IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LITTLE LIKE CHRISTMAS
We’re not sure about you, but we think it’s beginning to look a little like Christmas out there. Ho, ho, ho, oh where can we go to soak up some seasonal spirit? Follow our festive guide and discover Christmas markets, fairs and more in Surrey this November…
THE NUTCRACKER / NOVEMBER 12 – 16 / THEATRE ROYAL, WINDSOR
Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, Christmas would not be the great tradition it is without The Nutcrackerin our lives, would it? Watch this toybox-inspired romance, that has become many a family’s tradition, at the Theatre Royal in Windsor this November.
For more information, visit www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
LOSELEY HOUSE CHRISTMAS FAIR / NOVEMBER 14 – 17 / LOSELEY HOUSE, GUILDFORD
A creative Christmas awaits at the Rural Craft Association’s annual Crafts for Christmas event held in the grounds of beautiful Loseley Park. Makers from all over the county will be present to exhibit their wonderful talents. Pick up something special, something unique, for the loved-ones in your life.
For more information, visit www.loseley-park.com
ETON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON / NOVEMBER 14 / JUBILEE SQUARE, ETON
Ahhh, Christmas Lights. The incandescent glow of twinkling lights high above the streets is just the signal for the festive season to come alive. Expect many a festive treat, carol singing, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and much more.
For more information, visit www.windsor.gov.uk
POLESDEN LACEY’S CHRISTMAS MARKET / NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 1 / POLESDEN LACEY, DORKING
Discover a treasure trove of yuletide treats at historic Polesden Lacey’s Christmas Market this November. Taking place over two weeks, find gifts, decorations and festive food and drink amongst the wooden cabins housing their keepers.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
FARNHAM CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON / NOVEMBER 16 / GOSTREY MEADOW, FARNHAM
Join in with the festivities from 1 pm for a day of good tidings in Farnham Town. Enjoy live music and carolling choirs, as well as food and drink, a live Nativity and, of course, Santa’s Grotto.
For more information, visit www.farnham.gov.uk
WINDSOR CHRISTMAS FAIR / NOVEMBER 16 – 17 / ROYAL WINDSOR RACECOURSE
A creative weekend awaits you at the Windsor Christmas Craft Fair, held at Royal Windsor Racecourse. Makers from all over the county will be present to exhibit their wonderful talents. Pick up something special, something unique, for the loved ones in your life.
For more information, visit www.oakleighfairs.co.uk
WINDSOR CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON AND LANTERN PROCESSION / NOVEMBER 16 / CASTLE HILL, WINDSOR
Experience a truly magical evening, as the festive season officially arrives in Windsor. Take part in the annual lantern procession and mark the festive season in serious style, as the streets are filled with the sights and smells of the season. Expect carol singing, mulled wine and much merriment.
For more information, visit www.windsor.gov.uk
WINDSOR ON ICE / NOVEMBER 16 – JANUARY 5 / ALEXANDRA GARDENS, WINDSOR
Slide and glide around this pop-up ice rink as Windsor on Ice sets up camp in Alexandra Gardens for the festive season. Enjoy ice skating sessions with the family, or as a romantic date post Christmas shopping – the choice is yours.
For more information, visit www.windsor.gov.uk
A VINTAGE CHRISTMAS / NOVEMBER 17 / RURAL LIFE CENTRE, TILFORD
Looking for Christmas present inspiration and something just a little bit different? You might just find it at the Rural Life Centre Christmas craft fair. With a wide variety of rural – and not so rural – crafts, ranging from woollens to woodturning and jewellery to jam.
For more information, visit www.rural-life.org.uk
STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL / NOVEMBER 17 / STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE, TWICKENHAM
Browse, buy, and be truly enchanted by the Strawberry Hill Christmas Festival this November. Expect to find a variety of stalls from local makers, and find unique gifts to give. Tuck into some seasonal food and drink, and listen to live music and the odd carol to complete the day.
For more information, visit www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk
GUILDFORD CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON! / NOVEMBER 21 / HIGH STREET, GUILDFORD
Nothing says Christmas quite like the sight of the lights above Guildford High Street. With live entertainment taking place in the town centre from 4 pm, experience the undeniable festive feeling throughout the evening, with the lights to be revealed in all their glory at 7 pm sharp.
