With Christmas just around the corner, towns and villages across Waverley borough are planning festive events to create places for residents, visitors and local employees to enjoy.
The festive activities and decorations hope to increase footfall on High Streets, support local businesses and bring a sparkle to our local areas.
Waverley’s festive season kicks off in Bramley, with a Christmas lights switch on event taking place on 14 November from 6pm. It will offer mulled wine, mince pies, late night shopping and more.
Farnham Town Council is switching on its Christmas lights on 16 November, with the full event taking place from 1pm – 6pm. There will be live entertainment from local organisations, presenting carols, dances and performances.
The fourth weekend of November is jam-packed with events in Cranleigh, Godalming and Beacon Hill. On 23 November the ‘Charming Cranleigh Christmas’ event organised by the Cranleigh BID will include a festive market, local food stalls, live music, lantern procession and light switch-on with Father Christmas.
Godalming’s Christmas lights switch on with a new Christmas Light Procession, organised by the Town Council, is taking place on 24 November at 5pm. The Beacon Hill lights switch on will also be on 24 November, with a market from 2:30pm – 5:30pm and the light switch on at 4:30pm.
Godalming will have a second event on 30 November, the Christmas Festival Market. From 10am – 5:30pm, organised by the Town Council, the town centre will be lined with festive stalls offering crafts, decorations, gifts, food and drink.
Haslemere Events is organising a Christmas Market on 1 December from 10am – 4pm. There will also be a Christmas Carols service organised by the Town Council in the town centre on 12 December.
Farnham’s Christmas market, organised by the Town Council, will return this year on 8 December, with over 150 stalls in Castle Street, The Borough and the Ivy Lane Club.
Councillor Liz Townsend BEM, Waverley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development, said: “Christmas is a vital time for our local businesses and we are so lucky that they put so much effort into making our high streets such brilliant places to visit during the festive season. Getting more people out onto our High Streets, buying locally, is really important to keep our town and village centres thriving. The festive events planned for this holiday season are better than ever and a fantastic opportunity for people to experience the unique shopping experiences our borough offers.”
To further support local businesses this Christmas, Waverley Borough Council is offering several "free after 3pm" parking in their car parks on different dates, and a subsidised Hoppa bus travel for weekdays before Christmas.
- Fri 29 November in Godalming
- Fri 29 November in Farnham* (the BID is also providing subsidised parking on Tuesdays and Thursdays)
- Weds 4 December in Cranleigh
- Thurs 12 December in Haslemere
Further information on the upcoming festive events where you can support your local High Streets can be found here on Visit Surrey.