Plan your festive adventure in St Albans with our detailed event guide. For St Albans locals and curious visitors alike, our guide is your passport to festive adventures.
One highlight to look forward to is the St Albans Christmas Market, known for its charming stalls and merry atmosphere. Carols on the Hour adds a musical touch to your holiday with hourly choir performances throughout the day. And Santas on the Run is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a festive fun run for a great cause. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our St Albans Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in St Albans
- St Albans Christmas Market
- Carols on the Hour
- Santas on the Run
- Christmas Light Switch On
- Breakfast with Santa
- Christmas at Willows Activity Farm
- Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
St Albans Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Light Switch On
What to Expect:
Community-wide celebration with local celebrity guest
Description:
St Albans bursts into illumination as a local celebrity flips the switch, bathing the city in a warm glow. This annual event transforms the historic market town into a twinkling spectacle. Streets lined with Tudor buildings sparkle with thousands of lights, creating a striking contrast between old and new. The switch-on ceremony features performances by local choirs and dance troupes, showcasing the city's vibrant arts scene. Visitors can enjoy the dazzling display while learning about St Albans' role in the development of early Christmas celebrations in Britain.
Website:
St Albans Holiday Markets and Shopping
St Albans Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional German-style market in historic cathedral setting
Description:
St Albans Cathedral provides a breathtaking backdrop for this German-inspired Christmas market. Wooden chalets line the ancient streets, offering handcrafted gifts and local delicacies. Visitors can sample mulled wine while browsing unique wares. The market pays homage to St Albans' rich history, with some stalls showcasing traditional Roman and Saxon crafts, reflecting the city's ancient roots. As you explore, the aroma of roasted chestnuts fills the air, evoking memories of Christmases past.
Website:
St Albans Holiday Giving Opportunities
Santas on the Run
What to Expect:
Charity fun run with participants dressed as Santa
Description:
Red-suited runners flood the streets of St Albans in this spirited charity event. Participants don Santa costumes and dash through the historic city center, creating a sea of bobbing white beards and red hats. The run supports local charities, embodying the giving spirit of the season. Spectators line the route, cheering on the Santas as they pass by Roman ruins and medieval architecture. This event brings a modern twist to St Albans' long history of community gatherings and celebrations.
Website:
St Albans Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Carols on the Hour
What to Expect:
Hourly carol performances throughout the day
Description:
St Albans Cathedral resonates with joyous melodies as choirs perform carols on the hour. This unique event transforms the 11th-century Norman abbey into a living advent calendar of song. Each hour brings a different choir, ranging from school groups to professional ensembles, ensuring a diverse musical experience. You can join in singing traditional carols or simply absorb the angelic voices echoing through the vaulted ceilings. Between performances, explore the cathedral's rich history, including its connections to Britain's first Christian martyr.
Website:
St Albans Other Holiday Activities
Breakfast with Santa
What to Expect:
Intimate breakfast experience with Santa in a historic setting
Description:
Santa trades his sleigh for a seat at the breakfast table in this charming morning event. Held in a centuries-old coaching inn, the experience blends holiday cheer with local history. Children share their wishes with Santa while enjoying a traditional English breakfast. The inn's timber-framed interior, dating back to Tudor times, provides a cozy atmosphere for this intimate gathering. Parents can savor the sight of wide-eyed wonder as their little ones interact with St. Nick in this unique, personal setting.
Website:
Christmas at Willows Activity Farm
What to Expect:
Interactive farm experience with Christmas-themed activities
Description:
Willows Activity Farm transforms into a winter playground, blending agricultural education with holiday fun. Children can feed reindeer, participate in elf workshops, and help tend to newborn lambs. The farm's focus on hands-on experiences sets it apart from typical Santa's grottos. Visitors learn about winter farming practices while enjoying seasonal activities. The event pays homage to St Albans' agricultural heritage, offering a glimpse into rural Christmas traditions. The scent of fresh hay mingles with the aroma of hot cocoa, creating a multi-sensory holiday experience.
Website:
Christmas at Willows Activity Farm
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on workshop using locally sourced, sustainable materials
Description:
Craft enthusiasts gather to create personalized wreaths using sustainable, locally sourced materials. This workshop emphasizes eco-friendly practices, utilizing natural elements from St Albans' surrounding countryside. Participants learn traditional wreath-making techniques passed down through generations of local artisans. The event takes place in a restored Victorian greenhouse, providing a unique backdrop steeped in horticultural history. As you weave pine branches and berries, the greenhouse fills with the fresh scent of evergreens, invigorating the senses.
Website:
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
Nearby Events
Christmas Tree Festival (Harpenden)
What to Expect:
Diverse display of creatively decorated trees by local organizations
Description:
Harpenden's halls brim with an eclectic forest of decorated Christmas trees. Local businesses, schools, and community groups showcase their creativity, adorning trees with unique themes and unconventional ornaments. Visitors meander through this indoor grove, discovering everything from traditionally decorated spruces to avant-garde artistic interpretations. The festival highlights Harpenden's community spirit and ingenuity. You might spot a tree decorated entirely with recycled materials, reflecting the town's commitment to sustainability.
Website:
A Magical Christmas Adventure (Hatfield)
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling experience in a historic house
Description:
Hatfield House, a Jacobean masterpiece, becomes the setting for an immersive Christmas tale. Visitors step into a living storybook, encountering costumed characters and participating in the unfolding narrative. The adventure weaves through the house's ornate rooms, each transformed to represent a different chapter of the story. This unique experience brings literature to life, allowing guests to influence the plot through their choices. The event draws inspiration from the house's rich literary connections, including its links to Shakespeare and Elizabeth I.
Website:
Christmas Craft Market (Harpenden)
What to Expect:
Showcase of traditional and contemporary local craftsmanship
Description:
Harpenden's halls buzz with creativity as local artisans display their wares. This market celebrates both traditional crafts and innovative designs, offering a diverse range of handmade gifts. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of age-old techniques like glassblowing and woodturning. The market highlights Harpenden's artistic heritage, featuring crafts that have been practiced in the area for centuries. You can engage with makers, learning about their processes and inspirations. The air hums with the sound of artisans at work, adding an auditory dimension to the visual feast.