Ready for holiday magic, Stevenage? Our guide is packed with must-see events and activities. Whether you're rediscovering your hometown or visiting Stevenage for the first time, our guide is here to help you celebrate the season.
One event you won't want to miss is the Stevenage Christmas Light Switch-On, a dazzling display that transforms the town into a winter wonderland. Experience the unique festivities of the Hertford Christmas Gala, where charming stalls and joyful music create a festive atmosphere. And the Baldock Christmas Market is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering a cozy market experience filled with holiday treats and crafts. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Stevenage
See these and even more events listed below!Stevenage Holiday Light Displays
Stevenage Christmas Light Switch-On
What to Expect:
Community-led countdown and switch-on ceremony
Description:
Stevenage town center transforms into a twinkling spectacle as thousands gather for the annual Christmas light switch-on. The air buzzes with anticipation as local performers entertain the crowd. You'll witness the culmination of months of preparation when a chosen community hero flips the switch, illuminating the town in a dazzling display. This event, dating back to the 1960s, symbolizes the start of Stevenage's holiday season and showcases the town's strong community spirit.
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Stevenage Christmas Light Switch-On
Nearby Events
Hertford Christmas Gala (Hertford)
What to Expect:
Medieval-themed Christmas celebration
Description:
Hertford's Christmas Gala transports visitors back in time with its medieval-inspired festivities. The historic town center comes alive with street performers in period costumes, authentic craft demonstrations, and traditional music echoing through the cobblestone streets. Explore the bustling market stalls offering unique, handcrafted gifts. The gala pays homage to Hertford's rich history, which dates back to the 10th century, creating a truly immersive experience that blends past and present.
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Baldock Christmas Market (Baldock)
What to Expect:
Locally-sourced artisanal products and crafts
Description:
Baldock Christmas Market showcases the best of local artisans and producers. The charming market square brims with stalls offering handmade crafts, locally-sourced food, and unique gifts. Visitors can participate in craft workshops, learning traditional skills from expert artisans. This market celebrates Baldock's long-standing market tradition, which has been a cornerstone of the community since the 12th century, fostering a sense of local pride and creativity.
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Letchworth Garden City Christmas Lights Switch On (Letchworth)
What to Expect:
Celebration of the world's first Garden City
Description:
Letchworth Garden City's Christmas Lights Switch On event illuminates the world's first Garden City in a spectacular display. The switch-on ceremony highlights the unique urban planning of Letchworth, with lights accentuating its distinctive architecture and green spaces. Visitors can join guided walks to learn about the Garden City movement while enjoying the festive atmosphere. This event beautifully marries Letchworth's innovative history with holiday cheer.
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Letchworth Garden City Christmas Lights Switch On
Hitchin Christmas Market (Hitchin)
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed market with period entertainment
Description:
Hitchin Christmas Market recreates a Victorian-era holiday experience in the heart of this historic market town. Stallholders don period costumes, offering traditional crafts and goods. The air is filled with the aroma of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. Visitors can enjoy authentic Victorian street games and entertainment. This market pays tribute to Hitchin's rich trading history, which dates back to the 7th century, creating a unique blend of nostalgia and festive spirit.
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Royston Christmas Fayre (Royston)
What to Expect:
Celebration of local agriculture and craftsmanship
Description:
Royston Christmas Fayre spotlights the town's agricultural heritage and local craftsmanship. The event features a farmers' market showcasing the best of regional produce, alongside demonstrations of traditional rural crafts. Visitors can try their hand at activities like corn dolly making or sheep shearing. This fayre celebrates Royston's history as a important market town since the 13th century, offering a unique glimpse into rural English Christmas traditions.
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Biggleswade Christmas Fair and Lights Switch On (Biggleswade)
What to Expect:
Combination of traditional fair and modern light display
Description:
Biggleswade's Christmas Fair and Lights Switch On event blends old-world charm with contemporary flair. The fair features traditional carnival rides and games, harking back to the town's history of traveling fairs. As night falls, the switch-on ceremony unveils a cutting-edge light display that transforms the town center. This event uniquely bridges Biggleswade's rich past with its vibrant present, creating a multi-generational appeal.
