Southend's lights go on at 6pm on 14 November 2026, Light Up Leigh is on 27 November and the panto opens on 12 December. Updated November 2026.
Christmas in Southend 2026 starts on Saturday 14 November, when Sonny Green switches on the city centre lights at 6pm in Victoria Circus. Light Up Leigh follows on Friday 27 November, and the Cliffs Pavilion pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, runs from Saturday 12 December to Sunday 3 January. Every Christmas page we keep for Southend, Leigh, Westcliff and Shoeburyness is listed below, grouped by what you want to do.
Last checked 14 November 2026.
Overview
- Saturday 14 November: the city centre switch-on. Market from 9am, lights at 6pm, seafront fireworks at 7.30pm. Free.
- Friday 27 November: Light Up Leigh from 4pm, with the Broadway closed 3pm to 8pm.
- Saturday 28 November: Adventure Island’s Wonderland opens, half price on the opening weekend.
- Saturday 12 December to Sunday 3 January: Snow White at the Cliffs Pavilion, from £26.50.
- Sunday 20 December: Carols in the Park at the Priory Park Bandstand, 2pm, free.
The big dates
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 14 November | Christmas lights switch-on, 6pm | Victoria Circus and the High Street |
| Friday 20 November | Festive Friday, from 4pm | Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff |
| Friday 27 November | Light Up Leigh, from 4pm | Leigh Broadway and Elm Road |
| Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December | Deck the Malls, 11am to 5pm | The Victoria Centre |
| Saturday 5 December | Frostbite, 11.45am to 4.30pm | Southchurch Road |
| Saturday 12 December to Sunday 3 January | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Cliffs Pavilion |
| Sunday 20 December | Carols in the Park, 2pm | Priory Park Bandstand |
See: lights and shows
- Christmas lights in Southend: the switch-on on Saturday 14 November, the pier’s festoon lights and the running order.
- Light Up Leigh: Friday 27 November, with the road closures and where to park.
- Southend panto: Snow White at the Cliffs Pavilion, The Nutcracker at the Palace Theatre and the adult panto in January.
- Carol services in Southend: candlelit carols, Christingles, crib services and Carols in the Park.
- New Year’s Eve fireworks in Southend: what has run on the seafront at 6pm and midnight, and what is announced for 2026.
Do: Santa, skating and walks
- Santa’s grotto in Southend: eight places to meet Father Christmas, from a free visit at The Victoria Centre to Adventure Island.
- Ice rinks near Southend: seven places to skate this Christmas.
- Boxing Day walks near Southend: ten walks, with gate times and pubs open on 26 December.
- Christmas trees near Southend: where to buy a real tree, and what it costs.
Eat
- Christmas dinner in Southend: eight places serving Christmas Day lunch, with prices and the dates to pay by.
Shop
- Christmas market in Southend: 13 market dates from 14 November to 12 December, including four in Leigh.
- Christmas shopping in Southend: 14 independent shops from the pier to Leigh Broadway.
Travel and bins
- Southend Christmas train times: no trains on Christmas Day, and the last trains on Christmas Eve.
- Steam train to Chester Christmas Market: Thursday 19 November from Southend Central.
- Southend Christmas bin collections: the changes over Christmas and New Year.
- Parking in Southend: from November to January, Zone 1A car parks charge Zone 1B prices, and parking is free in council car parks on Christmas Day.
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