Good morning and HapPy Friday!

Good evening! How’s your Friday being? We’re sending out this late update so you can make the most of all the fantastic events happening across Hertfordshire this summer solstice weekend.

There are not one, but two Windrush festivals to enjoy - one in Waltham Cross and another in Hemel Hempstead. Which one will you be heading to? I know which I’ve got my eye on!

With the heatwave in full swing and temperatures soaring to 33°C, it’s more important than ever to stay cool and hydrated. Please remember to check in on your neighbours, friends, and especially our older community members to make sure everyone is coping well with the heat.

If you spot an event we’ve missed, drop us a line! Together, we’ll keep Hertfordshire in the know about all the best things to do.

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Events in Hertfordshire

BISHOP STORTFORD

☀️ Bishop’s Stortford Carnival Parade & Fun Day

📅 Date: Saturday, 21 June 2025
🅿️ Parking: Free at Northgate End Car Park
🎉 Description:
Celebrate the summer solstice and the longest day of the year with Bishop’s Stortford’s vibrant Carnival Parade and Fun Day!

🕚 Parade:

• Departs: 11:15am from South Mill Arts (CM23 3JG)

• Route: South Street → Potter Street → Market Square → North Street → Northgate End

• Finishes: Link Road (approx. 12:20pm)

🕛 Fun Day:

• Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

• Location: Sworders Field (CM23 2EL)

• Highlights: Over 100 stalls, international food, bar, live entertainment, and family fun!

🚢 The Carnival Cruise:

• Admire a unique display of decorated working and pleasure boats moored along the river between the Registry Office (CM23 2DL) and Station Road.

🌟 Don’t miss this spectacular community celebration—fun for all ages!

BROXBOURNE

🥳 Windrush Weekender 🇯🇲 🇹🇹 🇧🇧 

📅 Dates & Locations:

• Saturday, 21 June 2025 — Waltham Cross

• Sunday, 22 June 2025 — Hoddesdon
  🎶 Celebrate the vibrant culture, food, and music of the Windrush generation all weekend throughout the Borough! Expect music, great food, and community spirit.

DACORUM

🎨 Exhibition of Crafts, Textiles and Everything Arty

📅 Date: Saturday 21 June & Sunday 22 June 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
📍 Location: St John the Baptist Church, Church End, Markyate, AL3 8PY
💷 Admission: Free (refreshments available for purchase)
♿ Accessibility & Parking: Disabled access and onsite parking available
🖼️
Explore the incredible local talent at this arts and crafts exhibition, featuring textiles, hides, paintings, ceramics, and more. Kick back with afternoon cream teas, or unwind in the evening with a drink from the bar. Plus, get hands-on with interactive art activities!

📧 Contact: [email protected] | 📞 07944 478167
🌐 More info: churchfm.org

🎨 Museum Wildlife Mural Workshop

📅 Date: Saturday, 21 June 2025
🕥 Time: 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
📍 Location: Natural History Museum at Tring, Akeman Street, Tring, HP23 6AP
💷 Admission: Free (family-friendly)
♿ Accessibility & Parking: Disabled access available. Free parking on-site; additional nearby on London Road.
🌿 
Join this hands-on, drop-in workshop celebrating local wildlife! Investigate pond life using pre-dipped trays, then help decorate outdoor murals with finger-painting. Discover how to attract nature into your own garden and support the environment. Fun, educational, and perfect for families.
📧 Contact info: [email protected] | ☎️ 020 7942 6171
🌐 More info: National History Museum Tring venue page

🌟 Windrush Wonders

📅 Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
📍 Location: Box Moor Trust, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2RE
💷 Admission: Free (all ages welcome)
♿ Access: Disabled access & free parking on-site (additional parking on London Road by the station)
🎉 
Join this vibrant, family-friendly celebration honoring the Windrush Generation and their lasting cultural impact. With fun arts and crafts, cultural learning sessions, live music and talks, plus delicious Caribbean and vegetarian food—there’s something for everyone. Come together to celebrate the power of community and shared heritage.

📧 Contact & Info:
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 07917 194568
• Web: icane.co.uk

WATFORD

🎶 Big Bandstand – Free Live Music at Cassiobury Park

📅 Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
🕒 Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
📍 Location: Cassiobury Park Bandstand (near the Tea Pavilion), Watford
💷 Entry: Free – no booking required
🎷 
Enjoy a summer afternoon of swinging modern jazz and Latin music performed live by The SJ Jazz 5! Hear music from legends like Horace Silver, Benny Golson, Duke Ellington, Lee Morgan, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. The Big Bandstand series brings free live music to Cassiobury Park every Sunday, June through September—featuring everything from jazz and ukulele to traditional brass bands. Bring your friends, relax, and soak up the sounds!

