Events Diary 

Are you looking for an evening out or maybe something different to do at the weekend? Well look no further. Here you'll find a range of events taking place in Surrey and the surrounding area. Details of some of the many pantomimes in Surrey and the surrounding area are listed here.  Many book up very quickly so don't delay if you want to get your tickets.

LISTEN  The broadcast Events Diary is broadcast hourly from 6.45 to 1.45 with Josh Robins.  Tell us about your event If you're organising an event and are looking for publicity, send us an email with the full details

6 December        Never Mind The Baubles, Here’s The Dirty Carols - Electric Theatre

Join The Dirty Carols for some not-so-festive fun and a damp gusset or two in - Never Mind The Baubles - at the Electric Theatre in Guildford.

It's an evening of ridiculous rudeness and (mostly) heavenly harmonies. Elizabeth, Lorna, Louise and Sandrine welcome you into their metaphorical bosom to warm your cockles with two sets of their own funny, irreverent take on songs you know and love.

It's at the Electric Theatre on 6 December

6-8 December      Snow Globe Fun in Staines High Street

An impressive giant snow globe will be arriving in Staines' high street from Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December. Families and shoppers to Staines will be invited to jump inside and be their own snow globe stars

8 December        Santa’s Christmas Countdown - Electric Theatre, Guildford

To get you in the mood for Christmas, join Father Christmas and his friends for a magical, musical, festive adventure - and remember to bring your Christmas letter to post in Santa’s special post box, HO-HO-HO!

17 December     Carols for Clandon Park with the Oxford Singers

In Guildford on Tuesday 17 December  - herald in the festive season  with a magical evening with the celebrated Oxford Singers at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford, to. All donations will go to the Clandon Park appeal. 

18 December     A Wreath of Festive Frights - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Alfred Sinjohn (St John) Merri-moon regales his audience with unsettling tales of seasonal spooks, winter wraiths and Christmastime horrors.

Huddle closer to the fireplace and keep away from the shadows, for who knows what might be lurking just out of sight? A Wreath of Festive Frights is an amusingly chilling way to see in this special time of year!

It's at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on 18 December.  

If you fancy a bit of ice skating this Christmas, there's a number of places you can go in and around Surrey this year.

Hampton Court Palace  (until 5 January)

You can enjoy the backdrop of Henry VIII's former home and skate back in time with the return of the ice rink at Hampton Court Palace.  

The open-air ice rink is suitable for adults and children with skate aid penguins available to hire. Skating sessions start on the hour and last for 45 minutes and there's a decked area and viewing platform where you can watch.

Reigate On Ice (until 4 January)

After an absence last year, Reigate On Ice is back. This ice rink is held undercover in a big top marquee so skaters can experience the wonder of skating on real ice in whatever weather. There will be festive music and Christmas food and drink to buy to get you into the winter wonderland spirit. Reigate on Ice takes place at Priory Park and runs until 4 January.

Winchester Cathedral (until 5 January)

In Hampshire, an undercover ice rink is part of Winchester Cathedral's Christmas Market. The open sides of the rink mean you can see the spectacular Winchester Cathedral while you skate. The Ice Café will be selling festive treats and traditional food - and the event runs until 5 January. Advanced booking is recommended.

London

A number of venues in London. The ice skating rink at Somerset House has been running for a number of years. As well as general ice skating sessions, there will be a series of late-night DJ events called Skate Lates and a 24-hour ice skating event in December.

For nervous skaters, there is a Skate School for adults and Polar Bear Club for children.It runs until 12 Jaunary.

There are also ice rinks outside the Natural History Museum and the Tower of London where in the evening, lights, set against the fortress wall, add to the dramatic views.

Brighton

In Brighton - the child-friendly outdoor ice rink is open for much of the winter at the Royal Pavilion - it runs until 19 January.

Pantomimes in Surrey

Below are some of the many pantomimes taking place in Surrey and the surrounding area.

