Looking for things to do throughout April? Here’s your curated guide to the best things happening in Surrey in a handy week-by-week format.

Week 1: 1-6 April

THEATRE: Hairspray the Musical
■ New Victoria Theatre, Woking ■ Mon 31 March – Sat 5 April
Good morning, Baltimore! The famous West End and Broadway hit takes Woking, following teen Tracy Turnblad as she fights to join her town’s dancing cable show, and fight to change the world. Tickets are available from £28, the show is recommended for ages 7+.

THEATRE: Seven Drunken Nights
■ Epsom Playhouse ■ Tue 1 April
After a successful West End run and world tour, Seven Drunken Nights takes on Epsom playhouse for one night only. The show celebrates some of Ireland’s most famous music and artists, with pieces from 5 decades. Tickets are available from £28.50.

TALK: Strawberry Hill House by Nevil Tomlinson
■ Painshill, Cobham ■ Tue 1 April
Discover more about the Grade I-listed building, with Nevil Tomlinson discussing the construction of the building in the 18^th century and its inhabitants across the years, as well as its connection to Painshill. The talk is from 11am-12pm and costs £5 for non-members.

TALK: Adam Frost
■ G Live, Guildford ■ Thu 3 April
Perhaps the greenest thumb of all, Adam Frost expertise is unfounded. Learn more about his past plant-centric experiences and how he came to curate his skills. Tickets are available from £30.

THEATRE: Breathe
■ Studio at New Wimbledon ■ Fri 4 – Sun 6 April
A wildly unique show that tells the story of a forest, from the perspective of an acorn! Learn about the largest of trees and the smallest of fungi, to discover the deep interconnectedness of the forest floor and its inhabitants. Tickets from £11.

DANCE: Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez – Speakeasy
■ G Live, Guildford ■ Sat 5 April
The Strictly pros are back with a new show channeling an undercover world of elegance and iconic dance flavours – from the clandestine New York speakeasy and the sultry Havana dance floors to the burlesque cabaret clubs of the mid 1900s. Expect to mamba, salsa, Charleston, foxtrot and samba the night away.

WORKSHOP: Children’s Oil Pastel Workshop
■ The Horton, Epsom ■ Sat 5 April
With the help of tutor Mel Sunderland, children 7+ are welcomed to the studio to create a piece of art. Creating a colourful landscape, participants will be lead through different oil pastel blending techniques. Costing £16, the session lasts from 2-3.30pm. 

EVENT: Board Game Cafe
■ The Rose Theatre, Kingston ■ Sat 5 April
Head down with the whole family, or a group of fun-loving friends to the Rose Theatre for an afternoon of friendly competition or cut-throat tactics. Open from 11am-4pm. No need to book.

KIDS: Spring into Fun
■ Godstone Farm, Godstone ■ Sat 5 – Mon 21 April
Enjoy the budding spring with a family day out at Godstone Farm. Open for business will be an ‘Easter Grotto’, spring crafts and a quiz trail. There will also be several farm animal interactions to keep the little ones well and truly enthralled. Check the site for booking details.

KIDS: Easter Eggstravaganza
■ Bocketts Farm, Fetcham ■ Sat 5 – Mon 21 April
Bocketts Easter season is back for another year of spring-centric activities for your little ones to participate in. with over 500 new-born lambs due, as well as ‘meet the easter bunny’ and ‘meet the Shepard’ experiences, and plenty of outdoor trails and craft activities, there’s something for everyone. Check the site for details.

EVENT: Farnham Record Fair
■ Farnham Maltings ■ Sun 6 April
For anyone with a penchant for record-collecting, head down to Farnham for a Fair with all your musical needs. With over 40,000 records for sale, there will be something to suit everyone’s taste. The event is free to enter and is open from 10am-3.30pm.

EVENT: Springtime at Gatton
■ Gatton Park, Reigate ■ Sun 6 April
Explore the beautiful blooms in and around Gatton Park, with free roam open through the flowering Japanese and Rock gardens. There will also be spring crafts for little ones and a heritage walk at 2.30pm, so something for everyone! Online booking costs £6, the park is open from 12-5pm.

