Free Christmas events bring festive fun to Brentwood

Beehive Features Desk 2026-10-21 18:54 2 min read

Wooden Christmas market stall decorated with festive lights and ornaments in the UK.

Families can visit three free festive events across Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone this November and December. Organised by Brentwood Connected with support from Brentwood Borough Council, the programme includes a Christmas lights switch-on, fairs, live music, market stalls and activities for children.

Brentwood lights switch-on: Saturday 21 November

Lighting Up Brentwood runs from 12pm to 6pm on Brentwood High Street. The Santa Parade starts at 11.45am from St Thomas’ Road, led by Razzamataz Theatre Schools. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 5pm on the Main Stage by the Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Nicky Cuthbert, and special guests.

The programme includes live performances across several stages, market stalls, food and drink, gifts, funfair rides and festive walkabout acts. At the Chapel Ruins, visitors can walk through a giant Christmas tree installation funded by Brentwood Connected businesses. Santa’s Grotto, organised by the Rotary Club of Brentwood, will be at Schmidt Kitchens & Interior Solutions, while Mrs Claus will host a free grotto at Chicken and Frog Bookshop. Free face painting sponsored by Pinney Talfourd will be available at two locations.

Ingatestone and Shenfield dates

The Ingatestone Festive Fair takes place on Sunday 29 November from 12pm to 5pm. It will feature entertainment, walkabout acts, live music and 30 traditional market stalls selling food, gifts and handmade items in the outdoor space at The Bell pub. Activities will also take place elsewhere on Ingatestone High Street. Local businesses will offer food and drink, including a pop-up bar from The Star Inn. The Christmas Toy Trail launches in business windows, with Jellycat toys to be won, and free face painting is planned. Music performance areas will be at The Bell, outside The Ginger Tree and Kennadys, and outside The Lounge.

Free Christmas events bring festive fun to Brentwood

Festive Shenfield returns on Sunday 6 December from 12pm to 5pm on Hutton Road, Shenfield. Activities include live music, walkabout acts, funfair rides, traditional market stalls, a Santa’s Grotto and free face painting. Shenfield businesses will also provide food and drink. The Christmas Toy Trail will feature five festive Jellycat toys to spot and win in the run-up to Christmas. Small Christmas trees, first brought back to the village by Brentwood Connected in 2025, will return to Ingatestone.

Parking and event access

Parking at Coptfold Road multistorey car park will be free all day on Saturday 21 November, courtesy of Brentwood Borough Council. The source announcement does not specify parking arrangements for the Ingatestone or Shenfield events, or provide booking and accessibility details. Entry to all three events is free.

Further information is available from Brentwood Connected’s Christmas event listings.

Source: Brentwood Borough Council News

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Dates, times, locations, activities and the Brentwood parking offer were checked against the supplied Brentwood Borough Council News announcement.

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