Christmas is coming, which can only mean one thing…Time to entertain the children!
Luckily for you, we’ve found you the best family-friendly Christmas activities in Sussex and Surrey this festive season.
Christmas Grotto at The Belfry, Redhill: 1st December – 24th December
Introduce your kids to Santa in an Arabian themed Grotto, with a free Christmas gift for every child.
Open every day until Christmas: http://redhillbelfry.co.uk/news-events/events/santas-free-grotto/.
Reigate on Ice, Priory Park, Reigate: 3rd December – 3rd January
Ice skate in the beautiful surroundings of Priory Park.
Christmas food, drink and music complete this winter wonderland: http://www.reigateonice.co.uk/.
Winter Wonderland, Drusillas Park, Alfriston: 1st December – 4th January
Drusillas Park hosts a dazzling winter wonderland, with a stunning light show daily at 4.30pm, Santa’s Christmas Cottage, Santa’s reindeer, Hug a Husky and The Hello Kitty Parlour.
For an event line up, visit: http://www.drusillas.co.uk/christmas-events.
Ice skating, The Royal Pavilion, Brighton: 1st December – 17th January
Ice skate in the shadow of the nation’s favourite Indian palace before settling in with a warming hot chocolate in the rink-side bar: http://www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk/.
Glow Wild, Winter Lantern Festival, Wakehurst Place, Hayward’s Heath: 4th – 12th December
Follow the winding and whispering trail at Wakehurst Gardens, lit only by lanterns, and make your way to the dazzling lights of the UK’s largest living Christmas tree: http://www.kew.org/visit-wakehurst/whats-on/glow-wild
Jack and the Beanstalk at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford: 4th December – 3rd January
West End actress Dillie Keane leads the cast in the Yvonne Arnaud’s pantomime, which also features local legend Brian Blessed as the voice of Giant Blunderbore: http://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/production/jack-and-the-beanstalk-0.
Aladdin, Emporium Theatre, Brighton: 5th December – 9th January
For this year’s panto, the team behind 2014’s sell-out Sleeping Beauty are putting their unique spin on Aladdin: http://emporiumbrighton.com/aladdin/.
Father Christmas in the Crystal Grotto, Painshill Park, Cobham: 5th December – 24th December
Meet Father Christmas under dazzling crystal stalactites in Painshill’s 18th century landscape garden: http://www.painshill.co.uk/father-christmas-in-the-crystal-grotto/
Arundel by Candlelight, Arundel: 5th December
Arundel by Candlelight is returning from midday on the 5th of December.
The medieval town will be adorned by white light, providing a beautiful backdrop to the Christmas market and magical lantern parade.
Find out more: http://www.arundel.org.uk/arundel-by-candlelight.
Santa Helicopter Landing, Priory Park, Reigate: 5th December
Santa may traditionally ride a sleigh, but he kicks off this Christmas fayre with a dramatic helicopter arrival.
Get there for 10.30am to witness the festive touchdown: http://www.rt119.org.uk/santa-landing.html.
Santa’s Grotto, Gatton Park, Reigate: 6th December
Take a golf buggy ride around the park and follow a trail of clues to Santa’s Grotto: http://www.gattonpark.com/events-for-children.php.
Santa at The Royal Pavilion, Brighton: 12th – 21st December
If Santa’s on the seafront aren’t enough, go for a one-on-one with the man himself at the Royal Pavilion, followed by an exotic creature trail round the palace: http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discover/events/event/father-christmas-at-the-royal-pavilion-2/.
Santa Dash, Brighton: 12th December
Witness hundreds of Santas compete in a 5k race along Brighton seafront.
The race starts at 10.30am on Saturday 12th December from Hove Lawns and there’s a free 400m race for children at 10.20am.
Find out more: http://www.santadashbrighton.co.uk/.
Christmas Crafts, Gatton Park, Reigate: 12th December
Younger children can enjoy making their own Christmas decorations. The event is suitable for those aged between four and seven: http://www.gattonpark.com/events-for-children.php.
The Magic of Christmas, Fishers Farm Park, Billingshurst: 19th – 24th December
Fishers Farm’s Christmas spectacular features Father Christmas’ Festive Grotto, Pick Your Own Present in the Toy Factory, the North Pole Post and a panto performance of Cinderella.
For a full list of activities, visit: http://www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk/discover-fishers/special-events/magic-christmas/.
Burning the Clocks, Brighton: 21st December
Mark the shortest day of the year with Brighton’s own paper lantern parade.
The route starts on New Road at 6.30pm and ends with a fire show on Madeira Drive around 7.15pm: http://www.samesky.co.uk/events/burning-the-clocks.
Christmas Storytelling, Nymans, Haywards Heath: 21st December
Children’s author Ellie Irving reads extracts from her quirky, comedy caper novels in the Potting Shed at Nymans. Free entry, but be sure to book ahead: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans/features/a-topsy-turvy-christmas-at-nymans
There’s so much to do in Sussex and Surrey this Christmas, let us know if we’ve missed your festive favourites by commenting on the Move Revolution Facebook page.
Image Source: Brighton Visitor