Looking for the best of the best this month? We get it! On the buildup to Christmas, you need events that are not only relaxing but fun and get you excited too! And that's exactly what the county has to offer this season!
For the best things to do this month, take a look below:
Kingston
1. Christmas Craft Fair
Location: RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB
Dates: November 21-24, 9 am - 5.30 pm, November 25, 9 am - 4.30 pm
Browse homemade crafts from local sources to find the perfect Christmas gift. The fair hosts a mix of contemporary and traditional crafts so you're sure to find something they'll like!
2. Mary Berry Book Signing
@maryberryappreciation
Location: RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB
Dates: 23rd November, 3 pm - 4 pm
The famous Mary Berry is in town to make an appearance at RHS Garden Wisley to sign copies of her latest baking bible. Just in time for Christmas, Mary’s new book will make for the perfect Christmas gift - especially a signed copy!
3. Meet Santa
Location: RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB
Dates: 28th - 30th November 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm, 4.15pm, 5pm, 5.45pm
Tickets: Child ticket with two free adults £14
For a magical day out, come and meet Santa at Wisley this festive season. Join us for a classic Christmas tale, have a sing-along and a story with the man himself and receive a small gift. On selected dates you can also decorate delicious gingerbread to take home.
4. A Christmas Carol
Location: Riverhouse Barn, Manor Rd, Walton-on-Thames KT12 2PF
Dates: 30th November, 8 pm
Tickets: £14
Guy Masterson performs the adapted version of the classic Dickens story, directed by Nick Hennegan.
5. Christmas Food Market
Location: Garsons Farm, Winterdown Road, West End, Esher, Surrey, KT10 8LS
Dates: 17th - 18th November, 10 am - 5 pm
Start getting in the Christmassy mood while browsing goods in the Farm Shop, sampling seasonal food and drink and perusing gift ideas in the Christmas shop.
Chiswick
1. Paint Like Banksy
Location: The Tabard, 2 Bath Road London, England W4 1LW
Dates: November 27th, 7.30 pm
Tickets: £26.99 for 10% off any class use the code ‘Sheengate’
PopUp Painting invites you to unleash your creativity with a wine glass in one hand and a paintbrush in the other. No experience is needed for this Banksy-themed event at The Tabard Pub - you’ll be guided step by step by a practising artist, while you drink, paint and create your masterpiece.
2. Chiswick After Dark
@afterdarklates
Nick Gray / Renegade Design / Sub Focus
Location: Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, W4 2QN
16th November - 30th December
Tickets: From £9.54
A brand new winter event opens at Chiswick House and Gardens this month, and there won’t be any reindeers or fake snow. After Dark is an illuminated night-time walking trail, featuring a series of modern light installations illuminating the 18th-century gardens and architecture, with Chiswick House itself serving as the canvas for a projected light show set to curated music. The trail runs every Thursday to Sunday.
3. Become A Pizza Pro
Location: 144 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PU
Dates: 12th November
Tickets: £30 including food, wine and soft drinks
Fancy learning the secrets of sourdough pizza from the masters? Well, now you can. Once a month at Franco Manca in Chiswick, one of the resident pizzaiolos (that’s a pizza maker, to you and me) will teach you how to combine slow rising sourdough with seasonal toppings and fast, hot baking in a special masterclass, as a well as all the skills, tips and tricks you’ll need to make amazing pizza at home.
4. Simple Soldier Boy
Location: 56-62 Grove Park Road, W4 3SD
Dates: 11th November, 4.30 pm and 7.30 pm
Tickets: £16.50 adult, £9.50 child
This special concert at St Paul’s Grove Park brings the voices and music of those who participated in - and lived through - the Great War in a moving performance exactly 100 years after the Armistice. Drawing on the personal reminiscences of ordinary people and the songs and music of soldiers a choir of over 50 adults as well as a children’s choir from the Unicorn School in Kew will perform alongside a professional orchestra, directed by West End musical director Michael Reed.
5. The Food Market
@thefoodmarketchiswick
Location: The Pavilion, Market Drive, Chiswick, W4 2RX
Dates: Every Sunday, 10 am - 2 pm
Every week, come rain or shine, around 25 top producers from around the country sell fine rare breed meats, season vegetables, artisan cheeses and much more, and there's a wide variety of tempting hot food to enjoy whilst you shop. The market is a social enterprise and proceeds are used to improve and maintain both the local meadows and the surrounding riverside area.
