The Nayling Road Christmas Lights in Braintree Essex!

Nayling Road in Braintree may be the most festive residential street in Essex! Every year many of the residents decorate their houses and gardens for the Christmas season! Lots do it to raise money for charities, with collection boxes left outside the houses for passers by to donate.

Updated: December 2021

Nayling Road Christmas Lights

Usually, the lights are on display from around the 1st of December until the end of the year. Switch on is 4pm and they are turned off at 10pm. For the past few Christmases, I was living in the US, but I came over for the week between Christmas and New Year one year and they were still going strong!

Nayling Road Christmas Light Display Braintree Essex

Nayling Road is a circular loop. We found it best to park up closer to the main road where there aren’t quite so many driveways, and then walk down. Although the Christmas lights get a lot of attention, it’s important to respect the residents (including those not taking part!) and not block their drives etc. If you turn to the left and follow the loop, the majority of the decorated houses are on the backstretch. On busy nights this is the preferred ‘direction of travel’, by creating a one-way system it helps to ease traffic. If you are able to walk or car share, this is a good idea too.

*The residents have requested that if you plan on driving, it’s best to park on the nearby Springwood Industrial Estate (just off the mini roundabout) and walk. It takes about 5 minutes so not too far! *

Light Show House

The light show house is one of my personal favourites! Each year they create a choreographed light show in time to a song. In 2018 it was to the song ‘Baby Shark’ (which as someone that works with mainly pre-school students, I thought it was GREAT). The house lights pulsed in time to the music and there was even a video projection of Baby Shark! 2019 saw a tribute to Keith Flint using the song ‘Firestarter’ by The Prodigy. The show is on an automatic timer so plays on the hour and every half hour.

After a break in 2020, the light show house is back! In 2021 the song is ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd.

*Note for 2021* There isn’t a scheduled time for the light show during 2021. This is to try and avoid people gathering especially to watch it. Although it is outside, it’s still important to social distance from other people.

Charities

Some of the houses raise money for various charities. I believe in 2020 many have said that they are raising money for the NHS. In 2019, 8 different charities were supported and they raised over £8400! The charities included: Farleigh Hospice, Helen Rollason and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

Nayling Road Christmas Light Display Snowman Family Braintree Essex

When I was a kid, I used to love taking a bag of loose change to the Braintree Carnival and then dishing the coins out to the different floats. Maybe if you have children, this would be another fun way for them to get involved. It’s a cheap night out and is a great way to enjoy the Christmas spirit while supporting some great causes.

Nayling Road Christmas Light Display Snowman Braintree Essex

Tips For Visiting The Nayling Road Christmas Lights

Try to walk or car share where possible
If not, try to operate in a one-way direction (turning left and following the loop)
Do not walk on or touch the displays
Respect the residents (by not blocking driveways etc)
It’s not a ‘public event’ as such, so if have any rubbish, make sure you take it away.
Consider donating to the charities
The Facebook page often share updates on the current traffic conditions on Nayling Road
And lastly, have fun!