Exploring the Festive Charms of Hertfordshire This Christmas
Hertfordshire, with its idyllic landscapes and historic towns, becomes a festive wonderland during Christmas. From traditional markets to wildlife adventures, this county offers a diverse range of activities for a memorable holiday season. Let’s dive into what Hertfordshire has in store for you this Christmas.
Christmas Markets: A Shopper’s Delight
St Albans Christmas Market: Nestled near the majestic Cathedral, this market is a festive haven. Discover unique gifts and indulge in seasonal treats amidst a picturesque setting. This year the market takes place on the 2nd December, starting at 11am. Make sure you get there early!
Hertford Christmas Gala: Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere in Hertford. The gala features live performances, artisan crafts, and a variety of food stalls on the 24th November, helping you to get ahead with your festive shopping in plenty of time.
Paradise Wildlife Park: A Wild Christmas Adventure
Festive Fun at the Zoo: Paradise Wildlife Park transforms into a magical Christmas destination. Meet Santa in his grotto, enjoy animal encounters, and partake in festive activities, making it a perfect outing for families. There are a variety of dates and events to enjoy, you can find out more on their website here.
Dazzling Light Displays: A Visual Feast
Hatfield Park: Experience the ‘Fantastical Christmas Revels’ at Hatfield Park, a celebration of the manor’s history and its connection to Elizabeth I. This event offers traditional Yuletide merriment, Tudor festivities, and a sparkling Christmas atmosphere, complete with Tudor melodies and historical charm.
Ashridge House: Immerse yourself in the ‘Nutcracker Christmas experience’ at Ashridge House. This event takes you on a journey with Clara and her Nutcracker, through the Land of Snow, ending with a visit to Father Christmas and a chance to make a wish on the Wishing Tree.
Welwyn Garden City: Known as ‘The Home of Christmas Lights’, Welwyn Garden City features magical illuminations including a giant sitting atop a present and an enormous reindeer at the Howard Centre. These festive lights are on display from November to New Year’s Day.
Harpenden’s Christmas Carnival: Returning in 2023, this carnival includes Santa’s Grotto, festive food stalls, and a market for last-minute gifts. The highlight is the spectacular Christmas Lights Switch On.
Stanborough Park: Join the ‘Christmas Polar Penguin search’ from 22nd to 31st December. This family-friendly event involves a festive walk while searching for festively named Christmas penguins, offering a fun and free day out.
Christmas Shopping: Retail Therapy
Jackson Square Shopping Centre, Bishop’s Stortford: With over 45 stores including major retail brands like Next, H&M, Fat Face, Pandora, and a Sainsbury’s supermarket, Jackson Square is a vibrant shopping destination. It also hosts food and beverage outlets such as Starbucks and Nando’s, and regularly adds new shops like Mountain Warehouse and Hotel Chocolat.
The Howard Centre, Welwyn Garden City: Offering approximately 220,000 sq ft of retail space, The Howard Centre is conveniently located with direct entry to Welwyn Garden City Railway Station, making it an accessible shopping hub.
Garden Square Shopping Centre, Letchworth: Situated in the heart of the world’s first Garden City, this centre features well-configured retail units predominantly at ground level, making it a central part of Letchworth’s main pedestrian thoroughfare.
Atria Watford, Watford: This large shopping centre boasts 1.4 million sq.ft of retail, cafe, bars, and restaurant space. It includes key retailers like M&S, Zara, Apple, and Primark, and offers leisure activities with a 9 screen Cineworld IMAX, among others.
Queensway, Stevenage: Known as the prime retail pitch in the town, Queensway hosts a range of retailers including JD, Topshop, Specsavers, Pandora, and Primark.
Christopher Place, St Albans: Located in the historic city of St. Albans, Christopher Place offers stylish shopping with brands such as L.K.Bennett, Hobbs, French Connection, and Whistles, along with home furnishing stores like The White Company and Feather and Black.
The Maltings Shopping Centre, St Albans: Accounting for a significant portion of the retail space in St Albans, The Maltings features 58 shops including Kurt Geiger, H&M Hennes, New Look, and River Island, attracting around 4 million visitors annually.
Riverside Shopping Centre, Hemel Hempstead: This open-air centre set around the River Gade includes tenants like H&M, Next, TK Maxx, Pandora, Waterstones, and Starbucks.
Marlowes Shopping Centre, Hemel Hempstead: With anchor tenants like JD Sports, M&S, New Look, Wilko, and Argos, Marlowes Shopping Centre is a bustling retail destination. Other retailers include Deichmann, The Entertainer, and Greggs.
