8 Magical Christmas Light Trails in Essex 2026

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For those who don’t mind wrapping up warm and embracing the chilly winter evenings, here are 8 magical Christmas light trails in Essex! Most trails take approximately one hour to complete and have various light installations with accompanying soundscapes and festival hot food and drink on offer!

Christmas Light Trail Essex

Enlightened

Hylands Estate, Chelmsford

🗺Greenbury Way Entrance, Chelmsford, CM2 8WQ

📅End Nov until early Jan

Returning to Hylands Park is Enlightened, an outdoor light trail running from end of November until early January. Tickets are pre-booked in advance for a time slot between 4.30pm – 9pm. It has both static and interactive lights with an accompanying soundscape.

The trail is approximately 1.6km (1 mile) long and takes an hour to complete. Parking at Hylands Estate is included as part of the ticket price.

Markshall Estate, Coggeshall

🗺Coggeshall, Colchester CO6 1TG

📅Mid Dec until Christmas Eve

The trail at Markshall Estate was new addition in 2024. It is approximately 1 mile long and should take around 1 hour to walk the route.

Tickets to the Enlightened events are non-refundable and non-transferable. Unless the weather causes safety issues, the light trails continue to stay open in the rain/snow. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather!

Enchanted Trail of Lights at Colchester Zoo

🗺Maldon Rd, Colchester, CO3 0SL

📅 Select dates from end of November until end of December

On select dates from the end of November until the end of December, the zoo open until late as part of the Enchanted Trail of Lights event. This is a completely separate event from the Magic of Christmas day time event.

The zoo shuts at 4.30pm and reopens again at 5.30pm. Visitors can enjoy the Christmas lights on a set trail around the zoo which takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. The trail is a one-way loop.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to see any of the animals during the Enchanted Trail of Lights. There will be various light installations and dancing fountains. Seasonal food and drink will be available for purchase. On selected nights there will be performances from local brass bands.

Timed entry tickets must be pre-booked online in advance.

Glow at Hyde Hall

🗺Creephedge Ln, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET

📅Select dates from end November until end of December | 5pm – 9pm | Check dates here

Another light trail is Glow at RHS Hyde Hall. Glow 2024 is open from the end of November until the end of December between 5pm – 9pm. It’s not open daily, so check the website for information. The trail goes around several of the different gardens at Hyde Hall. Traditional festive food and drink are available for purchase.

Tickets must be pre-booked in advance.

Nayling Road Lights in Braintree (Free)

🗺Nayling Road, Braintree, CM7 2RY

I wrote a whole post about the Nayling Road Christmas Lights! There is a street in Braintree where a large percentage of the houses all decorate for Christmas and raise money for charity.

There’s one house that creates a music light show which is awesome! One year it was Baby Shark and another was dedicated to Keith Flint where they played Firestarter by The Prodigy. Switch on is December 1st.

Nayling Road Christmas Light Display Braintree Essex — Nayling Road Christmas Lights Braintree

Parking at Nayling Road can get quite tight, especially on the weekends. Those living in Braintree should attempt to walk, or alternatively, you can park on the Springwood Industrial Estate about a 10-minute walk away.

(Disclaimer: park at your own risk. Some areas on the industrial estate are ‘no parking’. Make sure to look out for any parking restrictions and park accordingly.)

Epping Ongar Lights Express

🗺North Weald Station, CM16 6BT

📅Nov until Jan on selected dates

An alternative to the walking light trails is the Epping Ongar Lights Party Express train ride. These run on various dates between November until January.

Both the steam and diesel trains are decorated with hundreds of Christmas lights as well as a light display along the route. Music and story narrations are played on the train. 2024 saw the introduction of interactive LED wristbands which are synchronised to the music!

There are 3 departures most evenings, either 17.00, 18.30 or 20.00. Santa is not on the Lights Fantastic journeys. The experience lasts approximately 1 hour.

Enchanted Audley End

🗺Audley End Rd, Audley End, Saffron Walden CB11 4JF

📅TBA

Enchanted Audley End is a 0.8 – 1 mile long through the gardens at Audley End House. (The house will be closed during the event.) Visitors are welcome to go around the trail as many times as they like until closing time at 9pm.

There are both static and interactive installations, filling the gardens with light, sound and colour. For an additional price younger visitors can enjoy fairground rides and food and drink will be available for purchase, including marshmallows for toasting! Tickets are pre-booked in advance and have timed entry.