The Christmas lights switch on at 5pm on 15 November, Glow and Enlightened light trails open 26 and 27 November and Cinderella runs from 27 November.

The Christmas lights switch on at 5pm on Sunday 15 November, Marsh Farm’s Father Christmas Experience and new Lumina light trail open on Saturday 21 November, and the season’s two big light trails start in the same week: Glow at RHS Hyde Hall on 26 November and Enlightened at Hylands on 27 November, the night Cinderella opens at Chelmsford Theatre.

This page lists 49 dated events from 11 November to 23 December 2026, from the organisers’ own listings, first read on 28 September and checked again on 11 November 2026. Every entry links to its source, so check before you set off. Where an organiser publishes no price, we say so and do not guess.

This week

Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 November.

  • RENT, to Saturday 14 November, Chelmsford Theatre Studio. £27.50 to £29.50. Springers AODS stage Jonathan Larson’s musical. The Wednesday to Friday evenings are sold out; the Saturday 2.30pm and 7.30pm shows had limited seats on 11 November. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Tom Stade: Rules, Wednesday 11 November, 7.30pm, Chelmsford Theatre. £28. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf, Thursday 12 November, 7.30pm, Chelmsford Theatre. £32.50, limited availability. Friday 13 November is sold out. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Queen by Candlelight, Friday 13 November, two sittings, doors 6.15pm for 6.45pm and 8.30pm for 9pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. £10 to £40, plus a £4.50 booking fee; the £10 seats have no view of the stage. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Chelmsford Christmas Lights Switch-On, Sunday 15 November, festivities 12pm to 5pm, lights on at 5pm followed by a firework finale, city centre. Free; some rides and the fire pit charge. Main Stage at Shire Hall from 2pm, the Christmas Tree Stage on the High Street from noon, karaoke in Bond Street, a makers market at Patch in Gray’s Yard, rides in Backnang Square and Santa’s sleigh in Halfmoon Square. No road closures had been published by 11 November. Our switch-on page has the full programme. (Chelmsford For You)

Sold out at the theatre this week: RENT on Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 November, Stewart Lee on Friday 13 November and Step Into Christmas on Saturday 14 November.

Next week

Monday 16 to Sunday 22 November.

  • Christmas at The Stables, Thursday 19 November, 5pm to 9pm, The Stables, Hylands Estate, CM2 8WQ. An evening Christmas market with live music, local traders and the open artist studios. The estate gives no entry price. (Hylands Estate)
  • An Evening of Conversation with Revd Dan Pierce, Thursday 19 November, doors 7pm, starts 7.30pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. Free, booking recommended. The launch of his Advent book Man Made. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • 90s Silent Disco, Friday 20 November, from 6.30pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. Ages 18 and over; prices on the organiser’s booking page. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Father Christmas Experience at Marsh Farm, from Saturday 21 November, South Woodham Ferrers. A booked guided tour with a teddy and a gift; the farm says November is “almost completely full” and December is filling fast. Its ticket platform was down on 11 November, so no prices. Our Santa’s grotto page has the details. (Marsh Farm)
  • Lumina Light Trail, opens Saturday 21 November, Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers. A new mile-long after-dark lantern trail. The farm’s event data gives £13.95 booked ahead, and it says booking saves £8 a person on the door price; rides are £5 extra. The farm has not published the run of nights. (Marsh Farm)
  • Songs of Creation, Saturday 21 November, 10.30am to 12pm, Chapter House, Chelmsford Cathedral. Free, with refreshments. The Cathedral Young Singers. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Essex’s Buried Treasure, Saturday 21 November, 11am, Museum of Chelmsford. Lori Rogerson on finds reported under the Portable Antiquities Scheme. The same day the Finds Liaison Officer holds a booked Finds Surgery, appointments 11am to 4pm. (Museum of Chelmsford)
  • The Music of Adele: The Candlelight Concert, Saturday 21 November, shows at 6.30pm and 8.45pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. Tickets through Xperience Live; the cathedral gives no price. (Chelmsford Cathedral)

Later in November

Monday 23 to Monday 30 November.