21-26 December         The Night Before Christmas - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

On the night before Christmas, Emma stares out of the window, hugs her teddy and waits excitedly for the morning, while in the corner a little mouse called Eddie can’t understand why only humans are allowed to celebrate and get presents. So he sets off in search of Father Christmas to find out for himself.

Along the way he dodges the family cat and is given some unexpected advice from the magical fairy on top of the tree.

Will Eddie get an answer? Will Emma get her wish? And what is that funny-shaped present sitting under the tree?

This show is full of fun and excitement, there’s catchy songs and lots of audience participation.

14-29 December                   Aladdin - Dorking Halls  

Aladdin is a spectacular festive treat not to be missed. 

Laugh at dotty Widow Twankey, boo and hiss the evil Abanazar and cheer on our hero Aladdin who, with one rub of his magic lamp, meets the most amazing Genie. 

With a star cast, impressive music and heaps of audience participation - you can join in the fun at the Dorking Halls.

14 December - 5 January    Peter Pan - Epsom Playhouse

Fly away with the cast at the Epsom Playhouse as they take you on a swashbuckling adventure to the magical panto world of Peter Pan.

Meet the Darlings, Hook and his crew of pirates, Tiger Lily and her Tribe, The Lost boys and of course the mischievous Tinkerbell in Neverland.

7 -31 December Jack and the Beanstalk - Harlequin Theatre, Redhill

With nothing but a handful of (magic!) beans, Jack must find the courage to slay the evil giant in his quest to win the hand of the beautiful Princess and to free his village of tyranny forever.

This Christmas, join our hero on the adventure of a lifetime as he climbs the beanstalk to fame, fortune and true love!

Neil Wheatley, returns for a tenth season, this time as Jack’s brother Silly Simon.

Featuring breathtaking scenery, dazzling costumes, spectacular singing and dancing together with plenty of traditional pantomime mayhem, laughter and chances to join in the fun, Jack and the Beanstalk is the perfect festive entertainment for all the family!

6 December - 5 January      Sheeping Beauty - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

When evil fairy, Carabosse doesn't receive an invitation to Princess Aurora's christening, she casts a curse on her. Can the Good Fair and Muddles protect Aurora? Will the Prince save the day?

With award-winning choreography, fabulous sets, sparkling costumes, magical illusions and enough laughter to wake up even the sleepiest of princesses, this year’s Sleeping Beauty is a must-see for all the family.

9 - 31 December         Robin Hood - Camberley Theatre

Robin Hood returns home to Sherwood Forest  to find the greedy Sheriff of Nottingham starving the local people, raising taxes and ruling a very unhappy kingdom.

Courageous, kind and headstrong, Robin can’t stand by and watch friends and family suffer so he vows to be brave and stand up for the local people.

The Sheriff, alone in his ivory tower, is hell-bent on becoming the richest and most powerful man in the country. He tricks Will Scarlett into betraying Robin, giving him vital information and capturing Maid Marion – will the Merry Men and true friendship save the day?

With the help of the Merry Men and old friend Maid Marion, Robin sets out to defeat the Sheriff once and for all! Join our fearless hero and a host of lively friends as they set off on a mission to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Sometimes you have to do the wrong thing, to do the right thing!

6 December - 5 January      Dick Whittington - Hawth Theatre, Crawley

Dick Whittington is the purrrfect pantomime adventure, with spectacular sets and costumes, amazing special effects and a genuinely funny script. 

7 December - 5 January      Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Richmond Theatre

Comedian, writer and presenter Jo Brand leads the cast as The Wicked Queen. Adding to the comedy will be Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jon Clegg returning as Muddles and brilliant dame Jason Sutton.

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients Richmond audiences have come to expect, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and stunning scenery.

There’ll be a magical mirror, seven friendly dwarfs, a beautiful princess, a handsome prince and plenty of audience participation as the beautiful Snow White tries to outwit the Wicked Queen and let love prevail in this glittering festive treat for all ages.