‘TIS THE SEASON
A festive chronicle of all things arts, crafts and Christmas entertainments taking place in Surrey this December…
GLOW 2018 / DECEMBER 1 – JANUARY 2, 2019 / RHS GARDEN WISLEY
Begin Advent with the truly magical Christmas Glow at RHS Gardens Wisley, Enjoy gigantic illuminated flowers found throughout the garden before venturing into the Woodland Realm within The Glasshouse as it’s transformed by a cacophony of colour that lights up the night sky. Held daily throughout December, the Glow event begins at 4pm, open until 8pm with last entry at 7.45pm.
For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk
1930s CHRISTMAS / NOVEMBER 30 – JANUARY 3, 2019 / POLESDEN LACEY, DORKING
Ever wondered what it was like to party as the rich and famous once did? Take a seasonal step back in time and experience the high society of 1930s England as Christmas arrives at Polesden Lacey. Listen to tunes of the times as you wander through the highly decorated halls. Witness how workers would toil to ensure Mrs. Greville and her guests had the best of evenings, and for a little adventure, follow the trail to find the where Mrs. Greville’s famed hounds are having their party.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
THE BIG GIVE / NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 4 / WATTS GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE, COMPTON
Love art? Struggling to find that something special to give as a gift this Christmas? For the love of all things arts, crafts, and culture, why not donate money to The Big Give? Inspired by G F and Mary Watts’ belief that art has the power to overcome inequality and transform lives, Watts Gallery Trust once again aims to raise money to help vulnerable and socially isolated people explore, create, exhibit and sell art.
For more information, visit www.wattsgallery.org.uk
WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP / NOVEMBER 28 – 30 / SECRETTS FARM SHOP, MILFORD
Looking to create a Christmas wreath? These fun and festive workshops will help you fashion your very own decorative offering to hang upon your door, or to give as a gift. Choose from morning or evening sessions, and learn a great new skill.
For more information, visit www.secretts.co.uk
LYNWOOD VILLAGE CHRISTMAS FAIR / NOVEMBER 30 / LYNWOOD VILLAGE
From 4 – 8 pm, enjoy festive fun for the whole family. Indulge in seasonal treats as you browse potential gifts with over 20 stalls to explore – featuring; Cube Accessories, Velvet Rooms Hair & Beauty, Stella & Dot Jewellery, Longacres Garden Centre, Springville Fashions, Chocoholics and many more.
For more information, visit www.lynwoodvillage.co.uk
ETSY MADE LOCAL / DECEMBER 1 / GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL
The community-led craft initiative Etsy come to Guildford Cathedral for the Etsy Made Local Christmas Market. Meet local makers and discover a treasure trove of talent. Join in with the festivities from 10am-4pm and discover locally homemade gifts to give this Christmas.
For more information, visit www.guildford-cathedral.org
MACMILLAN CHRISTMAS FAIR / DECEMBER 1 / GRAYSHOTT VILLAGE HALL
Raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support with this very special Christmas Fair. This annual festive fundraiser hosts over 40 stalls selling their wares, including seasonal food and drink, luxury gifts, stocking fillers and more. For younger visitors, Santa will be stationed in his grotto sharing goodwill and fortune with his many fans.
For more information, visit www.haslemere.com
PULL A PINE / DECEMBER 1 / RSPB FARNHAM HEATH
Spruce almighty! Harvest your very own Scots pine Christmas tree to take home for the festive season by heading to Farnham Heath 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. Parking is £10 and your freshly felled tree is free – you can take as many will fit safely into your car.
For more information, visit www.rspb.org.uk
WEYBRIDGE CHRISTMAS MARKET / DECEMBER 1 / BAKER STREET, WEYBRIDGE
Christmas comes to Weybridge with this fabulously festive market. Meet local businesses, sup on mulled wine, nibble on a mince pie and source some unique gifts to bestow upon your friends and family. You can also meet Santa Claus, snap up tasty treats to eat, sing Christmas carols and await the great Christmas light switch-on.
For more information, visit www.allaboutweybridge.co.uk
ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR / DECEMBER 1 – 2 / 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
HANNAH GORDON AND FRIENDS – CHRISTMAS CHEER / DECEMBER 2 / RIVERHOUSE BARN ARTS CENTRE
Actress and presenter Hannah Gordon is joined by director Martin Jenkins and friends as they present an evening of festive poetry and prose. Listen to inspiring yuletide tales to get you in the Christmas mood, as well as live music from Rosie Evans and Sam Pycroft.
For more information, visit www.riverhousebarn.co.uk
KATE RUSBY AT CHRISTMAS / DECEMBER 3 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Catch Kate Rusby – Mercury Prize nominee and winner of countless folk awards on her popular festive tour. Singing seasonal songs, conjuring tidings of joy and goodwill, the spirit of Christmas will be ever-present, making this concert the perfect family affair.
