DING A LING! IT’S THAT CHRISTMAS THING: PART II

CHRISTMAS AT KEW / NOVEMBER 15 – JANUARY 7 / ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, KEW

As one of the highlights of the UK’s festive calendar, Christmas at Kew is an unmissable opportunity to herald the start of Christmas or welcome in the New Year. It’s a botanical world brimming with seasonal cheer as twinkling lights and seasonal sounds fill the air. Discover glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colour. There’s limited capacity with timed entry, so book your tickets quickly for a sensational seasonal spectacle.

For more information, visit kew.org

CHRISTMAS IN KINGSTON / NOVEMBER 16 – JANUARY 2 / KINGSTON TOWN CENTRE

A range of family activities and festive entertainment are on offer in Kingston town centre this Christmas. Expect gift stall in the Christmas Market, light’s festooned around the town centre as well as live music, bar, food stalls and the return of the Alpine Village featuring four curling lanes.

For more information, visit kingstonuponthames.info

 

SLEEPING BEAUTY FELT A LITTLE PRICK  / NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 31 / THE BACK ROOM OF THE STAR INN, GUILDFORD

Naughty but very nice, depending on one’s disposition, the wonderful folk of Guildford Fringe Festival return to the festive fore with their Adult Panto. Not for the faint-hearted, expect unending innuendos and much much merriment. Be quick and book your tickets right now.

For more information, visit guildfordfringe.com

 

CHRISTMAS POTTERY WORKSHOP / NOVEMBER 30 + DECEMBER 7 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE  

Get into the festive spirit at West Horsley Place! Create your own unique gingerbread house tealights and Christmas decorations ready for the festivities. Tea, coffee will be provided. Plus a mince pie! 

For more information, visit westhorsleyplace.org

WINTER WREATH MAKING / DECEMBER 1, 2, 14 + 16 / WATTS GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE, COMPTON

The perfect past festive pastime; why not wander over to Watts Gallery Artists’ Village this winter and try to make a winter wreath? Get expert guidance and create a beautiful wreath to hang on your door.

For more information, visit wattsgallery.org.uk

 

BRUT WEIRDOMESS / DECEMBER 2 / NEW HOUSE, GUILDFORD

Like Christmas? Like it weird? Welcome to ‘Weirdomess’ – a carefully curated marketplace of curiosities crafted by the very weirdest creatives this side of the North Pole. Congrefated together at Guildford’s New House Art Space, head down this December for a marketplace of unique handmade gifts to give to your fellow weirdos. 

For more information, visit newhouse.art

 

HOGS BACK CAROL SERVICE / DECEMBER 3 / HOGS BACK BREWERY, TONGHAM

Fancy an afternoon filled with song and ale? After a hugely successful carol concert last year, the Friary Brass Band will once again be playing a selection of Christmas carols in the at Hogs BAck Brewery this December. Bringing their own unique blend of Christmas cheer, there will be lots of familiar tunes and carol sheets so you can sing along to some of the carols too! The perfect occasion for all the family.

For more information, visit hogback.co.uk

IAN SHAW: SHAW SHIMMERS INTO XMAS / DECEMBER 3 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD

In his inimitable one-man powerhouse show, Ian explores the joys, tears and sheer horror of the festive season. This mischievous artist brings you a cracker of a show, after yet another right old figgy pud of a year. Expect razor-sharp comedy and a flurry of Xmassy offerings alongside songs from his current album,

For more information, visit electric.theatre 

 

CHRISTMAS MARKET / DECEMBER 3 / 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 haslemere.com

 

CROCHET SNOWFLAKE / DECEMBER 5 / FARNHAM MALTINGS

Get crafty this Christmas! For experienced crocheters, learn how to crochet a pretty snowflake. Cleverly using a combination of basic stitches and working in the round, this would also make a great challenge for confident beginners, ready to step up their skills.

For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com 

CLAIRE TEAL’S FESTIVE FIESTA / DECEMBER 7 / FARNHAM MALTINGS 

Now in its 15th year, award-winning singer and radio presenter, Clare Teal, serves up her much-loved Festive Fiesta – a sensational cocktail of seasonal fayre and other musical favourites accompanied by her amazing trio.

For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com

SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR’S’ CHRISTMAS KITCHEN DISCO / DECEMBER 7 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD

Following on from the huge success of her 2022 Kitchen Disco Tour in which she brought her lockdown online sensation from her kitchen to sold-out stages across the country, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has announced a very special Christmas Kitchen Disco tour this December. The tour will feature hits from throughout Sophie’s career, as well as some very festive classics, all in Sophie’s own seasonal disco style.

For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford

 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL STARRING COLIN BAKER & PETER PURVES / DECEMBER 8 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD

Live on stage and in person, television favourites COLIN BAKER (Doctor Who, The Brothers) and PETER PURVES (Blue Peter, The Office) lead the cast in a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic. Be transported  to Victorian London, for this 180th anniversary production of Dickens’ timeless tale of charity, forgiveness and redemption at Christmas.

