FESTIVE FEELS – CHRISTMAS IN SURREY
Looking for a fiesta of festive events taking place in Surrey this November? From wreath making and crafting Christmas decorations to seasonal theatre and naughty nights out – pull a few crackers, pour the mulled wine and munch on mince pies as you succumb to all the festive feels.
THE SNOWMAN WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA / NOVEMBER 7 / RICHMOND THEATRE
One winter’s day, a boy builds a snowman who comes to life at the stroke of midnight… This Christmas, head for Richmond Theatre for an immersive magical journey and experience as the heartwarming tale of The Snowman is screened with a live orchestra. A BAFTA winning classic featuring the song Walking in the Air, The Snowman is a cinematic gem of Raymond Briggs’ story with music by Howard Blake, performed live for you by Orpheus Sinfonia.
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/richmond
CRAFT & DESIGN FAIR / NOVEMBER 9 – 13 / RHS GARDEN, WISLEY
With craftspeople and stall holders gathered from around the country, visit the Christmas Contemporary Craft and Design Fair at RHS Wisley for your festive shopping this winter set within the beautiful surroundings of the garden. Be inspired by brilliant crafts and pick some unusual gifts.
For more information, visit craftinfocus.com
NORTHERN BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER / NOVEMBER 10 – 12 / NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING
It wouldn’t be Christmas without The Nutcracker in our lives. Watch this toy-box-inspired romance that has become many a family tradition as Northern Ballet comes to Woking’s New Victoria Theatre to perform David Nixon’s reimagined rendition set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/woking
WINTER WREATH MAKING / NOVEMBER 11, 12, 25 + 26 / WATTS GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE, COMPTON
Are you looking to create a Christmas wreath? These fun and festive workshops will help you fashion your very own decorative offering to hang on your own front door or to give as a gift.
For more information, visit wattsgallery.org.uk
FUSED GLASS CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS / NOVEMBER 12 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Make fused glass tree decorations for the festive season. Learn to cut glass and experiment with glass fir and stringers to create your own Christmas decorations. Your pieces will be taken away to be fired and will be available for collection from the Maltings.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
LINO PRINTING FOR CHRISTMAS / NOVEMBER 12 / NOWER WOOD EDUCATIONAL RESERVE, LEATHERHEAD
Sending handmade cards is the most personal and thoughtful way to wish someone a happy holiday season. It is also very cost-effective. So, why not match your wrapping paper with your card? Lino printing is a beautiful way to create a design of your choice that can be printed multiple times in various colours on different types of paper.
For more information, visit surreywildlifetrust.org
FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK / NOVEMBER 13 / NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING
From the producers of Seven Drunken Nights-The Story of The Dubliners and featuring an international cast of singers, musicians, and dancers, Fairytale of New York brings you all of your favourite Christmas songs, including Driving home for Christmas, White Christmas, Oh Holy Night, Winter’s Tale, Silent Night and of course The Fairytale of New York.
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/woking
SUFFOLK PUFF HANGING / NOVEMBER 14 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE
Come and make this simple Christmas wreath wall hanging using an old Victorian technique, “Suffolk Puffs”. This hand-sewn project is small, measuring 18cm square, and simple to make using red and green fabric, buttons and embroidery thread. It can be completed in the workshop and ready to hang for Christmas. Of course, there will be tea/coffee & mince pies too!
For more information, visit westhorsleyplace.org
HAMPTON COURT PALACE ICE RINK / NOVEMBER 17 – JANUARY 8 / HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Get set to skate at Hampton Court Palace this month as their ice rink returns for the festive season. First, enjoy spectacular views of the Thames-side Tudor palace in what is undoubtedly one of the most scenic outdoor rinks in the country. Then, take part in either daytime or evening skating sessions and relax with a mug of something hot in the Café Bar.
For more information, visit hrp.org.uk
RHS GLOW 2022 / NOVEMBER 17 – JANUARY 8 / RHS GARDEN, WISLEY
Lighting up our lives once again, the magical Christmas Glow returns to RHS Gardens Wisley this month. The festive event at RHS Garden Wisley will once again put on a captivating light show and musical accompaniment designed by an in-house team to highlight some of the garden’s best-loved sights. Twinkling lights draw visitors through the Pinetum, Seven Acres and Wisteria Walk, with spectacular moments en route and vibrant displays to be found inside and outside the Glasshouse.
For more information, visit rhs.org.uk
GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS FAIR / NOVEMBER 18 – 19 / GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL
Guildford Cathedral hosts its annual winter market and fair, and this year, you lucky folk get to experience the event for not one day but two days of festive fun and shopping. Find bespoke one-off gifts and unique decorations from over 50 stallholders.
