December! Christmas things to do in and around Southend and further afield.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Carol singing, Santa grottos, pantomimes, and other fun filled family time you definitely haven’t been forced into.
Here are some great looking activities that might get the family in the festive mood. Here is a list of things to do in Essex through December so you can find family activities that’ll bring you some genuine Christmas joy. I’ve also added on a list of some Christmas themed escape rooms at the end because how could I not!
Tiptree Tea Room Christmas Fair
Starting off, we have the third annual Tiptree Tea Room Christmas Fair running on Saturday the 29th and Sunday 30th of November. It’s free entry, dogs are welcome, and there’s a lot to do. There’s a Christmas ride, craft and gift stalls from the locals, Christmas trees for sale, and a Santa’s Grotto. It looks like a very cozy festive affair, lots of bunting, biscuits, and bits and bobs to buy people for Christmas. You can find more information on the Tiptree Tea Room Christmas Fair by clicking here.
Santa’s Festive Train
Also beginning from the 29th of November, continuing until December 24th, Santa’s special festive train will be at the Epping & Ongar heritage railway. While waiting to board the train, various Christmas characters will be going around the crowd, before everyone gets onboard to go on a journey with the main man himself. All children receive a present from Santa too. You can book tables of 2,4,6, or 8 people, so families of all sizes can go on Santa’s train. It seems like quite a nice experience that’s a bit different to the usual snap a photo at a grotto and leave experience. You can find more information on the Epping Ongar Special Festive Train by clicking here.
Elf on a Shop Shelf
Using the ‘Elf on the shelf’ idea, Southend high street has organised many elves to be hidden in many shops and cafes. The idea is to find all the elves, jot down what they’re wearing, and complete the trail. Completing the trail places you into a prize draw for a January reward from the bouldering venue Indirock. There are 10 elves to hunt down, so it can be a fun day dedicated to the search or you can casually keep your eye out for them when out and about doing your Christmas shopping. The elves have been hiding since November 15th and will be until December 24th. You can find more information on Elf on a Shop Shelf by clicking here.
The Destination
If you’re wanting to go to Winter Wonderland without dealing with the intensity and travel of London, Lakeside has got you covered. They have created their own Winter Wonderland called ‘The Destination’. They have ice skating, rides, game and food stalls, a toasting fire pit, and a Bavarian bar. There’s even a treasure trail to follow, a free entry Grinch experience, and live music. Entry to the park itself is free, too. The Destination is already open and will be running until New Year’s Day. So, there’s a lot to do, and you have a lot of time to do it. You can find more information on The Destination by clicking here.
Santa’s Grotto at The Royals
Santa will be stopping at The Royals from November 15th. Currently, he’s available weekends only, and then he’s there every day from the 11th-24th December. Visits are £7.50 per child + £1 booking, and you can opt to order personalised gifts in advanced to collect on the day. You can find more information on the Christmas Grotto at the Royals here.
Cinderella at The Cliffs Pavillion
Oh no you don’t! Oh yes, I do! It’s panto season! From the 13th December to 4th January, Cinderella will be running at the Cliffs Pavillion. Some big names include Rylan and Ross King. Tickets range from £21.75-£56. Is it Christmas if there isn’t a pantomime running? You can find more information on Cinderella here.
Santa Paws
Are you looking for some festivity for your four-legged friends? Mrs Claus is visiting Priory Visitor Centre for a meet, greet, and treat on the 6th and 7th of December. Tickets are £7 and you receive a treat, a gift, and time with Mrs Claus. Also, the human get to come too. Tickets are very high demand and are selling quickly, so book now if you’re interested. (Maybe she should be called Mrs Claws…)
You can find more information on Santa Paws here.
Priory Park Santa’s Grotto
Father Christmas will be at Priory Park December 13th and 14th. It seems like it’ll be a standard Santa’s Grotto affair with a few extra activities in the park. Under 3s attend for free, and each child receives a present. You can find more information on Priory Park Santa’s Grotto here.
Christmas Escape Rooms
Now it would feel wrong to write a post about what to do around Christmas without including some Christmas themed escape rooms. So, here are some local Christmas escape rooms. I haven’t personally played any of these so I can’t give my opinions on them, but I can give you a little overview from what I’ve read.
