Embark on a magical journey this Christmas. Our Nutcracker station master invites you to climb aboard the Christmas Express and journey deep into the..... more >

Audley End Rd, Audley End, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB

Today to Tue 24 Dec

The Christmas Destination at Lakeside

The Christmas Destination has arrived at Lakeside! Round up your friends, family or even work colleagues and create new memories together on our..... more >

Lakeside shopping centre, The Quay, West Thurrock RM20 2AD

Today to Sun 5 Jan 2025

We Choose to Go to the Moon

From telescopes to tortoises, meteorites to the moon landing, Saffron Walden Museum’s special exhibition “We Choose to Go to the Moon” showcases the... more >

Saffron Walden Museum Museum Street Saffron Walden CB10 1BN

Today, Sun 24 Nov, Tue 26 Nov, and more dates until Sun 19 Jan 2025

Discover Clubs and Organisations in Essex

Cinderella

You shall go to the ball, as the classic panto family favourite Cinderella makes a grand entrance! Bursting with glitz and glamour, it’ll be the..... more >

Queens Theatre Hornchurch, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1QT

Today to Sat 4 Jan 2025

Stamp Club Meeting (Rayleigh)

25Nov: Colin Evans displays Letter H; 9Dec: Christmas Social and Doug Venman Competition. Meeting of Rayleigh & District Philatelic Society... more >

Parish Rooms, Rectory Garth, Hockley Road, Rayleigh SS6 8BA

Mon 25 Nov, Mon 9 Dec

Havering Christmas Land

This holiday season, Mind in Havering, Barking, and Dagenham is thrilled to announce the return of Havering Christmas Land!... more >

Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch RM11 1JU

Wed 27 Nov to Wed 1 Jan 2025

Victorian Christmas at Valentines Mansion

A weekend of festivities at Valentines Mansion for our much-loved Christmas event. With craft stalls, artists' open studios, children's..... more >

Valentines Mansion & Gardens, Emerson Road, Ilford IG1 4XA

Sat 30 Nov and Sun 1 Dec

A Tudor Christmas at Paycocke's House

Join The Companye of Merrie Folke as they bring the joy of Christmas 1512 to the National Trust's Paycocke's House and Gardens... more >

Paycockes House, 25 West Street, Coggeshall CO6 1NS

Sat 30 Nov and Sun 1 Dec

Hang a Memory Star on the Friends Christmas Tree

Hang a Memory Star on a Large 'Friends' Christmas Tree at All Saint Church in Vange, SS16 4QF... more >

All Saints Church, London Road, Vange, Basildon SS16 4QF

Sun 1 Dec to Tue 31 Dec

Stamp Club Meeting (Basildon)

Subject to be advised. Meeting of Basildon Philatelic Society. All welcome to visit. Membership subscription plus £1 attendance fee payable for..... more >

George Hurd Centre, Audley Way, Basildon SS14 2FL

Mon 2 Dec

The Overtones Good Times Christmas Tour

Having racked up multi-platinum record sales, released 6 studio albums and sold out 11 national tours, The Overtones are back with their incredible... more >

Cliffs Pavilion, Southend SS0 7RA

Mon 2 Dec

Vivaldi Four Seasons at Christmas by Candlelight

Enjoy an exceptional musical evening in the lead-up to Christmas with a performance of Vivaldi's timeless classic, The Four Seasons along with... more >

Chelmsford Cathedral, Chelmsford CM1 1EH

Tue 3 Dec

FREE taster session with the Saffron Walden Rock Choir

Ever wondered if there is a 'local ladies choir near me or nearby'? The Saffron Walden Rock Choir is led by local vocal tutor Sam..... more >

Saffron Walden County High School, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH

Tue 3 Dec, Tue 14 Jan 2025

More Rock Choirs

A Christmas Carol - new adaptation of Charles Dicken's favourite story

Bah, Humbug! Christmas isn’t Christmas without Mr. Scrooge, is it? And we have the perfect show to get you into the Christmas Spirit... more >

Brentwood Theatre, 15 Shenfield Road CM15 8AG

Wed 4 Dec to Sat 7 Dec

Premium

Stamp Club Meeting (Frinton)

