What’s on across Chelmsford this Christmas

There is plenty of cheer across Chelmsford this festive season! From magical markets to charity runs, there’s something for everyone. Here’s our guide to events happening across the district.

North Chelmsford

Santa’s Grotto at Beaulieu Community Centre

Santa is back in Beaulieu! Organised by Rotary Mildmay, this enchanting grotto is tucked behind a pathway of brightly decorated Christmas trees in Keep Hall. Book a slot for your child to meet Santa and take home a special gift.
📅 Saturday 29 November, 10am–4pm
📍 Beaulieu Community Centre, CM1 6AU
Book tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/santas-grotto-beaulieu-2025-tickets-1320424969629

Mildmay Rotary Santa on his sleigh

Santa’s sleigh is coming your way! Look out for him in North Springfield, Beaulieu and Channels, Ford End, Little Waltham, Broads Green, Great Waltham and Howe Street throughout December, spreading festive cheer and raising funds for local charities.
📅 Various dates and locations in November and December.

Check the Mildmay Rotary Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/mildmayrotary/

Little Waltham Christmas Celebration

Little Waltham Parish Council is hosting its Christmas celebration in Taylor’s Park later this month. Check their website for more details.
📅 Sunday 30 November, 4–6pm
📍Taylor’s Park, Little Waltham

Find out more: https://www.littlewalthamparishcouncil.gov.uk/council_events/save-the-date-christmas-celebration/ 

Essex Police Band Christmas Concert

The Essex Police Band and Great Waltham Village Choir bring Christmas favourites, carols, and a chance for children to get involved with percussion for a rendition of Jingle Bells. Licensed bar available.
📅 Saturday 6 December, 7–9.30pm
📍 Church of St Mary & St Lawrence, CM3 1AR
🎟 Tickets: Adults £7, Children £2
Find out more from Great Waltham Parish Council: https://e-voice.org.uk/greatwalthamparish/gw-community-network/ 

West Chelmsford

Writtle Vintage & Makers Market

Dancing Pony Events return to Writtle with a festive vintage and makers market, right in the heart of the village! Support local makers and vintage sellers at this festive market packed with unique gifts, crafts, and treats. Entry is free, with optional charity donations. Some car parking is available, but spaces are limited at the centre.
📅 Saturday 29 November
📍 Writtle Christian Centre, CM1 3DTLearn more: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dancing-pony-events-festive-vintage-makers-market-writtle-tickets-1058263898809

Essex Illuminated Christmas Charity Tractor Run

Crawfords Group Writtle depot hosts the Essex Illuminated Christmas Charity Tractor Run to raise funds for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. Watch a dazzling convoy of decorated tractors and enjoy refreshments, stalls, and festive fun.
📅 Saturday 6 December, from 4pm
📍 Fox Burrows Lane, Writtle
Find out more: https://crawfordsgroup.co.uk/essex-illuminated-christmas-charity-tractor-run/      

South Chelmsford

Galleywood clean-up for Christmas

Join the parish council for a community litter pick to get things spruced up for the festive season! Equipment will be provided and all are welcome. Meet near the Watchouse shops. Find out more by calling Galleywood Parish Council on 01245 348756
📅 Saturday 29 November, 10am – 12pm
📍Meet near the Watchouse shops
Find out more by calling Galleywood Parish Council on 01245 348756.  

Galleywood Christmas Lights Switch-On

Join Galleywood Parish Council for carols, festive shopping, and a special lights switch-on by Santa. Christmas tunes courtesy of Hospital Radio.
📅 Thursday 4 December, 5–7pm
📍Village shops, Watchouse Road

Stock Christmas Fayre

Stock’s popular Christmas Fayre has gifts, crafts, music and food and drink aplenty. Stalls are open from noon until 4pm, with Stock Cricket Club’s pavilion open for refreshments until 6pm.
📅 Saturday 6 December, 12–6pm
📍Stock Common, CM4 9NF
Learn more: https://stock-pc.gov.uk/?event=2025-christmas-craft-fayre 

Lathcoats Farm Christmas Trail

Follow a magical trail before reaching their illuminated apple orchard. Complete the puzzles on the activity sheet and collect a prize from the farm shop at the end. Late-night festive evenings on 12 & 19 December.
📅 6–31 December
📍 Beehive Lane, CM2 8LX
Book tickets: https://www.eapples.co.uk/online-shop 

East Chelmsford

Glow at RHS Hyde Hall

See the beautiful gardens vibrantly illuminated in a rainbow of colours after dark. This year there are 13 brand-new installations, including mycelium - 2,500 shimmering fibres inspired by the hidden networks of fungi beneath our feet. Booking is essential.

