What’s On in Guildford – Upcoming Events
Here we roundup the bigger events taking place in and around Guildford, including local food and farmers’ markets, music festivals, beer festivals, dog shows, agricultural shows, charity events, and more. We also cover seasonal events, including spooky Halloween events, November bonfires and fireworks events, festive Christmas events that include Christmas markets, the Christmas light switch-on, and appearances from Santa Claus, and celebrations taking place on New Year’s Eve. Please always refer to the official websites for tickets and information which may be subject to changes.
Taking place at Stoke Park, Oktoberfest Guildford will include beer steins, German oompah bands, sausages, and pretzels. So, grab your lederhosen and purchase your tickets before it sells out.
Just a 20-minute drive outside of Guildford, you’ll find Secretts farm and farm shop where they will be hosting a Pumpkin Week on 19-20th October and 25-30th October. Here you can pick a pumpkin to carve for Halloween and there will also be various events, such as a Halloween costume contest where you have the chance to win a Halloween hamper of treats!
The Ripley Bonfire night includes a giant bonfire and a spectacular firework display with a funfair, food and drink stalls, and live music. The event takes place in Ripley, GU23 6BB.
The Guildford Maker’s Market will return in October to the Holy Trinity Church in Guildford with homemade goods, such as candles, wall hangings, illustrations, seasonal gifts, upcycled products, ceramics, paintings, jewellery, and more. Dogs are welcome on leads and there will be live music to enjoy while you shop.
G Live will be hosting a Family Fun Day with DJ workshops, science experiments, Halloween themed face painting and arts & crafts. Booking is not necessary and the event is free, though there is a small charge for face painting.
Just a 30-minute car journey outside of Guildford is Bocketts Farm where the farm park will be hosting a Witches and Wizards week. The events will include reptile shows, science and slime shows, a creepy craft corner, a spooky stamp trail, a Monster Mash bubble disco, tractor rides, pig rides, pony rides, plus acres of indoor and outdoor play.
There’s no set time or place for trick-or-treating, however, the sun sets at 4.37pm on Halloween and trick-or-treating traditionally starts around sundown. Please only visit homes that have clearly decorated and have their porch lights on. If you would like to pass out candy, it’s a good idea to put up some decorations up so trick-or-treaters know you are participating. As for the cut off time, we think 8pm is a polite stopping point (9pm at the very latest), but if you’re tired of visitors before this, simply put a sign up on your door to indicate you are finished. Be respectful, stay safe, and don’t forget to say thank you!
The delightful town of Godalming is a 17-minute car journey from Guildford and their town council will be putting on a bonfire night at the Rugby Club, Broadwater Pavilion, Guildford Road, Godalming, GU7 3DH. The event will include a licensed bar, a selection of food vendors, and fair rides. Gates open at 6pm and the firework display starts at 8pm. The event will support local charities and Community Rugby For All.
The Guildford Lions are putting on the Guildford Firework Fiesta in Stoke Park, GU1 1ER with gates opening at 5pm and fireworks commencing at 8.30pm. There will be live music, as well as a bar, food vendors, and children’s entertainment. Tickets are pre-sale only and will not be available on the night.
Remember, remember the 5th of November … when Guildford will be putting on their farmers market! Taking place on the famous Guy Fawkes date, the monthly Tuesday market will include seasonal produce and goods from local vendors and farmers in and around Guildford.
Bocketts Farm is a 30-minute drive outside of London and will be hosting a Santa’s grotto from late November until late December. There will also be a Christmas trail, a place to make reindeer food to take home with you, a Christmas craft corner, a giant snow globe that you can step into, an opportunity to meet baby lambs, toasting marshmallows, and hundreds of Christmas trees on sale.
The Jacobs Well Christmas Craft Fair will be taking place at the Jacobs Well Village Hall, Jacobs Well Road, Guildford, GU4 7PD. Here you will find a wide range of Christmas crafts available to purchase. The event has free parking and free entrance.
The Ripley Christmas Fair is a family-friendly event that includes festive food and drink, gifts, arts and crafts, a visit from Father Christmas, live music, a raffle with prizes, and more. It’s a great way to kick off the Christmas season. The event will take place on the Green in Ripley, GU23 6AN.
There will actually be two farmers markets in the month of December with the first taking place on Tuesday the 3rd as normal and the second happening a couple of weeks later on Tuesday the 17th. The market takes place on the High Street and will feature around 50 different local vendors.
Funyard Events are putting on a third Guildford Makers Market at the Holy Trinity Church in Guildford just in time for Christmas. Expect a lot of seasonal gifts, such as Christmas ornaments and other festive decorations. Dogs are always welcome to join on leads and there will be live music to get you in the Christmas spirit.
The month of December sees a bonus Farmers Market taking place on Tuesday the 17th of December in the lead-up to Christmas. Here you can stock up on seasonal produce and goods in time for the holiday season.