Hundreds of residents and shoppers join in for Epsom’s Christmas lights switch-on event at the Market Place on Thursday 24 November. The event kick starts the countdown to various festive events taking place across the Borough in the run up to Christmas. 

The crowds counted down as Santa and the Mayor of Epsom & Ewell, Councillor George Crawford QPM along with some of the children who attend The Children’s Trust School switched on the Christmas Tree and Clock Tower lights at the Market place at 7pm. 

For one night only, Santa took residence in the Grotto in the Clock Tower to the delight of over 200 children who queued up to meet him, receive a candy cane and capture the memory with a photograph. There was plenty of family entertainment on offer throughout the evening with performances on stage from Matt King as Elvis, Epsom Methodist Church Choir, Terri-Jayne’s School of Dance, Stagecoach Epsom, Big Act Theatre School, West End Academy and the Rock Choir. Stalls selling festive food and treats, mulled wine, hot food and children’s fairground rides including a Ferris Wheel, Giant Bouncy Snow Globe, Selfie Snow Globe, Reindeer Rodeo and Soft Play Party Bus proved to be popular attractions. 

Entrance to Santa's Grotto, the Giant Bouncy Snow Globe, Selfie Snow Globe and Soft Play Party Bus were all free with donations to local charities, ‘Moment-um’ who support children with cancer and life-limiting conditions and their families and ‘The Children’s Trust’ based in Tadworth, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury. 

Highlights included, Mingo+Tinks pom-pom gifts; regular market trader Lee Bryant and Epsom Mental Health Charity, Love me, Love my Mind with their free warm hugs and Christmas cards. Other businesses who took part in the festive fun included, Flaming Wheel Indian Cuisine, The Green Machine, Ooh La La Epsom with their mini makeovers and the giant Nando’s Rooster mascot with yummy snacks. Epsom Methodist Church provided arts and crafts activities, children’s characters, the Frozen Princesses – Elsa and Anna and Olaf and roaming elves from Santa Clause and The Night Before Christmas show at the Epsom Playhouse added to the Christmas sparkle. 

The Council would like to thank Nigel and Maggie from The Best of Epsom for sponsoring Santa's Grotto; Lee Bryant for his gorgeous Christmas decorations, The Personal Agent for sponsoring the Selfie Globe, KT Partnership for the light plunger and Paul Taylor from What's On In Epsom for photographing the event . 

Christmas festivities continue across Epsom & Ewell:

To view the full list of community events taking place across the Borough in the run up to Christmas visit the Spotlight section in the latest issue of e-Borough Insight at http://insight.epsom-ewell.gov.uk 

Ewell Yule

Friday 2 December; 5pm - 8pm

The community and the local traders welcome Christmas in traditional style at this annual late night shopping extravaganza. The Council is providing free parking for this event at Dorset House and Ewell High Street car parks from 4pm.

Christmas Fair at Bourne Hall, Ewell

Saturday 3 December; 10am - 4pm

Lights on Broadway at Stoneleigh Broadway

Friday 9 December

Events and enjoyment for all the family, including the opportunity to indulge in some late-night shopping.

Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure at Epsom Playhouse

Friday 9 December to Christmas Eve

The adventure takes place at Santa's HQ in the North Pole. The Reindeer’s Sat Nav is programmed, the toys are piled high on the sleigh and Santa is ready to go when suddenly chaos strikes! Rudolph is missing and the Elves are up to no good. Will Santa ever deliver the presents?! He needs some help from all the good boys and girls in the audience to help Santa save the day.

Aladdin at Epsom Playhouse

Friday 16 December to 8 January

A work of genie-us; this year's spectacular family pantomime is Aladdin, delivering madcap exuberance, mystical titillation and magical mayhem! The Epsom Playhouse pantomime has become a festive tradition for many and this year’s extravaganza, with stunning scenery, outrageous costumes and a fabulous cast is going to be a sensation – oh, yes it is!

Christmas Memorial Service at Epsom Cemetery Chapel

Friday 16 December

A service for those who like to remember lost loved ones as Christmas approaches. The service is not a traditional religious service though there will be some familiar Christmas music.

International Peace Light Celebration at The Ashley Centre, Epsom

Sunday 18 December; 2pm – 2.30pm

Lit from the flame at the Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem, the Peace Light travels throughout Europe and the America’s. It is distributed by Scouts and Guides with a message of Peace to their countries for use at ecumenical services.

Epsom Scouts will escort the Pease Light into the Ashley Centre, where it will be welcomed by our Mayor, Councillor George Crawford QPM, and by renowned snooker star Jimmy White MBE. Everyone is invited to share in a short ceremony and to enjoy the hand bells and to sing carols. The light will be taken on to various events in Epsom.

Free parking on all Sundays in December

To support local traders and help residents with Christmas shopping, it will be free to park in all Council run car parks in Epsom Town Centre on the four Sundays in December, at - The Ashley Centre, Town Hall, Hope Lodge, Depot Road and Upper High Street car parks.

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