We’re teetering on the edge of festival season and with so many fantastic events lined up for Hertfordshire in 2022, it’s the perfect time to start planning your festival calendar.
Whether you’re looking for the soundtrack to your summer at one Hertfordshire’s many music festivals, or a sprinkling of culture at an arts festival, it’s time to start booking, planning and hunting down those wellies!
6th March
Celebrating our natural habitats and what they bring to us and our way of life is incredibly important. At the River Colne Family Fesitval in Watford, visitors can take a guided river walk, give back to their local community by going on a riverbank litter pick, and keeping with the celebratory theme, enjoy a host of entertainment from scavenger hunts to village fair games.
19th to 22nd May
A weekend of jazz spread across multiple venues in Watford is as sweet sounding as Sonny Rollins playing a spring evening. So if you want the finest music to your ears, you'll be pleased to hear that The Watford Jazz Junction will be running across 4 days from the 19th to 22nd May. The town will be welcoming big hitting jazz stars such as Grammy Winner Tim Garland, the full National Youth Jazz Orchestra big band, Indian-bass master Shri Sriram, UK funk trombone legend Dennis Rollins MBE to singing sensation Emma Smith, it's one not to be missed!
21st to 22nd May
All aboard, the Ricksmansworth Aqua-themed festival is back for 2022! Come and marvel at a wonderful array of over 100 canal boats across the county around the Aquadrome and Batchworth Lock. Get your sailors hat on and seek out boats and traders, or simply enjoy the music and performing arts displays for a truly Herts day on the water.
12th June
With a theme this year around Re-imagining the town of Stevenage and a focus on the Queens Jubilee and Commonwealth Games, Stevenage Day is a free day out for everyone. Giving a truly festival vibe there'll be plenty of activities for all ages including a storytelling and craft tent, a carnival, a plethora of food vendors and over 200 stalls that are dedicated to local organisations and charities - and don't miss the Rock in the Park with its twin stages of local bands and performers.
16th to 17th July
One for those who need a celebration of all things food. Staged at the great Knebworth House, the Great British Food Festival is ready to bring you a full palette of street food, chef and baking demonstrations right through to foraging lessons. If you're there to simply eat the stunning array of food on offer, there'll be plenty of street food, bars and artisan markets for you to enjoy and sample and to top it all off, the festival vibe to Hertfordshire will be provided by plenty of live music. Equally, don't have any worries about bringing the little ones as there's kids cookery courses, and of course your four-legged friends are free to come along!
16th July
While it might only be one day, the Hatfield House Battle Proms are a festival for those looking to royally honour the summertime. Taking place in the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field, the evening will be full of celebration - kicking off with a cavalry display, followed up by a gun salute and a spitfire fly past, there'll be a full musical programme for no less than three hours! Be sure to also pre-order your delicious picnic hamper!
21st to 24th July
With a full lineup that includes a huge variety of music genres - from Madness and Primal Scream to Craig David and Sigrid, this boutique festival in the countryside offers big names and the very best in emerging talent all in one. Complete with a touch of luxury accommodation that ranges from yurts to cosy bell tents and space for those bringing their own tents or campervans, it’s safe to say this is not your average music festival!
31st July
Get your saxophones at the ready because we're swinging it way back this summer. Watford Borough Council's Big JiveSwing Festival is returning once again to Cassiobury Park. With performances taking place at the Band Stand from many internationally reclaimed jazz musicians, bands and dancers, you’d be mad to miss out. This afternoon extravaganza will also put on family dance classes so the little ones can stay smiling and shimmying throughout the day. Get your toes tapping in the sunshine and boogie on down to the Big JiveSwing festival...
27th to 29th August
Hot heads, this is the festival for you. 60 stalls of independent chilli traders, sensationally spiced food and cocktails, chilli plants and plenty of entertainment is all set for this year’s festival, perfect for the spice aficionados. For the real heat-seekers, it’s time to test your mettle in the infamous chilli eating competition, but get in there quick, because only a select few will have the honour of burning their taste buds...
Summer can't come quick enough!