For more information, visit www.experienceguildford.co.uk
HAMPTON COURT PALACE ICE RINK / NOVEMBER 22 – JANUARY 5 / HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Get set to skate at Hampton Court Palace this month as their ice rink returns for the festive season. Enjoy spectacular views of the Thames-side Tudor palace in what is undoubtedly one of the most scenic outdoor ice rinks in the country. Take part in either daytime or evening skating sessions, and follow your follies on the ice with a mug of something hot in the Café Bar located alongside the ice-rink.
For more information, visit www.hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk
CONTEMPORARY CRAFT & GOURMET FOOD FAIR / NOVEMBER 22 – 24 / LANDMARK ARTS CENTRE, TEDDINGTON
With an eclectic gathering of craftspeople and stallholders, visit this contemporary craft fair in Teddington for your festive shopping, and buy some locally sourced and unique gifts to give to your loved ones this year.
For more information, visit www.landmarkartscentre.org
GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS FAIR / NOVEMBER 23 / GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL
Guildford Cathedral hosts its annual winter market and fair for a day of festive fun and shopping. Find bespoke one-off gifts and unique decorations from a wide range of artisan stall-holders.
For more information, visit www.guildford-cathedral.org
WALTON’S FESTIVAL OF LIGHT / NOVEMBER 23 / HIGH STREET AND HEART PLAZA, WALTON-ON-THAMES
Experience the Festival of Light in Walton with an all-day celebration marking the switching on of the Christmas lights. With entertainments and activities commencing from 9.30 am, save the date and make a festive day of it.
For more information, visit www.wotta.co.uk
VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS / NOVEMBER 23, 24 + 30 / MORDEN HALL PARK
Santa will be stopping by earlier this year, and you will have the chance to see him at Morden Hall Park. Visit the enchanted grotto and meet the big man’s little elves, before heading in to meet the red-clad and white-bearded giver of gifts.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrsut.org.uk
SANTA DASH 2019 / NOVEMBER 24 / BACHELORS ACRE, WINDSOR
For a seasonal spectacle to behold, put on a red hat and head on over to Bachelors Acre in Windsor to join hundreds of Santa Claus running in this super fun run. Young, old, tall and small can enter to race around, all the while raising money for the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service.
For more information, visit www.alexanderdevine.org
CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING CLASS / NOVEMBER 25 / SILENT POOL DISTILLERS, ALBURY
Be the envy of your neighbours by creating a beautiful festive wreath to hang on the door of your homestead. Enjoy a full demonstration on how to create the perfect wreath, and then take the plunge yourself while supping on festive gin cocktails and taking bites of the odd festive treat along the way.
For more information, visit www.silentpooldistillers.com
VINTAGE BAUBLE MAKING / NOVEMBER 26 – 28 / POLESDEN LACEY, DORKING
Create your very own vintage-style baubles at this arts and crafts workshop being held at Polesden Lacey. Using mixed media and chalk paints, create gorgeous decorations that’ll be unique to you and your tree this year.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
CRAFT IN FOCUS / NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 1 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE
For those keen on creative curiosities, meet with craftspeople and stall-holders gathered from around the country at the Christmas Contemporary Craft and Design Fair this month. Get set for some festive shopping this winter in the beautiful grounds of West Horsley Place, and be inspired by some brilliant arts and crafts.
For more information, visit www.craftinfocus.com
FESTIVE CERAMICS / NOVEMBER 27 + DECEMBER 3 / LEITH HILL PLACE
Take some time out from the busy festive schedule and be inspired by the landscape of the Surrey Hills, as you take up an afternoon of ceramics at Leith Hill Place. Learn surface decoration techniques, and create your own Christmas tea lights and hand-made decorations in clay.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
CHRISTMAS FAIR / NOVEMBER 27 – 28 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Browse from over 150 stalls selling a wealth of exciting gifts to give, and take part in the free drop-in workshop to make your own unique Christmas tags. – all the whilel enjoying the typical festive frivolities of listening to Christmas carols whilst supping on mulled wine and munching on many mince pies.
