23+ magical Christmas events in Surrey for families 2024

Looking for sparkly ways to embrace the festive spirit?  Or wondering where to find the best Christmas events in Surrey for families in 2024?  Well, you’re in the right place!

Surrey is brimming with magical Christmas activities for kids and families.  From enchanting Santa’s grottos and dazzling light trails to festive train rides and Yuletide ice skating, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Check out our list of the most magical Christmas events for families in Surrey.  Plus, we’ve included some fantastic festive activities beyond Surrey to add even more sparkle to your celebrations.

For more inspiration, check out our guides to the best things to do in Hampshire at Christmas and festive fun in Berkshire!.

• Some tickets have previously been gifted but all opinions are our own.
• This post contains some affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AF

• Dates:   Wednesday 13^th November 2024 to Sunday 5^th January 2025 (4.20 -10pm)
• Tickets:   Christmas at Kew
• Cost:       from £22.50 (off peak)

One of the most popular Christmas events in Surrey for families is the magical light trail at Kew.

Enjoy our annual after-dark festivities with family and friends, as you discover sparkling tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections, and trees drenched in jewel-like colour.

Journey through the mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden, spot larger-than-life illuminations and say hello to Father Christmas along the way.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AF

• Dates:   from 16^th November 2024
• Tickets:   Illuminate Guildford Castle
• Cost:       Adult £11.95 Child £6.95(off peak)

This Christmas will welcome a stunning new light trail to Surrey in the heart of Guildford’s town centre.

Illuminate will be transforming all aspects of Guildford Castle into a winter spectacle this November. Explore the historic grounds as we take you on a magical journey through several activations showcasing the castle and its beautiful grounds.  The trail will take about 20-30 minutes.

RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

• Dates:   Friday 22^nd November 2024 – Sunday 5^th January 2025
• Tickets:  Glow 2024 at Wisley
• Cost:      £68.20 (family of four non-members)

Bring all the family for a magical evening at RHS Garden Wisley.   At Glow 2024, see the garden in breathtaking beauty as amazing illuminations light your way on a wonder-filled journey.

Windsor Great Park, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, TW20 0UU

• Dates:   15^th November 2024 – 4^th January 2025 (4.30-10pm)
• Tickets:  Illuminated at Great Windsor Park
• Cost:       from £92.94 (family of four with parking)

One of our favourite Christmas events near Surrey is Illuminated at Windsor Great Park. 

Join family and friends for a magical evening as the woodland and water of Windsor Great Park come alive with dazzling lights, dancing stars and breath-taking projections. 

Opening on Thursday 15 November, this very special light trail returns to light up the festive season bigger, better and more dazzling than ever with a brand new trail design and spectacularly re-imagined installations.

G-Live, London Road, Guildford, GU1 2AA

• Dates:  Saturday 18^th – Tuesday 24^th December 2024
• Tickets: Santa’s Wish
• Cost:  £80 (family of four)

A brand-new magical Christmas family show at the G-Live.  Snowflake the magical elf is in a tricky spot! Santa’s sleigh has crashed and now he is lost.  Can you help Snowflake find Santa and save Christmas?

Santa’s Wish follows Snowflake’s enchanting journey to become one of Santa’s elves. This heart-warming musical adventure is enriched with original songs, immersive storytelling and a sprinkling of circus magic that is guaranteed to leave the whole family bursting with festive joy and happiness. Believe, the magic will come true!

The Ambassadors, Victoria Way, Woking, GU21 6GQ

• Dates:     Friday 20^th December and  Saturday 21^st December 2024 (19.30 pm)
• Tickets:   Rhoda McGaw Theatre
• Cost:        from £22.00

 For adults only

A dark, unsettling comedy which is both moving and funny, giving the perfect bitter-sweet taste for Christmas.

Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill, Guildford, GU2 7UP

• Dates:     Saturday 14^th December (2pm, 3.45pm & 6.30pm)
• Tickets:   The Snowman
• Cost:        tbc

Make it a Christmas to remember, with a special screening of family-favourite The Snowman, accompanied by a live orchestra.

