Events in Dorking

Looking for things to do in Dorking? You're in the right place! Friends of Dorking is a volunteer group of local businesses, shop owners and residents who love our town. Every year we run free family events, light up the high street at Christmas and fill the town with flowers, all to bring people into Dorking and support our local shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants.

Here's what's on in Dorking throughout the year, and how you can join in.

Free Family Events in Dorking

We run two free family events each year. They're designed to get everyone out exploring the town centre and discovering the independent shops that make Dorking special.

Spooktacular Halloween Hunt

Our Halloween Hunt is a free, screen-free trail around the streets of Dorking. Grab a map, track down the spooky characters hiding around town, fill in your form and send it back to us. It's a great way to spend a half-term afternoon, and you'll find plenty of participating shops along the way.

2026 dates: Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 Kindly sponsored by EweMove Dorking.

Find out more about the Halloween Hunt →

Family Easter Egg Hunt

Every Easter school holiday we hide eggs around Dorking town centre for families to find. It's free, it's fun and it's an eggcellent excuse to take the kids into town. Keep an eye on our News page for next year's dates.

Dorking Christmas Lights

Friends of Dorking organises and funds the Dorking Christmas lights. Every year our volunteers work hard to make the high street sparkle for the festive season, giving everyone another reason to shop local, meet friends and enjoy the town after dark.

The lights depend on donations from people like you. Help us make Dorking look great this Christmas: please donate now!

Donate to the Christmas lights →

Flower Displays Around Town

Working with Dorking Town Partnership and the Men's Shed, we create seasonal flower displays that brighten up the town centre throughout the year. Look out for them on your next visit!

Quiz Nights, Music Bingo and Fundraising Events

As well as our big family events, we hold fundraisers throughout the year to pay for the lights, flowers and free events. These have included:

• Music Bingo Night: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Quiz nights at venues around town
• The Friends of Dorking Quiz Walk (September)

Every ticket helps fund the things that make Dorking a lovely place to live and visit.

Look Out for Dorkers!

Our mascot Dorkers is often out and about at Dorking events. If you spot him around town, say hello and snap a photo! We love seeing your pictures, so tag us on social media.

Stay Up to Date with What's On in Dorking

Events in Dorking change through the year, so check our News page for the latest dates, market days, arts events and other things happening in and around town. You can also see photos from past events in our Gallery.

Get Involved

Friends of Dorking is run entirely by volunteers. If you're a local business that would like to take part in our trails, or a resident who'd like to lend a hand, we'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch →