About


First held in 2003, Brightlingsea Christmas Tree Festival has been a huge success growing from just fifty-seven trees in the first year to nearly a hundred trees today. Individuals, families, charities, churches, schools, shops, businesses, clubs and societies – all with links to Brightlingsea – bring trees to decorate in the church, some on a Christmas theme, some funny and some to reflect a business or organisation.
For 2023 the festival will be returning to All Saints’ Church, Church Road, Brightlingsea, where it will benefit from the new toilet and kitchen facilities that have been built there, thanks in part to the funds raised by the festival.
The festival will be open from 10am to 6pm on Saturday 9 and 10.30am to 6pm on Sunday 10 December (last entry 5.30pm).
There is no fee for displaying a tree, but a small entrance charge for coming to look at the display – although children under 16 are free.
There will be a concert on Saturday night and the Festival will close with Carols with Chris on Sunday evening. Both events will be for limited numbers and further details will be published on the website shortly.
As well as providing one of the town’s best loved festive events, Brightlingsea Christmas Tree Festival raises much needed funds to support the upkeep of the historic All Saints Church and St James’ Church. As of the 2022 festival some £145,000 has been raised by the event.

In all, over 300 people are involved in organising and running the Festival. Throughout the Festival choirs, soloists, organists, pianists and instrumentalists play and sing for visitors adding to the delights.
Come and see for yourself! You will find something to interest all ages – from the winter wonderland effect of the decorated church, to the clever jokes and elaborate decorations that sparkle on the trees and the age-old glory of the nativity figures.