Bookings are now open for Arts Takeover 25 - a week-long celebration of art, comedy, drama, fashion, music and more - taking place in and around Redhill from 4 to 11 October. This will be an inclusive, creative festival with plenty of low-cost activities and free performances to enjoy. With 11 venues taking part so far, and dozens of events to choose from, this year's Arts Takeover is going to be bigger and better than ever.

On Saturday 4 October there will be free music performances throughout the day on the outdoor Music Stage by The Harlequin Theatre building. An exciting line up will be curated by The Hive Rooms, a Horley-based recording and rehearsal studio.

Redhill will be strutting its stuff on Tuesday 7 October, 6 to 8pm at The Belfry Community Stage. The town’s first fashion show will be a celebration of community and sustainability hosted by local poet Woodzy and with music from the Audio Cocktail Club. Anyone aged 13 and over is invited to be a catwalk model and showcase their sustainable style. If you'd rather have a front-row seat and just enjoy the show book now to avoid disappointment. A bar will be available.

Comedy Cottage returns to Redhill for Arts Takeover on Friday 10 October in the Belfry Community Stage at 7pm. The line up for this special festival show is: 

• Dana Alexander: 'Refreshing and Fearless. Her comedic style ... smart, irreverent and revolutionary' (Now Magazine)
• Ada Campe: 'Extravagantly mischievous persona ... brilliantly crowd-pleasing act' (Chortle)
• John Smith: 'Pick of the week ... beautifully written jokes' (Guardian)
• Vyome Singh
• and your regular award-winning MC, Sajeela Kershi.

Book now for this popular night that promises a lotta laughs. Tickets £15.

On Saturday 11 October, local bands will be battling it out before a judging panel in a special 'Battle of the Bands' at the Belfry Community Stage. Organised by Redstart, who produce the new regular Mall Sessions at the Belfry Shopping Centre, and the Hive Rooms, who run a recording and rehearsal studio in Horley, we're expecting a quality line up and a fierce competition!

Event times are 7pm to 10pm and there will be a bar to purchase drinks.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is collaborating with The Lucy Rayner Foundation to curate this years' community art exhibition. Young artists, aged between 10 and 25 are invited to submit their work for "This is Me", a community art exhibition celebrating identity, self-expression, and the things we love. Whether you're a student, part of a local youth or community group, or an independent artist, we want to see your story on canvas. The exhibition will run from 4 to 18 October in the Belfry Shopping Centre.

If you’re looking to get creative and have a go at something new, we think there's something for everyone at Arts Takeover 25:

• Put on your dancing shoes and have a go at Line Dancing, Jive or Baby Ballet
• Get arty and crafty with the Family Big Draw, Basket Weaving, a range of Art workshops, a Photography Walk, or Autumn Crown Making
• Be musical and Learn the Sega or enjoy a Beatz DJ session
• Try something different with a Horror Writing or Improvisation workshop

Most classes cost between £5 and £15 with prices designed to cover professional fees only and kept as low as possible.

Make sure you check the listings and don't miss the many performances by local people and organisations that are part of Arts Takeover 25 (many of which are completely free!). Highlights include:

• dance shows from Starsteppers and Reigate School of Ballet at The Light
• choir performances from Include Choir, Unison Choir, the Franklin Voices Choir, and the Pop-up Community Choir
• music from the Redhill Corp of Drums and a Musical Lunch at Woodhatch Community Centre with hits from the 50s to the 80s
• a chance to learn with a Gardening and Nature Talk or a Photography Walk with the Reigate Photography Society
• storytelling from spooky tales of Redhill to a celebration of Black History Month
• a Bollywood Extravaganza with the Asian Social Group
• a sustainability and art quarter in the market including an artist for hire!

Arts Takeover isn’t just a festival – it’s a celebration of Redhill’s creative spirit! Thank you to all the amazing local artists, volunteers and supporters making it all happen!

• Garibaldi Community Pub
• Redhill Market
• The Community Stage at Belfry Shopping Centre
• The Light
• St Matthew's Church
• Redhill Library
• Lucie Flynn Studio
• Woodhatch Community Centre
• United Reform Church
• Florrie's Park Cafe, Memorial Park
  
  

Critically acclaimed theatre company, This Is My Theatre, will be back on Friday 14 November. Audiences are invited to the Town Hall, Reigate, for a stunning one-act adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, 'A Christmas Carol'. The production is packed with charm, cheer and, of course, plenty of carols, and is sure to spread joy and warm hearts this Christmas!

There are two performances (5pm and 7.30pm). Tickets cost £16 (concessions £14 and under 4s free).

Our school holiday programme aims to help kids get off their screens and discover something new. Low cost creative activities are on offer for children and young people during all the school holidays (except Christmas). It's easy to book online so take a look and see if anything inspires you. If you are in receipt of benefits or have a looked after child you may be eligible for a 50% discount.

Our community centres in Banstead, Horley and Woodhatch offer a range of art and leisure activities designed to inspire creativity and bring people together. Whether you’re exploring your artistic talents, have a passion for crafting or looking for a singing group, take a look at what's available.