4Nov2024: Alan Moorcroft displays Other Post Office Services; 18Nov2024: Bourse; 4Dec2024 Christmas Celebrations and Members displays... more >

Room 5, Frinton Community Centre, Soken House, The Triangle, Frinton-on-Sea CO13 0AU

Wed 4 Dec

Annual Torchlight Procession and Town Carol Service

This traditional event will take place on Wednesday 4 December 2024 starting at the top of High Street, Post Code CO9 2UK... more >

Halstead High Street and Halstead Public Gardens CO9 1JE

Wed 4 Dec

Stamp Club Meeting (Benfleet)

Christmas Social & Member’s Displays. Meeting of Benfleet & District Philatelic Society. All welcome to visit... more >

Jubilee Hall, St Barnabas Church, Church Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet SS7 2EJ

Wed 4 Dec

Stamp Club Meeting (Clacton)

Pre-Christmas Buffet. Meeting of Clacton Philatelic Society. All philatelists welcome to visit. Membership subscription payable for continued..... more >

Clacton Indoor Bowls Club, Valley Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 6NA

Wed 4 Dec

Stamp Club Meeting (Witham)

Christmas Gathering (Members). Meeting of Witham Philatelic Society. All welcome to visit. Membership subscription payable for continued..... more >

Spring Lodge Community Centre, Powers Hall End, Witham CM8 2HE

Thu 5 Dec

Live at Christmas with Sara Pascoe

Sara Pascoe, Mike Wozniak, Rhys James, Jen Brister, Janine Harouni: Live At Christmas The country’s best comedians are coming to Colchester... more >

Charter Hall Cowdray Avenue Colchester CO1 1YH

Fri 6 Dec

Enlightened 2024

For the 3rd year running, the sell-out illuminated phenomenon is returning to the magnificent Castle Park in Colchester this winter... more >

Castle Park, High Street CO1 1TJ

Fri 6 Dec to Tue 24 Dec

PREVIEW live music SHOWCASE free 10 Acts 8.30 start

PREVIEW live music SHOWCASE On the 1st FRIDAY of the MONTH # In 'The Function Bar' @ The PLOUGH 426-428 London Rd, Westcliff, SS0... more >

’The Function Bar’ @ The PLOUGH 426-428 London Rd, Westcliff SS0 9LA

Fri 6 Dec

Christmas Buffet with Concorde Captain John Hutchinson

Guest speaker at our annual Christmas Buffet is Captain John Hutchinson, who will be speaking about what it was like to fly the iconic Anglo-French... more >

Hawkwell Village Hall, Hockley SS5 4EH

Sat 7 Dec

Premium

Essex Police Band Christmas Concert

Christmas Concert with the Essex Police Band and Great Waltham Village choir. The band will play Christmas favourites as well as other popular..... more >

Great Waltham Church, The Village, Great Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 1AR

Sat 7 Dec

Decorated Christmas Tree Display Weekend

The 'Friends of All Saints Church', in conjunction with the Churches Conservation Trust, will be holding a Decorated Christmas Tree... more >

All Saints Church, London Road, Vange, Basildon SS16 4QF

Sat 7 Dec and Sun 8 Dec

Felicitas Chamber Choir presents Messiah & More!

Our December concert will feature choruses from Handel's Messiah, a traditional pre-Christmas favourite, together with motets by Bruckner... more >

The Abbey Church, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1DG

Sat 7 Dec

Manningtree Christmas Market ,

Major Christmas Market in Manningtree HIGH STREET. Over 35 Stalls including FOOD, Crafts, Carols, Entertainments and much more all afternoon at this..... more >

High Street ,Manningtree CO11 1AG

Sat 7 Dec

Christmas Market & Craft Fair

Crafty Cow Markets are excited to announce that we are back in St Laurence Church Hall, Upminster this December With Christmas just under 3 weeks... more >

St Laurence Church Hall, Corbets Tey Road RM14 2BB

Sat 7 Dec

Craft & Gift Fair

Craft and Gift Fair at Tendring District Scout Centre, Valley Road, Clacton. It is open from 10am – 2pm with FREE entry and FREE car parking... more >

