Dorking Christmas Festival Consultation 2026

We’re inviting everyone to join us for a joyful Christmas event celebrating Dorking’s local businesses and community.

We plan to fill the streets with market stalls hosted by Surrey Hills Enterprises with a special Food and Drink area, carol singers, live performers, festive music, family entertainment and a special appearance from the Dorking Halls Panto cast.

Following your feedback, we’ve kept the layout from last year largely the same; more stalls and main road closure from Lyons Court to Junction Road from 7am to 7pm on Sunday 29th November. We are also proposing closing both lanes of South Street from Pump Corner to Junction Road instead of just one, to enable more stalls and create a food and drink area to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the festival for longer.

Have your say on the Hello Dorking Christmas Festival, taking place Sunday 29 November 2026, 11am–5pm. We welcome your feedback. Survey closes Friday 29th May at 5pm.

Christmas street lights at the Christmas Festival in Dorking
Scenes from the DorKingdom Fairytale Christmas Festival in Dorking

Road Closure Specifics

Our traffic management team will provide wardens at key points. We propose a temporary road closure in Dorking Town Centre on Sunday 29th November,  (with a back up date of Sunday 13th December in case of extreme weather on original date) from 7am to 7pm. Roads will reopen as soon as it is safe.

Temporary Closures and Restrictions:

  • High Street: Closed from Lyons Court to Pump Corner
  • West Street: Closed from Junction Road
  • South Street: Both lanes closed from Pump Corner to Junction Road
  • Marlborough Hill: Residents/ Emergency Servies and Care Services Access Only (access to South Side Car Park via Lyons Court)
  • Rose Hill: road closed between South Side Car Park exit and South Street
  • Parking suspended: South Street (bays between Pump Corner and Waitrose) and Junction Road bays, 00:01–19:00

Additional Areas affected

  • North Street Car Park to Pump Corner (no exit)
  • Junction Road (reversed flow of traffic for the day managed by marshals)
  • Rose Hill – the banned left turn from South Side Car Park will be lifted for cars/small vehicles exiting the car park allowing these vehicles to egress to South Street and access the Rose Hill area.
Child in blue coat looking at large snowman decoration at Dorking Christmas event
Illuminated golden star Christmas lights against evening sky in Dorking

Access and Egress around the footprint of the event

There will be marshals and extensive signage around the footprint of the event to enable all to access and navigate the temporary closures.

All town centre car parks will remain accessible.

Why do we need a road closure?

To safely host stalls and activities throughout the town, a road closure is essential. It allows visitors to move around freely and securely. We close roads only for the time needed, with clear diversion routes and maintained access across town. Emergency services retain full access, and all relevant agencies are informed in advance. The closure helps create a safe, welcoming space for the community to celebrate the start of the festive season.

Extreme Weather Plan

The festival is scheduled for Sunday 29 November 2026. In the event of severe weather, we may reschedule key activities to Sunday 13 December 2026. Road closures would apply to only one of those dates. If rescheduled, we will share the update widely.

Scenes from the DorKingdom Fairytale Christmas Festival in Dorking

View the detailed maps for the event

You can view the complete details of the proposed road closure, including timings, access arrangements, and traffic management measures, by downloading the full road closure and traffic management plan. This document outlines how we aim to keep the event safe and minimise disruption while maintaining access to key parts of the town throughout the day.