Last updated: November 11, 2024
Your go-to resource for holiday fun in Hoddesdon is here! Explore our guide for all the festive events and activities. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, our guide helps you enjoy the holiday spirit in Hoddesdon.
This season, the Knebworth Christmas Fair invites you to wander through a bustling market full of unique gifts, delicious food, and merry entertainment. Hertford Castle Christmas Market offers a charming atmosphere where visitors can sample local produce and handmade crafts. And the Tring’s Christmas Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring enchanting light displays and family-friendly activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Unique shopping experience with new outdoor shopping marquees and wider aisles.
The Knebworth Christmas Fair is a three-day event at Knebworth House, featuring over 250 stalls with Christmas gifts, presents for all ages, and delicious festive food and drink.
Where: Stevenage | More Info: Knebworth Christmas Fair
Unique blend of local shopping and festive entertainment.
Hertford Castle Christmas Market features an array of Christmas market stalls offering homeware, crafts, and jewellery. The event includes food and drink stalls, fairground rides, and live entertainment.
Where: Hertford | More Info: Hertford Castle Christmas Market
Large entertainment stage and diverse local stalls.
Tring’s Christmas Festival is a vibrant event held on Tring High Street, featuring a variety of local traders, charities, and community groups. The festival includes a large entertainment stage, fun fair, festive light installation, Santa's Grotto, and open churches. It is one of the largest free entry events in the area, attracting over 10,000 visitors each year.
Where: Tring | More Info: Tring’s Christmas Festival
Community-driven market supporting local artisans and festive lighting.
Redbourn Christmas Market is a not-for-profit event featuring over 100 stalls offering local crafts, delicious food, and gift ideas. The market showcases seasonal music by local talent and includes a Yule raffle with amazing prizes from local businesses.
Where: Redbourn | More Info: Redbourn Christmas Market
Unique blend of local crafts and seasonal delicacies.
Braintree Christmas Street Market offers a vibrant shopping experience with local traders selling handmade gifts, seasonal items, and delicious food. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the lively atmosphere and variety of stalls in the town centre.
Where: Braintree | More Info: Braintree Christmas Street Market
Tudor-themed installations and live performances.
Step into the realm of Tudor festivities at Hatfield Park, where you can wander through the West Garden, past the Knot Garden, and into the Victorian Kitchen, encountering imposing Tudor bespoke installations, including a majestic carriage and merry mummers performing festive plays. Gaze upon the Christmas Kissing Bough and immerse yourself in the melodies of the era. Capture your journey with an awe-inspiring figure of Queen Elizabeth I, transporting yourself to a regal past amidst the sparkle of the season.
Where: Hatfield | More Info: Fantastical Christmas Revels at Hatfield House
Christmas carols and music in a historic cathedral setting.
St Albans Cathedral hosts a variety of events, including concerts, film screenings, and festive celebrations. The cathedral's beautiful architecture and rich history provide a unique backdrop for these activities, which cater to a wide range of interests and ages.
Where: St Albans | More Info: Tis the Season at St Albans Cathedral
Unique adaptation of C.S. Lewis's classic tale with a strong young cast.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Abbey Theatre is an adaptation of C.S. Lewis's timeless tale, where four siblings discover a magical land ruled by the White Witch. They embark on a fantastic adventure to save Narnia from everlasting winter, meeting Mr Tumnus, Mr and Mrs Beaver, and Father Christmas along the way. This production features a strong cast and superb character actors, bringing the classic story to life on stage.
Where: St Albans | More Info: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Abbey Theatre
Live music and festive community activities.
Join us for a fun-filled day of live music, community Christmas stalls, and food stalls at the Waltham Cross Christmas Festival. Enjoy the snow globe Father Christmas and his reindeers.
Where: Waltham Cross | More Info: Waltham Cross Christmas Festival
Hilarious family comedy with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Jingle All the Way is a classic comedy where Arnold Schwarzenegger's character desperately needs a Turbo Man toy for his son, leading to a series of hilarious events as he competes with another father to get the last toy on the shelf.
Where: Stevenage | More Info: Jingle all the way in Stevenage
Interactive Christmas experience with Father Christmas and festive activities.
At Audley End Miniature Railway, embark on a festive journey through enchanted woods to visit Father Christmas in his winter workshop. Meet Mother Christmas and her elves, and enjoy an illuminated woodland walk, letter writing, and interactive storytelling.
Where: Saffron Walden | More Info: Christmas at Audley End Miniature Railway
Live performance of festive favourites by West End singers and a swing band.
A fantastic cast of West End singers and the Jazz All-Stars perform over 30 best-loved Christmas hits, including classics by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. The evening features swing arrangements of Christmas hymns and songs, staged in the warm and delightful style of the famous Andy Williams Christmas Shows.
Where: Southend-on-Sea | More Info: Christmas Crooners
Themed dinner events with live entertainment and prizes.
Hunters Meet Hotel presents a series of themed evenings featuring live entertainment, prizes for best dressed, and a 3-course meal including tea and coffee. Events include 80s Nights, Mamma Mia Evening, Grease VS Dirty Dancing, Tina Turner Tribute, and 50s 60s Soul Motown Night.
Where: Stansted Mountfitchet | More Info: Christmas Weekend Events at Hunters Meet Hotel
Interactive Santa experience with various festive activities.
Meet Santa at Willows Activity Farm, where children can choose a gift from Santa's Toy Shop, create a cuddle toy, decorate gingerbread, and enjoy festive activities like the Toy Workshop and 3D film.
Where: St Albans | More Info: Santa Spectacular at Willows Activity Farm
Giant presents with letter clues for a prize draw.
Explore Hemel Hempstead's Christmas Present Trail, where 8 giant presents are scattered throughout the Marlowes and Old Town. Each present displays a letter for people to collect and decipher a word. Correct entries are entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a £200 gift voucher.
Where: Hemel Hempstead | More Info: Hemel Hempstead Christmas Present Trail
Interactive farm activities and festive entertainment.
At Winter Fest at Aldenham Country Park, explore the farm to meet all the animals, enjoy festive tunes in the Dance Tunnel, and participate in the Elf Hunt to win a prize. The event also features giant puzzles, mini-tractor play, and photo opportunities. Meet Christmas Pooh and experience Santa's Magical Grotto, where you can help the elf prepare for Santa's busy schedule and choose your perfect gift.
Where: Elstree | More Info: Winter Fest at Aldenham Country Park
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with Santa and animal encounters.
Meet Santa at Shepreth Wildlife Park, where children can spend five minutes with Father Christmas and receive a Christmas gift, along with a Child Winter Zoo Pass valid for one future visit.
Where: Shepreth | More Info: Meet Santa at Shepreth Wildlife Park
Family-friendly Christmas celebration with animal encounters.
Join Hopefield Animal Sanctuary for a family-friendly Christmas event featuring Santa's grotto, a Christmas trail, arts and crafts, a miniature Christmas village, and free treats like gingerbread and mulled wine. General admission includes access to the sanctuary.
Where: Brentwood | More Info: Christmas Fair & Santa at Ho-Ho-Hopefield