  • Chelmsford City v Maidstone United, Monday 23 November, 7.45pm, The Dunmow Group Community Stadium, Salerno Way, CM1 2EH. National League South; tickets through the club. (Chelmsford City FC)
  • The Christmas Orchestra, Tuesday 24 November, 7pm or 9.30pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. Sold by the promoter. Our Christmas concerts page has every festive concert. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Festive Stained Glass Painting Workshop, Wednesday 25 November, 7pm to 9pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. £40. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Evening racing at Chelmsford City Racecourse, Thursday 26 November, Great Leighs, CM3 1QP. Gates 3.30pm, first race 5.30pm, last race 8.30pm; tickets from £15 booked early. Further Thursday meetings on 3, 10 and 17 December have times still listed as TBA. The racecourse has moved to a new website. (Chelmsford City Racecourse)
  • Glow at RHS Hyde Hall, 22 nights from Thursday 26 November to 30 December, from 4.30pm, Rettendon. Off peak adults from £12 on 26, 27 and 28 November and 3 and 10 December. Our Glow page lists every night. (RHS Garden Hyde Hall)
  • Enlightened Hylands, Friday 27 November to Saturday 2 January, from 4.30pm, Hylands Estate, entrance off Greenbury Way. Run by Enlightened Moments, not the estate. Our Enlightened page has prices. (Enlightened Moments)
  • Cinderella, Friday 27 November to Sunday 3 January, Chelmsford Theatre. £19.50 to £34.50. On 11 November 30 of the 65 shows were limited, none sold out. Our pantomime page has every performance. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Merry and Bright Glass Painting Workshop, Friday 27 November, 6pm to 8pm, Museum of Chelmsford. £40. (Museum of Chelmsford)
  • London Concertante: Christmas Concertos and The Four Seasons, Friday 27 November, 7.30pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. Tickets through London Concertante. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Abstract Watercolour Christmas Cards and Gift Tags, Saturday 28 November, 10.30am to 1.30pm, Museum of Chelmsford. £25, beginners welcome. (Museum of Chelmsford)
  • Book Paper Snowflake Decorations, Sunday 29 November, 2.30pm to 4.30pm, Museum of Chelmsford. £25. (Museum of Chelmsford)
  • Carol of the Bells, Sunday 29 November, 3pm, Chelmsford Theatre Studio. £11.50, limited availability. A Ukrainian film, rated 16+. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Advent Procession, Sunday 29 November, 6pm to 7pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. Free. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • GIANT: The Play, Monday 30 November, 7pm, Chelmsford Theatre Studio. £15 to £18.50, rated 12. (Chelmsford Theatre)

December

Tuesday 1 to Wednesday 23 December.

