CHRISTMAS festivities will officially kick off in Colchester this week.
We’ve put together a list of some of the festive events planned in the lead up to the big day.
To add your Christmas event to our roundup, please email zoe.forsey@nqe.com.
- Culver Square Christmas Fayre for Headway
Friday, November 27 until Sunday, November 29 between 10.30am and 4pm
- Winter Wonderland and Ice Rink, Castle Park
Opens 27 November and runs until 3 January More information at www.colchestericerink.co.uk
- Aladdin at Mercury Theatre
Opens Saturday, November 28 and runs until Sunday January, 10.
Performance times vary, tickets £10 - £26.50.
More information at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk
Saturday, November 28 at Firstsite. Open between 10.30am and 4pm. Details at www.facebook.com/SecretVintageFairEssex
- Santa’s Magical Post Office at Lion Walk
Opens Sunday November, 29.
Every Saturday and Sunday, plus Monday 21 and 22 December between 11am and 4pm.
Write to Santa in his magical Post Office in Red Lion Yard
- Colchester Christmas Light Switch-on
Sunday, November 29.
Festive fun from 2.30pm. Light switch on at 4.30pm. Free entry.
- Williams & Griffin Christmas Window Reveal
Sunday November, 29 at 3.30pm Christmas Late Night Shopping starts and free parking Town centre shops will open until 9pm every Wednesday.
Drivers can park for free after 3pm on late night shopping days. Visit www.visitcolchester.com for a list of participating car parks Visit Father Christmas at Williams & Griffin From Saturday 5 December – Every weekend until Christmas Eve.
- Marks Tey Christmas Market
Sunday, November 29. About 70 stalls. Free entry and free parking.Open from 10am until 4pm.
- Frozen Activity & Heart Angels
Saturday, December 5 Meet Frozen’s Ana and Elsa in Culver Square for photographs. There will also be face painted and the chance to make Christmas cards and decorations.
- Colchester Christmas Fair
ColchesterHigh Street Sunday, December 6. 10.30am until 5pm. Free entry Traditional and exotic hot food, loads of presents and fun. Traditional ‘cake hurling’ by the Mayor.
- Colchester Castle open evening
Free Wednesday, December 9. From 3pm until 8.30pm. Free entry More information at www.cimuseums.org.uk
Open day at Colchester Castle last year
- Snow Globe with Heart Angels
Saturday, December 12 – Hearts FM’s Angels bring their giant snow globe to Culver Square.
- Festive Fun at Firstsite
From Sunday, December 13 until December 30.
Festive fun from ballet and Frozen sing along to films and art activities.
Event times and more information at www.firstsite.net
- Santa's Elves invade Culver Square
Saturday, December 19 Christmas quizzes, festive music, balloons and puppets
- Dark Santa at Ace Comics
Saturday, December 19. From 10am until 3pm.
Meet your favourite Star Wars characters in their Gallactic Grotto.
More information at www.acecomics.co.uk
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