Twinkling lights glisten above Hertfordshire’s streets, scarves are tightly wrapped around the necks of every flustered last-minute shopper in town and the stress of buying something ideal for the relative who has it all has well and truly kicked in - it's the most wonderful time of the year again! But if you're not quite in the festive spirit just yet, fear not as your trusty Visit Herts team have put together a guide of the best Christmas markets that Hertfordshire has on offer so you can really embrace that magical Christmas feeling! Mulled wine for two please...
This one is a definitely a date to pop in your diaries! Head along to experience festive fun like no other at Harpenden Christmas Carnival on the 28th November. Shop until you drop for your Christmas goodies from the farmers market, then take a stroll along the high street to enjoy the funfair, Santas grotto, stilt walkers and much more! And remember, stay until 5pm where Harpenden's glistening Christmas Lights will be turned on for the very first time in 2021.
Are you making a list and checking it twice, because the Tring Together Christmas Festival is coming to town! On Saturday 27th November, the High Street will be filled with smells of roasted chestnuts, rows of twinkling lights, live music and Christmas stalls. Get merry (thanks to Puddingstone Distillery’s Campfire Gin gazebo) and enjoy the magic of Christmas at Tring Christmas Market. Gin cocktails for the adults and visits to Father Christmas for little ones will sure to get everyone in the spirit – and late night shopping and festive market stalls means you might be able to get all that pesky Christmas shopping done at the same time!
You can’t do Christmas in Herts without experiencing a day out at Knebworth House’s Christmas Fair! Shelter from the cold in heated marquees packed with over 250 amazing businesses ready to fulfil your Christmas needs. Indulge in delicious cheeses, local meats and fine wines in the Festival of Food and Drink tent, or head to pick up your festive décor in the indoor shopping exhibition. All in the shadow of the magnificent Knebworth… it’s a must for the weekend of 26th-28th November.
Hurry down to Bishops Stortford Christmas Fayre on the 4th December to see over 100 stalls to see local favourites from Bishop Stortford’s Markets as well as Farmers and Crafts markets, selling everything from handmade jewellery, candles and delicious Christmas treats. Topped off with live music from three different stages and featuring over twenty music acts, it’ll be hard to stay a Grinch after a day at this fabulously festive event!
Dreaming of a Christmas just like the ones you used to know? Well the annual Christmas Gala will return on 26th November, bringing Christmas markets and street entertainment to Hertford. Tree tops will glisten at the Christmas light switch on, visit Santa in his festive grotto, take a spin on the rides (if you're brave enough) and enjoy live entertainment on the performance stage.
Renowned for it's independent shopping in these picturesque quaint streets, it's no surprise St Albans is a stunning winter wonderland come December. This year we'll be dreaming of a white Christmas at their historic charter market picking up our festive favourites and trying the eclectic mix of pop-up's like Real Street Food Nights and Vintage Markets. You'll never run out of activities in St Albans this Christmas - from Nutcracker Trails to carols at the Cathedral, find out more right here.
Head to Watford on 3rd December for a magical evening that is sure to get you in the festive spirit! Local music acts will sing our favourite Christmas jingles while lashings of food and drink like waffles, gingerbread, mulled wine and craft beer will be on offer to eat, drink and be merry! Bring your shopping bags to pick up the handmade treats and colourful decorations - what a way to start the festivities!