For more information, visit www.glive.co.uk
GIVE BLOOD / DECEMBER 3 / SPECTRUM LEISURE COMPLEX, GUILDFORD
Save a life – give blood! This is your chance to really help those in need by giving over the red stuff. It’s quick, easy and did we mention it saves lives? Just pop along between midday and 9pm and leave with the lovely feeling that you’ve just helped a complete stranger. Good for you.
For more information, visit www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk
CIRCUIT COMEDY CLUB / DECEMBER 4 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Taking place on the first Tuesday of the month, Circuit Comedy Club is your chance to catch some of the funniest comic talent currently telling observational tales of misfortune and woe to make you weep with tears of laughter. Your line-up on the night includes Naomi Cooper, Geoff Boyz, Josephine Emslie and Elliot Wengler plus compere Sam Russell.
For more information, visit www.electric.theatre
CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP / DECEMBER 4 / CHANGING PERCEPTIONS, GODALMING
Be the envy of your neighbours; create a beautiful bouquet of festive flowers 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. Prosecco and festive treats will be served throughout.
For more information, visit www.meath.org.uk
THEATRE MALTINGS: NATIVITY / DECEMBER 6 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Find some meaning amongst the mayhem this December and enjoy a night of silly entertainment courtesy of Living Spirit. Following their successful performance of Charles Dickens’ AChristmas Carol, Howard and Stu are back to tackle the big one – the nativity. Enjoy songs, puppetry and an altogether alternative take on the Immaculate Conception. Crude, rude, and colourful.
For more information, visit www.farnhammaltings.com
TOM ALLEN: ABSOLUTELY / DECEMBER 6 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
The downright debonair Tom Allen arrives in Guildford as part of his extended nationwide tour. A fixture across countless television and radio programmes, you may well have caught the sharply dressed and well-spoken comic commanding laughter on programmes such as Bake Off: The Professionals, Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and more.
For more information, visit www.glive.co.uk
HUNDRED WATT CLUB PRESENTS THE ART PARLOUR / DECEMBER 6 / THE BOILEROOM, GUILDFORD
Experience a multi-sensory night of life drawing this month at the intimate environs of The Boileroom. Draw, sketch or paint the enchanting form of ice queen model Cherry Shakewell before she takes to the stage for a titillating burlesque performance – the perfect cockle warmer this midwinter.
For more information, visit www.theboileroom.net
PAUL KERENSA: COMEDY & CAROLS / DECEMBER 7 / THE STAR INN, GUILDFORD
Once upon a time in Guildford, comedy, and carols joined forces for an evening of yuletide song and silliness. Based loosely around the format of Nine Lessons and Carols, join local comedian and writer Paul Kerensa (Miranda, Not Going Out, TGI Friday, Top Gear) as he brings a sackful of festive stand-up and sing-a-long.
For more information, visit www.guildfordfringe.com
WRAPPED IN PLASTIC / DECEMBER 8 / WWF LIVING PLANET CENTRE, WOKING
As Christmas comes a-calling, take the time to think about our beloved planet, will you? Head for WWF’s UK headquarters in Woking to listen to this inspiring talk and workshop, detailing the waste leftover from festivities and how we can take steps to reduce our rubbish and give more consciously this Christmas.
For more information, visit www.wearewoking.com
BIG JOANIE / DECEMBER 9 / THE BOILEROOM, GUILDFORD
Love live music? Get your fill of feminist punk as London-based Big Joanie and Surrey-based Screech Bats perform at The Boileroom. Expect to hear tracks from Big Joanie’s debut album ‘Sistahs’ released this November by The Daydream Library Series.
For more information, visit www.theboileroom.net
FARNHAM CHRISTMAS MARKET / DECEMBER 9 / FARNHAM
From 10am to 4pm forage 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
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING & CRAFT FAIR / DECEMBER 10 / DENBIES WINE ESTATE, DORKING
Browse craft stalls selling original gifts, listen to the sweet sound of Christmas carols, and indulge in free mulled wine and mince pies as you get yourself set for the season ahead. Free admission and car parking.
For more information, visit www.denbies.co.uk
A CHRISTMAS CAROL / DECEMBER 11 / EVERYMAN CINEMA, ESHER
Get set for a very festive screening of this adaptation of an A Christmas Carol. Similar to Dickens’ very own performance adaptation, actor Simon Callow and director Tom Cairns present this wonderful one-man theatrical telling of the Christmas classic, beamed straight to your cinema seats in Esher.
For more information, visit www.everymancinema.com
COURTYARD CAROLING / DECEMBER 17 – 21 & 23 / HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Do your carolling midst the stunning Tudor surrounds of Hampton Court Palace this Christmas. Make your way to the courtyards of the palace and sing loud and proud, accompanied by the big sound of the Epsom & Ewell Silver Band. Booking is essential.
For more information visit hrp.org.uk
BAD MANNERS / DECEMBER 12 / THE FIERY BIRD, WOKING
Knees up and oi oi oi for a night of pure, unadulterated joy the punk and ska way. If you want a big, noisy party, with added helpings of nostalgia, then look no further than the mighty Bad Manners. Fronted by Buster Bloodvessel, the band are still going strong since their inception back in 1976.
