There's a lot of festive fun to be had in and around Southend next week - check out our top picks for some proper Christmas crackers!
December 6: Tales From The Shadows – Festive Special, 7pm to 10.30pm
A Victorian Christmas would not be complete without a scary story or two, so welcome to a haunted Yule.
Enjoy a two-course meal followed by spectacular spooky show. £35 per person.
December 6: Children’s Art Club Focal Point Gallery, 4.30pm to 6.30pm
Artist and historical researcher Steve Lawes will lead sessions which take a look at Stone Age life and art by exploring the fantastical story of Doggerland – a massive area of land connecting the east and south of Britain with continental Europe which became submerged around 8000 years ago after a massive tsunami triggered by an underwater volcano eruption near Norway.
Join Focal Point Gallery to make your own paints and brushes, have a go at cave painting, draw maps, and create stories about what it would have been like to find that the land disappeared under water.
December 8: Blenheim Primary School Christmas Fair and Crafts, 3.15pm to 5.30pm
Enjoy crafts, a raffle, tombola, games, cakes, hot food, drinks, visit Santa in his grotto and more.
Until December 8: Santa's Grotto at the Royals Shopping Centre, 10.30am to 5.30pm
Experience the magic of Christmas with a memorable visit to see Father Christmas in his grotto at The Royals. Tickets cost £7.50 per child and include a free gift.
December 9: Father Christmas at Prittlewell Priory
Join Southend Museums to meet Father Christmas "in person", along with lots of festive fun in the historic setting of Prittlewell Priory.
December 10: Southend Rudolph Run in aid of Havens Hospices,
A five-mile charity run will see Santas, elves and festive figures run along Southend Promenade on December 10.
The Southend Rudolph Run is open to experienced runners and beginners and is set to raise funds for Havens Hospices. Caring for babies, children and young people, the specialist hospice team looks after the whole family throughout illness, death and bereavement, putting wellbeing at the centre of their support.
Organisers have encouraged runners to turn up dressed in appropriately festive costumes, “to make Santa really proud”.
Until December 24: Santa’s Creative Grotto at The Ironworks, 11am to 4pm
Visit The IronWorks Southend to see Santa in his Creative Grotto! Open weekends from December 2, then every day from December 21.
Following over 1,000 visitors in 2022, Santa is ready and waiting to meet you all again! You can look forward to working in the Elf Workshop, writing your letter to Santa and creating Christmas decorations. But before you leave, make sure you have your special meet and greet with Santa and receive your special gift!
One Grotto Experience (Accompanied by an adult) costs £12.
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