For more information, visit electric.theatre

THE BIG CHRISTMAS ASSEMBLY / DECEMBER 8 – 9 / MILL STUDIO, YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD

Crack out the Christmas Jingles! Join James B Partridge (Primary School Assembly Bangers LIVE) for an evening of pure nostalgia, stepping back in time for some joyous singalong tunes from Christmases past. You won’t have to sit cross legged by the tree waiting for Santa, but you will be encouraged to sing along! Full of festive musical surprises, throwback mashups and reflections on growing up at Christmas time.

For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

 

FESTIVE MARKET / DECEMBER 9 / GATE STREET, BRAMLEY

The achingly gorgeous Gate Street Barn will host their annual Festive Food Market this December. Featuring an abundance of local artisans and suppliers offering bespoke gifts for you to give this Christmas. As well as browsing and buying from stalls, expect; live food demonstrations, handcrafted delicacies and much mulled wine. Festive treats await.

For more information, visit gatestreet.co.uk 

CAROLS AT ST CLEMENT DANES / DECEMBER 11 / THE STRAND, LONDON

Join Godalming-based Meath Epilepsy Charity for their biggest, brightest Christmas Carol Service. Enjoy the majestically rousing music of the Honourable Artillery Company Band and the joyously effervescent Meath Choir. This one stop festive feel-good concert, topped off with a mince pie and prosecco reception will send you off filled with the magic of the season and ready for the most wonderful time of the year! 

For more information, visit meath.org.uk

 

MASSAOKE CHRISTMAS LIVE  / DECEMBER 16 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD

Bring the sing to the ultimate live band Christmas party at MASSAOKE! An incredible live band, giant sing-along lyrics and all your favourite Xmas hits – from Mariah, Wham!, Slade, Wizzard, The Pogues and more – as well as hairbrush anthems from the 80s, 90s, 00s and beyond.

For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford

HUNDRED WATT CLUB – A FESTIVE EVENING OF BURLESQUE & VAUDEVILLE / DECEMBER 16 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD

Hundred Watt Club will unwrap their Christmas presents for you at this very special festive evening of burlesque and vaudeville. Full of naughty but nice treats for your eyes and ears to devour, expect a night of teasing and tinsel and Guildford’s Electric Theatre.

For more information, visit electric.theatre

 

ROSE CHRISTMAS SNOWBALL / DECEMBER 18 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON

An evening of harmony, Christmas cheer, festive favourites and music to warm the winteriest of nights. The Rose Christmas Snowball, showcasing 7 of Kingston borough’s best amateur music making groups, who will each bring their own unique sound of the season, all produced by Choir Director, Mary Bourne.

For more information, visit rosetheatre.org

 

CHRISTMAS FARMERS’ MARKET / DECEMBER 19 / HIGH STREET, GUILDFORD

Find festive spirit aplenty as Guildford’s Christmas Farmers’ Market returns to provide shoppers with a range of unique gifts to give to your loved ones this holiday season. So whether you need some locally produced food and drink, or require some inspiration from local arts and craft makers, enjoy the day browsing the stalls found on Guildford’s iconic High Street and get ready to feel Christmassy.

For more information, visit guildford.gov.uk

 

JOHNNY COPPIN: ALL ON A WINTER’S NIGHT / DECEMBER 20 / GRAYSHOTT FOLK CLUB

Grayshott Folk Club’s Annual ‘Christmas Special’ is back. Featuring folk favourite Johnny Coppin’s ‘Upon A Winter’s Night’, expect an uplifting, joyous and seasonal show to remember. 

For more information, visit grayshottfolkclub.co.uk

TWO TURTLE DOVES / DECEMBER 20 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON

Musical and cabaret legends Dillie Keane and Barb Jungr join forces to present a special festive show at Kingston’s Rose Theatre. Featuring Jenny Carr on piano, expect a night of riotous entertainment from two international stars on the stage. An evening not to be mistletoed.

For more information, visit rosetheatre.org 

 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL  / DECEMBER 20 – 22 / MILL STUDIO, YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD

Draw near for an evening of mistletoe and merriment in the company of Marley, Fezziwig, and Cratchit et al to discover the true meaning of Christmas: tenderness for the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future. The award-winning Dyad Productions, (A Room of One’s Own, I, Elizabeth, Austen’s Women, Female Gothic) who have toured their sell-out festive show Christmas Gothic since 2015, now bring their magic to Dickens’ classic and perennially relevant ghost story.

For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

 

CUT YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE  / CROCKFORD BRIDGE FARM, WEYBRIDGE

Spruce almighty! Harvest your very own Christmas tree to take home for the festive season by heading to Crockford Bridge Farm near Weybridge. Find the perfect pine and get ready to decorate. 

For more information, visit crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk

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