harpenden NOW Dec 22

Where’s Santa?

Out & About

Festive Streets

Why not get together with neighbours and decorate your windows for Christmas. Visit the website for a free information pack. www.sustainablestalbans.org St Albans Museums

Van Hage Garden Centre until 19th Dec

Guided by Santa’s little helpers, make your way to meet Santa and receive a special gift. £12 www.vanhage.co.uk

Willows Activity Farm 19th Nov - 24th Dec Walk through the magical winter wonderland to find Santa in his Grotto, skate on the ice rink and more. www.willowsactivityfarm.com

Burston Garden Centre 19th Nov - 24th Dec

Visit Santa in his magical grotto. £10 www.burston.co.uk

Bletchley Park 26th Nov 2nd Jan 10am

Visit Santa and his elves in the Ballroom used by Codebreakers in WW2. £10.50 www.bletchleypark.org.uk

Hatfield Park 25th Nov - 31st Dec

Discover sparkling tunnels, giant baubles, glistening trees and see Santa along the way. www.hatfield house.co.uk

Round Table Santa Float 1st - 24th Dec Keep an eye out for this charity float, check their Facebook page to find out when it’s visiting your street. @harpendenroundtable

Mead Open Farm 2nd - 24th Dec

Meet Santa and try Gingerbread decorating with Mother Christmas and Merry Berry! www.meadopenfarm.co.uk

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th & 18th Dec

All aboard The Panto Express to meet Santa and enjoy a mini family pantomime. www.bucksrailcentre.org

Wardown House 3rd - 23rd Dec

Meet Santa’s elves and the reindeer, see Santa in his grotto and visit Mrs Claus in her kitchen. www.culturetrust.com

Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park 3rd-24th Dec

A treat for all the family as Santa’s elves welcome you on a magical experience of festive fun. www.leevalleyfarm.co.uk

Whipsnade Zoo 3rd - 24th Dec

Enjoy festive crafts before meeting Santa in his magical grotto and receiving a gift. £15 www.zsl.org

Paradise Wildlife Park Weekends from 3rd Dec & Daily 17th - 24th Dec

Walk through Santa’s winter wonderland, have your photo taken with him and visit the reindeer. www.pwpark.com

Knebworth Barns 19th - 23rd Dec

Enjoy an early Christmas treat with a fantastic meal with Santa. £38, child £28 www.knebworthhouse.com

Talk: Christmas Through Time 13th Dec 7pm Find out how Tudors, Georgians and Victorians celebrated Christmas. £10, online £6 St Albans Museum + Gallery AL1 3DH www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Christmas at Bletchley Park 26th Nov - 2nd Jan Step back in time and enjoy a vintage 1940s Christmas. www.bletchleypark.org.uk

Shuttleworth

Shuttleworth in Lights 1st - 18th Dec This year’s theme is Big, Bold, Colour, with the spotlight will be shining on all six of the Collections heritage aircraft and vehicles. £14 child £7

Santa’s Fly-In and Snowball Hunt 4th, 11th & 18th Dec 10am 5pm £3 Look up as Santa flies into the Old Warden Aerodrome in his vintage aircraft. Every child who completes the snowball hunt will receive a special gift. Please book Festive Workshops

Garlands 7th Dec 10.15am & 1.30pm £45 Willow Stars 9th Dec 10.15am & 1.30pm £35 www.shuttleworth.org

Harpenden Writers 2nd Dec 10am 12noon Flash Fiction Competition results and read around. £4, all welcome. Friends' Meeting House AL5 1PD www.harpendenwriters.com Herts & Middx Wildlife Trust

Ramble Around Panshanger Park 3rd Dec 10.30am Panshanger Park, Hertford A guided 5 mile walk to find out about the history, landscape and wildlife of this 1000 acre country park. Panshanger Park Jubilee Woodland Planting 11th, 12th, 14th & 16th Dec 10am & 1pm

Help plant 17,000 trees to create a lasting memoriam to Queen Elizabeth II. Free Panshanger Park, Hertford Pastels for Beginners Online 13th Dec 1pm Learn how to observe and sketch using pastels. www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Gardeners Question Time 6th Dec 7.45pm With Harpenden Gardening Society experts, followed by mince pies and wine. £4 or £15 annual membership Roundwood Park School AL5 3AE

Workshop: Abstract Pictures

17th Dec 10am - 12noon & 1pm - 3.30pm drop-in Explore different approaches to painting and making an abstract picture. All ages, free Harpenden Library, High Street AL5 2RU Winter Circus 17th - 31st Dec 11am, 1pm & 3pm £7 Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell SG12 9RP

