Surbiton residents can look forward to a more festive atmosphere this winter, with the Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee approving funding for new Christmas trees and festive events.
The committee, meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, allocated £6,532.03 of Councillor Ward Funding (CWF) for the purchase and installation of two Christmas trees. The locations for these trees were selected based on previous years' practice, with one tree to be placed at the Surbiton Station roundabout, and another in Tolworth at the junction of Ewell Road and Princess Avenue.
Additionally, £1,140 was approved for a remote switch-on event for the Surbiton tree, organised by the Surbiton Town Centre Partnership, adding a festive community event to the occasion.
The committee also approved a £2,800 Neighbourhood Community Grant (NCG) for the Surbiton Town Centre Partnership to support their Christmas event on December 3rd. The event aims to create a festive hub at Surbiton Station and along the high street, featuring a Christmas market, family entertainment, a reindeer trail, and a window decoration competition.
This Christmas event, including the market and other activities, is planned for Thursday, December 3rd, 2026. The event aims to engage younger members of the community as it falls on a Thursday when children are still at school. The Surbiton Town Centre Partnership plans to implement a reindeer trail for young children
called Where are Santa's reindeer?
This trail will involve Santa's reindeer being located at various stores and pubs in Surbiton, encouraging people to walk around the town centre and visit local businesses. The reindeer trail is expected to run throughout December.
The festive events are anticipated to have a positive impact on local businesses and foot traffic. The reindeer trail is intended to encourage people to walk around, and also those stores and pubs will be open and hoping to improve their custom.
The window decoration competition aims to give us, if you like, for free, a decorated town centre.
The Christmas market in the station forecourt is also expected to support local businesses, and foster civic pride.
Beyond the Christmas trees, there are plans for additional decorations and lighting. The Surbiton Town Centre Partnership is organizing a best-decorated shop competition
to encourage local businesses to create a festive atmosphere. Additionally, they are proposing a light-up event
in the station forecourt as part of the Christmas market, with the light-up Surbiton group
involved in this initiative.
While the main Christmas event is on December 3rd, the Christmas trees are funded for the winter season. There is no explicit mention of extending the festive events beyond December 3rd or for a longer period of Christmas tree illumination beyond the general provision for winter.