As we step into the first weekend of Advent, Hertfordshire is anything but quiet. The county is buzzing with energy, community spirit and plenty of events to explore.

It’s also been an emotional week. Hertfordshire County Council held its final deliberations in Hertford, marking the end of an era. With Stevenage becoming the new seat of government, a fresh chapter begins, though no one can say for how long.

This weekend, we’ve gathered all the key events happening across the county, from Christmas light switch-ons in Welwyn Garden City and Hertford to festive markets in Hitchin and everything in between.

💬 Seen something we missed? Send it in every great local event deserves its spotlight.

💌 Enjoying Hertstown? Share it with someone who’d love staying connected to our county.

If this newsletter has added value to your year, feel free to gift us a little Christmas cheer using the Buy Me a Coffee link below. Thank you in advance.

A festive market in the castle grounds with stalls, food, drink, fairground rides and entertainment across all three days.
📅 Fri 28–Sun 30 Nov 2025
⏰ Fri 15:30–20:00, Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–17:00
🔗 Learn More

Annual town-centre celebration with stalls, food, live entertainment, fairground rides and the Christmas lights switch-on.
📅 Fri 28 Nov 2025
⏰ 16:30–18:00 (lights at 18:00)
🔗 Learn More

Drop-in family afternoon with crafts and a pre-bookable Father Christmas grotto.
📅 Fri 28 Nov 2025
⏰ 15:30–18:00
🔗 Learn More

Kick off the festive season with Santa at the Hertford Town Christmas Gala!
He will be on stage for the Christmas Lights Switch-On at 6pm.

📅 Friday 28 November
⏰ Lights at 6:00pm
📍 Hertford Town Centre

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Bring the family for festive fun and photos with Santa during a special Meet & Greet session.

📅 Saturday 29 November
⏰ 1:30pm – 2:45pm
📍 Hertford Castle Christmas Market

A family pantomime featuring a West End cast, music and full audience participation.
📅 From Fri 28 Nov 2025
⏰ Check performance times
🔗 Learn More

A magical pantomime with original music, visuals and fun for all ages.
📅 From Sun 30 Nov 2025
⏰ Check performance times
🔗 Learn More

An evening concert titled Rural Charms in a traditional church setting.
📅 Sat 29 Nov 2025
⏰ 19:30
🔗 Learn More

A celebration of George Harrison’s music and spiritual legacy.
📅 Sat 29 Nov 2025
⏰ 19:00
🔗 Learn More

A community gathering with festive lights and family activities.
📅 Sun 30 Nov 2025
⏰ 16:00
🔗 Learn More

Traditional pantomime with jokes, costumes, special effects and family fun.
📅 Fri 28–Sun 30 Nov 2025
⏰ Check performance times
🔗 Learn More

A lively Peter Pan Christmas adventure packed with music and comedy.
📅 From Sat 29 Nov 2025
⏰ Check performance times
🔗 Learn More

A high-energy bingo night filled with reggae music and party vibes.
📅 Fri 28 Nov 2025
⏰ 21:00
🔗 Learn More

A trading card fair with stalls, collectors and rare finds.
📅 Sat 29 Nov 2025
⏰ 10:00
🔗 Learn More

A live Oasis tribute night featuring classic rock anthems.
📅 Sat 29 Nov 2025
⏰ 19:30
🔗 Learn More

Hitchin Market – Fridays & Sundays
A weekly treasure-hunter’s favourite with antiques, collectors’ items, curios, bric-a-brac, home-clearance finds and visiting traders.

📅 Every Friday
⏰ Morning–Afternoon
📍 Hitchin Market (SG5 1AB, next to St Mary’s Church)
Perfect for browsing antiques, curios, collectors’ items and general traders.

📅 Every Sunday
⏰ Morning–Afternoon
📍 Hitchin Market
Car-boot alternative with one-off sellers, antiques, bric-a-brac and £10 pitches.