EVENT: Veteran and Vintage Motorcycle Day
■ Brooklands Museum, Weybridge ■ Sun 6 April
Calling all motorcycle enthusiasts, head down to Brooklands for a day dedicated to your craft (or hobby depending on your persuasion). All pre-1940 motorcycles are welcome. There will be live music and demonstrations throughout the day. Open from 10am-5pm, normal admission applies.

MUSIC: Pulman & Stilgoe – A Couple of Swells
■ Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford ■ Sun 6 April
Join Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe for an evening of delightful entertainment, with both song and comedy to keep you entertained. Tickets from £23, the show begins at 7.30pm.

Week 2: 7-13 April

TALK: Ignacio Lopez: Señor Self-Destruct
■ Dorking Halls ■ Mon 7 April
What’s funnier than a comedy show full of self-depreciation and silly questions? This show promises to leave you wheezing and clutching your sides. Tickets cost £23 per person, recommended for ages 12+.

WALKS: Dog Walking Group
■ Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham ■ Tue 8 April
Explore the great outdoors and the beautiful landscape of Polesden Lacey with an entourage of other K9 lovers. Dogs will be able to roam on and off lead depending what point of the trail you are at. From 9.30-11am, normal admission applies. 

THEATRE: The Merchant of Venice 1936
■ Richmond Theatre ■ Tue 8 – Sat 12 April
Shakespeare’s classic tale of determination and grit is transformed into a 1930s gender-swap spectacular, with Shylock played by Tracy-Ann Oberman. Follow the single mother as she strives to create a good life for her daughter. Tickets available from £15.

OUTDOORS: Wild Learning
■ Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher ■ Various Dates in April
Occurring on April 8, 9, 10 and 16, Claremont’s wild learning club is perfect for any forest-school loving little ones. Including den-building, mud-sculpting, wild art, dam-making and many other outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone. The day session costs £56 per child.

THEATRE: The Chosen
■ The Leatherhead Theatre ■ Thurs 10 – Sun 13 April
A dramatised production of the events leading up to the Last Supper is perhaps an unmissable one. Follow the story of schemes, deceit and betrayal that is over 2000 years old. Adult tickets cost £18; concession is available. 

EVENT: Spring Family Days
■ Watts Gallery, Compton ■ Thurs 10 – Tue 15 April
Check out the Watts Family Day programme to discover the variety of events taking place, including crafts and talks to keep your little one learning and imagining. Recommended for ages 12 and under, but all are welcome! The price is £14 per child and £5 per child, with members discount available.

EXHIBTION: Handcrafted
■ Watts Gallery, Compton ■ From Thurs 10 April
This exhibition celebrates the would-be 175^th birthday of Mary Watts, bringing together the work of many craftswomen working with different materials and media. All works are for sale, and work to display the current state of craft making in the world. Entry is free!

WORKSHOP: Introduction to Turkish Paper Marbling Art
■ The Lightbox Gallery, Woking ■ From Thurs 10 April
Join Ebru Kocak to learn more about the unique and beautiful art of Turkish Paper Marbling. The workshop is for novices and those with experience and will venture to teach about the history of the technique as well as creating your own piece. Taking place from 2.30-4.30pm, the session costs £55 per person.

COMEDY: Ellie Taylor: Palavering!
■ G Live, Guildford ■ Fri 11 April
Join Ellie Taylor for an evening of hilarious anecdotes and wise cracks, as she discusses marriage, children, and her Strictly stint, as she details events from her 10-year career in the entertainment industry. For ages 16+, tickets cost £26.

EVENT: Tulip Festival
■ Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court ■ Fri 11 April – Mon 5 May
Head to Hampton Court Palace for a chance to see the spring-time flowering of the Palace’s tulips. With over 100,000 Tulips set to bloom, its promised to be a sight that will not disappoint. Included in Palace admission.

OUTDOORS: Head Gardener Guided Walk
■ Winkworth Arboretum ■ Sat 12 April
Join Graham Alderton for a guided tour of Winkworth, learning all its best kept secrets, some of the most beautiful bluebell locations, and Alderton’s most effective techniques to maintain the splendour of the expansive grounds. From 11am-12pm, the walk costs £10 to join.

