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.
There will be 12 different bandstand concerts taking place throughout the summer on selected Sundays from May to September at the Guildford Castle Grounds, Castle Street, GU1 3UW.
Corra Sound, an upper voice ensemble, is putting on a concert at St Mary’s Church, Quarry Street, Guildford, GU1 3UA where they will perform a number of pieces, including two world premieres. Tickets are £18 with a discounted rate of £7 for under 18s.
Omid Djalili, English comedian and actor, will be performing his critically acclaimed new show Namaste at G Live (London Rd, GU1 2AA).
Tuff Nutterz is an obstacle course taking place on the Surrey Sports Field. It is a supersize inflatable maze complete with slides, climbing walls, hanging rails, balance balls and more. The course is open each day from 9am to 4:45pm with four time slot sessions available at 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. The obstacle course is suitable for all ages, however, kids under 5 must be supervised by a parent or caregiver.
The ABBA Daytime Disco is for 25+ and will take place at Popworld in Guildford (GU1 4SB) on the Bank Holiday Saturday. The day promises to include “pure nostalgia, great vibes & iconic music” from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s with a live ABBA singer.
The Action Arena is coming to Guildford over the May half-term and is the UK’s biggest touring inflatable obstacle course. The course will be set up in Stoke Park and is open each day from 9am to 7pm. There is also a mini arena available for children aged 2-7 years old.
ShyneFest is a family-friendly music festival that takes place at the end of May at Merrist Wood, Worplesdon. In addition to live food, food and drinks, there is also the option for camping and clamping.
Katherine Ryan, Canadian comedian, will be performing her brand new show Battleaxe at G Live (London Rd, GU1 2AA).
Be sure to check out Guildford High Street’s monthly farmers market for fresh produce, baked goods, local crafts, and more. With over 50 local vendors, you’re sure to find whatever you need (and then some)!
The Foodies Festival is a celebration of all things foods with top chefs, tasty food, delicious drinks and live music. There will also be a visit and demonstration from MasterChef Champions, along with a Cook School and BBQ Stage.
Families are invited to bring along a picnic and join Guildford in Bloom to celebrate spring. The event will take places at the Guildford Castle Grounds on Castle St in Guildford (GU1 3SX). There will be an opportunity to learn how to play garden bowls, as well as tea, coffee, and cake put on by the Bowls Club.
Extreme Robots Live Tour provides a 2-hour interactive show with live robot combat. The event is taking place at the Guildford Spectrum (GU1 1UP) with times being 12 noon and 4pm on both the Saturday and the Sunday. Choose from standard tickets, VIP, and Platinum experience tickets.
Inviting residents to “be part of a green Guildford,” Guildford Green Day helps raise awareness of climate change issues and environmental concerns. The event is organised by Guildford Borough Council and will feature market trade stands and a range of environmental education and awareness activities. The event will take place on Guildford’s High Street.
The Guildford Vegan Fiesta & Village is taking place on Guildford High Street, GU1 3YL and is hosted by Sparkle Vegan Events. The vegan market will feature vegan food stalls that sell everything from a quick bite to have now, artisan goods to enjoy later, and even vegan skincare items.
Nestled on Guildford’s High Street, the Guildford Craft Festival will take place over two three day periods in June with extended hours on the Saturdays from 9am to 5.30pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase locally made crafts, including artwork, jewellery, pottery, and more. The event is organised by Rural Crafts.
The Guildford Feminist Book Club is meeting at the Coppa Club (58-62 High St, Guildford, GU1 3ES) to discuss the book There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. The book follows three interconnected stories, all connected by a single drop of water. Tickets are £13.
TEDxGuildford 2025: The Future We Are Creating is happening at Guildford College on Stoke Road (GU1 1EZ). The TED talk, which stands for ‘Technology, Entertainment, Design’, will explore ideas, innovations, and actions that will define the world of tomorrow. This year’s theme is centred around sustainability and will showcase speakers who are the driving force of change for their communities and industries.