Website:
Biggleswade Christmas Fair and Lights Switch On
Christmas at Willows Activity Farm (St Albans)
What to Expect:
Interactive farm experience with Christmas theme
Description:
Christmas at Willows Activity Farm offers a unique blend of agricultural education and holiday fun. Visitors can feed and pet farm animals dressed in festive attire, participate in Christmas-themed tractor rides, and watch live nativity performances with real animals. The farm, which has been operating for over 30 years, provides an opportunity to learn about sustainable farming practices while enjoying seasonal activities. This event brings the story of Christmas to life in a rural setting.
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Christmas at Willows Activity Farm
Christmas at Hatfield House (Hatfield)
What to Expect:
Tudor-inspired Christmas celebrations
Description:
Christmas at Hatfield House transports visitors to a Tudor-era holiday celebration. The grand Jacobean house, birthplace of Elizabeth I, is adorned with period-appropriate decorations. Guests can witness historical reenactments of Tudor Christmas traditions, sample authentic 16th-century holiday recipes, and explore the beautifully lit formal gardens. This event offers a unique glimpse into how Christmas was celebrated during one of England's most fascinating historical periods.
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Stotfold Christmas Lights and Carols (Stotfold)
What to Expect:
Community-led carol singing and light display
Description:
Stotfold's Christmas Lights and Carols event embodies the spirit of community togetherness. The entire town participates in creating a stunning light display, with residents decorating their homes and businesses. The highlight is a community carol sing-along, where hundreds gather to fill the air with traditional melodies. This event, which has grown from a small gathering to a town-wide celebration over the past decades, showcases Stotfold's strong sense of community and shared holiday spirit.
Website:
Stotfold Christmas Lights and Carols
Ware Dickensian Christmas Evening (Ware)
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian-era Christmas experience
Description:
Ware's Dickensian Christmas Evening brings the world of Charles Dickens to life. The town center transforms into a scene from a Dickens novel, complete with costumed characters, street vendors, and period entertainment. Visitors can participate in Victorian parlor games, watch traditional craft demonstrations, and enjoy readings from Dickens' works. This event celebrates Ware's connection to the Victorian era, when the town was a thriving malting center, offering a unique glimpse into 19th-century Christmas traditions.
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Ware Dickensian Christmas Evening
Christmas at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (Dunstable)
What to Expect:
Wildlife conservation-themed Christmas activities
Description:
Christmas at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo combines holiday cheer with wildlife conservation education. Visitors can embark on a special Christmas-themed trail, learning about how different animals spend winter in the wild. The zoo offers unique animal encounters with a festive twist, such as helping keepers prepare Christmas treats for the residents. This event, held at the UK's largest zoo, highlights the importance of wildlife conservation during the holiday season.
Website:
Christmas at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Christmas at the Old Town Hall (Hemel Hempstead)
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments in a Grade II listed building
Description:
Christmas at the Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead offers a journey through time in a beautifully preserved 18th-century building. Visitors can witness historical reenactments of Christmas celebrations from different eras, each taking place in a uniquely decorated room. The event showcases the building's rich history, from its days as a courtroom to its current status as a cultural hub. This immersive experience brings the past to life, offering a unique perspective on how Christmas traditions have evolved over the centuries.
Website:
Christmas at the Old Town Hall
Hunsdon Christmas Market (Hunsdon)
What to Expect:
Aviation-themed Christmas market
Description:
Hunsdon Christmas Market pays homage to the village's WWII airfield history with an aviation-themed holiday celebration. The market features stalls selling vintage aviation memorabilia alongside traditional Christmas goods. Visitors can explore a pop-up museum showcasing the airfield's role during the war, and even take short flights in restored vintage aircraft. This unique event combines Christmas cheer with historical education, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that honors Hunsdon's significant contribution to British aviation history.
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Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church (Hitchin)
What to Expect:
Community-decorated tree display in a historic church
Description:
The Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary's Church in Hitchin transforms the 14th-century building into a forest of uniquely decorated trees. Local businesses, schools, and community groups each contribute a tree, adorned to represent their organization. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree and learn about the history of Christmas tree traditions. This event, held in one of Hertfordshire's largest parish churches, beautifully combines community creativity with architectural heritage, creating a truly memorable holiday experience.
Website:
Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church