We’re heading into the final stretch of the year, and Hertfordshire is naturally quieter as people focus on shopping, travel plans and wrapping things up. Even so, a handful of theatre productions and community activities are still keeping the county lively. Yesterday’s showcase at St Augustine’s in Hoddesdon was a standout moment, with nine Hertfordshire Catholic Academy schools filling the hall with Christmas music.

I’m winding the year down myself and will send one final newsletter before heading off on holiday. Until then, here’s a full round-up of what’s on, so you don’t have to search for it.

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Date: Friday 12 December
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Local Library
Description: The final LEGO Club session of the year invites children to build their favourite creations of 2025. A fun, creative hour perfect for young builders.
Price: £4.40 per child
Booking: Reserve a place at the library enquiry desk or via

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Location: The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, AL1 3LD
Date & Times: Fri 12 Dec — various showtimes (typically 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM, check website)
Description: Festive pantomime with lavish sets, slapstick comedy and audience participation starring familiar faces.
Tickets: From £16
Link: https://www.alban-arena.co.uk/events/aladdin-2025

Date: Today (Friday)
Location: Local Market Square
Description: One of the region’s largest weekly antiques and collectors markets, featuring a wide range of vintage items, collectibles, bric-a-brac and home-clearance finds alongside regular market traders. A great spot to explore, browse and enjoy an all-day breakfast while you hunt for treasures.

Location: Gordon Craig Theatre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ
Date & Times: Fri 12 Dec — 4:30 PM (Signed performance)
Description: Classic family Christmas pantomime adventure with singing and interactive fun.
Tickets: From ~£24.50
Link: https://www.gordon-craig.co.uk/whats-on/dick-whittington-his-cat

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Location: BEAM (formerly Hertford Theatre), The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS
Date & Times: Fri 12 Dec — 7:00 PM
Description: Traditional pantomime with music, humour and familiar fairytale characters.
Tickets: From £16
Link: https://beamhertford.co.uk/whats-on/beauty-and-the-beast-panto-2025/

Location: BEAM, The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS
Date & Times: Fri 12 Dec — multiple showings (approx 55 mins)
Description: Gentle festive show aimed at young children (age 2+) with a Santa meet and greet.
Tickets: ~£14–£16
Link: https://beamhertford.co.uk/whats-on/dear-santa/

Location: Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JZ
Date & Times: Fri 12 Dec — various showtimes (check theatre site)
Description: Watford’s annual panto with slapstick, music and audience participation.
Tickets: From £13
Link: https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/jack-and-the-beanstalk-2025/

Date: Saturday 13 December
Time: Every hour from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: St Albans Cathedral
Description: One of St Albans’ most loved Christmas traditions returns. Drop in for a 30-minute carol service any hour throughout the day. No tickets, no booking, just a simple chance to sing and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Link: https://ow.ly/yMzt50XE2Tz

Date: Saturday 13 December
Description: A limited number of tickets are still available to meet Father Christmas in the museum’s festive grotto. A family-friendly experience with timed entry slots.
Booking: Reserve your time slot here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/.../2025.../d-rrqxamteronqe

Join us for a free all-day Christmas celebration packed with live music, local talent and festive atmosphere. The stage sits right by the Christmas tree, creating the perfect backdrop for a full line-up of performances throughout the day.

Schedule
• Kit Bottomley – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Glee Club UK (Hitchin) – 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM
• G LaRoche – 2:00 PM to 2:50 PM
• Sinini Ngwenya – Part I – 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM
• Hitchin Rock Choir – Part I – 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM
• Hitchin Rock Choir – Part II – 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM
• Sinini Ngwenya – Part II – 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM

A full festive musical feast, free for everyone to enjoy. Come down, enjoy the performances and celebrate Christmas with the community.

Stage supported by Concept Events.
Featuring: G La Roche, Sinini Ngwenya, Hitchin Rock Choir and choirs led by Rob Baker.

