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What to do on Christmas Day 2023 in Surrey
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If you’re alone on Christmas Day and wouldn’t mind some company, why not join one of the Christmas lunches or dinners in your local community? For those who can’t go out, we’ve also listed some virtual options. Please note that you will need to book in advance to attend any of these.
At the bottom of this page, you will also find information about foodbanks support available during the Christmas period in your area.
Want to volunteer on Christmas Day?
If you’d like to spend Christmas giving something back to your community, a lot of Churches and organisations offering free Christmas meals are looking for volunteers. Feel free to contact organisations directly to see if they are looking for Santa helpers or festive elves!REIGATE & BANSTEAD
Christmas Together, St Mark’s Church, Tattenham Corner
Each year on Christmas Day, Christmas Together is for people who would otherwise be alone for Christmas to join with others for a Christmas lunch and festivities. The catchment area is Tadworth, Epsom Downs and Banstead.
The day begins with the opportunity to join the Christmas Day service at 11am at St Mark’s. Afterwards you will be entertained before enjoying an excellent Christmas lunch. There will be an opportunity for you to chat to many other people. The afternoon finishes around 3.30pm after watching the King’s speech.
If you would like to join this year please complete this booking form or contact David on 01737 353138. Please let them know if you require transport to and from the event.
Gospel Community Meal (Christmas Eve)
Christmas Eve service and meal for anyone who might be spending Christmas eve alone. Daytime service followed by community meal for up to 30 residents. At Age concern Merstham, Weldon Way, Merstham RH1 3QB – No need to attend service to have meal. For more information and to book, please email: reverendarthur@ukgac.co.uk
Renewed Hope (for homeless, vulnerable, and isolated adults)
Drop-In offering free lunch time meals on weekdays 11am-3pm and on Sunday 24 and 31 December 12.30pm-1.30pm at Shrewsbury Chapel, Redhill. Closed on Christmas Day/New Year’s Day. For homeless, vulnerable, and isolated adults. Anyone is welcome to come in to Drop-In. For more information please visit their website.
ELMBRIDGE
St Andrews Church Christmas Lunch, Cobham
Monday, 25 December 2023
1pm – 4pm
St Andrews Church, Cobham – Church Gate House
For more information, please email the Church at elaine@sac.church or call 01932 867883.St John’s Church Christmas Lunch, Egham
At Christmas, St John’s likes to host a Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day for anyone who would otherwise be on their own.
Everyone is welcome to have a lunch. Anyone who would like one please contact the church office on 01784 605400. There is no charge. For more information please visit their website.
EPSOM & EWELL
Christmas Together, Epsom
Christmas Together has been an annual celebration at the Epsom Methodist Church on Christmas Day for many years. Volunteers from the church and local community help to make this a very special and popular event. A Christmas meal with all the trimmings, a quiz, a Christmas sing song and the Kings speech all together make this a special and happy event. Transport is provided for those who need it and everyone leaves with a packed Christmas goodie bag and big smiles!
For more information, please visit their website or contact them on 01372 728535 or at office@epsommethodistchurch.org.uk
Churches Together in Ewell
Churches Together in Ewell will be holding their Christmas Lunch for those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day. If you’re likely to be in this position and live in the Ewell area, you’re very welcome to join – free of charge – for a full Christmas Dinner plus festive entertainments. Equally, please tell anyone who might be interested or provide them with their contact details (with their permission, of course).
The event will be held in a church hall in the Stoneleigh/Ewell area – the exact location to be announced later.
Transport can be provided for those that need it.
The timing on Christmas Day will be: 12:30pm – 4:15pm.
To join in, call: 07999 805 475 or e-mail: christmas.dinner@dsl.pipex.com
MOLE VALLEY
The Meeting Room, Christmas Lunch Delivery, Fetcham
On Christmas Eve, The Meeting Room will be delivering a home-made Christmas lunch and goodies hamper to those in need or alone on Christmas Day.
Sunday, December 24th – Delivery of Christmas lunch and goodies hamper.
For more information on any aspect of our Christmas Events, please contact their Operations Manager, Karen at karen.money@themeetingroom.org.ukChristmas Lunch, Dorking
The Dorking Christian Centre invites you to enjoy a wonderful Christmas Day Lunch from 11am onwards for tea or coffee, followed by a delicious festive Christmas Lunch.
Presents on departure.
Suggested donation of £8.00 per head (no obligation).
Come alone, come with friends, bring a neighbour, bring the whole family. All welcome.
Please book a place by requesting a form in person, by phone (01306 886830), by email at centremanager@dorkingchristiancentre.org.uk or through their booking form available on their website.
Please book by Wednesday 20 December at the latest.
GUILDFORD
The Gaskin’s Christmas Lunch, Guildford
The free Christmas lunch is open to everyone within a 10 mile radius of Guildford. Elderly, Alone, Students, Families, Anyone can attend. It is not dependant on age or religious belief – everyone is welcome. This year they are delivering again as they can’t get a venue. All they ask is that you please contact them to let them know you want a meal delivered so they have some idea of numbers on the day.
COST – The meal costs nothing – your Christmas dinner is entirely FREE – paid for by the kind sponsorship by benefactors.
For more information, please visit their website.
Christmas Day Celebration, University of Surrey, Guildford
Get ready to jingle all the way and join the Religious Life and Belief team at Hillside Food Court for a magical Christmas Day celebration!
Bring your friends to eat, laugh, make memories and immerse yourselves in the festive spirits with a complimentary Christmas treat box plus festive tunes! Choose between enjoying the treats in the cozy Hillside atmosphere or take the box away to savour later. We’ve got something for everyone, including options for those with dietary preferences. For more information, please visit their website.
NATIONWIDE
Aldi Christmas Lunch Donation
Aldi is spreading the festive cheer and bringing together local communities by donating Christmas lunches to those in low-income areas across the UK.
Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket is working in partnership with Company Shop Group to provide free Christmas dinners at Community Shops in the run-up to Christmas.
Company Shop Group is the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household products. Since the start of this year, Aldi has worked with Company Shop Group to manage surplus stock from all of its Regional Distribution Centres, which are then sold at discounted prices to members. Community Shop is the Group’s award-winning social enterprise, who provide deeply discounted food to low-income communities as well as life-changing development programmes.
Community Shop members will be given the opportunity to sign up for the three-course Christmas meal, with around 2,000 free places available. For more information, please read the Retail Bulletin.
VIRTUAL
Christmas Day Online Chat
Join the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and Sight for Surrey’s friendly Christmas Day Zoom chit-chat:
– All Welcome
– Friendly light hearted chat
– With BSL Interpreter
On 25 December at 10am – 11am
To register and request a joining link please email: communications@sightforsurrey.org.ukFOODBANKS
If you’d like some information about foodbank parcels and food clubs available over Christmas, whether to receive or donate, please click below:
- in Reigate & Banstead, please download this comprehensive guide
- in Mole Valley please visit the Mid Surrey Community Fridges website
- in Epsom & Ewell, please visit the Epsom & Ewell foodbank website
- in Elmbridge, please visit the East Elmbridge Foodbank website , the Walton & Hersham Foodbank or Walton-on-Thames Community Fridge (part of Elmbridge Eco Club).
Share your local knowledge with us!
If you know of any other Christmas Day lunches or activities we haven’t listed yet, please contact us at communications@maryfrancestrust.org.uk so we can update this list. Thank you!
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