THE DECEMBER LOWDOWN – RECAP…
Posted by Francesca De Franco on 13 Dec 2023
🎄🎅🏽❄️It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…we’ve already has so many great festive events this month with so many still to come – here’s a re-cap on what’s still to come:
Santa’s Christmas Wish 2023 at Epsom Playhouse
Santa’s Christmas Wish is a festive, song-filled, interactive family show particularly suitable for 2-8 year olds. It lasts 45 minutes and is followed by a special meet, greet and treat with Father Christmas himself (every child will receive a special present). It runs until Sunday, 24th December at the Epsom Playhouse.
For more information go to: www.santashows.co.uk and for booking: https://www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk/shows/santas-christmas-wish-2023
Epsom Rotary Carol Singing, Father Christmas and Tilly the Train
Epsom Rotary will be spreading their festive cheer with carol singing and Father Christmas and Tilly the Train visits up until Sunday, 17th December, find out all the dates and times over on Kat’s blog here.
See Santa – The Rotary Club of Ewell Christmas Collection
There are plenty of dates to see Santa on your road in the Ewell area. The Ewell Rotary is continuing with its Christmas Collection for local and international charities. See schedule above.
Winter Mittens Tree Decoration @ The Horton
Thursday 14th December and Friday 15th December 10:30am – 12:30pm visit The Horton for a free family craft session. Drop-in anytime and make a pair of cool, colourful winter mittens using collage papers, craft materials, pens and pencils – creating your own unique decorative design.
Take home your winter mittens and hang them on a festive tree. Children must be supervised by a parent or carer at all times.
This is a FREE event no booking not required. More info here.
A Jolly Good Time at Bourne Hall
This year Bourne Hall will be hosting a full week of Christmas Festivities. Here are the details of what’s still to come:
Thursday, 14th December: Join for a festive fun screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a heart-warming tale for all ages. The flying Saucer Cafe tuck shop will open for all your movie snack needs! (18:00-20:30 Rose Room Rated PG) Free event.
Friday, 15th December: Jade Sibley is back again from Hook Heath Flower Farm to host a Christmas wreath making class. Bringing flowers and dried foliage straight from the farm to Bourne Hall, she’ll be teaching you how to design and assemble your very own wreath. Taking place from 7pm-9pm in the Begonia Room. £60.00 a ticket booked through her website, booking includes a Drink) https://www.hookheathflowers.co.uk/product-page/christmas-wreath-making-workshop
Saturday, 16th December: Head down to The Flying Saucer Café to listen to the Sounds of the Dragonfly Sky Band, surrounded by Festive snacks and Drinks.
Santa’s Grotto will be open from 10am-4pm
Come and meet Santa on Saturday 16th December. Also up until the the 16th there will be a post box in his grotto to send him a letter and plenty of Christmas card photo opportunities for the whole family! There will also be some candy canes for good children!
The Wizard Of Oz Panto 2023
From Friday 15th December to Monday 1st January at the Epsom Playhouse. This is a must see for the whole family!
Follow Dorothy as she starts her adventure into the magical land of Oz. With the help of her friends; The Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow.
A traditional family show that is filled with joy and laughter sprinkled with the usual panto magic.
For information on times or to book visit the website here.
Merland Rise Live Nativity
Merland Rise will be running its live Nativity again this year on Saturday, December 16th (two showings: 1.45pm & 3pm), after its success last Christmas. Join them as they retell the Christmas story with a live cast (both two and four legged actors); sing some carols and warm up with some hot drinks and food too! Tickets can be booked on the website at: merlandrisechurch.org.uk.
Epsom Choral Society – Christmas Concert
It’s Epsom Choral Society’s Christmas concert on Saturday, 16th December at 7.30pm at St Martin’s Church, Epsom.
Tickets are available online from: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/epsom-choral-society/t-pqkxmxa or on the door.
As usual, there will be much festive music with beautiful carols familiar and new with the audience invited to join in the traditional favourites. The concert will be conducted by the MD Julian Collings with Connaught Brass providing the true festive spirit.