🌐 More info: watfordactually.com/big-bandstand
🎶 Full line-up: View the full schedule (PDF)

🏋️‍♀️ Free Outdoor Bootcamp Sessions

📅 Dates: Every Friday, June–August 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00am
📍 Location: Woodside Playing Park
💷 Cost: Free (booking required)
💪 
Kick off your weekend the healthy way with high-energy group fitness! Everyone Active is running free outdoor bootcamp sessions all summer long. Enjoy fresh air, motivation, and fun with friends—perfect for all fitness levels.

📲 Booking: Reserve your spot via the Everyone Active app.
🌟 Tip: Grab your mates and get moving—spaces fill up fast!

🔗 More info: Everyone Active Facebook

WELWYN HATFIELD

Great Big Green Week 2025 – Welwyn Hatfield

🗓️ Date: Saturday 7 June 2025
📍 Location: Across Welwyn Hatfield Borough
💷 Cost: Free

Join the UK’s biggest celebration of community action for climate and nature! This year’s Great Big Green Week in Welwyn Hatfield invites local groups and residents to take part in the theme: ‘Let’s swap together for good’—encouraging everyone to exchange items, skills, and ideas to cut waste and promote sustainability.

Find out more or register your activity by visiting the Great Big Green Week webpage. Get involved and help make a greener, cleaner community!

ST. ALBANS

🎉 Alban Day: Pilgrimage & Festival

📅 Date: Saturday, 21 June 2025
📍 Location: St Albans City Centre
🕚 Schedule:

• 11:00am: Procession from St Peter’s Church

• 12:00pm: Pilgrimage Eucharist at St Albans Cathedral

• 12:00pm–5:00pm: Alban Festival throughout the City Centre

• 4:00pm: Pilgrimage Evensong at the Cathedral

🌹 Join us for Alban Day—a celebration of St Albans’ history and the inspiring story of St Alban. Experience the grandeur of the pilgrimage procession, uplifting services at the Cathedral, and a lively festival filled with joy and community spirit in the heart of the city. Whether you’re part of the procession or just looking for a day of celebration, discover the magic of Alban and our unique city.

The HERDS: Nature-Inspired Art Workshop

🗓️ Date: Saturday 7 June 2025
⏰ Time: 1:00pm – 3:30pm
📍 Location: Stevenage Museum
💷 Cost: Free (funded by the Arts Fund)

Join a local artist to create your own starling puppet inspired by the beauty of nature! This hands-on workshop is open to all and completely free.

Can’t make it on Saturday? Catch The HERDS at Stevenage Day too! 👇️ 

STEVENAGE

🎖️ Armed Forces Day – Stevenage

📅 Date: Saturday, 21 June 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
📍 Location: Event Island, Stevenage Town Centre
🎉 
Celebrate Armed Forces Day in style! Join us at Event Island for a fun-filled day packed with live music, family activities, and a wonderful opportunity to show your support for our servicemen and women.

Highlights:

• Battle of Britain flypast (1:25pm, weather permitting)

• 1917 SE5a Biplane display

• Harpenden Marching Band

• Live music, face painting, and family activities

• Veterans’ stories for the Stevenage Veterans Memories Book

• Street food and local dining

Free entry—join us for a packed day celebrating our Armed Forces!

WEEKEND WEATHER ☀️ 

🚨 Amber Heat Health Alert

An Amber Heat Health Alert is in effect for Hertfordshire until 9am on Monday, 23 June 2025. Please take extra care and follow government advice to stay safe during the hot weather:

• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours (11am–3pm)

• If heading outside, wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids

• Check in on neighbours and those most at risk

For more tips on staying cool and safe, visit:
www.gov.uk/.../beat-the-heat-staying-safe-in-hot...

Stay cool and look after one another!

SATURDAY 21ST JUNE - SUMMER SOLSTICE ☀️ 

WELWYN GARDEN CITY

32°C 🌡️ 16°C | Sunny and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 04:42 Sunset 21:23

STEVENAGE

32°C 🌡️ 16°C | Sunny and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 04:42 Sunset 21:23

HERTFORD

32°C 🌡️ 16°C | Sunny and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 04:42 Sunset 21:23

LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY

32°C 🌡️ 16°C | Sunny and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 04:42 Sunset 21:23

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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