Christmas in Colchester

As the Winter chill creeps in and the Christmas lights go up, Colchester's atmosphere begins to shift. This historic city morphs into a festive paradise, complete with Christmas Light Turn On Ceremonies and events across the whole district. If you're spending Christmas in the City Centre, our friends at InColchester have produced a brochure of all the goings on around Colchester, including exciting events like late-night shopping.

Whether you're looking to find the perfect gift at one of our Christmas Market events, to experience the hilarity of one of our famous Colchester Pantomimes or to say 'hello!' to the A-Lister himself at a Father Christmas Meet and Greet, there are so many opportunities to get into the Christmas spirit in Colchester. Why not start planning your Christmassy visit to Colchester in 2026?

With family friendly events at top attractions like Colchester Castle and Colchester Zoological Society, to adults-only entertainment at Colchester Arts Centre, there's something for everyone in Colchester this Christmas - keep checking back for updates throughout the year so you can plan your winter getaway early!