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The Definitive Guide to Christmas in Romford & The Surrounding Area

Published:

Updated 25/11/2024

There is lots going on this Christmas and we have collated it all in one place to make life as easy as possible for you. There are over 100 events and suggestions on this article and all of them are linked to make it as easy as possible for you to book.

So whether you have preschoolers, primary aged children, tweens or teens - we’ve got it covered.

Are you ready? Here goes....

Our What's On guide is your starting point for one off events. Check it out and remember, it's updated daily so there are always new events landing in our inbox!

He's Behind you!

We all love a trip to the Pantomime at this time of year and we have a great list of local theatres showing lots of the classics and a few more modern adaptations too. There are 10 to choose from on our list!

Festive Fun

Here are some of the other Christmassy activities we have found that we think are great. Take a look and get booking!

Rainham Hall Festive Trail
Rainham Hall, Rainham RM13 9YN 13th - 15th December; 18th - 22nd December
Come and have fun this festive season with an outdoor activity trail in the community garden. Booking not needed
Reindeer hoopla, bell ringing, giant festive noughts and crosses and much more. Drop in activity, pay on site, card payment only.
More details

Christmas Charity Tractor Run
Writtle/Ongar - 7th December 2024
The convoy will be leaving RW Crawford CM1 3SS at approximately 4pm, to undertake the route available on the QR Code (see link)  - A414 to Chopping Ongar, and returning via Stondon Massey and Blackmore for approximately 5.30pm
More details

Christmas Nativity Trail 
Lathcoats Farm CM2 8LX - 30th November - 31st December (not open 24th & 25th December)
A magical self-guided interactive walk through the beautifully decorated animal area and stables at Lathcoats Farm. Collect your activity sheet from the farm shop and then follow the trail as you discover the 12 days of Christmas.
More details

Christmas at Ho Ho Ho Hopefield
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, CM15 9BZ - 30th Nov & 1st Dec; 7th & 8th December; 14th & 15th December; 21st & 22nd December
A host of activities in this fantastic local animal sanctuary including letter writing to Santa, Christmas trail, Santa's Grotto with gift, Christmas arts & crafts, access to miniature and Christmas Village. There will also be free gingerbread & warm squash (mince pie & mulled wine for the grown-ups!)
More details

The Elf on The Shelf Christmas Adventure at Bluewater
Bluewater Shopping Centre, DA9 9ST - 9th November - 12th January 2025
This never-seen-before interactive, theatrical experience will transport you to the North Pole on an immersive adventure where you'll help the Scout Elves spread Christmas cheer by completing a series of magical games and challenges, including making a wish at the wish-gatherer, Christmas tree decorating and snowball throwing!
More details

Baby Broadway Christmas Special
Queens Theatre Hornchurch RM11 1QT - 21st December 2024
An interactive Christmas performance suitable for all ages. The whole family can sing and dance along to seasonal showtunes from hit musicals and well-known songs from Christmas films, all performed by West End singers. Enjoy well-known numbers from Elf, White Christmas, The Snowman, Frozen and many more. Festive fancy dress is encouraged and – as well as singing, clapping and dancing along – you can expect bubbles, bells, flying babies and puppetry!
More details

Santa Fun Run
Thames Chase RM14 3NS - 30th November 2024
Walk, run, jog or dance your way around! Come and take part in the Thames Chase Community Forest Santa Fun Run. Walk around Thames Chase and help raise money for the charity. You can choose whether you do one, two or three laps around the site. Entries are a £3 donation each. Each paid entrant will receive a Santa hat, and our Forest Centre Tearoom will be open for refreshments. This event is suitable for all ages and abilities.
More details

A Christmas Journey
Old MacDonald's Farm, Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY - 22nd November - 24th December 2024
Whether you are trying to track down all of the missing Gingerbreads, riding on one of the awesome rides or enjoying our Farms attractions or festive shows, you are going to love this year's Christmas event at OMD's.
More details

Not so Festive! (but still loads of fun!)

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Brookside Theatre, Romford 6th - 23rd December 2024
Step into a world of pure imagination this Christmas with a sensational new production of the smash hit musical based on the novel by Roald Dahl.
More details

Hansel & Gretal
Queens Theatre, Hornchurch: 14th December 2024
This new adaption of the Grimm's classic fairy tale, Hansel & Gretel, hits the stage this Winter for a limited run. Created specifically for pre-school children and their families, Hansel & Gretel presents a fresh, interactive take on the story you thought you knew so well... with twists & turns galore. 
More details

Ho Ho Ho...

Royal Mail Letters to Santa

Make sure yours is sent by 9th December to ensure you get a reply. Don't forget to include your address. Full details here.

