Christmas is that time of year when times goes so quickly. And as it's a time of joy and celebration, sometimes we need to be reminded to slow it all down, take a breath and have some fun. That's why we've rounded up the best things to do in the county this festive season - so if you're looking for a magical Christmas experience, then look no further...
1. Christmas at Kew
Richmond TW9 3AB
Dates & Opening Times: 22nd November 2018 - 5th January 2019
Tickets: Adults from £16.50, children (aged 4-16) from £10, under 4s free. Family tickets from £48
Kew Gardens will once again transform into a magical after dark explosion of festive colour this year, as visitors embark on a new illuminated trail inspired by the Gardens themselves. This year’s trail will offer art, light and sound from a selection of international artists as well as plenty of festive treats along the way, and a fun fair for little ones.
2. Hoppy Holidays
Fullers Pilot Brewey
Fuller's Pilot Brewery launch on September 14th 2018, at the Griffin Brewery, Chiswick, London
Fuller’s, The Griffin Brewery, Chiswick Lane South, W4 2QB
Dates & Opening Times: 7th December, 5.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Dreaming of a beer-filled Christmas? Then you won’t want to miss Fuller’s Brewery Shop’s late-night Christmas shopping evening! The recently refurbished shop is filled with a huge choice of beers and wine, an exclusive food range made using Fuller's products and some great booze-related gifts, as well as a microbrewery and bar area. On the night there’ll be special offers to be had, as well as festive nibbles, beer and wine tastings, and live music in the next-door Fuller’s pub, The Mawson Arms.
3. Simon Brodkin is Simon Brodkin
2 Bath Rd, Chiswick, London W4 1LW
Dates & Opening Times: 3rd December, 8 pm
Tickets: £15 (suitable for ages 15+)
From the man who pranked Theresa May, Donald Trump, Kanye West and more, acclaimed character comedian Simon Brodkin steps out from behind his Lee Nelson persona, and you can catch his ‘work in progress’ show at The Tabard Theatre this month. Not for the easily offended…
4. Festive Flicks
Dates & Opening Times: 17-22 December
Tickets: Adults £18.50, children £13.50 including chair or bean bag. Disabled + carer £9.25. Not inc. transaction fees.
Brand new for this year is The Luna Winter Cinema, which will be showing iconic festive films in a grotto of comfy seating, with mulled wine and mince pies to nibble on. Christmas classics include Home Alone, Die Hard, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life and more, as well as the more recent hit The Greatest Showman. There are several venues, including the nearby Pavilion at Kensington Palace.
5. Skyline Skating
300 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1C 1DX
Dates & Opening Times: Sunday - Wednesday, 12.00 pm - 9.00 pm & Thursday - Saturday, 12.00 pm - 11.00 pm
Tickets: Adults £8, children (under 12) £6
Chiswick distillery Sipsmith has teamed up with John Lewis & Partners to create a very festive pop up this month. Together, they have transformed the 6th-floor roof terrace of the iconic Oxford Street store into a winter hideaway complete with the West End’s only rooftop skating rink. There’s warming Sipsmith cocktails and freshly baked pies on offer to help get your round the rink!
6. A Traditional Christmas
St Giles Dr, Ashtead KT21 1EN
The churches of St Giles and St George in Ashtead has a number of services this Christmas, with something for everyone. All are welcome: Christingle for preschoolers, infant and primary age children and families on Saturday December 8 (4pm St George’s); Fun Family Nativity on Sunday December 16 (10am St Giles’; 11am St George’s); Candle-lit Service of nine lessons and carols, Sunday December 23 (6pm St Giles’); Popular Carols and Mince Pies Services on Christmas Eve (3pm St Giles’; 4pm and 6pm St George’s); Midnight Communion on Christmas Eve (11.30pm St Giles’); Christmas Day (8am and 10am St Giles’; 9.15am and 11am St George’s).
7. An Evening of Music
42 Ashley Ave, Epsom KT18 5AL
Dates & Times: 2nd December, 3 pm & 6.30 pm
Tickets: £15 (adults); £13 (senior citizens); £5 (children); 01372 742555
Epsom Symphony Orchestra invites you to start your festive celebrations with its Christmas Concerts - a mixture of well-known classics, with a narrated musical story and carols led by local school children from The Greville School Choir (3 pm) and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (6.30pm). Taking place at Epsom Playhouse, the concerts will include excerpts from Strauss Die Fledermaus, Seiber Jazz Dances, Tchaikovsky Cossack Dance and other popular classics. A highlight of the concert will be The Sleeping Beauty, narrated to orchestral accompaniment by West End Star David Leonard, who plays 'Miss Trunchball’ in Matilda.