Festive Makers Market
Find a unique gift at The Horton’s Festive Makers Market on Saturday, December 16th (9.15am – 4pm).
The Horton will be filled with exciting stalls selling high-quality handcrafted creations displayed by makers and artists from across Surrey.
The market will also continue between the Tuesday 19th December and Saturday 23rd December explore pop-up stalls every day in the Atrium whilst the festive family show Snow Play runs in the performance space.
Tuesday 19th December – 9:15am – 4pm
Wednesday 20th December – 9:15am – 4pm
Thursday 21st December – 9:15am – 4pm
Friday 22nd December – 9:15am – 4pm (Some stallholders may stay for the evening too.)
Saturday 23rd December, 9:15am – 4pm
Free entry on all dates.
St Mary’s, Ewell has Christmas services
St Mary’s, Ewell has Christmas services on December 17th, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. See above for further details and head to the Facebook page for latest information.
St Mary’s Ewell – Carol Service
There’ll be a traditional service of carols and readings at St Mary’s Ewell on Sunday, 17th December (from 5.30pm) followed by a mince pie and glass of mulled wine. What a great start to Christmas!
Ashtead Park Garden Centre – Cookies with Santa
There’ll be Cookies With Santa at Ashtead Garden Centre at 3.45pm on the 18th of December.
Join Santa in The Olive Tree Restaurant for a magical story, a chat and maybe a sing song. Your child’s ticket includes a hot chocolate, a cookie and a special gift!
Prices: £12 per child £5 per adult (includes a tea, coffee or hot chocolate).
Tel: 01372 273891 Email: info@ashteadpark.com For more information or to book visit the website here.
Christmas French Workshop
Join ALTétude French Tutoring for a festive adventure on selected dates in December!
This Christmas, they have a magical French workshop specially designed for children aged 5-10.
Discover the enchantment of the holiday season with a unique blend of creative activities, games, and delightful learning experiences, all while immersed in the captivating world of French culture. Get ready for a jolly journey filled with joy, laughter, and the spirit of Noël!
For more details and booking go to the Facebook page.
Grow Cook Enjoy Gingerbread House Workshop
Join Grow Cook Enjoy on Saturday, 16th December at Concorde Hall Epsom For a fun Gingerbread House and Edible Decoration Workshop. Under 5s adults stay OR may be have one delivered to your home to decorate there. For home decorating, they will make and deliver a gingerbread house for you to decorate at home. Grow Cook Enjoy will provide the house and icing. You need to just provide sweets to decorate.
For more info visit https://www.growcookenjoy.co.uk/holiday-workshops
Festive Flamenco at St. Mary’s Ewell
Ben Bruant and Will Cashel are duo, a highly successful act, which plays ‘songs you know in ways you probably don’t’
in a style fusing flamenco, pop and classical music. They’ll be playing their festive flamenco live at St. Mary’s Ewell on Saturday, 16th December (7.30pm).
For more details go to the Facebook page.
Epsom Vineyard Church – Christmas Extravaganza
Head down to Epsom Social on Saturday, 16th December (2-5pm and band from 8pm) for FREE Christmas activities and fun during the day and the evening with Epsom Vineyard Church.
Find out more details on their website: www.epsomvineyard.org/christmas
Christ Church Ewell – Christmas Services
Christ Church Ewell has a number of Christmas services over the festive season starting with their Family Christmas Carol Service by Candlelight (on Sunday, 17th December (4pm-5.30pm). This will be family-friendly, suitable for both older and younger audiences. It will include a game running throughout the service, a mix of well-known Carols, the Christmas Story Bible readings, a special animated video, a poem, a short talk – and Christmassy refreshments.
Some free parking available just in-front of hall or on surrounding roads. All are welcome – just turn up or WhatsApp for more info: 07840 904001
There are also Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services; full details above.
NEAT Christmas Party
Tickets are now live for the NEAT Christmas party on Saturday, 17th December (1.00pm-4.00pm) and NEAT HQ, Epsom.
