Things to do in Surrey this December
PUBLISHED: 22:16 03 December 2015 | UPDATED: 22:32 03 December 2015
Get out and about in Surrey this festive season (Photo: National Trust Images/Ross Hoddinott)
©National Trust Images/Ross Hoddinott
Each month, we team up with the group that’s in charge of tourism in our county, Visit Surrey, to reveal the essential dates for your diary during the month ahead...
Polesden Lacey heads back in time this Christmas (Photo: National Trust Images/Nick Meers)Until Christmas Eve, various times
Eden Crafts Christmas Fair
If you’re looking for unique Christmas gifts for your loved ones this year, you won’t want to miss the annual Royal Kingston Christmas Fair hosted by Eden Crafts. Celebrating their tenth year of hosting the event, it will take place in a heated marquee on Kingston’s All Saints Parish Church Green, just opposite the John Lewis store.
• All Saints Church, Market Place, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1JP: edencrafts.co.uk
Friday December 4 to Wednesday December 23, 11am to 4pm
1930s Christmas at Polesden
It’s all go at the National Trust’s Polesden Lacey, where visitors are invited to enjoy the glamour and sparkle of a 1930s Christmas. The Edwardian party house will brim with festive traditions: it will be alive with the sound of vintage jazz and clinking champagne glasses; Father Christmas will wander the house and gardens; and there will be mulled wine to sip and carols to enjoy. Tickets: adults, £4; child, £2; family, £10. There will also be the giant board game Polesdenopoly to tackle from Boxing Day to Sunday January 3, 10.30am to 3pm. Tickets: £5 per group of five players.
• Polesden Lacey, Polesden Road, Great Bookham RH5 6BD: 01372 452048
Friday December 4 and Saturday December 5, from 10am
The Tingle Creek Christmas Festival
Showcasing many of jump racing’s equine stars over two days of top-class racing at Sandown Park in Esher, the Tingle Creek Christmas Festival sees the pinnacle of the racecourse’s jump season. Ticket prices start from £24.40 each.
• Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9AJ: sandown.thejockeyclub.co.uk
Wednesday December 9, 7.30pm
Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular
To celebrate this wonderful time of the year, The Osmonds are bringing the Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular to Guildford this month. This dazzling, must-see holiday extravaganza comes directly from the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, USA. Treat your entire family to this award- winning variety production featuring nostalgic footage of the late Andy Williams (who sadly passed away in 2012) from Christmases past. Tickets from £30.50.
• G Live, London Road, Guildford GU1 2AA: 0844 7701 797
Thursday December 17, 7pm
Surrey Life Shooting Star Chase Carol Concert 2015
The Surrey Life Shooting Star Chase Carol Concert is back again this year providing the perfect opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit! Taking place at St George’s College Chapel in Weybridge, the concert will feature your favourite carols, guest readers and special musical performances – including Britain’s Got Talent’s Connie Talbot and the Shooting Star Chase family choir – followed by a wine reception with canapés and the ever-popular raffle. Tickets are available by calling 01932 823100.
• St George’s College, Weybridge Road, Addlestone KT15 2QS
Friday December 18, 7.30pm
The Clandon Carol Concert
One of the most popular National Trust events of the season will still be taking place, despite the dreadful fire at Clandon Park in April earlier this year. The Clandon Carol Concert moves to a new venue at Holy Trinity Church in Guildford, with readings by Dame Penelope Keith and music from the Oxford Singers. All proceeds from the concert go towards the Clandon Park appeal. Tickets: adults, £17; child (six to 16), £7.
• Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Guildford GU1 3RR: 01483 444334
Saturday December 19, 4pm
A Winter Solstice Walk
Join the National Trust outdoors for this winter walk from New Haw to Walsham Lock, where walkers will enjoy a bonfire, mince pies and mulled wine with a minibus back to New Haw. Tickets: £5 (advanced booking essential). For Surrey Life’s monthly Surrey Hills Society stroll and details of this year’s Festival of Winter Walks, make sure to turn to page 100.
• New Haw Lock, Addlestone: 01483 561389
Christmas Day, 10.30am to 12noon
Skating at the Spectrum
It’s going to be a white Christmas at Guildford’s Spectrum this year, whatever the weather, as the leisure complex opens its ice rink on Christmas Day. There will be flurries of snow guaranteed inside the rink, but for those who prefer a warmer climate, the four swimming pools will also be open (almost tropical!). Advanced booking essential. Also, don’t miss the Spectrum’s spectacular ice panto earlier in the month.
• Guildford Spectrum, Parkway, Guildford GU1 1UP: guildfordspectrum.co.uk
Boxing Day and Sunday December 27, from 10am
William Hill Winter Festival
More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend Kempton Park over the two days of the William Hill Winter Festival, with most enjoying the music, food and drink as much as the horse racing. Tickets from £20.
• Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 5AQ: kempton.thejockeyclub.co.uk
Sunday December 27 to Sunday January 3, 11.30am to 3pm
An Elizabethan Christmas
Travel back to 1593 at Hampton Court Palace, when Queen Elizabeth I’s court would have glowed with festivities around a great big ‘yule log’. There will be Elizabethan entertainment for all, with soloists performing festive songs, Elizabethan music and masque-like dancers around the palace. Down in the Tudor Kitchens, you’ll find Elizabeth I’s cooks preparing festive dishes fit for a Queen. From Friday December 4 to Sunday December 6, the palace will also be hosting the first ever BBC Good Food Festive Fayre.
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