Spend Your Christmas at The GI
Your home for a magical festive season, filled with memorable events and unforgettable experiences.
There’s something rather special about Christmas at The GI.
As the evenings draw in and the first hints of Christmas begin to appear, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to The GI in the heart of Guildford for a festive season filled with creativity, culture, good company and plenty of Christmas spirit.
Whether you’re looking to learn something new, make something beautiful, enjoy an evening out or simply take a little time for yourself, our programme has something to tempt you.
This year, our Christmas celebrations begin in October, giving us plenty of time to ease gently into the festive season.
The Art of Christmas – 6 October
We begin with The Art of Christmas, a fascinating journey through the Christmas story as told by artists from medieval times through to the twentieth century.
This richly illustrated course will explore the ways artists have interpreted the Nativity and Christmas story across the centuries, featuring the work of Fra Angelico, Campin, van der Goes, Botticelli, Brueghel, Rembrandt, Rossetti, Burne-Jones and many more.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to look at a familiar story through fresh eyes and discover some of the beautiful, intriguing and sometimes surprising ways Christmas has been represented in art.
A Festive Wine Tasting – 25 November
Then, as Christmas gets a little closer, it’s time to raise a glass.
On 25 November, join us for our Festive Wine Tasting Workshop with Charlie Goblet D’Alviella, Wine Educator and owner of Surrey Local Wine School.
Designed to help you get into the Christmas spirit, this enjoyable and informative workshop will take you on a guided journey through a carefully selected collection of festive wines.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas dinner, entertaining friends or looking ahead to welcoming in the New Year, Charlie will share tips and ideas on choosing, serving and pairing wines – helping you feel a little more confident when it comes to choosing the perfect bottle for the festive table.
Come along, discover some new favourites and enjoy an evening of good wine and good company.
Make Your Own Christmas Wrapping Paper – 27 November
If you love the idea of adding a personal touch to your Christmas presents, our Block Printed Wrapping Paper Workshop on 27 November could be just the thing.
Before the Christmas rush really gets underway, take some time to be creative and make something completely your own.
You’ll have the chance to block print your own kraft wrapping paper, choosing from a selection of ready-made designs or creating and making your own printing blocks.
Depending on how quickly you work, you should be able to make several sheets to take home with you – ready to wrap your Christmas presents in something a little more special.
There’s something lovely about a giving a gift, and even more so when the wrapping has been made by you.
Glow Wild at Wakehurst – 3 December
And then, as December arrives, we head out into the winter evening for something truly magical.
On 3 December, join us for a coach trip to Glow Wild at Wakehurst, where the gardens and woodland are transformed by light.
We’ll travel by coach for a magical winter afternoon and evening, arriving in time to watch the landscape change from dusk to darkness. As night falls, enchanting light installations and artistic displays bring the gardens and woodland to life.
There’ll be plenty of time to wander along the illuminated trail, take in the spectacular displays and enjoy some festive food and drink from the stalls along the way.
With our early evening departure, it’s a lovely, relaxed way to enjoy one of the South East’s most atmospheric seasonal events – without having to worry about the journey home.
A Very Creative 4 December
The festive feeling continues on 4 December, with not one but two opportunities to explore the Christmas story and get creative.
Air – Dry Clay Christmas Decorations with Kate
Join local artist Kate for some festive fun and get hands-on with air-dry clay.
During this creative workshop, you’ll learn several different ways to make your own Christmas decorations. Make something beautiful to keep for yourself, or create thoughtful handmade gifts for friends and family.
How wonderful to make your own decorations – and they become so special when they return to the Christmas tree year after year.
Unpicking the Nativity Through a Historian’s Lens – also online
For those curious about the history behind the Christmas story, Unpicking the Nativity Through a Historian’s Lensoffers the chance to look at the Nativity from a different perspective.
What can historians actually know about the Nativity stories? How were these accounts formed, and how did later traditions shape what Christmas came to mean?
Using historical methods, textual analysis and cultural context, this workshop separates evidence from interpretation, while respecting the significance of the story within religious and cultural history.
And if you can’t join us at The GI, this fascinating session is also available online.
And, of course, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little music.
Ian Shaw’s Early Xmas Caper brings live music, laughter and festive mischief to The GI.
Jazz singer and entertainer Ian Shaw returns to the Guildford Institute for his inimitable one-man powerhouse show, exploring the joys, tears and sheer horror of the festive season.
Join this mischievous artist for a cracker of a show, after yet another right old figgy pud of a year.
Expect seasonal songs, razor-sharp comedy and plenty of festive surprises. It’s Christmas with a jazz twist – and an evening not to be missed.
Christmas in Art – 8 December
On 8 December, we return to the Christmas story through the world of art with Christmas in Art, with Daphne Jefferis.
From the Roman period until today, images of the Nativity have featured throughout Western art. This course will trace the changing ways in which artists have depicted the Nativity and the Holy Family, following the journey from religious representations towards the more secular images we recognise today.
This is a reworked version of last year’s lecture, offering another opportunity to explore the fascinating relationship between Christmas, art and the changing world around it.
Member & Volunteer Christmas Reception – 10 December
Christmas is also about people, and on 10 December we’ll come together to celebrate the wonderful community that makes The GI what it is.
Our Member & Volunteer Christmas Reception is an opportunity for Institute staff, trustees and volunteers to enjoy some time together and celebrate the festive season.
There’ll be mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas music – the perfect ingredients for a warm and welcoming festive gathering.
A Festive Feast of Christmas Poems – 15 December
As the big day gets closer, take a little time away from the Christmas preparations and join us for A Festive Feast of Christmas Poems on 15 December.
This interactive poetry session is an invitation to pause, take a breath and enjoy the magic of words.
Whether you’re a lifelong poetry lover or simply looking for something a little different this Christmas, come along, settle in and enjoy a festive feast of poetry.
A Christmas Carol with Jonathan Jones
And what better way to round off our festive programme than with one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all?
Join returning costumed speaker Jonathan Jones for a dramatised reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Delivered much as Dickens himself would have performed it, Jonathan uses different voices, gestures and mannerisms to bring the various characters to life.
See Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit brought vividly before your eyes.
It’s a timeless story of Christmas, kindness, generosity and transformation – and a wonderful one to enjoy together at this time of year.
Christmas, all in one place
From the first Christmas-inspired course in October to festive gatherings, creative workshops, live music, poetry, history, art and magical winter outings, there are so many ways to make this Christmas special at The GI.
Perhaps you’ll discover a new favourite wine. Maybe you’ll make decorations that become part of your family Christmas for years to come. You might lose yourself in music, art or poetry, learn something you never knew about the Nativity, or simply enjoy a glass of mulled wine and good company.
Whatever you choose, The GI is here to help make the festive season a little more memorable.
So come and spend your Christmas with us.
Make The GI your home for Christmas this year – and join us for a festive season full of creativity, culture, laughter and memorable moments.
We’ll see you at The GI.
