21+ INSPIRING THINGS TO DISCOVER THIS DECEMBER
21+ INSPIRING THINGS TO DISCOVER THIS DECEMBER
Pictured: Palace of Light at Hampton Court Palace (c) Historic Royal Palaces
Art events & festivals in London and Surrey in December 2022
1
Richmond Art Society Winter Exhibition, Landmark Arts Centre, 2-3 Dec
Showcasing a group of 60 talented local artists, Richmond Art Society’s biannual exhibition is back! An impressive selection of over 100 original artworks will be on display, including unframed pieces in browsers and sculpture, ceramics and prints.
2
Arts Richmond – The Roger McGough Poetry Competition 2022: ‘Turning Point’
Arts Richmond is seeking entries for the Roger McGough Poetry Competition 2022, themed ‘Turning Point’. The winning poems will be awarded prizes of £150, £75, and £50 and will be announced at The Exchange in March 2023 and printed in an anthology. Deadline for entries is Friday 16th December 2022 at 12.30pm.
3 150 Years of London Underground Design by Mark Ovenden, Sacred Heart Church Hall, 14 Dec
The Arts Society Wimbledon presents a fascinating lecture that takes a look at some surprising attempts to create graphic unity in the London tube system, even in the 1860s and 70s. A glass of wine and a mince pie provided!
Community events in London and Surrey in December 2022
4
St Raphael’s Hospice Santa Dash – Nonsuch Park, 11 Dec
Walk, skip or run and have great fun! Support St Raphael’s Hospice at their annual Santa Dash at Nonsuch Park to help raise vital funds. Receive a Santa Suit with your ticket, enjoy entertainment, refreshments and a shiny medal. Fundraising makes a long-lasting difference, so why not invite your friends, family or colleagues to join the Santa army on the 5km or 1.2km route.
5
Eco Day – Trinity Church, 10 Dec
Help turn your borough into a more sustainable place to live and raise funds for Sustainable Merton. It’s an event for all ages and includes a Craft & Gift Fair, a Clothing Exchange – an increasingly popular way to beat the fast fashion problem – and two Christmas wreath making workshops which need to be booked online in advance.
6
BCA/Barnes Runners Turkey Run – Coach and Horses, 27 Barnes High St, 4 Dec
Now in its seventh year, The Barnes Runners are back on the towpath for a run! This time, they will be joined by the Tiny Turkeys—an event for children aged 10 or under to run a mile along part of the Turkey route.
7
Dorich House Museum’s Winter Weekend, 1-3 Dec
Come to Dorich House Museum this holiday season for a full weekend of festive events and activities! Enjoy free talks about the museum’s collections, a wreath-making workshop, paper craft activity for all ages, and a pop-up market from Not My Beautiful House. Some events need to be booked in advance.
Music events in London and Surrey in December 2022
8
Carols at the Windmill – Windmill Museum, Windmill Road, 10 Dec
Head to the Windmill Museum for an evening filled with mulled cider, hot chocolate and mince pies and of course, the delightful Christmas Carols sing-a-long with the Wandle Concert Band.
9
Carols By Candlelight, Landmark Arts Centre, 17-18 Dec
A festive programme of beautiful words and glorious music performed by Surrey Brass, narrator Giles Abbott and the best local choirs. And mince pies and mulled wine on sale too!
10
Sir Thomas Allen CBE at Putney Music – Dryburgh Hall, Putney Leisure Centre, 5 Dec
A fascinating conversation between the great baritone sir Thomas Allen, widely admired in the opera world for his voice, the versatility of his repertoire, and his acting and the vice-president of Putney Music Ian Partridge.
11
Christmas Shopping with Chris Difford, The CryerArts Centre, 18 Dec
Best known as co-founder and songwriter of Squeeze, Chris Difford is also well known for mentoring the younger talent. Join in for this unique solo acoustic concert with a Q&A session to find out more about the brain behind Up The Junction, Cool For Cats, Labelled With Love and Tempted.
12
A Swingin‘ Christmas with The Len Phillips Swing Orchestra – Dorking Halls, 5 Dec
Nothing says Christmas like Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé and the classic sound of a big band. Get your friends together and bring in the holiday season with the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra and the best loved Christmas tunes of all time like Jingle Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and many more.
13
Make We Merry – Kingston Choral Society’s 2022 Christmas Concert – St Mark’s Church, Surbiton, 17 Dec
Get in the festive mood at the concert will embodies the spirit of Christmas! Featured pieces include Make We Merry – a work by contemporary composer, David Bednall, and traditional Christmas Carols.
14
The Eel Pie Club Christmas Party – 21 Dec
Awesome music, great performers, lots of mince pies and mulled wine – here’s the best party in town featuring a stellar line-up of musicians: Keith Grant (Downliners Sect), Robin Bibi (ex Pretty Things), Alan Glen (formerly with The Yardbirds and Nine Below Zero), Chris Hunt (Lonnie Donegan Band, The Bruvvers), Bob Haddrell and more….
15
Epsom Symphony Orchestra Family Christmas Concert 2022 – Epsom Playhouse, 4 Dec
Epsom Playhouse will come alive with the sounds of The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake Mozart’s Toy Symphony, Strauss’s Vienna Woods Waltzes and singalong to a ‘Carol Fantasia’. Suitable for all ages – there will be a raffle and collection in support of The Orpheus Trust.
Christmas fun in London and Surrey in December 2022
16
Glow 2022, RHS Garden Wisley 17 Nov – 8 Jan
Illuminated surprises, seasonal delights and festive shopping opportunities await on this beautiful route. Be amazed by interactive installations, glittering fountains, fire candles and more…
17
Barnes Christmas Festival – Barnes High Street, 9 Dec
Come and enjoy a festive day out in Barnes! Lots of great things going on, including fairground rides a selection of festive stalls and a BBQ outside The OSO (weather permitting).
18
Painshill’s Festive Heroes Trail, 19 Nov – 9 Jan
Don’t miss out on the fun, come to Painshill this Christmas for a statue trail in the landscape full of some very exciting surprises. See if you can spot all the superheroes hidden in different parts of the gardens.
19
Winter Festival at Southbank Centre, 3 Nov – 8 Jan
Sample delicious street food and indulgent drinks and take part in alpine-themed curling and marshmallow toasting at the stalls, shops and cafes along the Thames.
20
Sew Your Own Xmas Card Workshop – Kingston Museum, 10 Dec
Do you have a loved one who is impossible to buy for? Piece together their Christmas special with our unique handmade cards. Join the festive sewing workshop at Kingston Museum to learn how to create some unique Xmas designs.
21
Palace of Light, Hampton Court Palace, 7 December – 2 January
See the stunning grounds lit up with this delightful trail around Henry VIII’s famous haunt. The displays are inspired by the Royal Beasts, a collection of heraldic statues commissioned for Hampton Court by Henry VIII himself
