YES FAM! IT’S CHRISTMAS!
Counting down the sleeps till the big man comes a-calling? That’s right. Santa’s on his way. He’s checked his list twice and is well aware of the naughty and the nice. Let’s get in the mood and check out some of the best family days out in Surrey this Christmas.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE ICE RINK / NOVEMBER 17 – JANUARY 7 (EXCLUDING CHRISTMAS DAY) / 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 hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk
ALICE IN WONDERLAND TRAIL / NOVEMBER 18 – JANUARY 7 / PAINSHILL, COBHAM
Help the white rabbit find Alice at Painshill’s Alice in Wonderland Trail this winter. Follow the trail around the landscape and meet some familiar characters along the way.
For more information, visit painshill.co.uk
RHS GLOW / NOVEMBER 24 – JANUARY 2 / 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 inside and outside the Glasshouse.
For more information, visit rhs.org.uk
STEAM ILLUMINATIONS / NOVEMBER 24 – JANUARY 6 / WATERCRESS LINE, ALRESFORD
Head out on a magical steam-powered adventure this winter as the Watercress Line welcomes the return of their seasonal spectacular. So, step aboard the illuminated train and set off along the track, catching glimpses of illuminated installations along the way.
For more information, visit watercressline.co.uk
GODALMING CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL / NOVEMBER 25 / HIGH STREET, GODALMING
Enjoy Godalming’s annual Christmas Festival, and lights switch on with this all-day fiesta of all things festive. Browse the stalls in search of Christmas gifts, or simply soak up the Yuletide atmosphere.
For more information, visit godalming-tc.gov.uk
CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL / NOVEMBER 25 – JANUARY 2 / POLESDEN LACEY, DORKING
Enjoy a magical Christmas Carousel Ride set amongst a backdrop of the beautiful Polesden Lacey mansion. A fabulous festive experience, pre-booked tickets guarantee you one ride during your half-hour slot, lasting approximately 3-4 minutes. Under three years old must be accompanied on a galloper by an adult.
For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk
NARNIA AT HATCHLANDS / DECEMBER 1 – 31 / HATCHLANDS PARK, GUILDFORD
Step into Narnia at Hatchlands, inspired by C. S. Lewis’s beloved story The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Take a family adventure trail through the parkland to explore the story of Narnia. Discover life-size wardrobes framing iconic scenes and enjoy Narnia-themed activities along the way.
For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk
MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS / DECEMBER 2 – 18 / WEST HORSLEY PLACE
Father Christmas has filled his sleigh with presents, fed all the reindeer, made a list and checked it twice. He will land at West Horsley Place on selected Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays in December. Come along with all your family to meet him. Your festive experience will, of course, include meeting the big man himself, but so much more besides! The house will be decked out with festive decorations, and there will be lots to see and do before and after your visit with Father Christmas.
For more information, visit westhorsleyplace.org
FESTIVE ANIMAL FUN DAY / DECEMBER 2 / MERRIST WOOD, WORPLESDON
Looking for a festive fun day out with lots of animals and activities? Then look no further and buy your tickets for Merrist Wood’s popular annual Festive Animal Fun Day. Meet festive animals, enjoy storytime with Santa, and take part in festive crafts, face paiting while browsing many a festive stall.
For more information, visit merristwoodevents.co.uk
SWINGBRIDGE SANTA SPECIAL / DECEMBER 2 – 21 / MILLMEAD LOCK, GUILDFORD
Departing from Millmead Island behind the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, take a cruise along the River Wey with the big, jolly man they call Santa. Then, lasting 45 minutes, sail away in a broadbeam boat for a magical yuletide trip to remember this December.
For more information, visit swingbridgeboats.co.uk/
CHRISTMAS AT THE MUSEUM / DECEMBER 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 + 17 / RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSEUM TILFORD
Head to the Rural Live Living Museum in Tilford for Christmas a la yesteryear. Expect Christmas crafts to make and take away with you and meet Santa in his Grotto. Get tickets quickly!
For more information, visit rural-life.org.uk
SANTA CRUISE / DECEMBER 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 + 21 / 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 cruise. So kids can meet the big guy and receive an early Christmas present while grown-ups sit back with a mulled wine and a mince pie.
