The best christmas events near you
Get in the festive spirit with our guide to the top Christmas events around Surrey and south west London
1
The Enchanted Woodland
This enchanting illuminated trail wraps around the grounds of Syon House and brings the gardens to life at night. Imaginative light installations and baubles hang from the trees and dramatically reflect on the ponds providing oodles of festive magic.
www.enchantedwoodland.com
2
Winterville
The alternative festive fair with live music, performances and plenty of revelry hits Clapham Common for another year. Expect an evening of buzzing bar tents where visitors can wash down street food with a mulled wine or warmed cider, and magical goings-on in the darkest depths of the pop-up festival’s tents.
www.winterville.co.uk
3
Kingston Christmas market
Kingston’s picturesque Ancient Market Place has been transformed for another year with Christmas trees, live music, twinkling fairy lights, and bratwurst stands aplenty to conjure up the festive feel of the best Bavarian markets this winter.
www.inkingston.co.uk
4
Christmas at Kew
Kew’s beautiful botanical grounds become a magical winter wonderland year on year as light installations illuminate the gardens after dark. Now in its sixth year, this year promises to be bigger than ever with more than a million twinkling pea-lights and thousands of lasers on show. Take in the sight of the epic Victorian palm houses transformed by festive magic, and explore the tree-lined pathways like you’ve never seen them before.
www.kew.org
5
Ice skating at Hampton Court
The ultimate outdoorsy festive activity comes to the stunning surrounds of Hampton Court Palace. Soak up the exquisite backdrop while listening to your favourite Christmas songs and hit the ice with a view over the Thames.
www.hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk
6
12 days of Christmas markets
Head to Wimbledon’s piazza for festive food, mulled wine and eggnog galore, as well as seasonal gifts and homemade produce across five weekends in the run up to Christmas.
www.lovewimbledon.org
7
Illuminations at Painshill
Painshill Park has transformed its landscape with twinkling lights, laser beams, plus live music and food stalls. New to Painshill this year is Santa’s Toy Factory, where elves will lead children to meet none other than Santa Claus himself, who will be there to dish out gifts.
www.painshill.co.uk
8
Festive horse-drawn carriages
Discover the winter landscape of Richmond Park this Christmas with a horse-drawn carriage pulled by majestic shire horses. Wrap up warm with a blanket and bring along a flask of mulled wine and a stash of mince pies to keep you fuelled for the trip around London’s largest green space.