Richmond
1. Acis and Galatea, and Don Quichotte and the Duchess
@nathalieemmanuel
Location: Normansfield Theatre, Langdon Down Centre, 2a Langdon Park Teddington, Middlesex TW11 9PS
Dates: November 9 @ 7:30 pm - November 11 @ 10:00 pm
Tickets: £15
Richmond Opera present an opera double-bill of Handel's tale of tragic love, Acis and Galatea, and Boismortier's comedy Don Quichotte and the Duchess.
2. London’s Jazz Festival
Location: The Bulls Head, 373 Lonsdale Road, Barnes, SW13 9PY
Dates: 16th - 25th November
The venue has a musical feast in store this month with a host of top performers.
Check the lineup here: www.thebullsheadbarnes.com
3. Home Guard Jazz Club
Location: Home Guard Club, 76A Richmond Park Rd, London SW14 8LA
Dates: 25th November - 9th December
The launch of a new jazz club as part of the London Jazz Festival with entertainment supplied by Way Out West Jazz Collective.
www.barneshomeguardassociation.org.uk
4. Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
@palaceicerink
Location: Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court
Dates: 23rd November - 6th January
Tickets: £46 (two adults, two children)
Yes, it’s hard to believe, after the long hot summer, but it’s almost that time of year again. You have to forget those shorts and sandals and find your woollies to take to the ice rink at the Palace. One of the most beautiful on the patch, beginner or expert can glide past Henry’s home before enjoying toasty refreshments in the on-site cafe.
www.hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk
5. Richmond Literature Festival
Dates: 1st - 28th November
This year’s celebration of all things literary has a stellar line-up, including Terry Waite, who we interviewed earlier this month. Lynne Truss, Kamal Ahmed, Dan Snow and Matthew Rice will also make an appearance. There are talks, readings, plays, workshops and much more on a diverse range of topics from historical themes, to storytelling and novel writing itself. Not to be missed!
Surrey Downs
1. Funny For Money
Location: St Peter’s Primary School, Grange Rd, Leatherhead KT22 7JN
Dates: 16th November, 8 pm
Tickets: £15
TV legend Bobby Davro is appearing at the Raise the School Roof comedy fundraiser night being held on behalf of St Peter’s Primary School, Leatherhead. The school’s roof is in urgent need of repair and parents and governors are hosting a series of events to raise much needed cash. Tickets are selling fast - so don’t miss out!
www.houseofstandup.co.uk/leatherhead
2. Christmas At St Mary’s Church
Location: St. Mary’s Church, Chart Lane, Reigate, RH2 7RN
Dates: 17th November, 12 pm - 4 pm
Set under twinkling lights, the 40 market stalls will offer unique gifts from Surrey’s finest independent companies. Phil Dade’s famous Bric-a-Brac also returns, as well as a host of free child-friendly fun. Don’t miss out on the stars of the show - ‘the donkeys’ - which will transport children to a beautifully created Bethlehem setting via the Church Centre garden. There will be open-air food stalls and beverages galore, including hot chocolate, mulled wine and spiced cider. Tea and cakes will be served in the Christmas Cafe while you sit back and enjoy festive carols performed by Bletchingly Community Choir.
3. Five-Day Gift Market
Location: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, Surrey, KT17 1UF
Dates: 6th - 10th November, 10 am - 5 pm
Do your Christmas shopping in style at this Five-Day Gift Market at Bourne Hall in Ewell. A vast selection of collectibles, presents and craft items will be available. Large car park and cafe on site.
4. Light Up Dorking
Location: Reigate Rd, Dorking RH4 1SG
Dates: 16th November, 4 pm - 6 pm
Get ready to see this market town burst into colour when the Christmas Lights are turned on. As well as the big moment, there will be plenty going on for all the family in this busy annual event held at Dorking Halls.
5. Taste Sensation
@prioryfarm
Location: Priory Farm, Sandy Ln, South Nutfield, Redhill RH1 4EJ
Dates: 24 - 25th November, 10 am - 4 pm
Head to Priory Farm in Nutfield (near Redhill) and sample some truly taste-tastic delights at the artisan specialist’s Christmas Food Festival. The very best local producers will be on hand to sell their award-winning wares and don’t forget that there’s a try by your buy option!