It’s Christmas fun for all families at the NEAT Christmas party:
– Meet Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a gift chosen just for you!
– Lots of fun activities throughout the day:
🎄 sweet hunts
🎄 Christmas games
🎄 food and drink
🎄 music
🎄face painting & much more
For more information please message neatoffice@yahoo.com
Father Christmas at the Fire Station Grotto
Head to your local fire station and meet Father Christmas in his special grotto. Enjoy a cuppa with Mrs Christmas and see the crews.
Epsom Fire Station: Monday, 18th December – 2.30pm-6.30pm
Leatherhead Fire Station: Tuesday, 19th December – 2.30pm-6.30pm
Painshill Fire Station: Wednesday, 20th December – 2.30pm-6.30pm
All profits to the Fire Fighters Charity. Booking essential: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/50348/sessions
Try-Sport Christmas Camps at Ebbisham Sports Club
If you’re looking for activities to keep the kids busy over the festive season, Ebbisham Sports Club is running Christmas holiday sports camps (Try-Sports Camps) on the 18th, 19th & 20th of December (from 9am-3.30pm).
Try-Sport camps are an ideal introduction to a variety of different sports for children aged 7-14 years old. They’re an enjoyable way for children to start playing sport and feature coaching, games and social activities. Children will learn new sports skills, make friends, and grow their confidence
For more information or to book please email admin@ebbishamsportsclub.com
Bambinos and Me – Christmas Calm Yoga & Craft
Start the holidays with your child learning yoga, breathing and relaxation techniques, which will support them through the holidays. At the Bambinos and Me session, which is being held at All Things Nice on Monday, 18th December (10am-11.30am), children will make a Christmas craft and make their own reindeer food and end with a cozy Christmas meditation and relaxation.
For children aged 5-12 years; the cost is £15 per child. Booking via the link https://bambinos-and-me.class4kids.co.uk/
Snow Play at The Horton Epsom
Running from 19th to 23rd of December Snow Play is an interactive seasonal show where there is a showdown between Winter and Spring over who gets to stay and who has to go away.
The smash hit production has been hailed as:
“Wonderful” by the Metro and received rave reviews from the Evening Standard:
“A fantastic, utterly enchanting show. Children and adults will be captivated.”
A show which will have the entire family captivated!
Snow Play is 50 minutes long and is highly recommended for children aged 3+ and their families.
For more information or to book visit the website here.
Nativity Festival at Epsom Methodist Church
Head to Epsom Methodist Church on Wednesday, 20th December (1pm- 4pm) to celebrate Christmas. There’s lots going on at this FREE event including:
⭐️Meet the animals from the farm🐴
⭐️Photo Booth 📸
⭐️Craft Zone🎨
⭐️Marshmallow Toasting🔥
⭐️Disco Dancing 🪩
⭐️Fancy Dress Parade with prizes 🏅
⭐️Giant Immersive Nativity Story👑
⭐️Refreshments 🧁
No need to book! Epsom Methodist Church: Ashley Road, KT18 5AQ.
Ozobots coding session at Ewell Library
Calling all young coders! Head down to Ewell Library on Wednesday, December 20th (11am – 12pm) for a FREE Ozobots coding adventure.
🚀 Dive into the world of mini robots and learn to code in a playful and creative way. It’s a tech-tastic experience for kids!
Cave Painting at Bourne Hall Kids Club
Back by popular demand! Discover how and why cave paintings were created at Bourne Hall Museum Kids Club on Wednesday, 20th December (11am-12pm & 2pm-3pm), and then by flickering light try to create your own cave painting in Bourne Hall’s very own ‘caves’.
‘In the deep time of prehistory early men crawled down into the darkest caves and used light from primitive candles to paint pictures of themselves and the animals they hunted. They left behind a vivid record of their way of life and some clues of what they believed in.’
Two identical sessions will be run, please book to reserve your place; maximum 16 children. £5 per child. Email: dbrooks@epsom-ewell.gov.uk / 0208 394 1734.
Christmas at Epsom Library
Epsom Library will be hosting a range of Junior events over the holidays.
