-972x1000.jpg 972w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/8816-copy-768x790.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Billy Porter in <em>Christmas Karma</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Firstsite offers relaxed cinema screenings all year round, but on <strong>Sat 20 Dec</strong> at 11am you can watch the festive flick, <em><a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/christmas-karma-relaxed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas Karma</a></em>, in a more sensory friendly space. Lights and sound are at a lower level, there&#8217;s no trailer or ads played before the movie and viewers are free to move around. Tickets are £11.50; concessions, £10.50 and students and under 18s, £5.50. On <strong>Sat 27 Dec</strong> at 11am, there is also a relaxed screening of <em><a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/wicked-for-good-relaxed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wicked: For Good</a></em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stardome-mobile-planetarium-abberton-reservoir-colchester"><a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2025-12-20-stardome-mobile-planetarium" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stardome &#8211; Mobile Planetarium</a>, Abberton Reservoir, Colchester</h2>



<p>Although this is guaranteed to be popular, we predict moments of silence as everyone watches in wonder at the stars shining over Essex. Split into three sessions from 6pm on <strong>Sat 20 Dec</strong>, Andrew Green Director of the StarDome and astronomy volunteers from Tiptree Star Gazers will be joining Essex Wildllife Trust for an evening of star gazing. Book in advance –&nbsp;£15 per adult and £8 per child.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winter-solstice-sound-bath-the-chantry-centre-billericay"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/the-chantry-centre-billericay/winter-solstice-sound-bath-experience/1622524989187559/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter Solstice Sound Bath</a>, The Chantry Centre, Billericay</h2>



<p>Organised by Claire Marie Yoga, this is your opportunity to slow down and take stock for 90 minutes on <strong>Sun 21 Dec</strong>, while you stretch away tension and relax to the sound of drums, singing bowls and gongs. Priced at £25. Book in advance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festival-of-nine-lessons-and-carols-chelmsford-cathedral-chelmsford"><a href="https://www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk/events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols</a>, Chelmsford Cathedral, Chelmsford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Chelmsford-cathedral.jpg" alt="Chelmsford Cathedral Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols" class="wp-image-26921" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Chelmsford-cathedral.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Chelmsford-cathedral-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Chelmsford-cathedral-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Chelmsford-cathedral-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chelmsford Cathedral Choir</figcaption></figure>



<p>From 6.30pm to 7.45pm on <strong>Sun 21, Mon 22</strong> and <strong>Tue 23 Dec</strong>, take a pew at Chelmsford Cathedral to listen to some special readings and music sung by the choir, as well as some well-loved Christmas carols for everyone to get involved with. Free to attend, seats are allocated on a first come, first serve basis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-eve-carol-singing-the-prince-of-wales-stow-maries"><strong><a href="https://prince-stowmaries.net/whatson/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas Eve Carol Singing</a></strong>, The Prince of Wales, Stow Maries</h2>



<p>Okay, so this isn&#8217;t going to be quiet. But it&#8217;s certain to raise the spirits, and might be a chance to get out for a bit and mingle on <strong>Christmas Eve</strong>. No booking is needed, the more the merrier they say, and children are welcome in the bar for the carols. Starts at 5pm for a evening of belting vocals, mulled wine and mince pies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boxing-day-walk-lake-meadows-billericay"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSKfGaSjemF/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boxing Day Walk</a>, Lake Meadows, Billericay</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.basmind.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Basildon Mind</a> has joined forces with <a href="https://www.humankindcafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human Kind Café</a> to organise a social stroll on <strong>Fri 26 Dec</strong> around the beautiful Lake Meadows, offering a safe and welcoming space for anyone struggling over the festive period. No need to book, just show up for 10.30am at the main entrance gate to join the 60 minute walk guided by a trained walk leader and supported by en experienced counsellor. Hot drinks and cakes at the Human Kind Café after! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clements-hall-walk-hawkwell"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1589201375406718/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22external_search_engine%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clements Hall Walk</a>, Hawkwell</h2>



<p>On <strong>Sun 28 Dec</strong> at 10am you can join this free, dog-friendly walk organised by Karl Lansley and SMILE, starting and ending at Clements Hall. Expect the walk to be around 90 minutes and to warm up with a coffee at the centre&#8217;s café after.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunday-sacred-sound-reset-richmond-hall-benfleet"><a href="https://calendly.com/thehealingandreadingroom/sunday-sacred-sound-reset-richmond-hall-28-dec-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawOuJxBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3Mm4wRVNlcXNyYURncVRFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt7FFcZf6fTHgrKtYx4I048Xtzi_1eCEAur8ptS8Wm5R90DqyW7xs29mVKsN_aem_sLykfmg3KwwwAx3SFEu5eA&amp;month=2025-12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunday Sacred Sound Reset</a>, Richmond Hall, Benfleet</h2>



<p>Take a deep breath and relax into this soothing 75 minute sound bath session on <strong>Sun 28 Dec</strong>, designed to release and realign. Organised by Lucy Price, founder of Canvey Island&#8217;s The Healing and Reading Room. Book in advance, £15. £18 on the door, spaces permitting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festive-fairy-door-trail-cressing-temple-barns-braintree"><a href="https://www.explore-essex.com/whats-on/festive-fairy-trail" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festive Fairy Door Trail</a>, Cressing Temple Barns, Braintree</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Arbour-in-the-Walled-Garden_2024-09-09-120041_pdna-copy.jpg" alt="Arbour in the Walled Garden, Cressing Temple barns" class="wp-image-26924" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Arbour-in-the-Walled-Garden_2024-09-09-120041_pdna-copy.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Arbour-in-the-Walled-Garden_2024-09-09-120041_pdna-copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Arbour-in-the-Walled-Garden_2024-09-09-120041_pdna-copy-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Arbour-in-the-Walled-Garden_2024-09-09-120041_pdna-copy-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Arbour in the Walled Garden, Cressing Temple Barns</figcaption></figure>



<p>Running until <strong>3 Jan</strong>, you can join this free trail that will see you exploring Cressing Temple Barns. Discover all of the magical fairy doors that belong to the fairies and pixies that legend has it live there. Open every day from 9am &#8211; 4pm, you can download the trail or pick up one up when you arrive. Collect and unscramble the letters to spell out a fairy&#8217;s name to collect a free sweet treat from the Tiptree Tea Room.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">In the mood for more?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/the-best-boxing-day-walks-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A breath of fresh air: The best Boxing Day walks Essex has to offer</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/the-holidays-are-coming-what-to-do-in-essex-this-december/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The holidays are coming: What to do in Essex this December</a></li>



<li><a href="RHS Glow at Hyde Hall, Rettendon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: RHS Glow at Hyde Hall, Rettendon</a></li>
</ul>


Keep the peace: Where to find calm and connection this Christmas

You may also like