20 Nov 2023
If you’re planning to celebrate Christmas 2023 in style, you’ll find everything you need in Surrey and the surrounding area. There’s an abundance of things for the whole family to do as the festive season gets into full swing.
Whether you live in the area, are visiting relatives, or enjoying a family getaway at luxury Surrey country club, we’ve put together a list of local activities that are guaranteed to entertain and excite in the build up to Christmas.
Christmases are always memorable in Surrey, and 2023 is no different. The county is positively buzzing with family activities and events for children and adults alike. From Christmas concerts and wreath-making classes to kids’ discos and festive fun runs, we’ve got it covered.
No festive celebration would be complete without Christmas lights, so we’ve also listed some of the best places to see the annual switch-on. So, get ready to immerse yourself in the festive spirit with our family Christmas events in Surrey.
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If you enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, you’ll love what’s on offer at Foxhills this December. They’ve taken the quintessential British afternoon tea and added a festive twist. You and your family can warm up and relax in the stunning, 19th-century Manor House while you feast on a mouthwatering selection of sandwiches, cakes, and Christmas treats in front of a roaring fire. The festive afternoon tea is available to both Foxhill members and visitors.
Dates: All through December.
Location: Foxhills Country Club & Resort, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey, KT16 0EL.
Cost: £29.75 adult member, £35 adult visitor. £15.30 child member, £18 child visitor.
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Take the whole family along to a festive event inspired by C.S. Lewis’s classic tale, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at the National Trust-owned Hatchlands Park. Set amid sweeping parkland, visitors can go on a magical journey through the classic country house and embark on a family trail through the world of Narnia in an installation created by set designer, Imogen Cloet. Refreshments are available from the Kitchen Café and Coach House Café.
Dates: Fri, Dec 1st – Sat, Dec 23rd & Tues, Dec 26th – Mon, Jan 1st (10am – 4pm).
Location: Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Guildford, GU4 7RT.
Tickets: Adults £11, Children £5.50, Family £27.50 (2 x Adult 2 x Children). Free for National Trust members.
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Take the whole family along to an action-packed day of festive fun at Merrist Wood College. There’ll be an abundance of activities for all ages including story time with Santa, festive arts and crafts, face painting, puzzle zones, and Christmas stalls. Children can also meet a selection of festive animals, while hot and cold refreshments will be available.
Date: Sat, Dec 2nd (12-4pm).
Location: Holly Lane, Worplesdon, GU3 3PE.
Tickets: £30 (2 x adults, 2 x children under 16).
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If you enjoy a Christmas sing-along, head down to Christ Church in Woking. Whether you like traditional Christmas carols and hymns or festive tunes with a modern twist, there’s something for the whole family. Organisers are also encouraging those to attend to wear a Christmas jumper or decorations and join in the festive atmosphere.
Date: Sat, Dec 2nd (Doors open 2.30pm).
Location: Christ Church, Jubilee Square, Woking, GU21 6YG.
Tickets: £10 adults.
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Take the family away for Christmas with a magical festive break at Foxhills. You can relax in the beautiful surroundings of the estate and take advantage of the country club facilities including golf and spa treatments. Three-night or two-night packages are available and include everything from stockings and gifts to a five-course Christmas lunch and a visit from Santa.
Dates: Starting Sun, Dec 24th.
Location: Foxhills Country Club & Resort, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey, KT16 0EL.
Cost: From £500 adult, £275 child.
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Storyteller-in-residence, Olivia Armstrong, will be captivating audiences young and old with her traditional winter tales at West Horsley Place. Family-friendly storytelling sessions will take place around the fireplace before those attending will be taken through the magical manor house for an arts and crafts class making festive paper chains.
Date: Sun, Dec 3rd – Wed, Dec 13th (10am – 3pm).
Location: West Horsley Place, Epsom Road, West Horsley, KT24 6AN.
Tickets: £10 adult, £7 children, family ticket £30 (2 x adults, 2 x children under 16).
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Kids get ready for an afternoon of jokes and laughter at the Comedy Club 4 Kids Christmas Special in Staines-upon-Thames. The audience will be treated to some of the best children’s stand-ups, sketch acts, and cabaret stars around in this true festive extravaganza. The Christmas Special is suitable for the whole family including children aged 6 years and above. Refreshments are available and pre-booked table service is also provided.
Date: Sat, Dec 9th (2 – 3.30pm. Doors open 12.30pm).
Location: Last Hop, 15-18 Clarence Street, Unit 2, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 4SU.
Tickets: £5.
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The whole family can warm up for Christmas by taking part in the Jingle Jog around Frimley Green. Runners can wear fancy dress as they complete a seasonal 5km romp to the tune of Jingle Bells. The course covers grass, towpath, and track and is mostly flat. This year also sees the introduction of a new 2km Fun Run, so there’s a race for all abilities. All finishers receive a medal, and mince pies and mulled wine will be available from Frimley Lodge Park. Dogs are allowed but must be on a lead.
Date: Sun, Dec 10 (9am).
Location: Frimley Green and Frimley Lodge Park, Camberley, GU16 6HY.
Entry: £18 adults, £10 children, £46 family (2 x adults, 2 x children).