Havering Town Centre Events

Christmas 2024 will be a little different for Havering town centres. Thanks to sponsorship from local businesses and support from local communities, CHRISTMAS IS ON! For full details click the name of each town.

  • Rainham - Friday 15 November 2024, 5pm to 8pm
    Supported by Marlborough Highways, West and Coe, The Ship, Tesco, Sackvilles Solicitors and community members.
  • Hornchurch - Sunday 17 November 2024, 6pm to 6.15pm
    Supported by Marlborough Highways, Griffin Estates and Moss and Coleman Solicitors.
  • Upminster - Friday 22 November 2024, 3.30pm to 6pm
    Supported by Griffin Estates and Pinney Talford.
  • Elm Park - Friday 29 November 2024, 3.30pm to 6pm 
    Supported by Marlborough Highways, T Cribb and Sons, Readings Estates and Lavender Thai Therapy.
  • Harold Hill -  Sunday 1 December 2024, 12noon to 6pm
    Supported by Glazefix, Grahams Highways and Dominos.
  • Collier Row - Friday 6 December 2024, 4pm to 8pm
    Supported by Marlborough Highways, Chigwell Window Centre part of the Chigwell Group, Keys and Lee estate agents, Keystones Property, Darjeeling Tandoori, Samantha's Flowers, Micky Lamb, T Cribb and Sons, Harold Wood Funeral Services, Maisy Rose Flowers, Zara Curtains, Scooperb and Church of the Good Shepherd.
  • Romford - Saturday 7 December and Saturday 14 December 2024, 12noon to 4pm
    Supported by the Romford BID.
  • Harold Wood - Saturday 7 December 2024, 4pm to 7pm
    Supported by TfL, Saba Carparks St Peters Church, Grahams Highways, 8th Squirrels Heath Scouts Group, Matthews Property Management and Perfect Haulage.

Information taken from Havering Council website.

You may also be interested in something a little further afield.
Lighting Up Brentwood - Saturday 23rd November 12pm to 6pm
Festive Shenfield - Sunday 1st December 12pm to 6pm
Ingatestone Christmas Market - Sunday 8th December 12pm to 6pm

Lights lights lights! 

Havering Christmas Land
Havering Mind Sensory Garden, Harrow Lodge Park (next to the leisure centre): 27th November - 1st January 2025 
The historic Harrow Lodge House building beautifully illuminated with twinkling lights.  A spectacular Christmas Lights Walk Way in the ‘Secret Garden’ next to the building with thousands of stunning lights, decorations and Christmas scenes, a delightful Santa’s Grotto, food/refreshments/mulled wine & German beer served nightly and a children’s ride. Booking essential
More details

Glow 2024 at RHS Hyde Hall    
RHS Hyde Hall Gardens CM3 8ET: Selected dates 22nd November – 28th December 2024
It’s the brightest night of the year! Packed with sparkling new features for 2024, bring family and friends for an enchanting festive experience at RHS Garden Hyde Hall. Check website for open days.
More details

Enlightened at Hylands Estate    
Hylands Estate CM2 8FS  29th November 2024 to 4th January 2025
For the 5th year running, the sell-out illuminated phenomenon is returning to the prestigious Hylands Estate in Chelmsford this winter. With a new & reimagined trail, Enlightened 2024 is set to be the biggest, boldest and brightest year yet!
More details

Epping Ongar Light Fantastic    
Epping Ongar Railway, Station Road, Ongar CM5 9AB  Various Dates from November - January 2025
Experience an interactive journey for the whole family like never before!  Featuring "Voiceover Man" (as heard on Britain's Got Talent and X-Factor), stunning neon views, a fully immersive lightshow to music, interactive LED wristbands, sound to light fun for the whole family to get you in the party spirit.
More details

Christmas Lights at North Weald & District Miniature Railway
Harlow Garden Centre, Hastingwood, Harlow CM17 9LD: 14th November; 16th November; 1st December. No booking needed, just turn up
Popular Winter Lights Trains return this year over the festive period. It’s a chance to ride the railway in the dark. 
More details

Enchanted Trail of Lights
Colchester Zoo, Colchester CO3 0SL: 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 20th & 22nd December 2023
Experience a whole host of illuminations along a designated route, featuring an immersive blue ice tunnel, magical rainbow light bridge and life-sized animal illuminations. Plus, you can control the magic with special interactive light zones, all put together by our creative in-house events team.
More details

Enlightened at Colchester Castle Park
Colchester Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, C01 1TJ : 6th December 2024 to 24th December 2024
In 2024, we unveil new installations and interactive wonders across all of our trails, promising our most dazzling and immersive season yet.
More details

Christmas Drive In Movies

Barleylands, Billericay CM11 2UD

Ice Ice Baby! 

