Christmas cheer in Chelmsford

The weather has gotten a little colder and wetter (sigh), but the festive season has arrived (yay). I do love the Christmas period. I’m one of the early birds and have been playing Christmas classics in the house and shower since November!

Christmas lights, hot drinks, cosy nights, festive movies, Christmas outings and parties…. and not forgetting the big day itself! Christmas has officially arrived in Chelmsford.

The Christmas light switch-on in Chelmsford was on 17 November on the High Street. And I must say, the lights this year are pretty impressive, with Bond Street all lit up and the famous Christmas tree just outside the Meadows Shopping Centre entrance. They also have the Cinderella-themed globe just outside the High Chelmer Shopping Centre again this year. Take note: Instagram-worthy selfies and photos!

I may be controversial but the lights on Bond Street are my favourite, with fairy portraits amongst the trail of lights.

It all helps to make those cold evenings brighter.

Here's my pick of other festive activities around the city.

• Christmas at Hylands: a range of events in December including crafting workshops, a Frost Fair, an annual soiree and festive drive-in cinema.
• Pantomime at the Civic Theatre: oh yes it is, etc. Peter Pan is running from 29 November to 5 January.
• A Christmas Carol: one-man performance of Charles Dickens's popular Christmas classic at the Cramphorn Studio on Sunday 1 December.
• Christmas at Riverside Leisure Centre: nothing is more Christmassy than a bit of ice skating. Family sessions will run on weekends from 1 to 24 December.
• Yuletide Stride: walk leaders will guide you along the River Chelmer before hitting the twinkly lights of Chelmsford High Street and Moulsham Street on Thursday 5 December.
• Christmas Memorial Service: the annual service at the city's crematorium will be taking place on Sunday 8 December this year.
• The Nutcracker: timeless seasonal ballet showing at the Picturehouse on Sunday 15 December.
• White Christmas: feel-good family musical classic at the Cramphorn Studio on Monday 16 December.

For me, this year will be my last Christmas as a student as next year I hope to graduate as a qualified midwife! It’s coming round so quickly; it's exciting that there isn’t long left. I will be spending December doing my dissertation research but also enjoying the Christmas festivities with friends and family. And stuffing my face with chocolate, of course!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the festivities wherever you are. But don’t forget to relax and re-charge the batteries – and have a few mince pies, too!

See you all in 2020.