What’s On This Christmas in Colchester 🎄✨
🔔The Big Switch-On (Sat 22 Nov)🌙
Christmas officially begins on Saturday 22 November 2025 with the city-centre light parade and switch-on. Expect live performances, special guests (yes, Shrek’s in town), and late-night shopping around Lion Walk and the High Street. The main countdown is at Lion Walk in the early evening.
🎁Festive markets & late-night shopping🛍️
- InColchester Festive Market – Sun 7 Dec, 10am–5pm, Stalls, food, gifts, performers and plenty of Christmassy atmosphere across the city centre.
- Late-night Wednesdays in December, Many city-centre stores stay open later mid-week so you can shop under the lights and make an evening of it.
Black Friday Weekend - Wednesday 26th - Sunday 30th November
🏰Dazzling nights out: Enlightened at Castle Park✨
Wrap up warm for Enlightened at Colchester Castle Park (12–28 Dec) — a one-mile illuminated trail with timed entry from 16:30 and slots every 15 minutes. Tickets are tiered (off-peak/peak) with guide prices ranging from approximately £12 for adults to £8.50 for children; pre-booking is essential.
🎅Where to find Santa (pick your perfect stop)🎄
- Santa’s Grotto at Lion Walk Courtyard – daily 22 Nov–24 Dec
A classic meet-and-greet in a pretty grotto beside Boots & River Island. £12.50 per child (+ small booking fee). Bookable online. - Santa’s Grotto at the Mercury Theatre – 2–24 Dec
A 20-minute story-led visit with photo moment and small gift. £15 per child (includes entry for one adult; extras available). - Starlight Grotto at Colchester Castle – 18–22 Dec
An atmospheric, after-hours grotto in the historic castle with gifts for little ones; sessions run into the evening. From £6. - Storytime with Santa at Fenwick – weekends 29 Nov–21 Dec, plus 23–24 Dec
A relaxed ~45-minute session with stories, seasonal treats and time with Santa. - Brunch with Santa at Culver Square (TOAST) – 6–23 Dec (daily), 9:30 / 10:30 / 11:30
Toastie + children’s hot chocolate in TOAST’s cosy upstairs space, with Santa and his elf; booking essential. - The Santa Experience at Colchester Zoo – select dates Nov & Dec
Part of the zoo’s Magic of Christmas days; meet Santa and take home a special gift. (Santa Experience ticket required; standard zoo admission applies.)
🎭Big family shows & pantos🎶
- Mother Goose (Mercury Theatre) – 22 Nov 2025–18 Jan 2026
The Mercury’s beloved panto is back for a full run across the holidays (with great value family seats on selected dates). Shrek the Musical (Charter Hall) – 13 Dec 2025–4 Jan 2026
The West End & Broadway hit lands in Colchester for Christmas — big laughs and even bigger ogres.
🧁Eat, Drink and Be Merry🍝
- TOAST (Culver Square) – toasties, cakes and coffee across two floors; perfect between Santa sessions.
- Berryfield Café at Firstsite – bright, family-friendly spot near Castle Park; great for prams and groups.
- Wagamama (High Street) – quick, kid-friendly noodles and katsu with plenty of plant-based options.
- Nando’s (Head Street) – group-friendly PERi-PERi with a solid kids’ menu.
- Bill’s (High Street) – brunch through to early dinner in a cosy, characterful setting.
- GreyFriars (Trinity St) – make it special with a festive afternoon tea or celebratory lunch.
- ‘T at The George’ (High Street) – classic tea room for scones, sandwiches and sweet treats.
- Church Street Tavern (Church St) – seasonal menu and smart cocktails; ideal pre-theatre.
- The Old Siege House Bar & Brasserie (East St) – historic spot close to Castle Park; comforting classics.
- Carluccio’s at Fenwick (High Street) – easy Italian inside the department store—handy with kids and shopping bags.
- Three Wise Monkeys (High Street) – hearty mains and a kids’ menu; good for bigger groups.
Booking tip: Fridays, Saturdays and school-holiday dates fill fast—reserve where you can
🥂Out Out this Christmas🎉
- Trilogy (Head Street) – four-room nightclub with VIP booths and weekly themed parties; big energy for office dos and mates’ nights.
- Slug & Lettuce (111 High Street) – central cocktail spot with happy-hour deals and a dancey late vibe at weekends; handy for group bookings.
- Walkabout (Head Street) – sports bar by day, party venue by night; late licence on Fridays/Saturdays and VIP packages for festive groups.
- Purple Dog (42 Eld Lane) – one of Colchester’s oldest pubs; great for pre-drinks and a lively, local feel before you hit the clubs.
- Rubix (33 Crouch Street) – retro party bar & nightclub spinning 80s/90s/00s across two floors; popular for birthdays and work nights out.
- The Dragonfly Lounge (Long Wyre Street) – inclusive cabaret and drag nightspot with live shows and signature cocktails; check the events calendar for seasonal specials.
Night-out tip: Christmas weeks get busy—book tables/booths where offered, bring valid photo ID and check last entry times before you go.
🅿️Parking & getting into town🚗
- Closest for Culver Square shopping/events: St John’s Street multi-storey (approx. 650 spaces; 5am–7pm) and Osborne Street (approx. 600 spaces; 24/7).
- Closest for Lion Walk & Red Lion Yard: Vineyard Street car park is about a minute’s walk.
- Good all-rounder for longer stays/evenings: St Mary’s multi-storey (central, extended tariffs incl. evening rate).
- Park & Ride (easiest on busy days): leave the car at the A12 J28 site (CO4 5JA) and hop a frequent bus into the centre; 900+ spaces, toilets, baby-change and bike racks on site. Check current timetable before you travel.
Council info & tariffs: for live updates, Sunday deals and accessible bays across city-centre car parks, see Colchester City Council’s parking pages. (Tip: Blue Badge concessions vary by site; for example, Culver Square’s AccessAble guide notes free Blue Badge parking at the connected facility.)
📅Quick dates at a glance⏰
- Sat 22 Nov – Light Parade & City Switch-On; Lion Walk Grotto opens.
- Sun 7 Dec – InColchester Festive Market.
- Fri 12–Sun 28 Dec – Enlightened at Castle Park.
- Throughout Nov–Dec – Santa experiences across the city (see options above).
22 Nov–18 Jan – Mother Goose at the Mercury; 13 Dec–4 Jan – Shrek the Musical at Charter Hall.
☕Make a day of it❄️
Start with a wander around the High Street for gifts, pause for hot chocolate, then catch a grotto visit or Enlightened after dark.
From all of us at InColchester: have an amazing time, stay safe and look after one another. Share your festive moments by tagging @incolchester and use #ChristmasInColchester and don’t forget to download the InColchester app for live updates, maps, offers and what’s on. See you under the lights! ✨🎄
