Mole Valley Arts Alive

The Mole Valley Arts Alive Festival 2025 will run from 27 Sept – 31 October

Welcome to the Mole Valley Arts Alive Festival.

Mole Valley Arts Alive is one of the biggest, inclusive community arts festivals in Surrey, comprising around 100 local arts events taking place throughout October each year. Last year we had over 14,000 participants.

We have shows, exhibitions and workshops in the fields of music, theatre, author events, children’s dance, creative writing, film, painting, poetry, street art and crafting. We’re open to all ages and abilities. Take a look at our listings, and come join in!

Arts Alive runs each October, and 2024 saw a record number of events. We hope you enjoyed them. See you later in 2025, when the festival will run from 27 Sept-31 October.

Something for everyone…

Mole Valley Arts Alive is an inclusive festival – that is, open to all. We aim to be accessible and participants remark on the welcoming nature of our events.

Comments about events…

‘What an amazing array of events, I like the way the festival draws people together’

‘Fascinating exhibition, lovely local cultural event’

‘I truly loved this event’

‘Enjoyable evening’

‘Great Show’

‘A lovely event for the family – simple fun!’

‘BLOS (eventholder) did an amazing job – I’m enjoying Arts Alive and getting out more than ever, THANK YOU’

Live and online events

Events all happen either in or around the Mole Valley towns of Ashtead, Dorking, Leatherhead and Bookham, or online.

Events have included painting and printmaking workshops, standup comedy, radio station open days, Sculpture Garden walks, and children’s theatre. What’s not to like?

We often have events from Dorking’s twin towns of Güglingen (Germany), Gouvieux (France) and Sinalunga (Italy) both online or visiting in person.

Arts Alive Patron 2025 – Jack Pepper

Mole Valley’s award-winning Community Arts Festival, Arts Alive, takes place this October, with over 100 events in the fields of theatre, comedy, painting and more, taking place across the whole district and open to all.

This year, their Patron is one of the youngest-ever commissioned composers and national radio presenters in the UK, Surrey resident Jack Pepper.

Described as brilliant, warm, generous, funny and open minded as well as a champion of young people and inspiring speaker, Jack has written music for the Royal Opera House, Classic FM’s 25th Birthday and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He is currently presenting weekend afternoons on Magic Radio’s Magic Classical and has just been announced as one of His Majesty The King’s ‘35 Under 35’, highlighting makers and change makers in The King’s Foundation’s 35th anniversary year.

Jack said: ‘It’s an honour to be patron of Arts Alive this year. It’s a celebration of performance, fun and community – all are welcome – join in’.

Got an arts event in Mole Valley during October? Registrations for this year’s festival take place from 6 June until 18 July, so if this is you, please contact the Arts Alive team at festival@arts-alive.co.uk. The team are also looking for commercial sponsorship so if you would like your brand to become part of this unforgettable experience that attracts over 14,000 attendees including artists, influencers and enthusiasts, please contact us.

MVDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Tourism Cllr Nick Wright said: “In the words of Darren Henley of ‘The Arts Dividend’ – ‘Investment in Culture creates Happier Lives’. If you have an idea for an event and would like to be part of this, do contact the festival committee.”