  • Dementia-friendly cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol, Tuesday 1 December, 1pm, Chelmsford Theatre Studio. £3.50. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Scott Bennett: Blood Sugar Baby, Tuesday 1 December, 7.30pm, Chelmsford Theatre. £25. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • NT Live: Golden Boy, Wednesday 2 December, 7pm, Chelmsford Theatre Studio. £13.50 to £17, rated 15. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Christmas with Jethro Tull, Thursday 3 December, doors 7pm, concert 7.30pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. £35 to £55, plus £1.25 a ticket in booking fees; the cheaper bands have restricted views. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Fanny Galore’s Big Christmas Bingo Party, Friday 4 December, 2.30pm and 8.30pm, Chelmsford Theatre Studio. £27.50 with a welcome drink, ages 18 and over. The 8.30pm session had limited seats on 11 November. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Cathedral Christmas Market, Saturday 5 December, 10am to 3pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. Our Christmas markets page has the rest. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Festive Fun for Farleigh, Saturday 5 December, 10am to 5pm, city centre. Free, no booking: Santa’s Workshop at Shire Hall, a children’s carousel, local choirs, face painting and walkabouts, with optional donations to Farleigh Hospice. Chelmsford For You had not published a fuller programme by 11 November. (Chelmsford For You)
  • Christmas at Riverside, from Saturday 5 December, Riverside Leisure Centre, Victoria Road. Festive skating with a DJ and snow machine, 10am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm on 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December, and four sessions on 27 December. £10.80 on the free Lite card, skate hire included. Our ice rink page has the rest. (Chelmsford City Council)
  • Backstage Tour: Cinderella, Saturday 5 December, 10.30am, Chelmsford Theatre. £8, 60 minutes, not step-free. The 12 December tour is sold out. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Xmas WiFi Wars, Saturday 5 December, 3pm and 6pm, Chelmsford Theatre Studio. £16 to £20, ages six and over; the 3pm show had limited seats on 11 November. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Light Up a Life with Farleigh Hospice, Sunday 6 December, 7.30pm to 9pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. A candlelit service to remember loved ones. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Comedy Crackers, Tuesday 8 December, 8pm, Chelmsford Theatre. £33, ages 14 and over. The same morning, Festive Baby Knees Up is at 11am in the Studio, £6 to £15. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Christmas by Candlelight, Thursday 10 December, doors 6.15pm for 6.45pm and 8.30pm for 9pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. £15 to £45, plus a £4.50 booking fee. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Ignacio Lopez: Nada, Thursday 10 December, 8pm, Chelmsford Theatre. £25. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • The Sixteen, Friday 11 December, 7.30pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. £21 to £41 through Saffron Hall. Christmas music with four audience carols; our Saffron Hall page has the series. (Saffron Hall)
  • The Owl Who Came for Christmas, Saturday 12 December to Saturday 2 January, Chelmsford Theatre Studio. £16.50 to £19.50. A one-hour puppet show for ages one and up; several 10.30am shows are already sold out. (Chelmsford Theatre)
  • Classical Voices: Musicals at Christmas, Saturday 12 December, 2pm to 3.30pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. Musical theatre songs and audience carols for Farleigh Hospice; tickets through the choir. That evening, Caprice’s Christmas concert is at 7.30pm. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Christmas Open Estate Day, Sunday 13 December, 10am to 3pm, Hylands Estate. An extended Essex Foodies festive market, the open artist studios, live music and a visit from Father Christmas. (Hylands Estate)
  • A Very Crooked Christmas, Monday 14 December, doors 6pm, show 6.30pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. Adults £10, children £5, family £20, under 5s free. Riding Lights’ 50-minute comic Nativity. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Wild Arts: Handel’s Messiah, Tuesday 15 December, 7pm, Chelmsford Cathedral. A staged performance; the cathedral gives no price. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • Christmas Treasures, Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 December, 10.30am and 1.30pm, Museum of Chelmsford. £6, members £5, for ages 5 to 11 with one adult free. (Museum of Chelmsford)
  • Cathedral carol services, all free: Midday Carols on Fridays 11 and 18 December at noon; Carols by Candlelight at 6pm and 8pm on Sundays 13 and 20 December, with free tickets released nearer the date; Carols for Kids on Monday 21 December at 11am; Nine Lessons and Carols at 6.30pm on 21, 22 and 23 December. Our concerts and carols page has the full list. (Chelmsford Cathedral)

Sold out at the theatre in December: RBO’s The Nutcracker on 1 December, Mum’s Night Out Comedy on 3 December, A CK Gospel Christmas Show on 6 December, Paddy Young on 8 December and Dyad Productions’ A Christmas Carol on 9 December.

Regular events

  • Lunchtime Concert at Chelmsford Cathedral, every Friday in term time at 12 noon, to 27 November, then from 8 January. Free. (Chelmsford Cathedral)
  • SEN Friendly Day at the Museum of Chelmsford, the second Saturday of each month, all day, free with museum entry, no booking. 14 November and 12 December. (Museum of Chelmsford)
  • Memory Café at the Museum of Chelmsford, the second Monday of each month, 10.30am to 12pm, Wells Suite. Free. The next is 14 December. (Museum of Chelmsford)
  • Chelmsford High Street Market, every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, at the top of the High Street, CM1 1BE. (Chelmsford City Council)
  • Chelmsford Central parkrun, every Saturday at 9am in Central Park. Free, but register once before your first run. (parkrun)

Getting there

Chelmsford Theatre, the cathedral, the High Street, Riverside and Central Park are all within a short walk of the railway station. City centre tariffs are on our parking in Chelmsford page. Check the roadworks and travel page before driving to Hylands, Marsh Farm, Hyde Hall or the racecourse. For places that are open whatever the month, see things to do in Chelmsford.

This page is rewritten as organisers confirm new dates. More in our What’s On section.

Send us your event

Running an event in Chelmsford or the villages? Email hello@chelmsfordtimes.co.uk with the date, time, venue, price and a photo. Listings are free of charge, and yours goes on this page and in the diary on our What’s On hub.

Sources