Visit Braintree District

12/10/2026

Get your skates on! Tickets available now.

Braintree Village’s ice skating rink is returning for the festive season, from Thursday 12 November to Sunday 3 January.

The undercover 775 square metre rink has real ice, and will be adjacent to the top of the North Car Park. Skaters can enjoy Friday Disco Nights, 2-for-1 skates, plus special Parent & Toddler and Quiet Sessions.

Josef O’Sullivan, Centre Director of Braintree Village, said: “This year, we’re particularly excited to introduce our new ‘Skate & Sing’ sessions, taking place every Wednesday. With alternating themes and a fantastic atmosphere on the ice, we’re sure they’ll be a hit with guests of all ages.”

Pre-book your 45-minute sessions including skate hire now. Tickets are priced from £13.50 for children aged 12 and under, £15.50 for adults, and from £50 for family tickets. Guests can book before midnight on 1st November to enjoy an early bird 20% discount (excluding 2 for 1 sessions). Visit the Braintree Village
website to book.

12/10/2026

The Braintree District has so much to offer and explore!

07/10/2026

Great Bardfield Scarecrow Festival is this Saturday 10 October!

Explore the beautiful village of Great Bardfield and follow the scarecrow trail to find over 20 scarecrows dotted throughout the village.

The event is on from 11am to 4pm and you can pick up your map from Great Bardfield Primary School for £2. Prizes for everyone who completes it!

There will also be farmers market stalls, food, drinks, cakes, tombola, scarecrow shop and more!

05/10/2026

APPLE DAY THIS SUNDAY!

Cressing Temple 's annual Apple Day will be taking place this Sunday 11 October from 10am to 4pm.

Entry is £4 for adults and children under 18 go free. No booking necessary.

Buy heritage apple varieties and have a go at apple juicing with a traditional press, learn about apples and how to identify them and the orchards at Cressing Temple as well as trips for caring for your own fruit trees.

There's also c***r, beekeeping, honey, craft stalls, entertainment, children’s activities, plant and produce sales, willow craft and refreshments.

They'll also be medieval re-enactment by The Companye of Merrie Folk, a dedicated and experienced group of re-enactors portraying the daily lives of the common people and gentry alike in the medieval and Tudor periods.

There will also be Morris and clog dancers and live music. For younger visitors Gemma’s Farm will be setting up their mobile farm experience and there will be a garden trail.

It's a fun day for all the family!

25/09/2026

Braintree Street Market has been running since 2018, providing a monthly bumper market of food trucks, crafters, local producers and more throughout Braintree town centre.

This Saturday’s market on 26 September will be the seventh market so far this year, with markets running between March and December on the last Saturday of the month between 9am and 5pm.

Street market days are a fantastic opportunity to meet friends or family for lunch in town and browse stalls from local independent small businesses.

24/09/2026

DOG DAY AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DAY THIS WEEKEND! 🐶🐶🐾

Fingers crossed for perfect weather this weekend for our Braintree Dog Day & Community Safety Day on Saturday 26 September.

Join us at Weavers Park between 10am and 2pm for this free event - no need to register beforehand!

We'll also be having a fun dog show, so why not enter for free to see if your pup will win waggiest tail, most handsome or golden oldie.

They'll also be lots of information stalls where you can find out about local support and community safety initiatives from Essex Police, our Community Safety team, Neighbourhood Watch and more.

20/09/2026

19/09/2026

Dogs are the stars this weekend at Braintree Village - pop along this weekend and get some excellent freebies for your pup and even a professional photograph from Paws & Prints - Essex Pet Photographer and support Guide Dogs

18/09/2026

WITHAM STREET ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL TOMORROW!

The famous Witham Street Entertainment Festival is back tomorrow in Witham town centre between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

This annual festival is held in the town centre with acts performing in the Newlands Shopping Centre, the Grove Shopping Centre and in Newland Street itself, where they close the road between Collingwood Road and Maldon Road.

Enjoy a whole host of street entertainment that is fun for all ages.

AND IT'S FREE!

Find the link in the comments for the timetable.

Witham Town Council

17/09/2026

DOG WEEKEND AT BRAINTREE VILLAGE! 🐶🐾

Braintree Village is welcoming guests and their furry friends to enjoy a weekend of free activities, treats and fundraising this weekend.

Taking place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September from 10am to 4pm, the Essex-based outlet shopping destination will bring together adorable pups, dog lovers and animal charities for two days of dog-friendly fun.

Guests and their canine companions can enjoy a range of complimentary activities throughout the weekend, including professional dog photography sessions, dog treats and giveaways. Guests will also have the chance to take home a free professional digital portrait of their dog, captured by local pet photography specialist, Paws and Prints Essex. Photography sessions will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 10am-4pm each day, with each participating dog receiving one complimentary digital image.

Guide Dogs UK will be at Braintree Village on Saturday as they celebrate their 95th anniversary this year. Guests will be able to meet guide dogs in training, learn more about the training process, and discover more about living with sight loss in the charity’s education hub. Guests will also be able to support the charity through merchandise purchases and donations.

The Danaher Animal Home - RSPCA will visit Braintree Village on Sunday, giving guests the opportunity to meet some of the charity's rescue dogs and learn more about responsible pet ownership, animal welfare and the rehoming process. The team will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions about pet adoption and the vital work the charity carries out across Essex.

As well as meeting two fantastic local animal charities, guests can enjoy a variety of activities designed especially for dogs. Professional photography, treats, and dog-friendly freebies, will ensure no pooch goes home empty pawed.