Elf Isolation
Chelmsford Escape Rooms currently has a bit of a problem. All their elves are in isolation! So, Santa needs your help. You will be ‘Elf Support’, solving puzzles to ensure everything is ready for Santa on his big day. You have 60 minutes. The room is designed with children in mind but suitable for all ages, so this room is a good option if you’re looking for a family activity with children. You can find more information on Elf Isolation here.
When Santa Got Stuck up the Chimney!
At Maldon Escape Rooms, Santa is having a bit of a mare. He’s stuck up the chimney! That’s no place for Santa to be. You and your team need to solve puzzles and crack locks so you can get Santa back on his way delivering presents. The game is 60 minutes and suitable for up to 10 players. You can find more information on When Santa Got Stuck up the Chimney here.
Christmas Candy Chaos
At Essex Escape Rooms, Santa’s candy machine has broken, and he needs your help repairing it. You have one hour to get everything working and save the North Pole from a candy-less future. Up to 10 players can play together, with a recommended age of 8+. You can find more information on Christmas Candy Chaos here.
The Puppet Christmas Carol
Keylock games in Wickford are paying homage to a certain adaptation of a certain film. The Marley brothers have trapped the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future and they need your help to be rescued. Can you save them all and save Christmas in turn? Up to 8 people can play this 60-minute adventure. You can find out more information on The Puppet Christmas Carol here.
Lost Star of the Xmas Market
Not again! Those elves have stolen the star that goes on top of the tree and it’s almost time to turn the lights on at the Christmas market. Can you find the stolen star and get it back to the tree before it’s time to switch on the lights? Cluefinders Basildon offers this experience with the difficulty ‘adaptable upon request’ to allow all family sizes and ages to get the full experience. The recommended group size is between 2-8 players, and players under 8 play for free. You can find out more information on Lost Star of the Xmas Market here.
Christmas Cat-astrophe Escape Room
Bishop Stortford Escape Rooms have created a Christmas transformation of their famous ‘Crazy Cat Lady’ escape room. Aunt Edna – the Crazy Cat Lady herself – has popped out, during which the cats have run wild with the Christmas decorations. Tinsel is tangled and baubles are destroyed, it’s a disaster! The objective of the room is to restore order to Aunt Edna’s house before she gets home. Up to 8 players can play this 60-minute adventure. Think you’re up to the task? You can find out more information on Christmas Cat-astrophe Escape Room here.
A Christmas Carol
Slightly further afield at Pier Pressure Welwyn, ‘A Christmas Carol’ takes on a more serious approach to the Christmas escape room trope. Following the story of ‘A Christmas Carol’ (not sure if you’ve heard of it), you and your team assume the roles of Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and other characters from the story. You will meet the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future as you search for the meaning of Christmas. Transform Mr Scrooge from a humbug into a changed man as you go through the retelling of this Christmas classic.
This room has a different tone compared to the rest on the list. There is the element of you roleplaying to help tell the story, and since I haven’t played it, I can’t tell you how that translates in the room itself. This room seems like one more for the adults than children due to the Dickensian vibes, and the puzzles seem like they will be harder than rooms previously listed. You can find out more information on A Christmas Carol here.
VR Escape virtual reality experiences.
Now, what have we got at VR Escape?! Well we can't change our escape room themes to Christmas. You can't be abducted by aliens in a festive way, and it would be odd for astronauts to wear Xmas jumpers or deep sea explorers to be elves.
What we have done is added Xmas themed lobbies to our VR arcade, which are the mini games suitable for everyone from age 9 upwards.
Other than that we're grinching it this year! What we are doing that is festive is opening for a whole bunch of extra days over the school holidays as so many of you have requested. The December dates are available now and are going fast. Craig will be running his usual Christmas eve and boxing day games, and I know he hopes to run the large Time Crimes physical game over the holidays too, so if you're on our mailing list keep an eye out for that in the next day or two.
And that is all I have on things to do for this holiday season!
People playing at VR Escape, overlaid with Santa wearing a VR headset
Micro businesses like VR Escape, and other local escape rooms like Keylock in Wickford and Cluefinders in Basildon, try our best to entertain people. We rely on our customers spreading the word to friends and returning to play other games. But most of all we rely on you coming to see us in the first place and are incredibly grateful that you do. This December, come and play at VR Escape, or visit one of the companies I've mentioned. You'll have a blast!
Merry Christmas everyone. (Too soon?!)