Alongside The Snowman film, a whistle-stop Christmas guide to the orchestra and a visit from the Snowman himself, join everyone’s favourite cheese-loving inventor, Wallace and his trusty companion, Gromit in Aardman’s multi award-winning film, The Wrong Trousers

Godstone Farm, Tilburstow Hill Rd, Godstone, Surrey RH9 8LX

• Dates:  Weekends in December and 16^th – 24^th December 2023
• Tickets:  Father Christmas at Godstone Farm
• Cost:  From £17.95 per child 2-16 yrs (includes admission to Godstone Farm)

The wonder of Christmas returns to Godstone Farm, with our ever popular visits to see Father Christmas and his friendly Elves in his cosy grotto.

A Father Christmas visit includes the choice of a brilliant toy from his charming toy shop, an interactive activity plus entry to farm all day including our indoor playbarn. You’ll need to purchase a Meet Father Christmas Experience ticket for each child within your group with a maximum of 4 children in each timeslot

Daytime Father Christmas tickets give entry to the farm for a whole day of fun, including time in our majestic new Play Barn. 

Bockett’s Farm, Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9BS

• Dates:   Thursday 21^st November 2024 – Tuesday 24^th December 2024
• Tickets:  Visit Santa’s Grotto at Bockett’s Farm
• Cost:        From £28 per child (tbc)

Enjoy a fun and festive family day out at Bocketts Farm Park in Fetcham including a visit to Father Christmas, the Elf Passport Christmas Trail, Reindeer Food Making and the usual farm animals, soft play and adventure playground.

Denbies Wine Estate, Bradley Lane, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6AA

• Dates:   Thursday 23^rd November 2024 – Tuesday 24^th December 2024
• Tickets:  Denbies Santa Ride
• Cost:        From £18.95 per child

Take a ride on Santa’s Express train around the Surrey vineyard and meet Santa at the top.

Priory Farm Estate, Sandy Lane, South Nutfield, Redhill RH1 4EJ

• Dates:   From 23rd November 2024
• Tickets:  Father Christmas Experience at Priory Farm
• Cost:        From £28 per child

The Father Christmas Experience at Priory Farm is an immersive piece of theatre that brings the magic of Christmas to life. Through storytelling, song and special effects, embark on a journey through different enchanting wonderlands for an unforgettable theatrical experience for all the family.

Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU

• Dates: Friday 22^nd November 2024 – 5^th January 2025
• Tickets:  Ice-skating at Hampton Court
• Cost:   from £46 off peak (family of four)

One of the best Christmas events in Surrey for families is ice-skating at Hampton Court Palace.  Visit the ice rink after a day at the palace or just pop down for a quick spin.  The ice-rink has a back drop of Henry Vlll’s historic Thames-side Tudor palace,  which is lit in an assortment of colours as dusk arrives.   Surely, this is one of the best views for a festive ice-rink?

Alexander Gardens, Windsor, Berkshire

• Dates: 15^th November 2024 – 5^th January 2025
• Tickets:  Windsor on Ice
• Cost:   £14.00 child and £16.00 adult (£47.50 for family ticket)

Just over the border from Surrey, you can enjoy festive ice-skating this Christmas with your family and friends at Windsor on Ice. The magical Christmas experience returns to Alexander Gardens and is not to-be-missed.

Stay dry whatever the weather under the transparent roof, and after your skate enjoy a wide variety of festive attractions nearby.

Winkworth Arboretum, Hascombe Road, Godalming, GU8 4AD

• Dates:   23^rd November – 19^th January 2025
• Tickets:  Shaun the Sheep – Find the Flock
• Cost:      Free for National Trust Members (£3 charge for carousel)

Get ready for a baa-rilliant winter adventure at Winkworth Arboretum this festive season. We’ve teamed up with Wild In Art, to bring to life Aardman’s mischievous Shaun the Sheep™ with a Christmas trail around the Arboretum. Come and find twelve super-sized Shaun sculptures, each uniquely designed and decorated by talented artists.

With fun games, carousel rides, engaging activities and delicious winter treats from the tearoom, a visit to Winkworth Arboretum this Christmas will be an unforgettable day out for all ages.

Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6BD

• Dates:   25^th November – 7^th January 2024
• Tickets:  Timed entrance for Santa visits
• Cost:       Free entrance for National Trust Members (£3 for carousel rides)

Head to Polesden Lacey for a show stopping fairytale Christmas experience in the Surrey Hills.  The house is sumptuously dressed for Christmas with a 20ft Christmas tree and elegant dressings around the Edwardian house.