8. Seasonal Sounds
Church St, Dorking RH4 1DW
Dates & Times: 1st December, 7.30pm
Tickets: £15, 01306 881821
Come and join Brockham Choral Society who together with the Farnham Youth Choir, will perform Benjamin Britten’s delightful cantata Saint Nicolas together with other Christmas music at St Martin’s Church, Dorking
9. Santa Hits The Streets
Banstead Rotary will once again be taking to the roads and avenues of Banstead and the surrounding area to accompany Father Christmas and his sleigh. Starting in Upper Nork on Dec 3, the team will visit Banstead to Garretts Lane (Dec 5); Nork to Rose Bushes (Dec 6); Nork to High Beeches (Dec 10); Banstead to Winkworth Road (Dec 11); Banstead to Wilmot Way (Dec 12); Preston Hall (Dec 13); Tadworth to Shelvers Way (Dec 17); Tattenhams (Dec 19); Tattenham Corner (Dec 20).
10. Grotto at Gatton
Reigate, Redhill RH2 0TW
Dates & Times: 9th December; 1 pm - 3.30 pm
Tickets: £7 per child
Take a golf buggy ride through the lovely settings of Gatton Park in Redhill to visit Father Christmas in his grotto. There's a lovely walk to do too, Christmas crafts to entertain, as well as a fine selection of refreshments.
11. Festive Foodie Fun
Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU
Dates & Opening Times: 7-9 December
Tickets: £19.20 adults, £9.60 children. Concessions, family tickets and ‘shopping only’ tickets also available.
This month, Hampton Court Palace will see its courtyards filled with delicious artisan food and drink as part of its special Festive Fayre. There will be seasonal cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs, candlelit carol singing and more. A great opportunity to eat, drink and be merry in beautiful surrounds, and pick up a few tasty Christmas presents too.
12. Glow at RHS Garden Wisley
RHS Wisley Christmas Glow 2017 - Glasshouse with lights and Christmas tree
Wisley Ln, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB
Dates & Opening Times: 1st December – 2nd January, 4pm–8pm
Tickets: Adult non-members: £11, children non-members £7 (5–16)
Explore these fabulous gardens after dark while following a twinkling trail all a-glow with botanical illuminations. You will see the Rock Garden, the Seven Acres lake and Jellicoe Canal as you’ve never seen them. The glasshouse will also be lit out and little ones will love the Woodland Realm where you can find elves, treehouses and Santa’s reindeer.
13. Ham Parade Market
Ham General Stores, 31 Ham St, Richmond TW10 7HR
Dates & Opening Times: 1st December, 2 pm – 4 pm
Buy some presents and perhaps place your orders for some festive goodies at the last market of the year. There will be all the usual stalls selling meat, fish, cheeses, arts, homeware and street food as well as live music and children’s activities.
14. Natural History Museum Ice Rink
Cromwell Rd, Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Dates & Opening Times: Until 20th January, 10.00 am - 9.00 pm
Tickets: Adults from £12.65, children from £8.80, families from £39.60
If you fancy heading into town for a skate, you can’t go wrong with the Natural History Museum rink. Situated right next to this iconic building, it is especially magical as dusk falls.
15. Festive Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Richmond Park
Dates & Opening Times: 1–2, 8–9, 15–23, 26–30 December, 2–6 January
Tickets: £140 for two
A fabulous 90-minute experience with a ride around the park in a six-person Park Brake drawn by the Royal Parks Shire horses. Snuggle under a blanket, sip a little sloe gin and munch on a mince pie as the frosty landscapes fly by.
16. Etsy Made Local
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College, Parkshot, London, TW9 2RE
Dates & Opening Times: 1st December, 10:00 am - 16:00 pm
A showcase market of wares from South West London’s creative community, all of whom sell their goods on etsy.com, an online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods. There will also be food stalls, live music and workshops.
17. Santa Fun Runs
Richmond Park & Bushy Park
Dates & Opening Times: 9th December, Richmond Park - 16th December, Bushy Park
Book: www.pah.org.uk
Do you like getting out in the fresh air with the added bonus of raising money for charity? Then try one of the Princess Alice Hospice fun runs, attired in your Santa suit of course. Runners with two legs as well as four can join in.