Wednesday 20th December, 10.30am-11.00am
Christmas Rhyme Time With Pebble Penguin
In The Learning Centre.
Free event, booking is essential.
(For under 5 yrs)
Thursday 21st December, 10.30am-11.00am
Regular Rhyme Time with Pebble Penguin.
In The Children’s area.
Free event. No need to book.
(For under 5 yrs)
Friday 22nd December, 10.30am-11.00am
Christmas Rhyme Time With Pebble Penguin
In The Learning Centre.
Free event, booking is essential.
(For under 5 yrs)
Thursday 21st December, 3.30pm-4.30pm
Christmas Crafternoon.
Making 3 Christmas Decorations
In The Learning Centre.
£3 per child. Booking is essential.
(For 4 yrs +)
You can book tickets at the Epsom Library Helpdesk or via email: epsom.library@surreycc.gov.uk.
Starstruck Dance Academy – Christmas Workshop
Starstruck Dance Academy is running a Christmas Workshop, on Wednesday, December 20th (10.30am-2pm) at Auriol school, Stoneleigh. There’ll be lots of great activities and a free sweetie stall! Contact Laura on 07834 698 704 to book.
Christmas Mega Rhyme Time at Bourne Hall
The stage is set, the songs are tuning up, and the festive spirit is brewing! This isn’t just a rhyme time; it’s a holiday extravaganza for the whole family and it’s taking place on Thursday, December 21st (10am-10.30am) at Bourne Hall.
Get ready for:
🌈 Jolly tunes that’ll have the little ones giggling!
🎄 Festive atmosphere and holiday cheer!
🎁 A magical morning of making memories!
FREE tickets are available at the library desk; be quick as there are only 80 spots.
Giggles Christmas Party
Join Giggles Soft Play for a two hour Christmas party on Thursday, December 21st (10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm). There’ll be full use of the soft play along with party food, biscuit decorating and lots Christmassy fun.
Bookings via the website: www.gigglessoftplay.co.uk
The MYTI Youth Club – Christmas Club
The MYTI Youth Club will be hosting Christmas Club on Thursday, 21st and Friday, 22nd December (10am-4pm). There’ll be lots of activities taking place and there’ll be a festive turkey curry for lunch. Donation on entry.
Disco Totz Christmas Party
Join Disco Totz on Friday, 22nd December as they celebrate Christmas with a visit from Santa!
Taking place at Merland Rise Church, Tadworth, the event includes:
1hour Disco party with dancing, singing, party games, instruments, bubbles, disco lights and much more!
Santa visit
Santa photo opportunity
Present for all children
Disco Totz sticker!
All details can be found on their booking website: www.discototz.com
St Paul’s, 15 Northey Avenue, Cheam SM2 7HS
Christingle Service – Saturday 9 Dec 4.30pm
Contemporary Carols – Sunday 17 Dec 6pm
Traditional Carols – Friday 22 Dec 7pm
Crib Service – Sunday 24 Dec 4pm
Midnight Communion – Sunday 24 Dec 11pm
St Barnabas: Temple Road, Epsom KT19 8HA
Crib Service – Tuesday 12 December 10am
Beer & Carols – Friday 15 December 7pm
Traditional Carols – Sunday 17 December 10.15am
Crib Service – Sunday 24 Dec 10.15am
Candlelit Service – Sunday 24 December 5pm
Christmas Carols in the Ashley Centre
As part of the Mayor’s charities campaign, there will be Christmas Carols at the Ashley Centre on Saturday, 23rd December (12.15pm-1.45pm) with collections going to the charities shown above.
Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight
If you’re looking for a service on Christmas Eve with readings from all ages, and a lovely selection of Carols, head down to Epsom Vineyard Church on Sunday, 24th December (4-5pm). There’ll be mulled wine and minced pies afterwards.
https://www.epsomvineyard.org/
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🎄🎅🏽❄️Have a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate, enjoy all the festive and non-festive events of the season and most importantly enjoy time with your nearest and dearest.
Fran x