Tendring District Scout Centre, Valley Road, Clacton on Sea, Essex CO15 6NA

Sat 7 Dec

Christmas Carol Service at All Saints Church, Vange

Come and enjoy this lovely, very old Church on the hill. Join in with this one hour, Christmas Carol Service, accompanied by our pianist and..... more >

All Saints Church, London Road, Vange, Basildon SS16 4QF

Sun 8 Dec

A Christmas Wish - A Gorgeous Christmas Show

A Gorgeous Christmas Show It is Christmas Eve. Fern the Christmas Fairy and Eggnog the Elf are vey excited!... more >

Chelmsford Theatre Fairfield Road Chelmsford CM1 1JG

Sun 8 Dec

Stamp Club Meeting (Epping Forest)

Details and date/time of this meeting were not available at the time of writing. Please contact society before travelling... more >

Main Hall, Roding Valley High School, Alderton Hill (entry from Brook Road), Loughton, IG10 3JA

Tue 10 Dec

Snow White - the Panto

Come to our traditional panto and help Donny and Dolly save the beautiful Snow White from her wicked stepmother - aided of course by a handsome... more >

Headgate Theatre, 14 Chapel Street North, Colchester CO2 7AT

Wed 11 Dec to Sat 14 Dec

ABF Christmas Concert 2024

The Army Benevolent Fund’s Essex Committee are delighted to host the annual much-loved Essex Christmas Concert... more >

St Botolph’s Church St Botolph’s Street Colchester Essex CO2 7EE

Wed 11 Dec

Yuletide Stride 2024

This year’s Yuletide Stride will take place on Thursday 12 December, to help you get in the Christmas spirit... more >

Starts at the Lord Ashcroft Building, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ

Thu 12 Dec

The Mount - Open Garden for NGS

The garden is set in a total of eight acres. Three acres of formal gardens and five acres woodland planted in 2003... more >

The Mount, Harlow CM19 5HT

Fri 13 Dec

Market & Artisan Craft Fair

Crafty Cow Markets are excited to announce that we are back in The Chantry Centre this December. With Christmas just 11 days away we will once..... more >

Chantry Centre, Chantry Way, Billericay CM11 2AP

Sat 14 Dec

Halstead Choral Celebrates Christmas

Halstead Choral Celebrates Christmas with students from St Andrew's C of E Primary School and Colchester County High School for Girls... more >

St Andrew’s Church, Parsonage Street, Halstead CO9 2LD

Sat 14 Dec

Premium

Elf - The Musical

ELF-THE MUSICAL tells the hilarious tale of Buddy, who, as a baby, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and grows up in the North Pole... more >

Charter Hall Cowdray Avenue Colchester CO1 1YH

Sat 14 Dec to Sun 5 Jan 2025

Stamp Club Meeting (Basildon)

Festive Night and Tomex Quiz. Meeting of Basildon Philatelic Society. All welcome to visit. Membership subscription plus £1 attendance fee payable..... more >

George Hurd Centre, Audley Way, Basildon SS14 2FL

Tue 17 Dec

tick, tick... BOOM!

tick, tick... BOOM! is a musical by Jonathan Larson. It tells the story of an aspiring composer named Jon, who lives in New York City in 1990... more >

Headgate Theatre, 14 Chapel Street North, Colchester CO2 7AT

Wed 18 Dec and Thu 19 Dec

The Funny Mummy

This show has been designed with parents in mind: written and performed by Alyssa herself, who is not only a parent but is also the co-founder of... more >

Palace Theatre 430 London Road Westcliff on Sea Southend-on Sea SS0 9LA

Fri 20 Dec

The Hilarious Adventures of Robin Hood

The Essex Group are delighted to transport you all to Nottingham Forest for their 14th consecutive Panto at the Witham Public Hall, Robin Hood... more >

Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, Witham CM8 2DY

Fri 20 Dec to Tue 24 Dec, Fri 27 Dec to Sun 29 Dec

The Ultimate Elvis & Vegas Legends Tribute Show

Neil Devlin and Dave Black Neil and Dave present their tribute to a golden age on the Vegas Strip. Complete with frilly shirts, giant bow ties and..... more >

