Free Christmas events bring family fun to Brentwood: what residents need to know

Culture & Events Desk 2026-10-21 18:56 3 min read

Close up of a decorated Christmas tree with a bright star topper at night.

Families can attend three free Christmas events in Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield this November and December. The programme includes lights, markets and activities for children. Brentwood’s event runs longest, from midday to 6pm, while the Ingatestone and Shenfield fairs each run from noon to 5pm. No booking details are given in the announcement.

Brentwood lights switch-on: Saturday 21 November

Lighting Up Brentwood takes place on Brentwood High Street from 12pm to 6pm. The Santa Parade starts at 11.45am from St Thomas’ Road, before the Christmas lights are switched on at 5pm on the Main Stage by the Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Nicky Cuthbert, and special guests.

Across the day, visitors can expect live performances on multiple stages, market stalls, food and drink, gifts, funfair rides and walkabout acts. A giant walk-through Christmas tree at the Chapel Ruins will offer a place to explore and take photos.

Children can visit a Santa’s Grotto organised by the Rotary Club of Brentwood at Schmidt Kitchens & Interior Solutions. Mrs Claus will host a free grotto at Chicken and Frog Bookshop. Pinney Talfourd is sponsoring free face painting at two locations. The event is sponsored by Razzamataz and Stagecoach Theatre Schools Brentwood.

Ingatestone and Shenfield festive fairs

The Ingatestone Festive Fair is on Sunday 29 November, from 12pm to 5pm. Around 30 traditional stalls selling food, gifts and handmade items will be set up in the outdoor space at The Bell pub, with other activities along the High Street. The programme includes live music, walkabout acts and free face painting, plus food and drink from local businesses and a pop-up bar from The Star Inn. A Christmas Toy Trail launches in business windows, with Jellycat toys to be won.

Free Christmas events bring family fun to Brentwood: what residents need to know

Festive Shenfield follows on Sunday 6 December, also from 12pm to 5pm, along Hutton Road. Activities include live music, market stalls, walkabout acts, funfair rides, a Santa’s Grotto and free face painting. Local businesses will provide food and drink. Shenfield will also host a Christmas Toy Trail: visitors can spot five festive Jellycat toys and enter to win them in the run-up to Christmas.

Free entry, parking and event details

Entry to all three events is free. For Lighting Up Brentwood, Coptfold Road multistorey car park will also be free all day on Saturday 21 November, thanks to Brentwood Borough Council. The announcement does not specify transport arrangements, booking requirements or accessibility details for any of the events.

Brentwood Connected, the Business Improvement District funded by businesses in the three town centres, is organising the events with support from Brentwood Borough Council. Further information is available on Brentwood Connected’s Christmas events page.

Source: Brentwood Borough Council News

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Event dates, times, locations and activities were checked against the supplied Brentwood Borough Council announcement.

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