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.
Guildford Castle on Castle Street, GU1 3SX will be host to Illuminate Guildford, which is a winter light trail where visitors can enjoy lights all around the castle and grounds. The trail is open from 4pm when it starts to get dark until 10pm. The trail itself only takes about 30-minutes and there will be festive drinks liked mulled wine and hot chocolate, as well as the opportunity to roast marshmallows.
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 Guildford Museum is putting on a ‘Christmas Trail’, which is a festive trail around the museum where visitors can look for clues to different Christmas carols and songs. The trail is suitable for patrons aged 6+ and is open during the museum open hours.
The Santa Cruise will depart from Millmead Lock, GU2 4BB behind the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. The family friend cruise will include a visit from Santa himself, mince pies, and mulled wine for the grown-ups. The cruise is approximately 45-minutes long. Check out the official website for times, dates, and tickets.
The National Trust site, Hatchlands, will be decorated for Christmas throughout December with various festive events taking place throughout the month. The outdoors will also be decked for the holidays with Father Christmas visiting on particular days. Additionally, the café will feature festive treats and drinks. Check the official website for opening days and times.
The Guildford Santa Fun Run is organised by Kelly’s Storage and raises money for the charity, Challengers. The fun run includes a 2.5k and a 5k race for all members of the family where members can dress in Santa costumes. There is also a slightly later start time for those in wheelchairs and buggies, as well as a canicross race. Every penny of the money raised will go to the charity.
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 quintessential Christmas classic, The Snowman, by British author, Raymond Briggs, is coming to life this December at the Guildford Cathedral where the story will be played on a screen with a live orchestra. There will even be a visit from the Snowman himself.
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.
The Guildford Cheese & Chilli Festival is returning in July 2025 at Shalford Park in Guildford, GU4 8BL. Expect plenty of cheese and chilli related items, along with live music, wrestling, a chilli eating contest, children’s entertainment, crazy golf, bars, food vendors, and more.