Pippfest 2025
This page is being hosted on Circular Dorking’s website on behalf of the organisers of Pippfest.
Pippfest Rises Again…
Years of drawing attention to the empty Grade II* listed Gilbert Scott building finally got a result and when the Dorking Halls had to close last summer for repair works the obvious venue to relocate was Pippbrook House.
Book your boogie shoes for Sunday 7 September because Pippfest returns! Dancing through lunch until sunset is back on the agenda as the CHiP (Community Hub in Pippbrook) project celebrates getting inside the building at last!
The new venue is working well and is open to people for hire for community and personal events as well as continuing some with some of Dorking Halls favourite activities. Dorking museum staff will be offering free tours around the building so please make sure you book your slot on arrival.
To celebrate this and to have one last blast, Pippfest will launch in typical style with Bloco do Sol marching into the Pippbrook campus at 11am. This will be followed by with non-stop music and art activities throughout the day.
As usual local artisans will be selling their products and community groups will be telling their stories in the Healing Fields. You will be able to find out more about how to get involved in town projects by talking to Circular Dorking or River Watch.
Organiser Jacqui Hamlin said,
See the amazing line-up so far! More to be added soon.
Pippfest Event Map and Listing
Parking is available at the back of Dorking Halls.
Music
The 2025 full line-up will follow soon please come back to visit this page for updates which will be added as we get them. Compere for the day will be Surrey Hills Radio.
Food and Drink
Healing Fields and Flower Arena
The Healing Fields is a beautiful green space full of therapists offering holistic treatment taster sessions for a donation.
There is also a Flower Arena which will offer free workshops.
People and organisations participating in this area include:
Lucis College will be offering a wide range of complementary therapies including Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Reiki, Crystal Healing, Crystal Face Massage, Chakra Balancing and Crystal /Aura Readings, Kinesiology, Thai Foot Massage, Shamanic Healing, Spiritual Healing, Ear Candling, Ear Seeds.
Medium Paula Vgori and her partner Michelle were the hit of Pippfest 2024 and will be back offering readings.
Craft Stalls
Creativity at the heart of our community. Explore our local stalls:
Heal the World – Eco Hub
Hosted by Circular Dorking, this area showcased some of the remarkable community groups and their activities.
Artists Colony
Watch amazingly talented local artists at work!
After Pippfest their work will be taken down and transferred to Dorking Main Railway station where it will be installed by The Mens Shed, and will form a year-round outdoor exhibition called @Platform1.
Participating artists this year include:
Listen to Sally Elias talk about all things CHiP, Pippfest and the local Dorking community on Surrey Hills Radio.
Thank You to our Sponsors
Pippfest is run by CHiP with the amazing help of a group of local volunteers and organisations. It is very much run on a shoestring and relies on the good faith and help of so many who give their time and expertise freely and are fully invested in our inclusive and vibrant local community. This is what makes Dorking and the surrounding area so special.
Individuals to whom Pippfest is so grateful
We would like to send a special thank you to the following individuals:
Kathy Kyle Bonomini
Simon Edmands
Andrew Fuller
Liz Fuller
Ken Kempster
Tom Lawrenson
Jack Newsham
Chris Nolan
Shirley O’Donoghue
Claire Parker
Nigel Raven
Rosie Riordan
Caroline Salmon
Wendy Saunders
David Tobitt
Naoise Walsh
Sir Adrian White
Jessica Yee