Follow the immersive Christmas displays through the house to see a different fairytale scene in each room.  You’ll spot all the best-loved characters, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, and Aladdin.  Plus, you can book a session to meet everyone’s favourite, Father Christmas.

Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6BD

• Dates:   25^th November – 7^th January 2024
• Tickets:  Timed entrance for Santa visits
• Cost:       Free entrance for National Trust Members

Head to Polesden Lacey for a show stopping fairytale Christmas experience in the Surrey Hills.  The house is sumptuously dressed for a Christmas masquerade ball with a 20ft Christmas tree and elegant dressings around the Edwardian house.

East Clandon, Surrey, GU4 7RT

• Dates:   25^th November – 2^nd January 2024
• Tickets:  n/a
• Cost:       Free entrance for National Trust Members

Event details to be confirmed

Haslemere Museum, 78 High Street, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 2LA

• Dates: 19-24^th December 2024
• Tickets:  Santa’s traditional Victorian Parlour
• Cost:     £5 for family with 1 child (£6 with 2 kids)

Come and visit Santa as he takes time out before Christmas to relax in his charming Victorian Parlour. Let Santa know all your Christmas wishes and if you are on his good list, you will receive a gift to take home for Christmas!

The museum is also hosting several creative wellbeing workshops and a Christmas decorations session for early years.

Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, KT9 2NE

• Dates:     23^rd November  –31^st December 2024
• Tickets:  A Winter’s Tale at Chessington
• Cost:         from £29 pp

Get ready to unwrap the magic of Christmas at Winter’s Tail. Our festive extravaganza is back and brighter than ever before with our brand new Christmas Village, promising a sleigh-full of festive delights for the whole family to enjoy!

With the help of our jolly elves step into a world of wonder as you journey through a festive wonderland to meet the big man. Nestled in his cozy grotto, Father Christmas awaits with a twinkle in his eye and a warm smile for every visitor. Then venture through Enchanted Hollow where we’ve heard the Elves, with the help of the friendly animal residents, have set up their Toy Workshop in the underground town!

Take a break from decking the halls and dive into the excitement with select rides and amazing attractions PLUS a Christmas Panto! 

Friary Street, Phoenix Court, High Street and Tunsgate in Guildford

• Dates:     Sunday 24^th November 2024
• Tickets:  n/a
• Cost:         free event

Turn up to a day of festive fun in the centre of Guildford.  You’ll meet elves, performers and characters and there will be a programme of Christmas activities and performances.

Basingstoke Canal Centre, Mychett, Surrey

• Dates:    3^rd to 23^rd December 2024
• Tickets:  Basingstoke Canal Centre
• Cost:       From £16 pp (off-peak)

Bring the family to the Basingstoke Canal to meet Father Christmas in his canal-side grotto between 3 and 23 December 2024. Climb aboard our boat Rosebud waiting for you at the canal centre and take a gentle cruise to the start of the tinsel trail in the woods.

Little ones lead the way and follow the trail to find Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a special gift. Cruise back to the canal centre and head into Santa’s Workshop for Christmas colouring activities, warm drinks and mince pies for all!

The event lasts approximately one hour 15 minutes in total.

Painshill Park, Cobham, KT11 1BE

• Dates:   30^th November – 5^th January 2025
• Tickets:  12 Days of Christmas Trail
• Cost:       £34 (family of four)

Alternatively, help find all the Christmas gifts to complete the carol at Painshill’s winter trail.   Follow the trail around the landscape and have some fun exploring along the way. 

Explore the gardens of Painshill and the magical Crystal Grotto while you visit.

Chobham Adventure Farm, Bagshot, Chobham, Woking, GU24 8DB

• Dates:    selected dates in December up to Christmas Eve 2024
• Tickets:  Chobham’s Adventure Farm’s Magical Christmas
• Cost:       Normal entrance price, with an additional fee for meeting Santa (£15) or ice-skating (£7.50) TBC

The interactive magical Christmas experience is set to return for 2024.  The Ice Rink – which proved a huge hit last year – will return for more skating fun! Professor Caraticus will be back with another fantastic invention, and the Reindeer Lodge will once again be housing Rudolph and his team. And of course the chance to see the Big Man himself before heading into his well-stocked toy shop!!

What are your favourite things to do in Surrey at Christmas?  We’d love to hear your comments below.

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