EVENT: Craft & Flea: Croydon’s Makers Market
■ Fairfield Halls, Croydon ■ Sat 12 April
Supporting small arts and crafts businesses, Fairfield Halls is hosting dozens of vendors selling jewellery, candles, ceramics and more! Entry costs £2.50 per person and the fair opens at 11am. Under 12s go free!

EVENT: London Bus Museum Spring Gathering
■ Brooklands Museum, Weybridge ■ Sun 13 April
Lovers of vintage automobiles, this one’s for you! With around 100 vintage buses and coaches, the event is intended to be one of the biggest in the Southeast! There will also be activities and stalls for children, to ensure the whole family is entertained. Normal admission applies, under 4s go free!

EVENT: Chocolate Fair
■ Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking ■ Sun 13 April
Calling all chocolate lovers, Denbies Chocolate Fair is an event specially curated for you and your tastes. With a variety of independent chocolate-makers, there will be something for everyone, just in time to stock up for Easter! Open form 10am-4pm, entry is free.

Week 3: 14-20 April

TALK: Brian Cox – Horizons
■ Camberley Theatre ■ Mon 14 – Tues 15 April
Join Brian Co for an intimate evening where Camberley Theatre will be filled with images of far-away galaxies, alien worlds, supermassive black holes, and the latest theories of the origin of the universe. Brain Cox comes to Camberley to discuss all the big and unfathomable questions. Discussing the origins of the universe, and the meaning of life, Brain will leave you understanding and questioning everything. Tickets cost £32.50.

FESTIVAL: Tulip Festival
■ Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow ■ Mon 14 – Sun 27 April
New for spring 2025 is Hobbledown Heath’s Tulip Patch with 400,000 tulips spread across a huge meadow. The displays are expected to bloom from 14-27 April with waves of colour transforming the field and offering up fabulous photo opportunities. There’s plenty going on during the Easter holidays (4-21 April) as well including the opportunity to meet the Bunny in his Burrow, an Easter trail and an Easter Egg hunt.

WORKSHOP: Easter Cupcake Decorating
■ Farnham Maltings ■ Tue 15 April
For little one’s ages 5-12, Farnham’s Cupcake decorating session is perfect you get you in the Easter mood. Led by Coral Turan, kids will have all materials supplied, and guidance on how to create their perfect cupcake. The cost is £15 per person and have two sessions running from 10.30am and 1.30am.

THEATRE: Ghost the Musical
■ New Victoria Theatre, Woking ■ Tue 15 – Sat 19 April
Based on the hit movie of the same name, starring Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, this show follows a couple after one is murdered, and the other is left to search for answers in any way possible. Recommended for ages 12+, tickets are available from £15.

THEATRE: Pinocchio Easter Panto
■ Fairfield Halls, Croydon ■ Tue 15 April
The well-loved Disney classic is coming to the stage for a magic filled panto. Venturing to Fantasy Island in the hopes of becoming a real boy, the wooden puppet encounters all kinds of obstacles. Tickets are available from £23.25, with group and family discounts available.

MUSIC: Skunk Anansie
■ G Live, Guildford ■ Wed 16 April
The British icons roar into Guildford with new music as well as hits from 30 years in the industry with their unique blend of alternative, rock, and punk influences, coupled with a dub sensibility.

COMEDY: Harry Hill: New Bits and Greatest Hits
■ Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford ■ Wed 16 April
Harry Hill is on tour again in 2025 offering insights such as the difference between crab sticks and rhubarb, and the origins of Tirimisu! Plus one lucky (or is that unlucky?) audience member will join Harry on stage as a double act. It’s for age 14+.

THEATRE: Tom Gates’ Epic Stage Show
■ The Rose Theatre, Kingston ■ Thu 17 – Mon 21 April
Based on the beloved children’s book serious by Liz Pichon, Follow the tantalising Tom Gates as he gets faces the struggles of pre-teen-dom. For ages 5+, tickets are available from £18.