Feeling Festive

Christmas at The Barn

until 18th Dec Thursdays - Sundays 10am - 5pm Barns full of ceramics, decorations, bags, bracelets, local artwork, greetings cards, clothes and more. Homefarm Delaport, Lamer Lane AL4 8RQ www.sarahcollinsbarn.com

Ashridge House: Illuminated

25th Nov - 2nd Jan 4.30pm - 8.30pm

Immersive light art installations will bring the gardens to life, taking you on a festive adventure of light and sound, with a festive food and drinks village. Dogs welcome Wednesdays from 7pm. £17.65, £11.23 www.christmas.ashridgehouse.org.uk

St Albans Christmas Charter Market

1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 22nd & 23rd Dec

Festive Fun at Ayletts 1st - 31st Dec

Visit the icy Magical Model Village, and spot the hidden items, take part in the Find the Letters Competition, 5 winners will win a £5 gift voucher. Ages 0 11, competition closes 24th Dec North Orbital Road AL2 1DH www.aylettnurseries.co.uk

Southdown Lights & Lanterns Extravaganza

2nd Dec 5.30pm - 7.30pm, Lanterns Parade 5.30pm Southdown, Harpenden

Stockwood Illuminated 2nd - 4th Dec

Take a journey through the myth and magic of ancient tree spirits, as they illuminate the gardens. You may even hear the whispers of their tales and the melody of their song, before visiting the Winter market and cafe. Please book, £6.50, child £4.50 Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton LU1 4LX www.culturetrust.com

Dunstable Downs

The Nutcracker Breakout Game

2nd - 23rd Dec 10am 3pm Solve the puzzles, riddles and conundrums at each magical station to crack the code and rescue the Nutcracker the squirrels have captured. £3

Festive Friday Nights

2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd Dec 5pm - 7pm

With festive music, mulled wine, family activities and some late night shopping. Please book, £5 Breakfast with the Elves 17th - 23rd Dec 10am 11.30am

Enjoy a fun and festive breakfast in the café. You will be greeted by the elves and seated in booths made of beech trees and fairy lights, creating a cosy atmosphere to eat, rest and enjoy the view. Please book, £9.25, child £5.95 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Kimpton Christmas Market 3rd Dec 12pm 4pm Gifts, music, workshops, Santas Grotto, a fun run, refreshments and more.

Christmas Weekend 3rd & 4th Dec

Learn how Christmas was celebrated in the past with festive storytelling, children’s activities, festive candle

making and see the blacksmith at work in the forge. Chiltern Open Air Museum, Bucks HP8 4AB www.coam.org.uk

North Pole Post Office 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 22nd & 23rd Dec Come and meet the elves before writing your letter to Santa and posting it in the magical, talking post box. Christopher Place, St Albans AL3 5DQ

Christmas Fair 4th Dec 1pm - 5 pm All proceeds go to Pets in Need and helping families locally Park Hall, Leyton Road AL5 2LX Christingle Service 4th Dec 4.30pm

A service for children, each child will receive a Christingle; an orange, decorated with sweets, dried fruit, a ribbon and a candle. Followed by a short talk about the work of The Children’s Society. St Nicholas Church, Harpenden AL5 2TP Rothamsted Manor

Christmas Afternoon Tea 4th Dec 12pm 5pm

In the beautiful Great Drawing Room and Library. Please book £33.95, child £15.25 Christmas Party 9th & 16th Dec 7pm Rarely open to the public, the Manor, a Grade I listed Jacobean House will be filled with festive décor, a DJ and dancefloor. Please book £60 www.rothamstedenterprises.com

Christmas Pop Up Shops 5th - 11th Dec High Street, Wheathampstead AL4 8BB 12th - 18th Dec Leyton Road, Harpenden AL5 2TJ Waddesdon Manor

Christmas Fair 12th Nov - 18th Dec 12 noon 7pm Soak up the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas with stalls in charming wooden chalets, surrounded by twinkling trees. Please book Christmas in the House 12th Nov - 2nd Jan (excl 24th 26th Dec) See magical lights, the gardens aglow and dazzling displays inside the house. www.waddesdon.org.uk

Christmas Tree Festival 16th - 22nd Dec Over 85 decorated trees will fill the church with light and colour, enjoy drinks among the trees, film nights, a quiz night and music. Proceeds will go to Centre 33, Open Door and Church funds. St Saviour's Church, St Albans AL1 4DF www.beerandfizz.com

Nutcracker Christmas Trail 19th - 22nd Dec Find the nutcrackers hidden around St Albans town centre for a chance to win a £20 gift card. Pick up a free trail map in the town centre.