18. Courtyard Carol Singing
Hayley Bray
Hampton Court Palace
Dates & Opening Times: 17-23 December, 6pm & 10pm
Tickets: £10 adults & £5 children
Get into the Christmas spirit and sing your favourite carols. The Epsom & Ewell Silver Band will be there to accompany and lead you.
19. Christmas Gift and Craft Fairs
Lakeside Cafe, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ
Dates & Opening Times: 1-2 and 8-9 December, 11 am -5 pm Saturday, and 10 am - 5 pm Sunday
Battersea Park’s much-loved café is launching a Christmas market in its covered courtyard, with mulled wine, mince pies and carols sung by Chelsea Pensioners. There are over 50 stalls selling artisan food and drink and luxury gifts and a personalised hamper service for an extra-special Christmas gift.
20. Ice Skating at Somerset House
David Jensen
Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Dates & Opening Times: Until 13th January
Skate day or night to the backdrop of the beautiful Edmond J. Safra Fountain courtyard, with plenty of après-skate treats to enjoy at Fortnum’s Lodge. In the daytime, a skate school and polar bear club aim to make ice skating fun for families and children, and there are also wheelchair-friendly sessions. For those wishing to skate and party, the rink is open for ‘skate lates’ again this year, where you can skate to DJ sets before enjoying a drink in the Skate Lounge.
21. Christmas Carol Concert
Holy Trinity Church, Wandsworth
Dates & Opening Times: 6th December, 6.30 pm - 9 pm
Enjoy an evening of Christmas carolling with complimentary mulled wine and mince pies. All money raised will go towards supporting patients of the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability (RHN) and provide patients with brain injuries with music therapy.
22. Bunga Bunga Bingo Bingo
37 Battersea ridge Rd, Battersea, London SW11 3BA
Dates & Opening Times: 4th December, 7 pm
www.battersea.bungabunga-london.com
Bingo with a twist – play the game but also expect a night of madness with dancing, karaoke and crazy prizes including a ball pit table and a Fiat 500. Tickets are £10 and include two hours of Bingo as well as other games and some Italian food.
23. Christmas Tree Festival
St Mary Magdalene Church, Wandsworth Common
Dates & Opening Times: 8th December, 4.00 pm - 6.30 pm
Enjoy a festive evening admiring a church full of Christmas trees, whilst sipping on mulled wine and listening to live music. There will be children’s activities, a raffle, and Father Christmas is expected around 5 pm.
24. Battersea Arts: For Kids
Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN
Dates & Opening Times: 1-30 December
An interactive, immersive show for children aged 6+, visitors are tasked with uncovering the secrets of Elm House. Solve the mystery by following magical trails through old doors and hidden corridors in a story inspired by Jeanie Nassau Senior, a social pioneer and Britain’s first female civil servant.
For Adults: Lucy Pearman’s Christmas Friends
Dates & Opening Times: 21st December
Edinburgh Comedy Best Newcomer Award nominee Lucy Pearman performs with her favourite performers on the comedy circuit. Expect a big moustache, a deaf potato and a weird old time.
25. West Byfleet Christmas Village Day
Dates & Opening Times: 8th December, 9.30 am - 5.30 pm
Experience the magic of Christmas in West Byfleet and enjoy a complimentary Prosecco. There will be plenty of gifts available, as well as seasonal foods and a barbecue. Carol singers will be on hand get you in the spirit of Christmas
26. Go For a Giggle
G LIVE, London Road, Guildford, GU1 2AA
Dates & Opening Times: 14th December, 8 pm
Tickets: £14
Take a break from the festive fervour and come and have a laugh with the Gag House gang. The monthly professional live comedy club is back at The Star Inn for the Guildford Gag House Christmas Special starring Matt Richardson, Susan Murray, Louis Burgess and Ryan Dalton who are all ready to make merry.
27. Village View
Shere Village Cinema, The Village Hall, Gomshall Ln, Shere GU5 9HE
Shere Village Cinema has three films on offer this month, starting with the heart-warming Wonder starring Julia Roberts on Thursday, December 6 at 8 pm. Sing – featuring the vocal talents of Reece Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey – should keep the kids entertained post-Christmas on December 27 at 2 pm. And finally, bring back memories of the glorious summer with the fantastic Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again on December 27 at 7.30pm.
