Ho ho go Christmas

Before you hang up your stockings and baste the turkey, there’s more festive fun to enjoy than you can shake your tinsel at!

Festive fun is firmly on the menu for all this month and next, so stop wrapping and start carolling! 

Surrey

Family fun 

National Trust Images / Arnhel de Serra

The Snowdogs are coming to Hatchlands Park this winter. Inspired by the animated sequel to the late Raymond Briggs’ timeless picture book The Snowman™, visitors can follow a festive trail through the parkland to find Wild in Art’s 10 uniquely decorated sculptures of The Snowdog. There’ll be fun activities along the way, and even some games for your own pup! And on December afternoons the house will be open, beautifully decorated for a traditional country house Christmas. 

Waddle into Claremont this festive season for A Very Penguin Christmas, Nov 22nd-Jan 4th, where you’ll find a group of adventurous penguins have travelled from the South Pole to the North Pole (aka Claremont) in search of Father Christmas. Join Captain Iceberg, Professor Snowflake and friends as they explore the garden with fun games and activities.  

Test your creativity with Christmas crafts at Dapdune Wharf. Young visitors can join a day, Nov 30th & Dec 1st, 11am-4pm, creating Christmas cards, crackers, tree decorations and more! Dec 5th offers the chance for grown ups to make a willow star, cover it in random weaving and decorate it with fairy lights. All materials provided (including fairy lights for one star). Booking needed. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk and search for Dapdune Wharf. 

Tumble down the rabbit hole into a world of wonder and delight this festive season at Polesden Lacey. Follow the White Rabbit inside the house to see rooms inspired by the story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Outside, follow the children’s trail around the grounds to win a prize and enjoy a range of seasonal treats. Nov 22nd-Jan 4th. 

Discover the magic of the Nutcracker at Winkworth Arboretum, Nov 29th-Jan 5th. Follow Clara’s footsteps through the winter woodlands, uncovering storybook scenes and meeting life-sized nutcracker sculptures. Enjoy festive games along the trail and hop aboard the vintage carousel. 

Step into a Christmas Enchantment on a midwinter journey through Petworth House drawing on the park and gardens taking inspiration from the Winter Solstice and the surrounding nature. As part of Christmas Enchantment, Brambley Hedge inspired by Jill Barklem’s Winter Story and The Secret Staircase, is coming to Petworth House with cosy scenes all around. Festive favourites will fill the air at Petworth House after dark, with sparkling lights and a courtyard 
choir on Nov 29th & Dec 20th. 5.30pm. 

Christmas brings many gifts not least pantos and you can take your seat for an early one at Chertsey Hall when Bridges Musical Theatre present The Wizard of Oz on Dec 16th & 18th-20th. Join Dorothy and friends as they take the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. Tickets at bridgesmt.org.uk/current-production 

Discover the true meaning of Christmas with the telling of the Nativity in an immersive theatre experience. Stand with the shepherds, walk with Mary, Joseph and the donkey, journey with Roman soldiers and enter the stable to watch the miracle unfold with the Wintershall Nativity, Dec 18th-21st. Book at wintershall.org.uk/event/the-nativity-journey/ 

At West Horsley Place this festive season there is something for all: art, culture, heritage and, of course, Father Christmas! From Nov 21st–23rd, the Arts and Artisans Christmas Fair fills the historic buildings with hand-made jewellery, ceramics, textiles, paintings and more, alongside live music and seasonal delicacies – all entry costs to support heritage restoration. On select dates the Manor transforms into a winter wonderland for families: dress-up corners, biscuit decorating, storytelling, toy testing – and a chance to meet Father Christmas in his cosy study. Find out more at westhorsleyplace.org 

Haslemere Museum is getting everyone into the festive spirit with Christmas events throughout November and December. There are evening Christmas craft workshops (the wreath-making workshop includes a glass of festive bubbly!). For children, there are decoration-making sessions, and a chance to visit Santa in his Victorian parlour. And don’t forget the Museum’s gift shop offers plenty of Christmas present ideas! See details on the What’s On page of the Museum’s website. 