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Learn how to make your very own authentic festive wreath at a Christmas Wreath Floristry Workshop. Held at Foxhills Country Club & Resort, the two-hour long sessions take place in the art studio and pavilion gallery where professional florists will give lessons in creating the perfect Christmas wreath to adorn your front door or mantlepiece. Due to high demand, booking is recommended via the pavilion reception.
Dates: Tues, Nov 28th (6.30 – 8.30pm), Thurs, Nov 30th (10.30am – 12.30pm), Tues, Dec 5th (6.30 – 8.30pm).
Location: Foxhills Country Club & Resort, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey, KT16 0EL.
Cost: £45 members, £50 guests.
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One of the all-time Christmas pantomime classics is coming to Foxhills this December. Open to members and visitors alike, this production of Cinderella is guaranteed to provide festive entertainment for the whole family. Tickets include a meet and greet session with the characters on arrival with popcorn and finger food to follow as you wait to find out whether Cinderella gets to attend the royal ball.
Date: Sat, Dec 16th (11am & 2pm).
Location: Foxhills Country Club & Resort, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey, KT16 0EL.
Tickets: £30 adult member, £34 adult visitor. £20 child member, £22 child visitor.
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Aimed at families with children aged 8 years and under, the Rudolph Rave features a festive DJ, glow sticks, glitter, giant balloons and a spectacular light display. There will be a visit from Father Christmas and Rudolph, and refreshments including a licensed bar will be available.
Date: Sat, Dec 16th (2-4pm. Doors open 1.30pm).
Location: G Live, London Road, Guildford, GU1 2AA.
Tickets: £12 adults, £10 children.
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Get down to the Boileroom in Guildford for a musical extravaganza for the whole family. There’ll be two hours of solid entertainment with music for all ages. Children can dance and sing-along to their favourite Disney and chart songs while adults will be encouraged to get involved too. The event also includes a club DJ, laser show, facepainting, professional photographer, and a host of prizes to be won. A kids’ tuck shop and refreshments are available.
Date: Mon, Dec 18th (12 – 2pm).
Location: Boileroom, 13 Stoke Fields, Guildford, GU1 4LS.
Tickets: £7 – £13.
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Celebrate Christmas in style at Ascot’s final race meetings of 2023 featuring high-quality racing and plenty of festive food and drink. The two-day festival ranks as Ascot’s most valuable meeting of the jumps season and includes the Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle plus two Grade 2 races – the Howden Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle and the Howden Noel Novices’ Chase which act as warms up to the Cheltenham Festival. Off the track, there’ll be a variety of seasonal fun for the whole family including traditional fairground rides, candle-lit carol singing, and a visit from Father Christmas and his reindeers.
Date: Fri, Dec 22nd & Sat, Dec 23rd (gates open 10.45am).
Location: Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, SL5 7JX.
Tickets: From £20 adult.
The switching on of Christmas lights is one of the highlights of the festive season, and there is no shortage of options in the Surrey area. For many, nothing marks the arrival of Yuletide better than an extravagant light display coupled with a surprise visit from Santa and his reindeers.
So, if you live in the Surrey area or are just visiting, find out the best places for Christmas lights and when they’ll be switched on below:
Camberley will be hosting a free family fun day around the time ahead of the Christmas lights switch on at 4.45pm. There’ll be a selection of entertainment starting at 1pm and spread out across the day including face painting, balloon modelling, plus a variety of local community music and dance acts on the Park Street Stage.
When: Sat, Nov 18th (10am-6pm).
Where: Camberley Town Centre.
Start the countdown to Christmas at the Farnham Christmas Lights Switch-On at Gostrey Meadow. A fun-packed day will include free festive entertainment from various schools, theatre groups, dance companies, and music bands. Other attractions include fairground rides, a live nativity scene with animals, face painting plus arts and crafts. In addition, Santa will be sitting in his grotto to greet all the children and every child receives a free gift.
When: Sat, Nov 18th (1-6pm).
Where: Gostrey Meadow, Farnham, GU9 7RN.
There’s a full day of festive fun planned at Dorking Halls featuring performances from the cast of Snow White and a variety of local drama and dance companies. The entertainment starts at 11am and the Christmas Creative Makers Market in the Grand Hall with children’s crafts taking place in the café. Wreath making classes, face painting, plus fairground entertainment will also be available, along with a variety of delicious festive food and mulled wine before the big light switch on at 6pm.
When: Sun, Nov 26th (11am – 7pm).
Where: Dorking Hall, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SG.
The pretty Surrey town of Godalming will be buzzing with Christmas activities throughout the day, culminating with the switching on of the festive lights at 5pm. Organised by Godalming Town Council, there’ll be plenty of Christmas stalls and street food outlets close by selling everything from handcrafted gifts to foody treats made by local producers. The Pepperpot will also be hosting a range of music bands and dance acts throughout the day culminating in carol singing and a rock choir at the end of the day.
When: Sat, Nov 25th (10am – 5.30pm).
Where: Godalming Town Centre.
Set in a beautiful 400-acre Surrey estate, Foxhills is an award-winning hotel and country club that’s within easy reach of all major towns and cities in the area. It’s the perfect location to celebrate Christmas with the whole family. Contact us today.