Bingo Loco is coming to Guildford’s G Live (London Rd, GU1 2AA) with doors opening at 6pm and last entry at 7.15pm. The bingo rave includes live DJs playing tracks from the 90s and 00s, boozy bingo, confetti showers, hilarious hosts, dance offs, and the opportunity to win prizes. Prizes vary from teddy bears to lawn mowers to holiday packages.
The Royal Surrey Hospital (Egerton Road, GU2 7XX) is putting on an open day for people to tour their world-class healthcare facilities and talk to their expert staff. The event is free and will include plenty of family friendly events, such as face painting, competitions with prizes, and interactive activities. There will also be tours of the operating theatres and surgical robots, learning how to save lives with the resuscitation team, visiting the hospital’s lab, and more.
The Guildford Farmers Market on Guildford High Street makes the perfect stop on a warm summer’s day with plenty of fresh market fruit and vegetables available in the summer months, along with homemade crafts and other goods.
Guilfest will once again take place at Stoke Park and will feature 7 different stages of music, performing an array of genres. There will also be a various tents that feature food and drink, live comedy & theatre, kids’ zones, and more.
The Guildford UK Artist & Makers Market put on by ACVR Events will take place on the High Street, GU1 3AA and will feature handmade crafts and goods. Jewellery, artwork, and pottery are just some of the things you might find here.
Beginning in 1983, the Chalotteville Cycling Club launched a bike race that goes through Guildford’s town centre. The circuit starts at the High Street and goes through town, finishing at the same place it started near the Holy Trinity Church. Cyclists interested in participating should apply via the British Cycling website. The roads close from 12.45pm with multiple races happening across the day, which also include youth races.
Jimmy Carr, Irish-British comedian and popular TV presenter, will be performing his show Laughs Funny at G Live (London Rd, GU1 2AA).
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.
Guildford Comic Con and Toy Fair is taking place at the Surrey Sports Field (Richard Meyjes Road, GU2 7AD) with early access (invite only) from 9.30am, pre-paid ticket access from 10am, and tickets purchased on the door from 10.30am. Comic Con is the premier events for all things comics, popular movies, television, gaming, and more. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite character.
Located in Stoke Park, the Pretty Muddy® obstacle course involves climbing, crawling, and sliding through the mud over 5k (or just over 3 miles). There is also a kids course available. On average, it takes about an hour to finish. Have fun and get muddy while raising money for life-saving cancer research.
If you can’t make it to the Caribbean this summer, the Caribbean is coming to Guildford. The event will include an outdoor street food experience with food from different Caribbean islands, live music, funfair rides, and rum punch. The festival is taking place at Merrist Wood College, Holly Lane, Worplesdon, GU3 3PE.
The Ibiza Orchestra are a 26 instrument ensemble that includes a DJ and vocalists. This year’s event will take place in Stoke Park. The group have performed in the UK and internationally and have their own unique take on a number of classic dance music tracks made iconic by DJs and nightclubs in Ibiza. This year’s special guest is Example. The event is for 18+ only and there will also be a range of food and drink options on site.
Expect plenty of sausages and ciders at this festival, which takes place in Stoke Park. There will be bars, food vendors, live music, and a festival market with activities for both kids and adults.
Head to Guildford High Street for the monthly farmers market on the first Tuesday of the month. Here you’ll find around 50 vendors with freshly baked breads and pastries, seasonal produce, along with speciality items, such as homemade crafts.
Guildford United Reformed Church, 83 Portsmouth Road, GU2 4BS will host the Bach to Baby Family Concert. The concert will include performances from live musicians, including a variety of genres, instruments, and styles. The concert is suitable for the whole family and is intended for babies, toddlers, and their carers to experience the joy of classical music.
Back by popular demand, the Silent Disco will feature the best music from the 80s with the illuminated backdrop of Guildford Cathedral (Stag Hill, GU2 7UP). Participants will wear LED headphones and can select between 3 channels of music. The event is for 18+ only and there will be a fully stocked bar available.