For more information, visit guildford-cathedral.org
WINTER CRAFT & VINTAGE FAIR / NOVEMBER 19 + 20 / RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSEUM, TILFORD
Spend the day celebrating the season in style with this vintage shopping experience at the Rural Life Living Museum near Farnham. Browse and buy vintage wares as you wander from stall to stall to the sounds of the 1940s and 1950s. Additionally, find a range of local artisans and craftspeople, and discover a festive feast of decorative and edible presents to peruse and purchase.
For more information, visit rural-life.org.uk
CHRISTMAS FAIR / NOVEMBER 23 – 24 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
This excellent midweek Christmas Fair held at the Farnham Maltings this November. Browse from over 150 stalls selling a plethora of exciting gifts to give, take part in the free drop-in workshop to make your own unique Christmas tags, and enjoy the usual festive frivolities of listening to Christmas carols, supping on mulled wine and munching on many mince pies.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
THE FLINT STREET NATIVITY / NOVEMBER 23 – 26 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
A delicious dollop of Comedy gold, beautifully gift-wrapped by Guildburys and ready for you to open. Mrs Horrocks’ class of seven-year-olds is about to perform their nativity play at Flint Street Junior School for the proud mums and dads – and the occasional social worker. Emotions run high as Bradley, the psychotic classroom bully having a bad hair day, unsuccessfully tries to woo Jenny – Little Miss Perfect. A comedy about children for adults – perfect festive fare!
For more information, visit electric.theatre
CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP / NOVEMBER 24 – 26 / PAINSHILL PARK, COBHAM
Spend the morning designing and creating your very own Christmas Wreath while learning some excellent new skills and potentially making a new crafty friend or two.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk
THE CHRISTMAS FAIR AT ASCOT / NOVEMBER 24 – 27 / ASCOT RACECOURSE
Unearth a wonderful Winterland of gifts at this Christmas Fair held at Ascot Racecourse this November. Featuring over 150 stalls of quality gifts, food and accessories, find presents for your friends and family in one handy shopping trip.
For more information, visit ukgrandsales.co.uk
THROBBIN’ HOOD & HIS LITTLE JOHN / NOVEMBER 24 – JANUARY 7 / THE BACK ROOM OF THE STAR INN, GUILDFORD
A brand new script by the creative team behind Sinders (2019), D!CK (2020), Pinocchio (2020) and Aladdin One Rub Too Many (2021). If you are a fan of naughty, smutty and damn right silly humour, then the Guildford Fringe Adult Panto is for you! This will be the 11th Guildford Fringe Adult Panto! Every show has been a sell-out, so advanced booking is recommended.
For more information, visit guildfordfringe.com
SURREY HILLS CHRISTMAS FAIR / NOVEMBER 25 – 27 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE
Celebrating the best of Surrey Hills’ arts, crafts and artisanal produce, head for the spectacular environs of West Horsley Place and enjoy this hyper-local Christmas Fair that’ll be bursting with some truly unique gifts to give.
For more information, visit westhorsleyplace.org
PICK A PINE / NOVEMBER 26 / WISLEY & OCKHAM COMMONS
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 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 surreywildlifetrust.org
WINTER CRAFT FAIR / NOVEMBER 26 + 27 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
Enjoy a holly, jolly atmosphere and visit The Lightbox in Woking for this festive Arts and Crafts Fair this November. Get a head start on your Christmas shopping and browse among the stalls featuring a variety of handmade crafts, including jewellery, paintings, glasswork, and ceramics.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
CRAFT YOUR CHRISTMAS WITH SARA DAVIES / NOVEMBER 28 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Sara Davies, Queen of Crafting, Dragon and Strictly star, is taking the road to give you tricks and tips to help make Christmas this year. The perfect warm up for the festive break, with plenty of practical demonstrations, creative ideas, and a healthy slice of Sara’s down to earth know-how. Full of fun and inspiration, what better way to start the Christmas season?
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
IAN SHAW AND CLAIRE MARTIN’S EARLY XMAS CRACKER / DECEMBER 1 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
These two BBC award winners and leading jazz singers bring their hugely popular annual seasonal offering to the Electric Theatre in a show packed with winter warmers and classic songs from both the Jazz and pop canon.
For more information, visit electric.theatre
KELLY’S SANTA RUN / DECEMBER 4 / STOKE PARK, GUILDFORD
The Kelly’s Santa Run is back on Sunday, December 4 2022, this time with a Christmas market! Every penny donated will go straight to Challengers, an amazing local charity that provides truly inclusive, fun and safe places where all disabled children and young people can spend time with their friends. Runners can choose between the 2.5k (fully accessible) or 5k route around the park, with optional chip timing available. Each entrant gets a Santa hat to wear for the run (or a festive bandana for our four-legged friends) and a decoration for the tree when they finish! Why not make it even more special and get our bespoke Santa or Elf t-shirts to run in? Remember, 100% of donations go to Challengers!
For more information, visit charity.kellystorage.co.uk