For more information, visit weyarun.org.uk
FESTIVE FAMILY DAYS / DECEMBER 3 – 20 / WATTS GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE, COMPTON
Head to Watts Gallery Artists’ Village for a magical and memorable Festive Family Day. Featuring creative, drop-in workshops, cosy storytelling, and, of course, meeting Victorian Father Christmas!
For more information, visit wattsgallery.org.uk
CHRISTMAS IN THE WOODS / DECEMBER 9 – 10 / NOWER WOOD EDUCATIONAL NATURE RESERVE, LEATHERHEAD
Surrey Wildlife Trust’s ever-popular Christmas magic returns this year with a self-guided trail of festive fun through the woods! You will follow a trail amongst the trees with exciting activities for little ones along the way. As well as a Christmas adventure through the woods, enjoy a marshmallow toasted on the fire and visit our woodland grotto to meet our very special guest…. and if you’ve been very good this year, there might even be a small present to take home!
For more information, visit surreywildlifetrust.org
THE CHRISTMAS LOBSTER / DECEMBER 13 – 24 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Join The Society for Christmas Creatures on this brave new adventure across the globe, meeting fantastical creatures, cheeky characters, and some sparkly surprises along the way. A hilarious festive show for all the family, The Christmas Lobster is packed with great songs, laugh-out-loud gags, and buckets of Christmas cheer.
For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com
THE NATIVITY JOURNEY / DECEMBER 13 – 18 / WINTERSHALL ESTATE, 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
RUDOLPH RAVE / DECEMBER 16 / 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 trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
SANTA’S ON HIS SLEIGH! / DECEMBER 16 – 24 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
It is Christmas Eve, and Santa is finishing off his final preparations! He is checking his list before he hops aboard his trusty sleigh. But just before he takes flight into the night sky to deliver his presents, he discovers that his sleigh has broken down! Can you help Santa fix his sleigh? Time is running out, and there are problems to solve and presents to deliver! Santa’s on His Sleigh! is a brand-new exciting Christmas show starring Santa, Snowdrop the Elf, Rudolph and featuring on screen his virtual little helper Head Elf Justy, played by Justin Fletcher.
For more information, visit trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford
THE SNOWMAN WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA / DECEMBER 16 / GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL
Make it a Christmas to remember with a special performance featuring two of the UK’s best-loved, iconic animated films, The Snowman and Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, with a live orchestra. Alongside The Snowman film, a whistle-stop Christmas guide to the orchestra and a visit from the Snowman himself, join everyone’s favourite cheese-loving inventor, Wallace and his trusty companion, Gromit, in Aardman’s multi-award-winning film, The Wrong Trousers.
For more information, visit carrotproductions.com
SANTA’S MAGICAL GIFT / DECEMBER 17 – 24 / RHODA MCGAW THEATRE, WOKING
Christmas Eve finally arrives, and Santa enters his workshop with a massive round of applause. Will the elves’ decorations be finished in time? Will Holly get her Christmas Wish? And what exactly is the secret of Santa’s Magical Gift? Find out in this heart-warming festive story that includes exciting audience participation, energetic comedy routines and a present for every child in the audience from Santa.
For more information, visit atgtickets.com/woking
SHORT STORIES, TALL TALES: THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS / DECEMBER 19 / MILL STUDIO, YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD
A wonderfully high-spirited spin on an old favourite that will inspire even the most ‘bah humbug’ curmudgeons. You and your little one will love this. Head for Yvonne Arnaud’s Mill Studio for Hannah Summer’s adaptation of the 19th Century tale by Clement Clarke Moore.
For more information, visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
FREE FAMILY DROP-IN SNOWMEN DECORATIONS / DECEMBER 20 / THE LIGHTBOX, WOKING
Pop along to The Lightbox this Christmas to reuse and recycle paper, decorations and soup lids to create these snowmen decorations. Drop in anytime from 1.30 pm – 4.00 pm.
For more information, visit thelightbox.org.uk
SANTA’S CHRISTMAS WISH / DECEMBER 24 / ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD
Join a fun, festive, musical adventure to give Santa the very best Christmas, then meet him at his home in the North Pole! There, every child will receive a special present from Father Christmas in our popular greet and treat after the most Christmassy Christmas show ever! A festive, song-filled, interactive family show particularly suitable for 2-8-year-olds.
For more information, visit electric.theatre