📅 Selected dates until 27 December
📍RHS Hyde Hall
Learn more: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/whats-on/hyde-hall-glow

South Woodham Ferrers Christmas Fayre

South Woodham Ferrers Town Council’s Christmas Fayre is always a hit with locals and this year’s offering doesn’t disappoint. There’s music throughout the afternoon on the main stage and the bandstand, plus food, crafts and charity stalls. The lights are switched on at 4.30pm.
📅 Saturday 22 November, 1–5pm
📍South Woodham Town Centre
Learn more: https://www.southwoodhamferrerstc.gov.uk/Christmas_Fayre_Annual_event_47180.aspx 

Danbury Christmas Fayre

Danbury Parish Council presents its Christmas Fayre, complete with an indoor market with unique gifts and seasonal treats and festive entertainment and activities for all the family. There’s a chance to meet Father Christmas in Santa’s Grotto, run by the Danbury & Villages Rotary Club. Free entry and free parking.
📅 Saturday 29 November, 12–4pm
📍Danbury Leisure Centre, CM3 4NQ
Learn more: https://www.danburyleisurecentre.org.uk/council_events/danbury-autmn-craft-market-spooky-halloween-trail/ 

Central Chelmsford

Aladdin at Chelmsford Theatre

Chelmsford Theatre’s beloved panto is bound to brighten up any festive season and this year, Aladdin flies into town! Expect magic lamps, a flying carpet, exceptional disguises, pure hearts, laughter and whole world full of fantastic adventure in a dazzling new ride through a classic panto tale.  
📅 28 November 2025 – 4 Jan 2026 (various times)
📍Chelmsford Theatre, CM1 1JG
Book tickets: https://www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/event/aladdin  

Made in Chelmsford Christmas Market at Patch

Browse handmade gifts, sweet treats, and festive décor in a cosy setting. Free entry.
📅 Saturday 29 November, 3.30–6.30pm
📍Patch Chelmsford, CM2 6QR
Learn more: https://www.patch.work/locations/chelmsford/whats-on  

Christmas Fair & Tree Festival

Christ Church URC in New London Road hosts a Santa's Grotto, with a free gift for each child. There’ll be plenty of hot food and cakes too, with a variety of handcrafts for sale.
📅 Saturday 29 November, 11am–3pm
📍Christ Church URC, CM2 0AW
Learn more: https://christchurchchelmsford.co.uk/news-feed/ 

Yuletide Stride

This gentle festive walk will start at the Lord Ashcroft Building and is kindly hosted by Anglia Ruskin University. Friendly walk leaders and cycle marshals will guide you to see the twinkly lights of Chelmsford High Street, Moulsham Street, Market Square and around the cathedral grounds. The walk is just over 5km and there’s a suggested donation of £5 for Farleigh Hospice.
📅 Thursday 4 December, meet at 5.30pm
📍Lord Ashcroft Building at Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, CM1 1SQ.
Register here: https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres/where/community-sport-and-wellbeing/heart-and-sole-walks/yuletide-stride-2025/

Art Place Christmas Craft Workshop

Kids can create nature-inspired festive crafts in a nature-inspired workshop. Perfect for children aged 3+ and adult supervision required.  Tickets are £5.50 and all materials provided.
📅 Saturday 6 December, 10–11am
📍 The Art Place, Meadows Shopping Centre, CM2 6FD
Learn more: https://www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk/events-calendar#calendar-02ee3e0c-12c4-44ba-a187-2013eaaa6356-event-cf67cb18-6912-4b59-9888-c98400e0b74a 

Santa Fun Run in Central Park

Whether you run, jog, walk or wheel, this family-friendly 5km charity event is open to everyone. It’s accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and dogs on leads are welcome too – especially in their best festive outfits for the Best Dressed Dog competition! Adult tickets are £17, children are £3 and carers and under-3s go free.
📅 Sunday 7 December, 9.30am–1.30pm
📍 Central Park, Chelmsford
Sign up here: https://www.farleighhospice.org/events/santa-fun-run-2025  

Carols by Candlelight at Chelmsford Cathedral

Sing your favourite carols in the glow of candlelight. All Cathedral Christmas services are free to attend, but due to the popularity of this festive service, visitors must book free tickets to help manage the numbers attending.
📅 Sunday 14 & Friday 19 December
📍 Chelmsford Cathedral, CM1 1TY
Learn more: https://www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk/events 

Oi Christmas at the Museum of Chelmsford

Join the Museum of Chelmsford for festive fun and frolics all themed on the best-selling Christmas books by Kes Gray! Get hands on, painting and making Christmas Gnomes, create your own Northern Lights picture, and have a go at a toy making time trial. Activities are suitable for 5-10-year-olds. All children must be accompanied by an adult, who can attend for free, including entry to the museum.
📅 22 and 23 December, 10.30am and 1.30pm
📍 Museum of Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ
Lean more: https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/whats-on/school-holidays/oi-christmas/