For more information, visit www.fierybirdvenue.org.uk
NATIVITY PLAY / DECEMBER 12 – 16 / WINTERSHALL ESTATE, BRAMLEY
The story of Christmas is brought to life in this exceptional retelling of the nativity. Take the time to reflect on how this festive furore came to be, with the birth of baby Jesus -complete with on-looking animals and a terrific cast of characters.
For more information, visit www.wintershall.org.uk
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS / DECEMBER 12 / CRANLEIGH ARTS CENTRE
Love Christmas tunes? Think you know them all? Forgotten festive songs of old are brought to life in this whistle-stop tour of some 600 years of yuletide melody. Presented by folk musicians Green Matthews and Jude Rees, enjoy merry music befitting the season.
For more information, visit www.cranleighartscentre.org
CHRISTMAS CIVIC CAROL SERVICE / DECEMBER 13 / ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH, FARNHAM
At the annual Christmas Civic Carol Service organised by Farnham Town Council, enjoy traditional carols, as well as performances from the Farnham Youth Choir.
For more information, visit www.farnham.gov.uk
SANTA CRUISE FOR GROWN-UPS / DECEMBER 14 / WEY & ARUN CANAL, LOXWOOD
Because Christmas is for grown-ups too, and we all know that Santa Clause DOES exist, hop aboard a Santa Cruise on the Way & Arun Canal. Enjoy mince pies, mulled wine and many a festive song. If you’ve been good, you might even get a present.
For more information, visit www.weyarun.org.uk
GOAT ROPER RODEO BAND / DECEMBER 14 / THE RAM CLUB, THAMES DITTON
The staggeringly awesome Goat Roper Rodeo Band stop by at The Ram Club for a Christmas party edition of this regular music night. Quirky, dramatic and heading for the top – these thrilling young bluegrass and country blues boys are every inch the real thing. Enjoy delicious three-part harmonies, heart-rending ballads, and some lively foot-stomping artistry.
For more information, visit www.theramclub.co.uk
PORCELAIN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS / DECEMBER 14 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Get crafty this Christmas by taking part in this porcelain decoration workshop. Spend the evening learning how to make delicately shaped decorations to hang upon your tree or to give as a gift – the choice is yours!
For more information, visit www.farnhammaltings.com
VINTAGE POSTER AUCTION / DECEMBER 14 / EWBANKS AUCTION ROOMS, WOKING
This auction is a great opportunity to source some super cool vintage posters – which could very well serve as the perfect gift for your retro Uncle Bob. Alternatively, pick up a little something special for you and your home.
For more information, visit www.ewbanksauctions.co.uk
GRAYSHOTT FOLK CLUB: BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST / DECEMBER 14 / GRAYSHOTT VILLAGE HALL
Not an alternative Christmas spread to get fed upon, but a riotous folk duo, bringing the noise to Grayshott Folk Club this month. Enjoy an evening of live music for the perfect festive knees up and night out.
For more information, visit www.grayshottfolkclub.co.uk
HASLEMERE’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER / DECEMBER 15 / HASLEMERE HALL
All hail the return of Haslemere’s Christmas Cracker! Enjoy this annual yuletide show for the family complete with carols sung by choirs from the local school, traditional readings, comical festive verses, mulled wine, mince pies and much fun!
For more information, visit www.haslemere.com
SCRIPTEASE: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE / DECEMBER 18 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
The spoken word. There’s something uniquely charming about the act of quietly sitting and listening to a lusciously loquacious voice. Theatre readers ‘ScripTease’, do exactly that, presenting professional plays and readings in the style of a live radio play. This month catch the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life.
For more information, visit www.electric.theeatre
CHRISTMAS GOTHIC / DECEMBER 18 – 19 / MILL STUDIO, GUILDFORD
Christmas: a time to remember the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future; a time of feasts and festivities, of holly and mistletoe, of visits and visitations. A time of ghosts… Join the cast of Christmas Gothic at Mill Studio for some seasonal scares.
For more information, visit www.yvonnearnaud.co.uk
JOHN JAMES NEWMAN / DECEMBER 22 / HAND & SPEAR, WEYBRIDGE
Having come to prominence on The Voice in 2012, John James Newman continues to share his soulful tones with folks far and wide. As Christmas creeps nearer, catch a very special performance in Weybridge this December.
For more information, visit www.handandspear.co.uk
SANTA PAWS / DECEMBER 22 – 23 / CLAREMONT LANDSCAPE GARDENS, ESHER
Because Christmas is for dogs too, join in this canine Christmas special at Claremont Landscape Gardens. Let your beloved furry friend meet their very own Santa Paws, compete with a festive treat to devour.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
SAINT PETERSBURG CLASSIC BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER / DECEMBER 26 – 28 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Relish the extraordinary talents of Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet and Tchaikovsky’s classical score in a, ravishing festive production. This magical toy-box tale performed is a delightful treat for young and old alike.
For more information, visit www.glive.co.uk