Step into the magical world of In the Night Garden where you’ll get to see Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends brought to life with puppets, costumes, music and projections. The show is taking place in Guildford at G Live (London Rd, GU1 2AA).
Guildford Jazz Festival will take place over six weeks in late summer, offering live jazz and soul music at different venues across town. Exact times and dates have not yet been released so be sure to keep an eye on the official website for further details as they become available.
Guildford Farmers Market takes place on the first Tuesday of each month and offers a great opportunity to support local vendors. Here you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, along with baked goods and more.
Pride in Surrey will be taking place at Stoke Park in Guildford and will include a parade through the historic town of Guildford, live entertainment, food and drink vendors, a youth zone, and a fun fair. The event celebrates the LBGQTIA+ community in Surrey and makes for a wonderful family-friendly day out.
The event will include live music, celebrating German film score composer, Hans Zimmer, with scores from other famous films too. The music will be performed by the Illuminated Orchestra and will take place at the Guildford Cathedral (GU2 7UP). Saturday will feature an evening show starting at 7.30pm and Sunday includes an early concert at 1.45pm and a late concert at 6pm.
The antiques market will be back in Guildford on Guildford High Street, GU1 3AA with trade stands selling antiques, collectibles, and retro and vintage items. The market is put on by ACVR Events.
The vegan market will take place on Guildford High Street, GU1 3YL and is hosted by Sparkle Vegan Events. The market will feature vegan items, which includes cakes, pastries, skincare, products, artisan foods, eco-friendly vegan gifts, as well as a hot food to enjoy then an there.
The Guildford 10k is taking place this October and will see the iconic cobbled streets of Guildford closed to cars to make way for runners. This year’s race is in aid of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. There will also be a 2k race for juniors. Whether you are running to help a charity or just to keep fit, the Guildford 10k provides a beautiful backdrop and a friendly, supportive environment.
The monthly farmers market takes place on the first Tuesday of every month on Guildford High Street. Vendors change week to week but you can expect items like fresh produce, bread, chutneys, and homemade goods.
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.
There’s no set time or place for trick-or-treating, however, the sun sets around 4.30pm 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!
Organised by ACVR Events, the Guildford UK Artist & Makers Market will take over Guildford High Street, GU1 3AA with market stalls. Items will include handcrafted goods like artwork, pottery, jewellery and more.
Remember, remember the 4th of November where the monthly farmers market will take place on Guildford High Street. Meat, cheese, bread, vegetables, chutneys, baked goods, fresh herbs, oils and teas are just some of the many things you will find here.
Step into the glitz and glamour of the 1920s at the Great Gatsby Ball hosted at Guildford Cathedral (GU2 7UP). Guests are encouraged to dress in the roaring twenties style with flapper dresses, pearls, dapper suits and suspenders. There will be a live swing band and Gatsby himself will be your DJ and host for the evening. Are you ready, old sport?
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 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. The event will take place from mid November to early January from 4-10pm with tickets including timed entries.
Sparkle Vegan Events is hosting a vegan market on Guildford High Street, GU1 3YL. The market features vegan vendors with hot food, artisan products, skincare, and eco-friendly gifts.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guilford, GU1 3UX proudly presents the pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, which follows the classic Disney tale of book-loving Beauty and her encounters with the Beast. The show will be packed with live singing and dancing and is the perfect family outing in the lead-up to Christmas.
The monthly farmers market on Guildford High Street is sure to have some extra vendors in the month of December with plenty of specialty items in time for Christmas.
Guildford High Street, GU1 3YL will host a vegan market with market stalls featuring vegan-friendly items. Expect hot food items, skincare products, artisan food, eco-friendly gifts, and more.
This December, the Guildford UK Artist & Makers Market is coming to the High Street, GU1 3AA in time for all of your Christmas shopping needs. Expect lots of handmade goods with a seasonal twist, such as homemade Christmas ornaments and decorations, as well as the usual jewellery, artwork, and pottery.