Last updated 14 October 2026. Every date below is checked against the organiser's own page. Where a 2026 date has not been announced yet, we say so rather than guess.
Esher's Christmas is spread across its villages: a big indoor market at the racecourse, a National Trust garden turned over to elves, and switch-ons in Claygate, Molesey and Thames Ditton. Here is what is confirmed for 2026.
Christmas in Surrey at Sandown Park
Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9AJ · Saturday 21 to Tuesday 24 November 2026, 10am to 5pm
A large indoor makers' market, with a Santa's grotto and booked workshops. It is the earliest of the big local markets, and the best one for getting most of the shopping done in a single morning, under a roof.
- Tickets: £6 a person, £9 for a couple over 65, £12 for a family of two adults and up to two children under 13.
- Grotto from £20 per child.
- Getting there: Esher station is a short walk, with direct trains from Waterloo, and there is parking on site.
Elfmas at Claremont
Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher · Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, 10am to 3pm
A National Trust trail around the lake with elf names, a reindeer hunt and a little elf fitness training. Free with normal admission, and no booking needed. Go on a cold, bright morning and finish with something hot from the café.
In the villages
Claygate Christmas lights switch-on
The Parade, Claygate · Saturday 28 November 2026, 4pm to 8pm
Listed by Claygate Parish Council. The same day Elfmas opens at Claremont, so an easy afternoon and evening together.
Come and Sing Carols
Christ Church, Esher · Wednesday 16 December 2026, lunch from 12.30pm, singing at 1.15pm
One of the parish's Music on the Green concerts. Free, with a retiring collection, and no need to book.
Close by
Hampton Court Palace
The ice rink runs from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and the Festive Fayre is on 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December. Our Hampton Christmas guide has the details.
Walton's Festival of Light and the Weybridge Christmas Festival
Walton is Saturday 28 November and Weybridge is Sunday 29 November. See our guides to Walton and Weybridge.
Cinderella at Esher Theatre
Esher Theatre · 3 to 31 December 2026
The Esher panto. Tickets through the theatre.
Expected, but not yet confirmed
These ran in 2025. The organisers have not published 2026 dates yet, so please check before you go.
- Magical Molesey, Walton Road, East Molesey. Ran on Thursday 27 November 2025, 5pm to 7pm. It is usually the last Thursday in November.
- Thames Ditton Christmas Fair and lights, High Street. Ran on Sunday 30 November 2025, 3pm to 6pm, with Santa switching on the lights at 5pm.
- Cobham's lights switch-on and lantern parade, and the Cobham Christmas market. Both ran on Saturday 22 November 2025.
- Claygate Christmas market. Ran on Sunday 14 December 2025.
- Court Circular Christmas market, Vine Hall, East Molesey. Ran on 6 and 7 December 2025.
- Painshill's Christmas trail. Ran from late November into January last season; the 2026 programme is not out.
- Free parking. Elmbridge Council made its town-centre car parks free on three December Saturdays last year. The 2026 announcement usually comes in early November.
We will update this page as the dates land. If you would rather be told, the signup at the foot of this page is one short letter a month and nothing else.
Bringing a little of it home
A day at the market or a cold morning at Claremont, and then home. A few things we keep for exactly that:
- Cotton Tassel Throw, Oatmeal, £22.95. Over the back of the sofa, ready for whoever gets in first.
- Home for Christmas Gift Set, £24.95. A village wax melt burner and a gingerbread candle that belong together on a mantelpiece.
- Fluted cordless table lamps, £24.95. Rechargeable, so they can glow in a front window with no lead in sight.
Our Christmas gift guide is grouped by what you want to spend, and the Christmas gifting collection has everything in one place. Delivery in the UK is included.
For the wider area, see Christmas markets near Sunbury-on-Thames, and what to take to a Christmas market.