Festive Theatre and Performances: A Cultural Experience
Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage: ‘Sleeping Beauty’ will be performed from November 29, 2023, to January 21, 2024. This spectacular Stevenage pantomime is full of music, laughter, amazing special effects, and plenty of surprises, featuring a swashbuckling Prince Valiant
Watford Palace Theatre: ‘Cinderella’ is set to enchant audiences from November 30 to December 31, 2023. This unique take on the classic tale is set on New Year’s Eve, 1999, providing a fresh and entertaining twist
The Boxmoor Playhouse, Hemel Hempstead: Enjoy ‘Dick Whittington’ from November 30 to December 10, 2023. Presented by HHTheatreCo, this adaptation of the family favourite promises to be a delightful experience
The Radlett Centre, Radlett: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ will be staged from December 2 to 31, 2023. Expect dazzling choreography, stunning sets, uplifting live music, and glamourous costumes, ensuring a magical experience for the audience
South Mill Arts, Bishop’s Stortford: Another version of ‘Cinderella’ will be performed from December 2, 2023, to January 2, 2024, featuring an all-singing and dancing West End cast, adding magical twists to this fairy tale classic
Campus West, Welwyn Garden City: ‘Robin Hood’ runs from December 6, 2023, to January 3, 2024. Join the heroic archer and his merry band in Sherwood Forest for an adventure filled with song, dance, and archery
The Alban Arena, St Albans: ‘The All New Adventures of Peter Pan’ will be shown from December 8 to 31, 2023. The story follows Elizabeth Darling, Wendy’s daughter, on a thrilling journey with Peter, Tinkerbell, and the Lost Children of Neverland
Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth: ‘Sleeping Beauty’ is set for December 8 to 31, 2023. The show is full of surprises, special effects, fun, laughter, music, and dance
Eric Morcombe Theatre, Harpenden: ‘Beauty & The Beast’ will be performed from December 9 to 30, 2023. The family pantomime features spectacular scenery, glittering costumes, and amazing special effects
The Spotlight Theatre, Hoddesdon: ‘Cinderella’ will entertain audiences from December 12 to 30, 2023. The show includes all the traditional pantomime ingredients, including laugh-out-loud comedy, beautiful costumes, and stunning scenery
Broadway Cinema & Theatre, Letchworth Garden City: ‘Aladdin’ is scheduled for December 14, 2023. The story of good versus evil includes magical genies, a flying carpet, and promises a magical ride for the whole family
Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar: ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ runs from December 15 to 31, 2023. This fairy-tale pantomime promises live music, colourful costumes, amazing sets, and spectacular special effects
The SandPit Theatre, St Albans: ‘Rapunzel’ will be presented from December 16 to 31, 2023. The musical pantomime adventure features Rapunzel saving the day with a cast of kooky characters
Outdoor Winter Fun: Activities for All
Hertfordshire offers a variety of outdoor winter activities that are perfect for enjoying the festive season. Here’s a roundup of some outdoor winter fun you can engage in:
Winter Walks:
Cassiobury Park (Watford): A nature reserve with wet woodland, marshland, and open pools. The park offers paths alongside the Grand Union Canal and Whippendell Woods, an extensive play park, and cafes
Fir & Ponds Woods (near Potters Bar): This reserve is ideal for wildlife spotting, with habitats including woodland, meadow, and wetland. You can meander through ancient trees and explore a medieval fish pond
Tewinbury and Panshanger Park (near Hertford): These parks flank the River Mimram, offering multiple trails and walking options. Tewinbury is home to the Chalk River Discovery Trail, and Panshanger Park boasts the Panshanger Great Oak, believed to be England’s oldest Oak tree
Wilstone Reservoir (near Tring): A winter home for many visiting wildfowl, this location offers a circular walk around the reservoir, birdwatching opportunities, and a café for post-walk refreshments
Stocker’s Lake (near Rickmansworth): A former gravel pit turned into a hotspot for wintering birds. Enjoy a family-friendly circular walk around the lake, birdwatching from hides, and a café nearby
Ice Skating:
Van Hage, Great Amwell: An undercover ice rink in a fully-heated marquee, available from November 14 to January 6
Willows Activity Farm, St Albans: Part of the Santa Spectacular programme, which includes a variety of festive activities in addition to ice skating, from November 23 to December 24
Alexandra Palace, London (near Hertfordshire border): Offers a special Christmas night ice skating event on December 14, with festive music
Letchworth Outdoor Pool: Features a real ice rink with skate aids and a café, from November 23 to January 5
Where to Meet Santa across Hertfordshire
Garden Centres:
Burston Garden Centre, St Albans: Hosts a Christmas Grotto.
Van Hage, Great Amwell: Features Santa’s Grotto.
Stevenage Garden Centre: Offers Christmas festivities.
Notcutts Garden Centre, Smallford: No grotto in 2023, but other festive treats available.
The Magic of Christmas, Walkern: Grotto bookings start in October 2023
Animal Parks:
Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne: A zoo with a dinosaur park, offers festive attractions.
Willows Activity Farm, St Albans: Available from 24th November to 24th December 2023.
Shepreth Wildlife Park, near Royston: Open weekends in December 2023.
Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park, near Essex: Open from 2nd to 24th December 2023
Country Houses and Parks:
Knebworth House, Stevenage: Offers ‘Lunch with Santa’ on 17th and 22nd December 2023.
Lee Valley Boat Centre: Hosts a ‘Santa Cruise’.
Aldenham Country Park, Elstree: Hosts the Winter Fest from 25th November 2023 to 2nd January 2024.
Hatfield House, Hatfield: Hosting Christmas various events.
This Christmas, Hertfordshire offers an eclectic mix of festive shopping, wildlife adventures, cultural events, and outdoor activities. Whether it’s exploring the vibrant Christmas markets, experiencing the magic of Paradise Wildlife Park, or indulging in retail therapy at the shopping centres and Van Hage, there’s something for everyone in this enchanting county. So, gather your loved ones and head to Hertfordshire for a Christmas filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