National Trust Images / Paul Harris

Celebrate the season with fun for all ages at Farnham Maltings. Browse handmade gifts at the Christmas Fair (Nov 19th&20th), enjoy live theatre with The Paper Dolls (Nov 29th&30th), and discover winter magic with family show The Snowsmith (Dec 12th–24th). Plus, experience a Traditional Christmas at the Museum of Farnham (Nov 29th&30th). 

It’s Christmas Eve and Santa is about to set off on his deliveries but his sleigh has broken down, can you help him fix it? Santa’s on His Sleigh! is an exciting and interactive Christmas show with on screen Santa’s virtual little helper Head Elf Justy, played by Justin Fletcher. G Live, Dec 13th-24th. Book at trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford/en-GB/event/family/santas-on-his-sleigh-tickets 

As we enter panto season, head to Yvonne Arnaud Theatre to meet Beauty and the Beast, Nov 29th-Jan 4th, expect spectacular songs, showstopping dances and panto magic in a beauty of a show you’ve got to see to Belle-ieve.  

Visit Santa 

Santa will also be popping up at Watts Gallery and at Squire’s Garden Centres at Badshot Lea, Frensham, Milford & Woking. Check websites for dates. 

Travel with Mizens Railway on a picturesque journey on a winter evening with the site and trains illuminated by thousands of lights on Nov 29th and take a ride with Santa on Dec 7th, 14th & 21st. Booking essential at mizens-bookings.org.uk 

Meet real reindeer in the Reindeer Lodge at Chobham Adventure Farm and join in the chaos with The Jingle Jesters. Book at chobhamadventurefarm.co.uk/christmas25 

Festive markets 

Premium Christmas trees available from 22nd November at Ramster Hall. Festive setting with mulled wine, seasonal treats and gift ideas. Post letters to Father Christmas. Ramster Christmas Market, Nov 22nd & 23rd, 10am-4pm, local artisan stalls selling handcrafted gins, ceramics, art, jewellery, and beauty products. Entry £2.50 (under 12s free) includes a donation to Shooting Star. Don’t miss festive gnome-making on Nov 30th and space-themed theatre with music and puppetry on Dec 14th, 3-8 yrs. 

Find Christmas presents and a treat for yourself at Petworth House’s festive makers market full of high quality artisan gifts including jewellery, homewares, textiles and art, Nov 29th & 30th.  

Guildford Cathedral’s shopping adventure boasts over 50 stalls with a stunning array of bespoke Christmas gifts, decorations, spirits, jewellery, accessories and more, Nov 21st & 22nd. 

Illuminations  

RHS Glow at Wisley is a sparkly Christmas adventure for the whole family from Nov 21st to Jan 4th when RHS Garden Wisley becomes a glittering wonderland bursting with festive fun for kids and grown-ups alike. RHS Glow runs on selected dates and tickets must be booked in advance at rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/whats-on/wisley-glow 

Explore the light installations around the 30-40 minute trail of Guildford Castle. Illuminate will transform the castle into a winter spectacle, Nov 15th-Jan 4th. Explore the historic grounds on a magical journey through several activations showcasing the castle and its beautiful grounds. Tickets at illuminateguildford.co.uk/ 

Gilbert White’s Eco Light Festival, a winter light show with a difference, starts on Nov 20th. With environmental consciousness at its heart, the light trail takes you on a magical journey through Gilbert White’s House where you can experience nature come to life through inventive sensory displays. Then weave your way into the garden where more magic awaits. The light festival is designed to have a minimal impact on the natural world, using renewable energy, solar power, UV (among others) to power it’s lights. The trail takes light pollution into account and does not up-light trees and keeps tight hours to ensure our wildlife is as undisturbed as possible. Where possible reusable or natural materials are used. This winter discover the magic of nature! More at gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk