Christmas might still be a little way off, but for those who live in Essex, plenty of Christmas markets will be popping up within weeks.

It will be an opportunity for people to purchase Christmas-related crafts and enjoy some street food as the temperatures get even colder.

Plus, you may even be able to try out an ice rink, go on some funfair rides and see some live music.

With that in mind, we have put together a list of some of the best 2024 Christmas markets across the county that you need to visit during the most wonderful time of the year.

Rochford Christmas Festival

This hugely popular festive event returns to the town centre on Sunday, December 1 featuring a Christmas market in Back Lane Market alongside children's rides, crafts, entertainment, and the exciting light switch-on.

Santa will even be making an appearance with a grotto sponsored by Southend Airport.

The event still has availability for stalls, so interested businesses should visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/rochford-christmas-festival-stall-booking-tickets-944152103357 to book a space.

Shoebury Christmas Market

After a hugely successful event last year, Shoebury Christmas Market is coming back for its third year running on Saturday, December 7.

Based at Shoebury and Thorpe Bay Baptist Church, organisers have had a lot of interest in stall spaces already and are taking bookings for Santa visits including a gift, which cost £3 per child.

While all the details for the event have yet to be revealed, organisers have confirmed a raffle and tombola will be held to help raise money for Southend Hospital's Neptune Ward.

Any businesses interested in booking a stall should contact shoeburyresidentsevents@gmail.com.

Christmas Shopping Fair, Festival Leisure Park

Toby Carvery is set to host a huge Christmas shopping fair on November 29 and 30 from 12pm until 9pm, with a range of stalls selling decorations, garlands, centre pieces, sweets, scents, knits and more.

Most importantly, entry and parking is free.

Watch this space: Christmas Village?

Although it has not yet been confirmed for 2024, last year the leisure park hosted a huge Christmas Village featuring cabin stalls from Knock the Elf on the Shelf to tasty treats including hot doughnuts as well as fun fair rides such as dodgems and a Helter Skelter

So fingers crossed it returns for this year!

Meadow Croft German Market

Meadow Croft Garden Centre's Christmas market has been a huge success since it was first hosted in 2015 and has returned for its ninth year. The annual event is inspired by the traditional Christmas markets in Germany with more than 30 stalls offering seasonal treats and unique yuletide gifts and decorations. 

The popular Battlesbridge centre, in Woodham Road, is hosting the huge market every day until Monday, December 23.

As well as stalls selling unique Christmas gifts and decorations, the market also serves German foods, beer and mulled wine.

Nordic Christmas Market

Who does Christmas better than south Essex's garden centre? Rawreth's View Garden Centre unveiled its Nordic Christmas Market on September 28 with 30 stalls selling carefully selected gifts, food, drink and more.

Across November and December, the market will also host live entertainment including a Michael Bublé tribute, brass bands and choirs, and free tasting weekends where you can sample before you buy and a delicious hot food cabin.

Alongside all of this fun, the popular Santa’s Grotto is returning and families can enjoy a free Frozen encounters event with Anna and Elsa and breakfast with the naughty Elf.

Tickets for the grotto and breakfast, alongside more details and dates for the live music and tasting weekends, can be found on viewgardencentre.co.uk.