Travel the Season
Journey planner
There's plenty of festive fun to be had with First Bus!
Whether you're looking for the best hot chocolates in town, searching the city for Christmas presents or heading to your local theatre to enjoy a classic panto with family..."He's behind you!!"... you can do it all and more with a £2 single bus ticket.
Travelling in a group? We're pleased to introduce our new Festive Five ticket on the First Bus App for just £10! Available to purchase from the 1st to 31st of December, our Network Festive Five allows unlimited travel for five people of all ages, all day. Perfect for those work-dos, or going Christmas shopping with your mates! Please note that this ticket will only be valid on the day of purchase. Please see our website for full T's & C's.
Simply download the First Bus App to plan your festive adventure, track your bus live on a map and buy your £10 Festive Five ticket before you travel. The ticket will only be valid for travel on the day of purchase. You'll find it under Essex Network day tickets.
Please note that routes 407 417 (gross cost contracts) and 525, 561, 570, 620, 621, 625, 694, 725 (school buses), Z3 and Z4 (contract services) are exempt from this offer.
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Click here to go to our dedicated web page, to find out when we're operating over Christmas and New Years.
Discover Christmas in Essex
❄️ Skate into Christmas at Riverside Leisure Centre! 🎄⛸
Glide across the ice surrounded by twinkling lights, falling snow, and your favourite holiday tunes.
Catch service 47, C3, C8 or C11 to get you there.
For more info, click here.
The Christmas Destination @ Lakeside Shopping Centre 🎁
❄️ A fully-covered ice rink – glide and spin under twinkling lights!
🎠 Exciting funfair rides – thrills and giggles for everyone.
🍭 All your favourite Christmas treats – indulge in festive goodies and warm drinks to keep the chills away.
Catch service 100 to get you there.
For more info, click here.
Magic of Christmas - Colchester Zoo ✨
Enjoy festive daytime activities!
Immerse yourself in the wonderful Christmas atmosphere with Colchester Zoo festive activities taking place throughout the day!
The 75 bus will drop you off right outside the Zoo gates.
For more info, click here.
Meet Santa at Culver Square this Christmas! 🎅
The magic is back! Santa himself is returning to Culver Square, ready to welcome you to his charming Christmas cabin.
For just £10, enjoy a personal visit with Santa, share your Christmas wishes, capture the moment with a photo, and take home a gift!
Catch any services into Colchester High street.
For more info, click here.
Watch a festive show at Chelmsford Theatre 🎬
A fun and fresh new version of the classic tale, Snow White glides into Chelmsford for our 2024 pantomime with all the ingredients of a perfect family Christmas treat.
Other festive shows to check out include a Christmas Wish, Xmas WiFi Wars and Dear Santa,
All Chelmsford services stop just down the road at the bus station.
For more info, click here,
Download our FREE First Bus App
Have everything you need to travel at your fingertips:
- Plan your festive journey
- Buy your tickets on the app
- Track the bus to your stop
