THE GUIDE TO YULETIDE
For those set on celebrating the season in its entirety, we’ve got a very special guide to yuletide designed to provide your days with much festive goodness. From the 1st December all the way till Boxing Day – we’ve got you covered (in tinsel and fairy lights)!
HASLEMERE’S CHRISTMAS MARKET / DECEMBER 1 / HASLEMERE TOWN CENTRE
Get your Christmas kicks with a trip to Haslemere High Street, and immerse yourself in the festive furore enveloping the town. Browse from over 100 stalls and indoor venues, and find everything you need for Christmas in one day. As well as a spot of shopping, enjoy fun entertainments for the family, including a live nativity, a funfair – and of course Father Christmas himself.
For more information, visit www.haslemere.com
HAMPTON COURT PALACE ICE RINK / UNTIL JANUARY 5 / HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Get set to skate at Hampton Court Palace this month as its 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
VISIT SANTA’S REINDEER / NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 24 / GARSON’S FARM, ESHER
Learn all about Santa’s special helpers and meet the big man’s loyal herd of reindeer as they graze and get ready for their globe-trotting excursion on Christmas Eve. A magical day for all ages, meet and greet these majestic creatures at Garson’s Farm in Esher this month.
For more information, visit www.garsons.co.uk
WILD AND FORAGED WREATH WORKSHOP / DECEMBER 4 / THE SALT BOX, PRIORY FARM ESTATE
Go on a truly wild adventure this December to forage for foliage, berries and pine cones, before going on to create a very special Christmas wreath to hang upon your home’s door. Poppy Wild Floral will be providing the creative tutelage, while aficionados of the wild food scene, The Salt Box, will be baking some tasty treats before plying you with a delicious seasonal feast.
For more information, visit www.wearethesaltbox.co.uk
A WINTER WONDERLAND CONCERT / DECEMBER 5 / LEITH HILL PLACE, DORKING
Enjoy a mid-afternoon concert within the particularly lovely environs of Leith Hill Place near Dorking, and be enchanted by local performers spreading festive cheer with music, readings and poems. Warm up with a glass of mulled wine or spiced apple juice, and get ready to sit back and relax.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
SLEEPING BEAUTY / DECEMBER 6 – JANUARY 5 / YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Starring X-Factor finalist Holly Tandy as Sleeping Beauty, get ready to behold a season of traditional pantomime with a trip to Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Winners of The Great British Pantomime Award, the production also stars familiar favourites Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Jamie Brook and Eagle Radio’s Peter Gordon. Enjoy sparkling costumes, sing-a-long songs, and much more.
For more information, visit www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
HARVEST YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE / DECEMBER 7 / THE DEVIL’S PUNCH BOWL, HINDHEAD COMMON
Spruce almighty! Harvest your very own Scots pine Christmas tree to take home for the festive season by heading to the Devil’s Punchbowl, and helping the team to remove this invasive tree from the landscape. Tools will be provided, though you may wish to bring your own gloves if it’s on the chilly side. All trees up to 8ft high are £20, and £10 extra per foot thereafter should you wish for something a bit bigger. Drop in any time between 10 am and 2 pm.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
FARNHAM CHRISTMAS MARKET / DECEMBER 8 / CASTLE STREET, FARNHAM
From 10 amto 4 pmforage among no fewer than 200 stalls spread across five Farnham locations. Enjoy a variety of food and drink, as well as entertainment throughout the day.
For more information, visit www.farnham.gov.uk
GLOW 2019 / DECEMBER 7 – JANUARY 5 / RHS GARDEN, WISLEY
Begin Advent with the truly magical Christmas Glow at RHS Gardens Wisley, Enjoy the gigantic illuminated flowers, shrubs and trees throughou the garden, before venturing into the Woodland Realm in The Glasshouse, which is transformed by a cacophony of colourthat lights up the night sky. Held daily throughout December, the Glow event begins at 4 pm, and is open until 8 pm,with last entry at 7.45 pm.
For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk
SHIVERING SNOWMAN TRAIL / UNTIL DECEMBER 23 / WINKWORTH ARBORETUM
Brrr. It’s getting cold outside. Don your favourite hat and scarf combo, wrap up warm, and set out on a midwinter adventure to Winkworth Arboretum on the outskirts of Godalming. Head into the frostbitten winter woodland, and take the Shivering Snowman Trail for festive fun and games.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK / DECEMBER 11 – 24 / BOROUGH HALL, GODALMING
Starring BBC Surrey’s Mark Carter, Guildford Fringe Company presents a festive, family-friendly pantomime at Godalming’s Borough Hall. Join adventurous Jack as he climbs a giant beanstalk in search of a fearsome evil giant to slay. Will he? Won’t he? Join the quest and discover the giant’s fate for yourself.
For more information, visit www.guildfordfringe.com
CREATIVELY CURIOUS – CHRISTMAS CRAFTING / DECEMBER 12 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Taking place from 10 am – 12noon on the second Thursday of every month, G Live’s free Creatively Curious art and craft sessions take a seasonal twist this December. No experience is necessary, so why not try your hand at making and creating some Christmas accoutrements for your home. No booking required, all materials provided, and suitable for all ages.