Get your skates on...

Of course we have our fantastic ice rink at Sapphire Ice & Leisure in Romford which is a great place to visit any time of the year. We have also found these festive ice rinks which pop up around the Christmas period and encourage us to get our skates on!

Ice Kingdom
Fairlop Waters, Barkingside IG6 3HN: 22nd November - 6th January 2025
Open air and uncovered ice rink. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Skate hire is available. There will also be a funfair on the site.
More details

Canary Wharf Ice Rink  
Canada Square Park, E14 5AB: 26th October – 23th February 2025
Lace up your skates and get ready for the new season, as London’s most enduring seasonal ice rink returns. A visit to the rink is the perfect activity whatever the weather as skaters will be protected by a transparent roof, allowing visitors to skate all winter long.
More details

Braintree Shopping Village 
Braintree Village: CM77 8YH: 15th November - 5th January 2025
The Ice Rink is returning to Braintree Village for the second year running! It spacious rink offers guests an enchanting space to go for a spin throughout the holiday season and into the New Year. The ice rink is located adjacent to the North Car Park with easy access from the B1018 and Century Drive. Booking advised
More details

Bluewater Ice Rink
Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe, Kent: 12th November -  5th January 2025, 
Located outside The Village, this outdoor rink will sit under a clear roof, making it the perfect activity come rain or shine this festive season. There’ll be quiet sessions, as well as parent and toddler sessions for budding skaters. Penguin and seal skating aids will be available for little ones plus bob skates to help guests stay steady on the ice. What’s more, disco nights are back by popular demand this year – let the teens show off their skills to classic party anthems.
More details

Ice Skating at Lakeside 
Lakeside Shopping Centre (The Quay, opposite Hollywood Bowl) Thurrock: 15th November - 5th January 2025
The largest outdoor ice rink outside London and part of the Christmas Wonderland at Lakeside. Penguin and seal skating aids can be booked for little beginners. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult on the ice.
More details

There are also lots of ice rinks that pop up in London over the festive season which are always worth a look if you are in the city.
Winter Wonderland Ice Rink: 21st November - 5th January 2025
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink: 22nd November - 5th January 2025
Battersea Power Station Glide Ice Rink: 8th November - 5th January 2025
The Ice Rink at Westfield London (White City): 15th November - 5th January 2025 
Somerset House Ice Rink: TBC
Queen's House Ice Rink: TBC


Choo Chooooo! Christmas Experiences on Trains in Romford, Essex and Beyond

Christmas Markets

This is a list of local Christmas Fairs and Markets. Click the link for more information.

German Christmas Market  - daily until 23rd December 2024
Meadow Croft Garden Centre, Woodham Rd, Battlesbridge, Rettendon Place, Wickford, SS11 7QU

Festive Food & Gift Fair - 2nd & 3rd November 2024
Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood CM15 9NN

Essex Christmas Shopping Fair - 8th, 9th & 10th November 2024
Cressing Temple Barns, Witham, CM77 8PD

Pop Up Christmas Market - 16th & 17th November 2024
Leigh Community Centre, 71 - 73 Elm Road, Leigh on Sea, SS9 1SP

Langtons Christmas Market - 17th November 2024
6 Keswick Avenue, Hornchurch, RM11 1XR

Christmas Market - 20th November 2024
Ye Old Plough House, Brentwood Road, Upminster, RM14 3SR

Thames Chase Christmas Market - 23rd & 24th November 2024
Thames Chase Forest Centre, Broadfields Farm, Pike Ln, Upminster, RM14 3NS

Christmas Gift & Food Fair - 24th November 2024
Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford, CM3 1QP

Maldon Christmas Fayre - 28th November 2024
Maldon High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PN

Christmas Arts & Craft Market - 29th November 2024
Fairkytes Arts Centre, Hornchurch RM11 1AX

Festive Fayre at Barleylands - 30th November 2024
Barleylands Farm CM11 2UD

Snow's Scandi Fayre - 30th November 2024
The Mercury Mall Level 2 RM1 SEE

Billericay Christmas Market - 1st December 2024
High Street Billericay CM12 9AS

Christmas Fair at the Tiptree Marquee - 2nd & 3rd December 2024
Tiptree Tea Room, Factory Hill, Tiptree, CO5 0RF

Old Leigh Christmas Market - 7th & 8th December 2024
The Crooked Billet 51 High Street SS9 2EP

Ingatestone Christmas Market - 8th December 2024
Ingatestone and Fryerning Community Club, 11a High Street, Ingatestone, CM4 9

Enchanted Christmas Market - 14th & 15th December
Hainault Skatepark, Elmbridge Road IG6 3HW

Christmas Open Estate Day - 15th December 2024
Hylands House, London Road, Chelmsford CM2 8WQ

 

Christmas at a Garden Centre

Garden centres are some of the best places to shop for decorations and gifts. Here are some of the best we have found locally with great Christmas displays and products.

