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We have been researching all things Christmas related and have already got a jam packed 'What's On' guide for you. Some of these events will be in Romford and some are a bit further away, but as it's Christmas we have included as many as possible. Please take some time to have a really good read as a lot of events are already selling out the dates they have listed. We will continue to add to this guide as new events are announced.
We have split the guide into 3 sections; Father Christmas Experiences, Christmas Markets and Other Christmas Events.
*Please note we have tried to ensure that dates and times are as accurate as possible but always check with the website or business provider before setting off*
You can find a specific event by typing it into the search bar or you can check a date that you would like to find something for by using the 'Jump to date' tab on the 'What's On' guide.
🎅ðŸ¼Father Christmas Experiences 🎅ðŸ¼
Most of these run on multiple dates so please check our guide for all events listed.
Santa's Grotto - Romford Shopping Hall
17th & 18th November, 24th & 25th November, 1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December, 20th - 24th December
Steam Santa - Lodge Farm Park
Saturday 8th December
Finding Father Christmas - Lambourne End
Sunday 1st December
Christmas Grotto - The Mercury Mall
Wednesday 7th November - Monday 24th December
Santa's Grotto - Hornchurch Christmas Lights Switch On
Saturday 17th November
Santa on the Pier - Southend
17th & 18th November, 24th & 25th November, 1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th - 24th December
Breakfast with Santa & Elsa - Plant Perfections, Upminster
1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December, 22nd & 23rd December
Santa at Thorndon - Thorndon Country Park, Brentwood
Thursday 6th December - Sunday 9th December and Thursday 13th - Sunday 16th December
Breakfast or Tea with Santa - Wyvale Garden Centre, Upminster
1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December, 21st - 24th December
Alton's Santa's Grotto - Alton Garden Centre, Wickford
Saturday 10th November - Monday 24th December
The Father Christmas Experience - Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
17th & 18th November, 24th & 25th November, 1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 14th - 16th December, 19th - 24th December
An Elf's Wish - Nevendon Manor, Wickford
24th & 25th November, 1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December, 21st - 24th December
Breakfast with Santa - Thurrock Garden Centre, South Ockenden
1st & 2nd December, Monday 3rd December for under 5s only, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December, 20th - 23rd December
Santa's Reindeer Grotto - Thurrock Garden Centre, South Ockenden
Saturday 17th November - Sunday 23rd December
Santa Express Trains - Barnards Miniature Railway, West Horndon
1st & 2nd December
2018 Santa Special - Chelmsford City Miniature Railway, Chelmsford
Sunday 9th December
The Willows In Winter - Santa Visits Toad's Caravan - Hanningfield Reservoir, Billericay
8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December
A Magical Valence Christmas - Valence House, Dagenham
Saturday 8th December, Wednesday 12th December
2018 Santa Specials - Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar/Epping
1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December, 20th - 24th December
Christmas at Barleylands - Barleylands, Billericay
1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December, 20th - 24th December
Christmas Wonderland - Haven House Children's Hospice, Woodford Green
Saturday 1st December
Santa's Snowflake Grotto - Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford
Thursday 22nd November - Monday 24th December
Breakfast with Santa - The Thurrock Hotel, Aveley
Saturday 1st December
Sunday Lunch with Father Christmas - Mulberry House, High Ongar
Sunday 16th December
Santa's Grotto Experience - Woolston Manor Golf & Country Club
24th & 25th November, 1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December, 21st - 23rd December
Santa's Grotto - Bluewater
Thursday 15th November - Monday 24th December
Santa's Grotto - Lakeside
tbc
Sail with Santa
1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December, 19th - 23rd December
ðŸŽChristmas Markets & FairsðŸŽ
We do love the chance to buy some more interesting and unique gifts at Christmas so we have found some Christmas Markets you might be interested in.