MARKET: Vintage Market
■ Crockford Bridge Farm, Addlestone ■ Fri 18 April
The first ever pop-up Vintage Market comes to Crockford Bridge Farm on Good Friday. Expect an eclectic range of antique and vintage pieces including decorative homeware, furniture, pots and garden, art, paintings, pre-loved and vintage clothing, gifts candles and more. The market is on from 10am-4pm.

KIDS: Egg rolling
■ Box Hill, Tadworth ■ Fri 18 – Mon 21 April
Get the little ones together to paint their egg and roll it down the hill at Boxhill. Happening at 11am and 3pm, there will be a prize for the best decorated eggs. Normal admission applies.

FAMILY THEATRE: The Detective Dog
■ Farnham Maltings ■ Sat 19 April
For both deaf and hearing families, this production of Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie’s story is inclusive to all. Join Detective Dog Nell as she searches for the book thief in her owner’s school. For ages 3-7, the show costs £12 per person, with family discounts available.

Week 4: 21-27 April

EXHIBITION: Flower Fairies™: The Magical World of Cicely Mary Barker
■ Watts Gallery, Compton ■ ends 27 April 2025
Last chance to see this fabulous family-friendly exhibition which showcases the enchanting world of Cicely Mary Barker, the creator of the much-loved Flower Fairies. Celebrating the life of an extraordinary artist, author and illustrator, the exhibition explores Cicely’s journey as an artist – from her childhood sketches to postcard designs and the illustrated books she created later in life.

THEATRE: Playhouse Creatures
■ Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford ■ Tue 22 – Sat 26 April
Anna Chancellor stars in this gloriously exuberant, bawdily funny and deeply poignant play that celebrates five women grabbing this newfound freedom and making their way in an unfamiliar world. But at what price?

EXHIBITION: Spectrum Photo Art Exhibition
■ The Horton, Epsom ■ Tue 22 April – Sat 3 May
Discover the Spectrum Photo Art collective, a unique group of photographers with differing interests and subjects. Open at various times throughout the exhibitions opening, entry is free.

OUTDOORS: Bluebells in Bloom
■ Winkworth Arboretum ■ Tue 22 April – Sun 4 May
Head on a hike across Winkworth with the whole family just in time to see the bluebells in all their splendour. normal admission applies, the venue is open from 10am -5pm.

THEATRE: The Vagina Monologues
■ Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon ■ Wed 23 – Sat 26 April
Written by Eve Ensler, this stage production follows various women’s experiences of sexual and personal identities. The play is in the form of a collection of monologues relating to womanhood and empowerment, rather than a linear plotline. Tickets are available from £21.45.

THEATRE: Far from the Madding Crowd
■ Epsom Playhouse ■ Wed 23 April
The Thomas Hardy classic novel adapted for the stage follows Bathsheba Everdene after inheriting her uncle’s farm, in a tale of class divide, love and loyalty. With many offers from a range of suitors, who will Bathsheba choose? Tickets are available from £22.

COMEDY: Milton Jones – HA!MILTON
■ The Rose Theatre, Kingston ■ Fri 25 April
A whole new show of daftness from the the funny man Milton Jones. He’s keen to let fans know this show is not a musical… because Milton Jones is tone deaf and has no sense of rhythm. But at least he doesn’t make a song and dance about it. Instead he’ll talk tomatoes and giraffes, as well as other funny things. Tickets are almost sold out, so you’ll need to be quick.

EVENT: Craft Cafe – Easter Egg-Travaganza
■ G Live, Guildford ■ Fri 25 April
Drop-in to G Live with your little one for a free activity day with the obligatory Easter themes, with crafts and even the chance to make an Easter Egg Hunt! Open from 10am-12pm, no pre-booking is necessary.

MUSIC: Aled Jones – Full Circle
■ Epsom Playhouse, Epsom ■ Sat 26 April
Prepare to hear Aled Jones as you’ve never heard him before. He was the boy treble who captivated the world with his angelic voice. Big thanks for that goes to ‘Walking in the Air’, from the animated film The Snowman, which firmly established him as a household name. Now, after 40 years in the business, he’s looking back on a remarkable career with a one-man show, that will feature never-before-heard music, tales from the decades and for the first time, his story told in his own words.