Headgate Theatre, 14 Chapel Street North, Colchester CO2 7AT

Fri 20 Dec

Ghost Stories for Christmas

Edwyrdian Tales An evening of bone chilling tales to conjure the spirits of Christmas. This night of seasonal spirits features terrors from some..... more >

Headgate Theatre, 14 Chapel Street North, Colchester CO2 7AT

Sat 21 Dec

Christmas Time

Miles of Music return to the Headgate with another original take on the Christmas Concert. The programme will include familiar songs from Christmases..... more >

Headgate Theatre, 14 Chapel Street North, Colchester CO2 7AT

Sat 21 Dec and Sun 22 Dec

Winter Solstice 'Music, Feast and Fire'

Join us at the wonderful Battlesbridge Antiques Centre for an unforgettable experience as we celebrate the Winter Solstice... more >

Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, 5 Maltings Road, Battlesbridge SS11 7RF

Sat 21 Dec

Larry Berkovitz & Zak Barrett present XMAS JAZZ - the After-Party

with: Rowan Ward (saxes) Dom Copestick (saxes/vocals) Robert Rickenberg (d bass/vocals) Andy Frost (beatbox/drums) .... and ....... more >

Chelmsford Theatre Studio, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford CM1 1JG

Fri 27 Dec to Sun 29 Dec

Premium

Things to do around Essex

Essex, a county in the East of England, offers a diverse range of activities for a memorable day out. Whether you're interested in history, nature, or family-friendly adventures, there's something for everyone. Let's explore some of the best things to do in Essex:

1. Colchester Zoo:
- Colchester Zoo is a must-visit for animal lovers. With over 270 species set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, it's constantly developing and has won many awards for its conservation work. Explore enclosures like the walk-through butterfly enclosure and the Rainbow Lorikeet area. Don't miss the state-of-the-art "Bears of the Rising Sun" enclosure housing sun bears Jo Jo and Srey Ya. Encounter Komodo Dragons, white rhinos, giraffes, and more at the "Kingdom of the Wild" exhibit¹.

2. Tours of Colchester:
- Join historical tours of Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded town. Explore its rich heritage, including Roman ruins, medieval architecture, and charming streets. Visit the Colchester Castle, a Norman keep with fascinating exhibits. Don't miss the historic walking tours and outdoor escape games.

3. Explore Southend-on-Sea:
- Head to Southend-on-Sea for a classic British seaside experience. Enjoy the sandy beaches, stroll along the promenade, and visit the iconic Southend Pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world. Explore Adventure Island amusement park and try the thrilling rides.

4. Discover Green Island Gardens:
- Green Island Gardens in Ardleigh is a hidden gem. Explore the enchanting gardens, featuring exotic plants, sculptures, and tranquil ponds. It's a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle.

5. Partyman World of Play:
- If you're with kids, visit Partyman World of Play in Basildon. This indoor play center offers slides, ball pits, and climbing frames. It's perfect for a fun-filled family day out.

6. Bridge End Garden in Saffron Walden:
- Bridge End Garden in Saffron Walden is a restored Victorian garden. Admire the colorful flowerbeds, ornamental hedges, and historic features. It's a tranquil spot for a leisurely walk.

7. Imperial Bird of Prey Academy:
- Experience the thrill of falconry at the Imperial Bird of Prey Academy in Billericay. Get up close to majestic birds of prey and learn about their behavior and conservation. Enjoy flying displays and photo opportunities.

8. Go Bananas:
- For active fun, visit Go Bananas in Colchester. This indoor soft play center has slides, climbing frames, and a separate area for toddlers. It's a great option for families with young children.

9. Thames & Medway Estuary Helicopter Tour:
- Take to the skies on a helicopter tour from Southend-on-Sea. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Thames and Medway Estuary, spotting landmarks from above. It's a unique way to explore the coastline.

10. Historic Walking Tour of Colchester:
- Join a guided walking tour of historic Colchester. Learn about its Roman past, medieval architecture, and fascinating stories. Combine it with a visit to the local farmers' market for a complete experience.

Remember to check opening hours and any booking requirements for these attractions. Whether you're interested in wildlife, history, or family fun, Essex promises an enjoyable and diverse day out!