Christmas at Wivenhoe House: Festive Events, Dining & Winter Getaways 27 October 2026

Christmas is a funny time of year. One minute you’re making a mental note to start your shopping early. The next, your calendar is filling up with festive get-togethers, Christmas parties, family lunches… all the trimmings.

If you’re looking for ways to make the most of the festive season, there’s plenty to get excited about at Wivenhoe House.

Set within 300 acres of historic parkland just outside Colchester, Wivenhoe House offers a beautiful country house setting for Christmas celebrations, seasonal dining, and a magical winter escape in Essex.

From festive parties and seasonal feasts to a relaxing Christmas getaway, here’s what you can look forward to at Wivenhoe House.

Celebrate in style at our Christmas party nights

Let’s start with one of the highlights of the festive calendar: Christmas party season.

If it’s up to you to organise this year’s work Christmas party, or you’re gathering your favourite people for a night of festive fun, Wivenhoe House’s popular Christmas Party Nights have everything you need to celebrate.

Running on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout November and December, our party nights combine festive food, seasonal décor, and plenty of Christmas anthems to fill the dance floor.

With tickets starting from £67.50 per person, your evening includes:

• A welcome drink on arrival
• A delicious three-course Christmas menu
• Festive-themed décor
• A selfie photobooth to capture the memories
• A DJ and disco until midnight

Planning something a little more exclusive? Private Christmas parties are also available in the Garden Suite and Park Brasserie, with private lunches and dinners offered in our Signatures and Drawing Rooms.

Enjoy a festive feast at Park Brasserie

Of course, Christmas isn’t all about parties and dancing. Sometimes, the best way to celebrate is to gather around the table, enjoy a tasty meal, and let somebody else take care of the cooking.

Park Brasserie serves up a selection of festive dining experiences throughout the season, making it an ideal spot for a catch-up with friends, a family gathering, or a seasonal treat just because.

From November 22^nd to December 24^th, our Festive Set Lunch and Dinner brings seasonal flavours to the table with a three-course menu starting from £39.95 per person.

Prefer a lighter afternoon treat? Our Festive Afternoon Tea offers another excuse to get together over homemade treats and a pot of tea in the welcoming surroundings of Park Brasserie.

Christmas Day and Boxing Day dining at Wivenhoe House

Hoping to spend less time in the kitchen this Christmas? Let our team take care of everything.

On Christmas Day, join us for a five-course festive lunch, complete with champagne and canapés on arrival. It’s a special way to celebrate with family and friends, without the usual mountain of washing-up waiting at the end.

And the celebrations don’t stop on the 25th. Our Boxing Day lunch offers three courses of seasonal favourites for £62.50 per person, so you can round off the festive celebrations without lifting a finger.

More Festive Events at Wivenhoe House

Christmas is about more than the big day itself. It’s the chance to find thoughtful gifts, get creative with seasonal decorations, or enjoy a festive afternoon out.

Our What’s On calendar features a selection of events to help you get into the Christmas spirit in the run-up to December.

Find something special at our Christmas Market

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping at the Wivenhoe House Christmas Market on Sunday November 15^th 2026.

With a festive atmosphere and seasonal finds to browse, it’s a lovely way to kick off your Christmas preparations while enjoying the surroundings of our historic country house.

Add it to your calendar and enjoy a spot of Christmas shopping without the usual high-street hustle.

Get creative with Christmas wreath-making

Fancy adding a personal touch to your Christmas decorations this year?

Our festive wreath-making sessions offer a chance to get creative at Wivenhoe House, with sessions taking place from late November into early December.

Ideal for catching up with friends, or even just trying a new seasonal activity to get into the festive spirit.

Escape the Christmas rush with a festive getaway

Give yourself an early Christmas present this year: a little time away.

Between the shopping, planning, and endless to-do lists, the festive season can feel like a whirlwind. A countryside stay gives you the chance to slow down, and spend some time enjoying what Christmas is really about.

Our Christmas Getaways offer two ways to enjoy the festive season at Wivenhoe House, whether you’d like to spend Christmas itself away from home, or take a breather between Christmas and New Year.

Spend Christmas at Wivenhoe House

For a Christmas with a difference, our three-night Christmas stay lets you settle in and leave the festive preparations to us.

Arrive on Christmas Eve to mulled wine and mince pies, then enjoy a programme of festive dining and relaxation throughout your stay. Christmas Day starts with a Bucks Fizz breakfast and a special festive lunch, followed by an evening buffet and a Christmas film. On Boxing Day, you can enjoy another leisurely breakfast before heading home.

It’s a chance to enjoy the traditions you love, without having to organise every last detail yourself.

Enjoy the breathing space of a Twixmas getaway

Not quite Christmas, not quite New Year – that strange stretch between the two can be an awkward gap to fill.

If you’re ready to switch off after the main celebrations, our Twixmas Getaway is the perfect opportunity to slow down between December 27^th and 30^th.

Choose a one- or two-night stay, with bed and breakfast, dining, and additional treats included depending on your package. Complimentary late checkout means there’s no need to rush the following morning, either.

Ideal for a peaceful couple’s retreat, or a change of scenery before the New Year begins, make the most of those quieter December days.

Welcome the New Year with our Gala Dinner

Planning something special for New Year’s Eve? There’s one more date to add to your festive calendar.

On December 31^st, join us for our New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, an elegant black-tie celebration designed to see out 2026 in style.

Expect champagne and canapés, a four-course dinner, live DJ and entertainment, and a midnight toast as you count down to 2027.

Since you’re already here, why not mark the occasion with an overnight stay? Our NYE accommodation packages include Gala Dinner tickets and breakfast on New Year’s Day, so you can enjoy the celebrations without worrying about the journey home.

After all, what could be a better start to 2027 than a lie-in and breakfast already taken care of?

Make this Christmas one to remember at Wivenhoe House

Whether you’re planning a festive night out, gathering friends and family around the table, or looking for a little winter escape, Wivenhoe House has plenty of ways to make the most of the Christmas season.

Enjoy a Christmas party, treat yourself to a festive afternoon tea, or escape the usual preparations with a Christmas or Twixmas stay. And when New Year’s Eve comes around, you can see out 2026 in style before settling in for the night.

Explore our Christmas and New Year events and offers and find your perfect way to celebrate at Wivenhoe House.