For more information, visit www.farnhammaltings.com
WILLOW WEAVE A CHRISTMAS STAR / NOVEMBER 27 / CRANLEIGH ARTS CENTRE
Head over to Cranleigh Arts Centre and learn how to create a willow star decorated with fairy lights at this fun craft workshop taking place this November. Weave your willow and then hang your final product upon the front door or atop your Christmas tree.
For more information, visit www.cranleighartscentre.org
COBHAM EXTRAVAGANZA / NOVEMBER 29 / HIGH STREET, COBHAM
Kick-off the season in Cobham, with a festive extravaganza of epic proportions. From roasted chestnuts and steaming mulled wine to arts and Christmas crafts, join in with the fun from 4 pm.
For more information, visit www.cobhamvillage.co.uk
PORCELAIN TREE DECORATIONS / NOVEMBER 29 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Get crafty this Christmas by taking part in this porcelain tree- decoration workshop. Learn how to make delicately shaped decorations to hang on your own tree or to give as a gift – the choice is yours, as they say.
For more information, visit www.farnhammaltings.com
CELTIC CHRISTMAS WEEKEND / NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 1 / WATTS GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE
Experience the sights, smells and sounds of midwinter with the Celtic Christmas Weekend at Watts Gallery Artists’ Village. Enjoy festive activities for the whole family, sing carols merrily, make a plethora of Christmas decorations, enjoy festive crafts and, of course, meet Father Christmas himself. This event typically sells out, so get your tickets quick to avoid disappointment.
For more information, visit www.wattsgallery.org.uk
CHRISTMAS FAIR / NOVEMBER 30 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
Visit The Lightbox in Woking for this festive Arts and Crafts Fair, and get a head start on your Christmas shopping. It features a variety of handmade crafts including jewellery, paintings, glasswork, and ceramics. Enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and live music while browsing the original pieces on sale.
For more information, visit www.thelightbox.org.uk
GODALMING CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL / NOVEMBER 30 / HIGH STREET, GODALMING
Enjoy Godalming’s annual festive festival and lights switch-on with this all-day fiesta of all things festive. Browse the stalls in search of Christmas gifts, or simply soak up the Yuletide atmosphere.
For more information, visit www.godalming-tc.gov.uk
MERRY CHRISTMAS WEYBRIDGE / NOVEMBER 30 / BAKER STREET, WEYBRIDGE
From 1 pm – 6 pm, enjoy a winter wonderland in Weybridge, as Baker Street is transformed into a hub of festive activities. Browse and buy from a range of stalls, as well as tucking into the odd mince pie and sup of mulled wine.
For more information, visit www.allaboutweybridge.co.uk
CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS / NOVEMBER 30 – JANUARY 5 / HAM HOUSE AND GARDEN
Be inspired by glimmering and shimmering lights as Ham House is decorated for the festive season. Re-creating the ambience and atmosphere of 17th-century Yuletide, experience brilliant green boughs, towering trees, and the natural scents of the season.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrsut.org.uk
LEGOLAND AT CHRISTMAS / NOVEMBER 30 + SELECTED DATES IN DECEMBER
Take a trip to Legoland Windsor Resort and experience a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, snow-dusted pine trees and the sight of a certain Santa Claus. Find the Christmas Kingdom, and meet elves who will guide you along the path to meet the great man himself.
For more information, visit www.legoland.co.uk
HAMPTON VILLAGE CHRISTMAS / DECEMBER 1 / STATION ROAD, HAMPTON
Witness the wonder that is yuletide as Hampton village is transformed into a winter wonderland. In celebration of the great Christmas light switch-on, enjoy entertainment, live music, food stalls, Christmas carolling – and a visit from Santa Claus himself – for a Sunday afternoon befitting the season.
For more information, visit www.visitrichmond.co.uk
THE SNOW QUEEN / DECEMBER 6 – JANUARY 5 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
The Rose Theatre proudly presents its annual Christmas production – The Snow Queen.Featuring local talent from the Rose Youth Theatre, alongside a professional cast, be prepared to be transported to a magical land this Christmas.
For more information, visit www.rosetheatrekingston.org