THE GUIDE TO YULETIDE IN SURREY
Christmas is a-coming and we’ve got a sackful of seasonal treats taking place in Surrey to bestow to you dear reader. festive trails, craft workshops, ice skating and much, much more await. Get ready for all the festive feels coming your way, right about now.
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 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
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
WINTER PARADICE / NOVEMBER 19 – JANUARY 8 / VICTORIA PLACE, WOKING
Fancy swooshing across the ice this winter? The perfect seasonal excursion for friends, family and loved ones, head for Woking’s Victoria Place and the indoor Winter Paradice featuring real ice. Get your skates on and book your session online right now.
For more information, visit winterparadice.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
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
MAKE YOUR OWN FESTIVE DECORATIONS / DECEMBER 2 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE
Fancy a Christmas-filled ‘crafter noon’ at scenic West Horsley Place? This seasonal workshop is for those new to crafting- you do not need any experience at all. So come and join the fun and see just how enjoyable embroidery can be as you create a collection of decorations to take home.
For more information, visit westhorsleyplace.org
RAMSTER CHRISTMAS MARKET / DECEMBER 2 – 4 / CHIDDINGFOLD
Head to the heart of the Surrey Hills countryside and Ramster’s Christmas Market. This gorgeous setting is the perfect place to soak up the season and undertake a spot of Christmas shopping simultaneously. Find artisanal foodstuffs and gifts from local makers while munching on some mince pies in the process.
For more information, visit ramsterevents.com
ETSY GUILDFORD CHRISTMAS MARKET / DECEMBER 3 / GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL
The community-led craft initiative Etsy comes 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 10 am-4 pm and find locally homemade gifts to give this Christmas.
For more information, visit facebook.com/etsyguildford/
TROPICANA NIGHTS 80s CHRISTMAS PARTY / DECEMBER 3 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Let’s face it – the 80s had some of the best festive bangers ever written. So if you are looking for a fun-filled evening of pure 80s music and dancing for the over 25s to help you celebrate this Christmas, then look no further! Come and indulge yourselves in pure 80s heaven.
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
MEATH MIDWINTER / DECEMBER 6 – 24 / CRANLEIGH ARTS CENTRE
Come in from the cold for this heart-warming, eclectic exhibition of wintery works from the people The Meath Epilepsy Charity support at the Skills Centre. Taking inspiration from the natural world, classic winter tales, and the story of Christmas itself, this imaginative, multimedia exploration of the winter season is not to be missed!
For more information, visit cranleigharts.org
WINTER WREATH MAKING / DECEMBER 9 + 10 / 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
CHRISTMAS DECORATION SCULPTING WORKSHOP / DECEMBER 10 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
Join artists Dot Young at The Lightbox in Woking and learn how to create some unique handmade Christmas decorations. Deck your halls or give them as gifts – the choice is yours.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
CAROLS / DECEMBER 12 / ST DANES, THE STRAND, LONDON
Join Godalming-based Meath Epilepsy Charity for their biggest, brightest Christmas Carol Service. Their 130th year anniversary provides the perfect excuse to gather together one starry night and enjoy this very special evening. Follow the star. /sing, celebrate and step into the most wonderful time of year. Featuring; British Bass, Brindley Sherratt. The Honourable Artillery Company Band, St Clement Danes Choir and the Meath Choir with Godalming Jazz Choir
For more information, visit meath.org.uk
SCUMMY MUMMIES CHRISTMAS SHOW / DECEMBER 13 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Ho, Ho, Ho… it’s the Scummy Mummies Christmas Show. So grab your gin in a tin, put your control pants on, and pop in a pantyliner – the Scummy Mummies are BACK! And after the year they’ve had, Helen and Ellie are going OUT-OUT! So join them for an evening of comedy, songs, filth, and laughs. Expect even more scummy carols, yuletide sketches, festive stand-up and very scummy Santa stories!
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
THE NATIVITY JOURNEY AT WINTERSHALL / DECEMBER 14 – 19 / WINTERSHALL, BRAMLEY
The story of Christmas is brought to life in this unique 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 wintershall.org.uk
THE ART PARLOUR – FESTIVE EDITION / DECEMBER 14 / 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 theboileroom.net
THE BBC BIG BAND: A SWINGING CHRISTMAS / DECEMBER 15 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Join the internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band, conductor Barry Forgie and the extraordinary vocal talents of their special guest vocalist, Emer McParland, for a fun-filled programme of festive favourites – with a ‘Swing’ twist! An absolute Christmas cracker of a programme, featuring big band versions of your favourite Christmas Carols alongside popular yuletide numbers
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
MAKE A WILLOW REINDEER / DECEMBER 16 / CRANLEIGH ARTS CENTRE
Spend the morning making a willow reindeer! Then, make your way over to Cranleigh Arts Centre and learn how to weave willow into a rather handsome reindeer to take home or give as a gift.
For more information, visit cranleigharts.org
GRAYSHOTT FOLK CLUB CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: ST AGNES FOUNTAIN / DECEMBER 16 / GRAYSHOTT VILLAGE HALL
Grayshott Folk Club holds their annual Christmas Special, welcoming St Agnes Foundation to the stage for a folkin’ festive knees-up to remember. Get your fix of folk and enjoy a Christmas cracker of a night out listening to live music.
For more information, visit grayshottfolkclub.co.uk
TWO TURTLE DOVES – BARB JUNGR AND DILLIE KEANE / DECEMBER 16 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Musical and cabaret legends Dillie Keane and Barb Jungr join forces to present a special festive show written especially for the Electric 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 electric.theatre
GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY – FESTIVE FAVOURITES / DECEMBER 17 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
A feast of seasonal music, old and new, in this afternoon concert which is perfect for all the family. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to join in and sing your favourite carols, and there may even be a visit from Father Christmas!
For more information, visit glive.co.uk
HUNDRED WATT CLUB – A BURLESQUE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL / DECEMBER 17 / 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
ALPINE VILLAGE + CURLING / UNTIL JANUARY 2 / KINGSTON TOWN CENTRE
Kingston may well be taking the Christmas crown this year. The town centre is putting on a proper show with food markets, candy cane forests, light installations, as well as the ski-themed Alpine Village, and two curling lanes will be available for games – perfect for families, groups of friends and the after-work crowd.
For more information, visit kingstonuponthames.info