Last updated: 11 November 2024
Celebrate the joy of the season in Purley with our ultimate guide. For Purley natives and holiday travelers, this guide ensures everyone enjoys the season's best.
Popular events abound, starting with the enchanting Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, featuring festive rides, markets, and a magical atmosphere. Also, the Denbies Santa Express promises a delightful train ride through beautiful vineyards, complete with festive decorations and visit from Santa himself. And the vibrant Lapland Liverpool brings a unique blend of fun and festive activities that the whole family will enjoy. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Purley Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights, Leeds Castle
- What to Expect
- Unique light trail with Father Christmas appearance.
- Description
- Leeds Castle transforms into a vibrant spectacle with new light installations, featuring glowing reeds, colour-changing lilies, and sparkling tunnels. Enjoy seasonal snacks and festive drinks while strolling through the beautifully lit grounds, including a glimpse of Father Christmas.
- Where
- Maidstone | More Info : Christmas Lights, Leeds Castle
The Shard Christmas Light Display
- What to Expect
- Dynamic mosaic light show on London's tallest building.
- Description
- The Shard Christmas Light Display features vibrant mosaic-inspired designs across its top 20 storeys, including a larger-than-life snowman, a softly illuminated candle, and a bold green and gold pattern. These dynamic light shows are visible from over 40 miles away, reflecting the rich artistic endeavours of London.
- Where
- London | More Info : The Shard Christmas Light Display
Purley Holiday Markets and Shopping
Guildford Festive Family Day
- What to Expect
- Free entertainment and activities for all ages.
- Description
- Guildford Festive Family Day features free performances, face painting, baubles, and bands. Enjoy a colourful Christmas market, grab a gift or festive treat, and take part in children's workshops. The event includes live music in pubs and bars, and sparkling Christmas lights brighten the town centre.
- Where
- Guildford | More Info : Guildford Festive Family Day
Chelsea Christmas
- What to Expect
- Unique shopping experience with local artisans and seasonal treats.
- Description
- The Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair features over 100 curated stands showcasing fine food, specialty drinks, unique homewares, and clothing. Visitors can enjoy seasonal treats and mulled wine while shopping for essential winter plants and hand-crafted gifts.
- Where
- Chelsea | More Info : Chelsea Christmas
Purley Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nativity Journey at Wintershall
- What to Expect
- Immersive outdoor theatre experience with realistic scenes.
- Description
- The Nativity Journey at Wintershall is an immersive theatre experience where you stand with the shepherds, walk with Mary and Joseph, and journey with Roman soldiers to witness the miracle of the Nativity. It's a powerful, unreconstructed telling of the Christmas story suitable for all ages.
- Where
- Bramley | More Info : The Nativity Journey at Wintershall
Bach to Baby Christmas Concert in Farnham
- What to Expect
- Classical music concert for babies, toddlers, and their carers.
- Description
- Join Bach to Baby for a delightful Christmas concert in Farnham, featuring outstanding musicians and exhilarating performances perfect for families.
- Where
- Farnham | More Info : Bach to Baby Christmas Concert in Farnham
Kerry Ellis Does Christmas
- What to Expect
- Live Christmas concert with West End talent and local choirs.
- Description
- Join Kerry Ellis, renowned for her West End performances, for a captivating Christmas concert at the Leatherhead Theatre. Featuring heart-warming classics and modern favorites, this event promises to bring beloved Christmas songs to life with stunning vocals and a live band. Special guests include Louise Dearman and local talents from the Dorking and Leatherhead Show Choirs.
- Where
- Leatherhead | More Info : Kerry Ellis Does Christmas
South Coast Soul Revue's Christmas Soul & Funk Party
- What to Expect
- Authentic soul revue experience with limited seating and unlimited dancing.
- Description
- South Coast Soul Revue presents a farewell Christmas soul and funk party at Cranleigh Arts Centre, featuring two lead vocalists, funky horns, and a tight rhythm section performing classic and contemporary soul music.
- Where
- Cranleigh | More Info : South Coast Soul Revue's Christmas Soul & Funk Party
South Nutfield Choral Society Winter Concerts
- What to Expect
- Celebratory classical choral music performance by a local amateur society.
- Description
- The South Nutfield Choral Society presents a winter concert celebrating their 50th anniversary with a selection of classical choral music, featuring works by Fauré, Handel, and Britten.
- Where
- South Nutfield | More Info : South Nutfield Choral Society Winter Concerts
The Snowman' film with live orchestra
- What to Expect
- Live orchestral performance of a Christmas classic.
- Description
- The Snowman film with live orchestra at Guildford Cathedral features a beloved animated classic accompanied by the UK's finest professional musicians. This special screening includes an additional short film, adding to the enchantment of the event. The show also includes a fun introduction to the orchestra and a visit from the Snowman himself.
- Where
- Guildford | More Info : The Snowman' film with live orchestra
Robin Hood at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
- What to Expect
- Slapstick humor and traditional pantomime elements.
- Description
- Join Robin and Marion as they right wrongs, sing songs, and sort out the wicked Sheriff in this swashbuckling pantomime. Starring Lucy Benjamin, Peter Gordon, and Matt Pinches, the show features slapstick humor and a delightful balance of modernisation and tradition.
- Where
- Guildford | More Info : Robin Hood at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Sleeping Beauty at The New Victoria Theatre
- What to Expect
- Traditional pantomime with audience participation.
- Description
- Sleeping Beauty is a classic pantomime featuring a beloved fairy tale with colorful characters and engaging performances.
- Where
- Woking | More Info : Sleeping Beauty at The New Victoria Theatre
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
- What to Expect
- UK's largest open-air ice rink and diverse festive activities.
- Description
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a comprehensive holiday event featuring an ice rink, carnival rides, Christmas market stalls, live music, and themed attractions like Santa's Grotto and the Magical Ice Kingdom.
- Where
- London | More Info : Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
Purley Other Holiday Activities
Denbies Santa Express
- What to Expect
- Special Santa-themed train ride with gifts and festive snacks.
- Description
- Join Denbies Wine Estate for a special ride on Santa's Express train, featuring a special passport from Santa, a ride through the vineyard, and a gift at the end of the ride. Each child also receives a soft drink and festive snack upon return.
- Where
- Dorking | More Info : Denbies Santa Express
Christmas Santa Experience, Tulley's Farm
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday experience with a tractor sleigh ride to Santa's log cabin.
- Description
- At Tulleys Farm, the Christmas Santa Experience offers a unique and immersive holiday event. Visitors can enjoy a tractor sleigh ride through the beautiful woodland grounds to Santa's log cabin, where they can hear a story and receive a special gift. The event also features a 3D cinema, a Christmas market with handcrafted goods, and various activities like gingerbread decorating and reindeer food making.
- Where
- Crawley | More Info : Christmas Santa Experience, Tulley's Farm
Winter's Tail, Chessington World of Adventures
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with interactive toy workshop.
- Description
- At Winter's Tail, Chessington World of Adventures offers a Christmas celebration with a new Christmas Village, featuring Father Christmas's cozy grotto and an underground toy workshop. Enjoy select rides, attractions, and a Christmas Panto, along with over 1,000 animals in the zoo and SEA LIFE.
- Where
- Chessington | More Info : Winter's Tail, Chessington World of Adventures
Merchant Square Christmas Lights
- What to Expect
- Spooky pumpkin display and interactive activities.
- Description
- Merchant Square in Paddington transforms into a vibrant Halloween hub with over 300 pumpkins, a pumpkin carving competition, face painting, and a free outdoor cinema screening of "Frankenweenie."
- Where
- Paddington | More Info : Merchant Square Christmas Lights