Location: The Alban Arena, St Albans
Date & Times: Sat 13 Dec — various showtimes
Description: Festive panto fun for all ages.
Tickets: From £16
Link: https://www.alban-arena.co.uk/events/aladdin-2025

Location: Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
Date & Times: Sat 13 Dec — 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Description: Family panto with laughs, live music and pantomime antics.
Tickets: From ~£24.50
Link: https://www.gordon-craig.co.uk/whats-on/dick-whittington-his-cat

Location: BEAM, Hertford
Date & Times: Sat 13 Dec — 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Description: Traditional pantomime with classic characters and songs.
Tickets: From £16
Link: https://beamhertford.co.uk/whats-on/beauty-and-the-beast-panto-2025/

Location: BEAM, Hertford
Date & Times: Sat 13 Dec — multiple showings
Description: Festive show for younger children with Santa meet-and-greet.
Tickets: ~£14–£16
Link: https://beamhertford.co.uk/whats-on/dear-santa/

Location: Watford Palace Theatre
Date & Times: Sat 13 Dec — various showtimes
Description: Classic seasonal pantomime adventure.
Tickets: From £13
Link: https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/jack-and-the-beanstalk-2025/

Location: Watford Palace Theatre
Date & Times: Sat 13 Dec — multiple ticketed slots
Description: Interactive experience blending performance with group game elements.
Tickets: From £15
Link: https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/events/werewolf-party-at-the-palace-christmas-party-special/ Big Panto Guide

Location: Vintry Garden (St Albans)
Date & Times: Sat 13 Dec — 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM (some sold out)
Description: Immersive open-air promenade adaptation of Dickens’ classic festive tale, moving around the garden.
Tickets: ~£15–£27.50
Link: https://ovo.org.uk/shows/a-christmas-carol-vintry-garden/

Location: The Alban Arena, St Albans
Date & Times: Sun 14 Dec — various showtimes
Description: Festive pantomime continues with comedy and audience participation.
Tickets: From £16
Link: https://www.alban-arena.co.uk/events/aladdin-2025

Date & Times:
• Saturday 13 December, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Thursday 18 December, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Mayhem Function Hall, Hoddesdon, EN11 8HF
Description: A relaxed festive art workshop where participants swap screen time for painting. Ticket includes all materials plus unlimited hot drinks, snacks, mulled wine (non-alcoholic) and mince pies. Guests take home their finished artwork.
Price: £25
Ages: 8+ welcome
Link: https://www.splatterandnatter.art/

Location: Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
Date & Times: Sun 14 Dec — 1:30 PM & 5:30 PM
Description: Final weekend performances of the family panto.
Tickets: From ~£24.50
Link: https://www.gordon-craig.co.uk/whats-on/dick-whittington-his-cat

Location: BEAM, Hertford
Date & Times: Sun 14 Dec — 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM
Description: Traditional family pantomime with songs and comedy.
Tickets: From £16
Link: https://beamhertford.co.uk/whats-on/beauty-and-the-beast-panto-2025/

Location: BEAM, Hertford
Date & Times: Sun 14 Dec — multiple showings
Description: Sweet, short festive theatre for younger children.
Tickets: ~£14–£16
Link: https://beamhertford.co.uk/whats-on/dear-santa/

Location: Watford Palace Theatre
Date & Times: Sun 14 Dec — various showtimes
Description: Festive panto fun to wrap up the weekend.
Tickets: From £13
Link: https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/jack-and-the-beanstalk-2025/

Location: Vintry Garden, St Albans
Date & Times: Sun 14 Dec — 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM
Description: Dickens classic brought to life in a promenade performance.
Tickets: ~£15–£27.50
Link: https://ovo.org.uk/shows/a-christmas-carol-vintry-garden/

Date: Throughout Winter 2025
Location: Various Hertfordshire venues
Description: Free holiday camps offering sports, games and creative activities for children and teens eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Hot lunches included.
Booking: Code required from school
Link: https://ow.ly/zSsC50XwX1w

Date & Time: Monday 15 December, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Waltham Cross Library
Description: Children aged 3+ are invited to design their own dragon for a chance to win one of five signed copies of Cressida Cowell’s new book, How to Train Your Dragon – Dragon School. The design competition remains open until 11 January 2026.
Price: Free, drop-in
Competition Deadline: 11 January 2026

Date: Sunday 21 December
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Ware Priory Grounds
Description: Ware Town Council hosts a festive outdoor carol concert featuring Ware Brass. Enjoy mulled wine and mince pies, with all proceeds supporting the Mayor’s charity. Free entry and open to all.

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Villa Bianca brings classic Italian cooking and refined charm to the centre of Bushey. The menu covers a strong line-up of traditional dishes, including their standout home-cooked pizzas, all served in an intimate, stylishly designed space that seats around 40 guests.

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Location: 30 High St, Bushey WD23 3HL

FRIDAY

13°C 🌡️ 2°C | 🌧 Light rain and gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:58 Sunset 15:52

SATURDAY

14°C 🌡️ 9°C | ☀ Sunny and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:59 Sunset 15:52

SUNDAY

11°C 🌡️ 8°C | ☁ Light cloud rain and a moderate breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 08:00 Sunset 15:52

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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