GARDENS: Cactus & Succulent Show
■ RHS Garden, Wisley ■ Sat 26 April
Head down to Wisley for a day dedicated to Cactus and Succulent’s, the well-loved and prickly plant family! There will be vendors and talk taking place throughout the day. Open from 10am-5pm, normal admission applies.

COMEDY: Jenny Eclair – Jokes Jokes Jokes Live
■ Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford ■ Sun 27 April
Comedian, novelist, and professional show-off Jenny Eclair brings her brand-new autobiographical show to Guildford. It’s a look back at what Jenny can remember before she forgets everything! Warning: Punk poetry, animal impressions and baritone nursery rhyme singing may feature!

WALKS: The Shakespeare Walks
■ Dorking ■ Sun 27 April
Join a group of like-minded Bard-lovers, with a stroll through the historic town of Dorking. You will be placed in small groups and encounter sonnet or soliloquy-performing actors on the way. Participation costs £21 and walks begin at 11.45am, more details will be provided upon booking.

THEATRE: Mozart’s Le Nozze Di Figaro
■ The Leatherhead Theatre ■ Mon 28 April
For any lovers of classical music, enjoy Mozart’s most well-loved comedy in a live broadest from Metropolitan Opera. Tickets are available from £18, with concession and group discounts available.

THEATRE: The Rocky Horror Show
■ Richmond Theatre ■ Mon 28 April – Sat 3 May
Based on the 1980s cult classic movie, this stage production follows conservative Brad and Janet as they are forced to knock on the door of a scary mansion, and a whole world of possibilities opens to them, with the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter leading the way. Tickets are available from £15.

WORKSHOP: Winning Against Weeds
■ RHS Garden, Wisley ■ Tue 29 April
Learn all the best and most effective weed ridding techniques and tools of the trade, with tutor Kevin Tooher leading the talk on keeping your garden spick and span. Costing £30 per person, the 2 sessions run at 10.30am and 2pm.

EXHIBITION: Matisse: Drawing with Scissors
■ The Lightbox, Woking ■ Sat 8 Feb – Sun 11 May
A Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition from the Southbank Centre, this exhibition celebrating the French artist features 35 posthumous prints of the famous cut-outs that he produced in the last four years of his life, when confined to his bed. It includes many of Henri Matisse’s iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes. His vibrant works are celebrated for their extraordinary richness and luminosity of colour and his spectacular paper cut-outs were his final triumph.

BOOK AHEAD

DANCE: Hidden
■ Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford ■ Tues 20 and Wed 21 May
Dance-circus company Motionhouse bring their new show Hidden to Guildford this spring. The jaw-dropping dance-circus looks at how, in an increasingly divided world, light can come out of darkness in times of crisis. Expect breathtaking dance that will melt effortlessly into thrilling circus feats.

MUSIC: Surrey Hills International Music Festival
■ various venues throughout Surrey ■ Tues 6 to Sat 17 May
World class classical musicians descend on Surrey for this annual music festival that takes place each spring. Highlights include Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble VOCES8 celebrating their 20^th anniversary and performing a special concert at Guildford’s Holy Trinity Church (Sat 10 May). Musicians from the internationally acclaimed Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York will perform with the Sitkovetsky Trio at the Menuhin Hall, Cobham (Thurs 15 May) and also in the Festival Finale at St Martin’s Church, Dorking (Sat 17 May). Virtuoso pianist Alim Beisembayevm who won the2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, one of the world’s foremost music competitions will give his first concert at the Menuhin Hall (Thurs 8 May).

THEATRE: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
■ New Victoria Theatre, Woking ■ Thur 12 June
You name it, they’ll sing it – this spontaneous musical comedy is Edinburgh Fringe-acclaimed – created from scratch at each performance – whether you fancy Hamilton in a hospital or Sondheim in the Sahara. An ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity – that somehow works brilliantly.

COMEDY: Katherine Ryan: Battleaxe
■ New Victoria Theatre, Woking ■ Thurs 26 June
The Canadian comedy queen takes a break from her on-screen duties to bring her new show to Woking – a masterclass in how to enter your Battleaxe era.

Words by Rebecca Ward

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