Romford Christmas Market
tbc
Brentwood Festive Food & Gift Show - Brentwood
3rd & 4th November
The German Christmas Market - Wickford
Thursday 8th November - Sunday 23rd December
Christmas Market - Queen's Hospital
Wednesday 21st November
Christmas Market - Orsett Hall
Wednesday 21st November
Christmas Craft Fair - Calcott Hall
24th & 25th November
Christmas Craft Fair - Barleylands
Sunday 25th November
Hylands House Christmas Frost Fair - Chelmsford
Friday 30th November - Sunday 2nd December
Christmas Market - Lee Valley Centre
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th December
Christmas Fair - Valentines Mansion
Sunday 2nd December
A Crafty Christmas - Mercury Mall
10th November
Maldon Vintage Christmas Fayre
Thursday 29th November
Christmas Gifts & Food Fayre - Chelmsford City Racecourse
24th & 25th November
Hadleigh Old Fire Station Christmas Market - Hadleigh
Saturday 1st December
Braxted Park Christmas Food & Gift Market
1st & 2nd December
Wickford Christmas Street Market - Wickford
Sunday 24th November
Cromwell Manor Christmas Market - Pitsea
Sunday 2nd December
Shenfield Christmas Fayre
Sunday 9th December
Christmas Market Galleywood Heritage Centre
Sunday 25th November
Miracle Babies Craft Fair
Sunday 11th November
St Andrew's with St Agnes' Christmas Market
Sunday 24th November
Christmas Wonderland - Haven Hospice
Saturday 1st December
Engayne Primary School Christmas Fayre & Market
Saturday 24th November
Gidea Park Primary School Christmas Bazaar
Friday 30th November
Hatfield Peverel Christmas Craft Market
Sunday 2nd December
Hatfield Peverel Christmas Food Market
Sunday 16th December
The Campion School Bazaar
Saturday 24th November
Christmas Sparkle Shopping Event
Wednesday 28th November
Christmas Market at Galleywood Heritage Centre
Sunday 25th November
Christmas Craft Fair at Thames Chase
17th & 18th November
Havering Museum Indoor Christmas fair
Sunday 25th November
🎄Other Christmas Events🎄
There are so many other things going on and places you can visit over the festive season.
Winter Lights - Barnard's Miniature Railway, West Horndon
10th & 11th November
Collier Row Community Group Christmas Event
Saturday 1st December
FREE Seafront Fireworks & Christmas Lights - Southend
every Saturday in October until 17th November
T'was The Night Before Christmas - Queens Theatre
Saturday 1st December - Sunday 23rd December
Glastonbabies Presents 'It's Snowbiz' - Thurrock Garden Centre, South Ockenden
Wednesday 5th December
Jack and The Beanstalk Pantomine - Queens Theatre
Wednesday 28th November - Sunday 6th January 2019
A Christmas Carol - Valentines Mansion
Friday 14th December
Christmas Cupcake Making - Valence House
Saturday 22nd December
Santa Stop Here! Lantern Making - The Mercury Mall, Romford
Friday 21st December
Save Santa! Family Escape Rooms - Mercury Mall
Thursday 1st November - Sunday 4th December
Snow Globe - Liberty Shopping Centre
tbc
Lighting Up Brentwood - Brentwood High Street
Saturday 24th November
Magical Beast Making - Valence House
Saturday 24th November
Aladdin A Family Pantomine - Thameside Theatre, Grays
Friday 30th November - Sunday 6th January 2019
Belle's Afternoon Tea - Berwick Manor
Sunday 2nd December & Sunday 16th December
Elsa & Anna's Afternoon Tea - Berwick Manor
Sunday 25th November and Sunday 16th December
Ice Skate at Bluewater
Thursday 15th November - Sunday 6th January 2019
Hornchurch Christmas Cracker - Hornchurch
Saturday 17th November
A Christmas Carol - The Musical
Wednesday 12th December - Saturday 22nd December
Romford Christmas Lights Switch On
Thursday 15th November
Breakfast with Santa - Thurrock Garden Centre
1st & 2nd December
Breakfast with Santa & Elsa - Plant Perfections
1st & 2nd December
Finding Father Christmas - Lambourne End
Saturday 1st December
Snowman Craft - Ingrebourne Visitors Centre
Saturday 1st December
A Magical Valence Christmas
8th December & 12th December
Sparky The Elf & Secret Toy Shop
Sat 15th December - Sun 30th December
Reindeer Trial
1st & 2nd December, 8th & 9th December, 15th & 16th December
The Polar Express - Storytime & Gift
Various dates from 8th December
**Please note we have tried to ensure that dates and times are as accurate as possible but always check with the website or business before setting off.
Keep checking as new events are being added all the time.
