Brentwood Christmas Markets: 21 Nov, 29 Nov and 6 Dec

Brentwood has no Christmas market that runs for weeks. It has three free one-day Christmas markets run by Brentwood Connected: the High Street on Saturday 21 November, Ingatestone on Sunday 29 November and Shenfield on Sunday 6 December. The Baytree Centre adds indoor makers’ markets on 21 November, 5 December and 19 December.

All the dates below come from the organisers’ own pages, checked on 5 October 2026.

The dates at a glance

Lighting Up Brentwood, Saturday 21 November

The biggest of the three is the town’s Christmas lights day, noon to 6pm on the High Street. Brentwood Connected, the Business Improvement District that runs it with Brentwood Borough Council, lists “live performances across multiple stages, market stalls, food, drink, gifts, funfair rides, festive walkabout acts and entertainment, a Santa Parade and the Christmas light switch on”. Entry is free, and stallholder applications were still open when we checked. (Brentwood Connected, Christmas)

The same day, the Baytree Shopping Centre holds its November Local Artisan Market, 10am to 4pm, which it bills as its “Lighting Up Brentwood Day” market: candles, homeware, sweet treats and gifts from local makers and small businesses. (The Baytree Shopping Centre)

The switch-on time and the High Street road closure for 2026 have not been published. Last year the High Street was shut to traffic from 8am to 8pm. Our Christmas lights switch-on page has the 2025 running order and closure details, and will carry this year’s when they land.

Ingatestone Festive Fair, Sunday 29 November

Noon to 5pm on Ingatestone High Street, free. Brentwood Connected promises “traditional Christmas market stalls selling food, gifts and a wide selection of handmade items”, live music, walkabout acts and a Christmas Toy Trail. The stalls are not on the street itself: they are “located in the large garden area of The Bell pub (Ingatestone High Street) and in areas of Market Place”. (Brentwood Connected, Christmas)

Festive Shenfield, Sunday 6 December

Noon to 5pm along Hutton Road, free. The BID lists “traditional Christmas market stalls, food, drink and festive activities from a wide range of Shenfield businesses”, plus entertainment, live music, funfair rides and a second Christmas Toy Trail. (Brentwood Connected, Christmas)

Our parking in Brentwood page covers the Shenfield car park and its time limit before you drive in.

The Baytree Centre’s indoor markets

The Baytree Shopping Centre on the High Street runs two more Christmas-season markets indoors, which makes them the wet-weather option.

• Essex Art Market, Saturday 5 December, 10am to 4pm: “local art, handmade gifts and creativity”. (The Baytree Shopping Centre)
• December Local Artisan Market, Saturday 19 December, 10am to 4pm, which the centre calls “our final market of 2026”. (The Baytree Shopping Centre)

A charity Christmas sale at Ingatestone Hall

Earlier still, Ingatestone Hall hosts the Kids Inspire Christmas Sale on Wednesday 11 November, in three sessions: 11am to 2pm, 4pm to 6pm and 7pm to 9pm. The hall lists admission for adults and VIPs as “To Be Advised”, with enquiries to Kids Inspire on 01245 348 707. (Ingatestone Hall)

What is not confirmed

• Santa’s grottos. Lighting Up Brentwood had a Santa’s Grotto in 2025 (Brentwood Connected, 2025), but the BID’s 2026 listings do not mention one yet. Old MacDonald’s Farm has a roaming Santa rather than a grotto this year: see our Old MacDonald’s Farm Christmas page.
• Stall numbers and the stallholder list for all three BID days. Applications were still open in early October.
• Road closures and the switch-on time for 21 November, expected nearer the day.

Christmas shows are on our Brentwood pantomime and Christmas shows page, and anything affecting the roads goes on Brentwood roadworks and travel. This page was checked on 5 October 2026 and will be updated as organisers publish more.