  • Summer Hill - Pipps Hill Road North, A127 Arterial Road, Billericay, Essex CM11 2UJ
  • Alton Garden Centre - Arterial Road, Wickford SS12 9JG
  • Upminster Garden Centre - Nags Head Lane, Upminster Common RM14 1TS
  • Thurrock Garden Centre - South Rd, South Ockendon RM15 6DU
  • Norpar Barns - Navestock Hall, Navestock, Romford, RM4 1HA
  • Scotts of Southend - Sutton Rd, Rochford SS4 1LQ
  • Perrywood Kelvedon Road, Tiptree, Inworth, Colchester CO5 9SX
  • Elm Farm Garden Centre - London Rd, Crays Hill, Billericay, CM11 2UZ
  • Meadow Croft Garden Centre Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, SS11 7QU
  • View Garden Centre Old Chelmsford Road, Wickford, SS11 8SJ
  • Buckhatch Garden Centre East Hanningfield Road, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford,  Essex, CM3 8EW
  • Little Lodge Garden Centre High road Fobbing SS17 9HN

London's Calling!

We already have a list of things to do and see in London that don't cost the earth but it's a magical city to visit at Christmas so here are a few more suggestions...

Christmas Lights
Oxford Street lights will be on from 5th November. 
Covent Garden are switched on from 12th November
Carnaby Street from 7th November
Regent Street and St James' lights will be on from 7th November.
The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square will be switched on from 5th December.
Old Spitalfields Market from 13th November
Leadenhall Market & The Shard from 14th November

There are also some light festivals happening in and around the city. Winter Light's at The Southbank Centre runs from 4th November - 2nd February 2025 and is FREE! One of the most famous Christmas Lights events is at Kew Gardens. It's not cheap but its absolutely stunning!

Penguin Parade Sculpture Trail - take a walk around the Fleet Street area and find all 12 Penguin Sculptures, each decorated in a unique way. 

Covent Garden sees the return of the Sleigh which is a great photo opportunity in the West Piazza South Hall from 12th November 9am - 9pm. Their 60 foot tall tree is always stunning, decorated with over 30,000 lights and perfect for selfies and Christmassy themed Instagram pics.

Christmas at Leicester Square - Christmas in Leicester Square transforms the centre of bustling London into a magical destination. It is home to the Leicester Square Spiegeltent, where you can catch the multi-award winning show La Clique. You will also be able to find Christmas markets at both Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. They will include a range of beautiful outdoor bars, delicious food vendors and traditional market stalls.

Winter By The River - wooden chalets selling Christmas treats and gifts running along the South Bank between London Bridge & Tower Bridge from 12th November to 5th January 2025.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - This has become an annual event with something for everyone from fairground rides, an ice rink and even Santaland. Open from 21st November to 1st January 2025.

A Christmassy Show
Stickman at Bloomsbury Theatre, 3rd December 2024 - 5th January 2025
Father Christmas Needs A Wee! at The Arts Theatre,  7th - 24th December 2024
Robin Hood (Pantomime) at The London Palladium, 7th December - 12th January 2025
Horrible Histories presents Horrible Christmas at Alexandra Palace Theatre, 12th December - 4th January 2025

Christmas on a Budget

Click the image below for THE BEST guide to having THE BEST Christmas without over spending! 

A Few Extras!

Still stuck for ideas? Download our 50 Thrifty & Nifty Things to do at Christmas here

Stay in and watch a movie on one of your streaming services. Need some inspiration? Over 60 Christmas Movies here!

Letters to Santa - download our template and get those letters written soon!

Festive Planner - If like me you struggle to keep tabs on what's happening where and when over the festive period, print off our planner and stick it to the fridge. Everyone can keep up with what's going on!

Elf Cheat Sheet - If you have a visit each year from an Elf, you might find this cheat sheet handy for ideas that won't trash your house and don't require you to buy extra props. Download it here - just make sure little people don't see the download on your phone!

Christmas Downloads - For rainy days I have a few pages of activities to keep the kids busy - all FREE to download here!

Where to Buy a Real Tree - click here to see where you can buy a real tree while supporting a local business.

If you've found this guide useful, I'd love to hear from you! 

Merry Christmas

Jane

 


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