A rock ’n’ roll Christmas show featuring music, comedy and festive nostalgia.
📅 Fri 28 Nov 2025
⏰ Evening performance
🔗 Learn More

Lantern parade with carols, crafts, fairground rides, food stalls and Santa’s Grotto.
📅 Fri 28 Nov 2025
⏰ 17:30–19:30
🔗 Learn More

An intimate poetry evening featuring local and guest performers.
📅 Fri 28 Nov 2025
⏰ 20:00
🔗 Learn More

A Christmas-themed live music performance.
📅 Sat 29 Nov 2025
⏰ 20:00
🔗 Learn More

A jazz evening featuring Kind of Blur.
📅 Sun 30 Nov 2025
⏰ Evening
🔗 Learn More

Welwyn Parish Council invites you to their festive lights event at St Mary’s Church.
Enjoy singing, refreshments and a community countdown to the big switch-on.

📅 Friday 28th Nov
⏰ Refreshments from 4:00pm, singing at 4:30pm, lights at 5:15pm
📍 St Mary’s Church, Welwyn

A cabaret-style music show inspired by classic books and literature.
📅 Fri 28 Nov 2025
⏰ Check event page
🔗 Learn More

Feeling overwhelmed by the season? Join this free wellbeing workshop using CBT tools to manage festive stress and pressure, led by mindfulness teacher and psychotherapist Louise Southwell (The Joyful Sprout).
📅 Wednesday 3 December 2025
⏰ 7:00pm – 9:00pm
📍 The Hadsley Room, The Priory, High Street, Ware SG12 9AL
🔗 Book now via Ware Town Council website

A few tickets have just become available for the free session “Is Christmas Stressing You Out?"
Hosted by mindfulness teacher and psychotherapist Louise Southwell (The Joyful Sprout), this workshop uses CBT tools to manage festive stress, overwhelm and loneliness.

📅 Tuesday 3 December
⏰ 7:00pm – 9:00pm
📍 Ware Priory
🔗 https://www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk/.../wellness-programme/

A session for parents on how to safely introduce solids to babies.
📅 Fri 28 Nov 2025
⏰ 13:30–14:30
🔗 Learn More

Join a free, supportive online session delivered by Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.
Gain insight into common reactions to loss, explore myths around grief, and receive guidance on supporting others or navigating your own journey.

📅 Monday 1 December
⏰ 12:00pm – 1:30pm
📍 Online
🔗 www.communities1st.org.uk/communitylearning

A festive family experience with activities, characters and seasonal attractions.
📅 Fri 28–Sun 30 Nov 2025
⏰ Daytime sessions
🔗 Learn More

A stunning newly built 4-bed barn-style home in the exclusive Henry Isaac Mews development, set in a quiet village just minutes from Hitchin. This high-spec home offers 2,400 sq ft of flexible living space, a spacious open-plan kitchen/family room with bi-fold doors, a ground-floor principal suite, three further double bedrooms and beautiful countryside views.

With a south-east facing garden, oversized garage, air-source heating, solar panels, EV charging and a 10-year warranty, this is modern rural living at its best. The last remaining detached barn on this private cul-de-sac—ready to move into now.

Perfect for families, downsizers or anyone seeking luxury village living close to town.

Tf you haven’t been to The Fox in Harpenden yet, you’re missing one of the borough’s most quietly loved spots. It’s a smart, modern country pub that feels premium without being pretentious, delivering a polished gastropub experience that works for everything from family lunches to cosy date nights. Plenty of parking, a warm buzz, and a stylish outdoor space make it an easy favourite for locals.

Regulars rave about the food: generous portions, beautifully presented dishes and a menu that hits the sweet spot between pub classics and restaurant-level plates. Think proper Sunday roasts, well-built burgers, slow-cooked pork belly, seafood and steaks. Service is consistently described as friendly and attentive, which is why reviews across TheFork and OpenTable sit firmly in the “very good” range.

And here’s the big news everyone is talking about: they’ve just introduced their new Christmas Dome, and it’s already causing a stir. The festive setup is becoming the Harpenden talking point, and it’s absolutely worth checking out now before bookings fill up.

Minor grumbles about peak-time delays pop up occasionally, but they’re outnumbered by glowing visits. If you want an upmarket pub vibe without the fuss, The Fox is a standout.

FRIDAY

12°C 🌡️ 6°C | 🌧 Light rain and a moderate breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:42 Sunset 15:56

SATURDAY

9°C 🌡️ 3°C | 🌧 Heavy rain and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07: 43 Sunset 15:55

SUNDAY

6°C 🌡️ 2°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a moderate breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:45 Sunset 15:54

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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