Top Christmas markets in Hertfordshire
PUBLISHED: 12:26 16 November 2018 | UPDATED: 12:57 16 November 2018
St Albans Christmas Market will be back for another year (photo: Richard Gillin, Flickr, http://bit.ly/2y0AaVq)
Archant
Christmas isn't complete without a trip to a festive fair. From German-style food stalls to vintage fetes, Hertfordshire's Christmas markets have it all
• St Albans Meraki Christmas Festival
Friday 30th November to Saturday 22nd December
Lots of wooden chalets will be lined up in Verulamium Park in St Albans this year for the augmented Christmas market which has moved from its previous location in the Cathedral quarter. Expect carol singers and stalls overflowing with gifts, clothes, decorations and plenty of festive food. There will be an ice rink, Father Christmas meet and greets, outdoor bars and much more!
• Tring Together Christmas Festival
Friday 30th November, 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Tring’s historic High Street will be transformed into a Christmas market as thousands arrive for the biggest event in the town’s calendar. Businesses will stay open for late night shopping and street stalls will offer gifts, food and cocktails. Head to Victoria Hall for Father Christmas and a rare appearance by Mrs Christmas. There will be live music in Dolphin Square and a fun fair too. The town’s churches will also be open for visitors. Free entry
• Harpenden Christmas Carnival and Farmers Market
Sunday 25th November, 12pm to 6pm
The Harpenden Farmer’s Market will be filled with festive delights for the November instalment, coinciding with the Christmas Carnival. Expect the carnival procession, stalls piled with gifts, food and crafts, fairground rides and much more. The town’s lights will be turned on by the mayor at 5pm.
Sunday 2nd December, 11am to 5pm
The Redbourn Christmas Market will host 80+ sellers offering gifts, toys, jewellery, books, food and drink and everything in between. There will also be lots of entertainment including choirs singing carols and the Yule raffle as well as tempting food stalls and a very special visit from Father Christmas, whose grotto you can visit on the high street. Keep an eye on the website for a full list of events.
Friday 9th to Sunday 11th November
Taking place at the magnificent Knebworth House is the new Knebworth Winter Festival. There will be pop up stalls in the grounds of the stately house selling a plethora of craft stalls selling gifts alongside lots of food and drink stalls to keep you energised as you search for that special present.
• Bishop’s Stortford Christmas Fayre
Saturday 1st December
The streets of the market town will be bustling with festivities again for the Bishop’s Stortford Christmas Fayre. There will be Christmas songs performed by local bands and choirs as a festive backdrop to the fayre. Expect homemade decorations, food hampers and more. You can even pick up your Christmas tree!
Saturday 24th November, 10am to 6pm
There will be plenty of gift ideas, arts and crafts, stocking fillers and decorations at this fair in Hoddesdon High Street. With lots independent traders, you’re bound to find something to fit the bill. Local choirs and the Enfield Brass Band will provide the soundtrack, while a Father Christmas parade takes place before the Christmas tree light switch on and a fireworks display. There will be reindeer from Paradise Wildlife Park, fairground rides, and face painting for the children while you indulge in a hot chocolate or mulled wine. Free entry (small charge for activities)
Friday 23rd November
Hertford Christmas Gala is back again and will feature market stalls, a stage of entertainment, reindeer, rides for the kids, a Santa’s grotto and lots more. The town’s illuminations will also be turned on to coincide with the Gala that is sure to attract lots of eager Christmas shoppers.
• Lee Valley White Water Centre Christmas Market
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December, 10.30 to 6pm
Wander around the pretty Bavarian-style boulevard of chalets as the Olympic water park in Cheshunt is transformed into a wintery wonderland complete with an ice rink capable of holding 140 skaters, a traditional fun fair and Santa’s grotto. Find gifts and decorations at a range of arts and crafts stalls. Food stalls will be offering bratwurst, waffles, hot chocolate and mulled wine and there’s a beer tent too to get you in the festive spirit. Free entry (charges for activities apply)
Friday 7th December, 6pm to 10pm
Ware’s town centre roads close for this Victorian-themed event, which attracts thousands of people. There will be late night shopping with in-store festivities, costumed stall and shopkeepers, craft markets around the town, a fun fair, and plenty of enticing goodies at the produce and food market on the High Street. Live music will be performed throughout the evening. The lights at the horse chestnut tree will be turned on by the Mayor at 7pm in Tudor Square. Free entry
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Hosting a Christmas market? Email Samuel.Mathewson@archant.co.uk with details
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