Christmas markets · Essex
Christmas Markets in Essex 2026
5 Christmas markets in Essex, in 5 towns and cities: 4 of them have 2026 dates announced; for the rest we show last season's dates, marked as such. Best known: the markets of Colchester, Brentwood and Saffron Walden.
5 markets · checked October 2026
5
Christmas markets in Essex
5
towns where we list markets
5
towns with a full guide
4 / 5
markets with 2026 dates announced
Essex's Christmas markets are in market towns rather than one big city market. Colchester has its Christmas market, and Saffron Walden holds indoor Christmas markets in its Town Hall. Brentwood Borough Council and Brentwood Connected run three free festive events in 2026: Lighting Up Brentwood on the High Street with market stalls, funfair rides and the lights switch-on, the Ingatestone Festive Fair on its High Street, and Festive Shenfield on Hutton Road.
The best-known and prettiest Christmas markets in Essex
Picked by search interest, visitor reviews and our own verdict, the strongest market in each town. 2026 dates only where the organiser has confirmed them; otherwise last season's dates, marked as such.
Colchester
Colchester Christmas Market
Weekend Christmas market
2026: Sun 6 Dec 2026, 10am–5pm
One Sunday of local shopping — fine if you're nearby.
🎉 With friendsBrentwood
Lighting Up Brentwood
Weekend Christmas market
2026: Sat 21 Nov 2026, 12pm–6pm
Brentwood's big free Christmas afternoon, finishing with the lights switch-on.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friendsSaffron Walden
Saffron Walden Indoor Christmas Markets
Weekend Christmas market
Last season: 4–5 Dec 2026
Small indoor weekend markets — wait for the 2026 dates.
🎉 With friendsIngatestone
Ingatestone Festive Fair
Weekend Christmas market
2026: Sun 29 Nov 2026, 12pm–5pm
A small village-high-street fair on one Sunday.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friendsShenfield
Festive Shenfield
Weekend Christmas market
2026: Sun 6 Dec 2026, 12pm–5pm
A free Sunday festive event on Hutton Road.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friends
🧒 With kids
- Lighting Up Brentwood · Brentwood
- Ingatestone Festive Fair · Ingatestone
- Festive Shenfield · Shenfield
🎉 With friends
- Colchester Christmas Market · Colchester
- Saffron Walden Indoor Christmas Markets · Saffron Walden
- Lighting Up Brentwood · Brentwood
- Ingatestone Festive Fair · Ingatestone
- Festive Shenfield · Shenfield
Christmas markets in Essex by town
All 5 Christmas markets in Essex: dates at a glance
Sorted by town, checked in October 2026. Each market links to its guide with opening times, how to get there and our verdict.
- BrentwoodLighting Up Brentwood2026: Sat 21 Nov 2026, 12pm–6pmFree entry.
- ColchesterColchester Christmas Market2026: Sun 6 Dec 2026, 10am–5pmFree entry.
- IngatestoneIngatestone Festive Fair2026: Sun 29 Nov 2026, 12pm–5pmFree entry.
- Saffron WaldenSaffron Walden Indoor Christmas MarketsLast season: 4–5 Dec 2026Free entry.
- ShenfieldFestive Shenfield2026: Sun 6 Dec 2026, 12pm–5pmFree entry.
Tips for your trip in Essex
- Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield each have a railway station and hold their events on separate dates (21 November, 29 November and 6 December 2026), so all three can be visited on different weekends.
- Colchester and Saffron Walden are separate trips: check the dates on each guide, as Saffron Walden's 2026 dates are not yet published.
- The Brentwood-area events run in the afternoon (12pm to 6pm or 5pm): arrive early for the stalls and rides.
How we check the dates
Dates, prices and travel details come from the organisers and councils; ratings are from Google, as a guide only. Where the 2026 date is missing we show last season's, marked as such. Last checked in October 2026: opening times can change, so check the organiser's website before you travel.
Questions about Christmas markets in Essex
- When do the Christmas markets in Essex open in 2026?
- Only 4 of the 5 markets in Essex have announced 2026 dates. Until they do, each guide shows last year's dates, marked as last season's. Most Christmas markets open in mid to late November, and we add new dates as soon as an organiser confirms them. Announced so far: Colchester Christmas Market: Sun 6 Dec 2026, 10am–5pm; Lighting Up Brentwood: Sat 21 Nov 2026, 12pm–6pm; Ingatestone Festive Fair: Sun 29 Nov 2026, 12pm–5pm.
- What is the best Christmas market in Essex?
- It depends what you like. Going by search interest, visitor reviews and our own verdict, the standouts in Essex are: Colchester Christmas Market – Street market on the High Street; Lighting Up Brentwood – Live performances on several stages; Saffron Walden Indoor Christmas Markets – Indoor stalls in the Town Hall. For a quieter visit pick a smaller town; the «with kids, for two, with friends» tags on each market say who it suits.
- How many Christmas markets are there in Essex?
- Our list currently has 5 Christmas markets and festive events in 5 towns and cities in Essex, 5 of them with a full city guide. We list markets announced by the council, the organiser or the tourist board, not one-day school or church stalls, so the real number is higher.
- Do you have to pay to enter the Christmas markets in Essex?
- Mostly no: the markets in Essex are free to walk around, and each guide says whether rides, ice rinks, grottos, parking or park and ride cost extra.
- How do I get to the Christmas markets in Essex?
- Colchester, Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield are all on the railway network (Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield on the Great Eastern line from London Liverpool Street); the markets are in or near the town centres. Saffron Walden has no station of its own, so it is a bus or car trip from Audley End. Check each organiser's page for parking.
- Which Christmas markets in Essex are best for children?
- According to our guides: Lighting Up Brentwood (live performances on several stages); Ingatestone Festive Fair (traditional Christmas market stalls); Festive Shenfield (christmas market stalls). Some rides and grottos are paid; the guide for each market says which.