For more information, visit www.glive.co.uk
PETER PAN ON ICE / DECEMBER 13 – 15 / SPECTRUM LEISURE COMPLEX, GUILDFORD
Guildford’s Spectrum returns with its annual pantomime on ice for three days this December. Follow Wendy, John and Michael Darling as they set out on an adventure with Peter Pan to the magical island of Neverland. Meet Tinkerbell and say, “I do believe in fairies” before joining Peter and The Lost Boys as they do battle with the dastardly Captain Hook.
For more information, visit www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk
CHRISTMAS CRACKERS / DECEMBER 14 / GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL
Guildford Cathedral’s Lay Clerks will be providing an evening of festive entertainment this December. Featuring music from their most recent album, seasonal refreshments will be available as you indulge your ears with the atmospheric sounds of Christmas.
For more information, visit www.guildford-cathedral.org
RUDOLPH RAVE / DECEMBER 15 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
We hear on the fairy light-emblazoned grapevine that when Rudolph’s not leading the pack steering Santa’s sleigh, he can be found strutting his stuff on the dance floor. Join Rudolph and the rest of the gang at this family disco – complete with glow sticks, lasers and more.
For more information, visit www.glive.co.uk
SANTA’S CELLAR GROTTO / NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 18 / DENBIES WINE ESTATE, DORKING
Hop on board a very special train destined for Santa’s Cellar Grotto at Denbies Wine Estate, near Dorking. Meet Santa’s elves, before entering the grotto and whispering your Christmas wishes in the big man’s ear.
For more information, visit www.denbies.co.uk
GUILDFORD CHRISTMAS MARKET / DECEMBER 17 / HIGH STREET, GUILDFORD
Stroll along to the scenic setting of the setts of Guildford High Street, and enjoy the return of this festive farmers’ market. Browse and buy from some of the finest artisan producers in the South-East, supporting local businesses while you shop for presents and goodies.
For more information, visit www.guildford.gov.uk
NATIVITY PLAY / DECEMBER 18 – 22 / WINTERSHALL, BRAMLEY
The story of Christmas is brought to life in this exceptional re-telling of the nativity. Take the time to reflect on how this festive furorecame to be with the birth of baby Jesus -complete with onlooking animals and a terrific cast of characters.
For more information, visit www.wintershall.org.uk
FATHER CHRISTMAS IN THE WONDER WOOD / DECEMBER 19 – 22 / CROCKFORD BRIDGE FARM, WEYBRIDGE
Visit Father Christmas and his enchanted helpers in the Secret Forest, and tell him your Christmas wishes. A wonderful winter fairytale deep in the magical woods found near Weybridge and in the company of woodland elves: Well doesn’t that just sound like a fabulous family trip?
For more information, visit www.crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk
CHRISTMAS CARRIAGE RIDES / DECEMBER 20 / POLESDEN LACEY, DORKING
Discover the stunning grounds of Polesden Lacey with a very special carriage ride drawn by some particularly special reindeer. (They’re actually horses pretending to be reindeer, but don’t say anything, because they’re very sensitive about it!)
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
GUILDFORD CHORAL – FESTIVE FAMILY CAROLS / DECEMBER 21 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
This seasonal celebration, featuring a festive cocktail of familiar and much-loved traditional carols, is the perfect start to the Christmas season. Conducted by Jonathan Willcocks and featuring the wonderful voices of Guildford Choral Society together with Guildford High School Upper Choir, sing along to all your favourite ditties. Perfect for the whole family!
For more information, visit www.glive.co.uk
SANTA CRUISE / DECEMBER 8, 15, 21, 22, 23 / THE WEY & ARUN CANAL, LOXWOOD
All aboard! Dasher, Dancer and the rest of the reindeer gang have had to go for some last-minute training, so Santa’s decided to take a little canal cruise. Kids can meet the big guy and receive an early Christmas present, while grown-ups sit back with mulled wine and a mince pie.
For more information, visit www.weyarun.org.uk
CHRISTMAS COOKIES FROM SCRATCH / DECEMBER 23 / VICTORIA’S KITCHEN, WOKING
As Christmas Day draws closer, make your way to Victoria’s Kitchen in Woking and spend the morning baking some beautiful Christmas cookies with the kids. Choose your cutter and colours, and learn how to make tasty cookies from scratch.
For more information, visit www.victorias-kitchen.com
CHRISTMAS EVE: CRIB SERVICE / DECEMBER 24 / JUBILEE SQUARE, WOKING
Be reminded of the real Christmas story with this family- orientated Crib Service, held in Woking’s Jubilee Square. If your little one missed out on the starring role in their school Nativity play, then they are welcome to come dressed as characters from the Christmas story, be it a shepherd, king or even one of your favourite animals from the stable. Featuring donkey rides for the kids.
For more information, visit www.ccwoking.org
CHRISTMAS DAY: COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS / DECEMBER 25 / EVERYWHERE
What can you do to help this Christmas? Can you spare a few hours to volunteer at a centre to assist in the day’s work? Are you an organisation that would like to host its own Community Christmas? Perhaps you know of someone on their own who you can point in the right direction? Why not provide some company and comfort for your community this Christmas, and give those on their own a chance to celebrate the big day with new friends.
For more information, visit www.reengage.org.uk
BOXING DAY: SAINT PETERSBURG CLASSIC BALLET – THE NUTCRACKER / DECEMBER 26 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Relish the extraordinary talents of Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet matched with Tchaikovsky’s beautiful classical score in a ravishing festive production. The performance of this magical toy-box tale is a delightful treat for young and old alike.
For more information, visit www.glive.co.uk