Tracking Santa Every year on Christmas Eve, in a programme set up in 1965 by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, you can track Santa as he leaves the North Pole and delivers presents to children around the world. Visit the website from 1st December and watch the countdown to Santa’s launch. www.noradsanta.org

It’s Panto Time!

Cinderella 25th Nov - 22nd Jan

With live music, stunning sets, slick choreography and sensational costumes, don't miss this 'Laugh out Loud' spectacular.

Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage SG1 1LZ www.gordon-craig.co.uk

Beauty and the Beast 3rd - 31st Dec

Unmissable festive fun for all the family (oh yes it is!) with catchy hit songs, award winning sets and costumes, and non stop laughter.

Watford Palace Theatre WD17 1JZ www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Treasure Island 8th 11th Dec

With piratical high jinks and silliness galore, celebrate Christmas with a 'Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!' Age 4+ Campus West, WGC AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk

Aladdin 9th Dec - 1st Jan

A genie us festive family treat that promises to be a stunning pantomime guaranteed to make all your wishes come true.

Watersmeet Theatre WD3 1EH www.watersmeet.co.uk

Cinderella 9th Dec - 2nd Jan

Starring Strictly Come Dancing's Joanne Clifton as the Fairy Godmother and CBeebies Mister Maker Phil Gallagher as Buttons. This promises to be the most magical pantomime ever, so don't be late for the ball. The Grove Theatre, Dunstable LU4 5GP www.grovetheatre.co.uk

Jack & The Beanstalk 9th Dec - 2nd Jan A top class cast, lavish sets and hilarious jokes it promises to be Fe Fi Fo fun for the whole family Oh yes it will! Alban Arena, St Albans AL1 3LD www.alban arena.co.uk

Jack And The Beanstalk 9th Dec 2nd Jan Join Jack and the Good Fairy as they climb the beanstalk to do battle with the Giant… it will be a Fe Fi Fo Fun show! Royal & Derngate, Northampton NN1 1DP www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Cinderella 10th - 30th Dec

A show full of magic, laughter, audience participation and spectacular surprises. £20, child £18 Eric Morecambe Centre AL5 2FR www.the-emc.co.uk

Jack and The Beanstalk 10th Dec - 3rd Jan

With dazzling choreography, stunning sets, uplifting live music, glamourous costumes and, of course, plenty of audience participation. Radlett Centre WD7 8HL www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 10th Dec - 8th Jan Packed with the traditional pantomime ingredients this show will be brought to life with side-splitting comedy, sensational special effects and plenty of festive magic.

Milton Keynes Theatre MK9 3NZ www.atgtickets.com

St Albans Postbox Toppers

All the postbox toppers are made by volunteers with love, imagination and at no cost. This year they will be raising funds for St Albans Action For Homeless and Community Trust. Look for the find all the toppers! www.stalbanspostboxes.

Cards for Good Causes until 17th Dec Mon - Sat 10am Charity Christmas cards, gifts, decorations, wrapping and advent calendars. URC Church, Vaughan Road AL5 4ED www.cardsforcharity.co.uk

Charity Christmas Cards

Please buy Christmas cards online to support this great charity. www.shop.bluecross

L & D Hospital

Light Up A Life Ceremony 1st Dec

Join school choirs and the Luton Brass Band as the Christmas tree lights up in memory of loved ones.

Give a Gift Appeal

Give a patient a gift this Christmas. Volunteers Needed Volunteers are needed to help run the trolley service, visiting wards and offices around the hospital. If you are interested call 07800 711 370 or email Donna.Pratt3@ldh.nhs.uk L&D Hospital, Luton LU4 0DZ www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk

Rennie Grove Hospice Care Workshop: Wreath Making 7th Dec Can’t make the date, sign up to a virtual workshop on any day in December. £35 Big Festive Quiz of the Year

Download the questions and host a quiz at home with friends and family. £5 www.renniegrove.org

Wild Christmas Charity Run 10th Dec registration 9.30am

In aid of the Hospice of St Francis. Run 2km or 8km. £15, under 13s £5 Start and finish at Berkhamsted Cricket Club www.stfrancis.org.uk

GOSH Charity Christmas Appeal

Donate to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH) and help get seriously ill children one step closer to home. www.gosh.org

07581

07947

NOW for some Entertainment

Barn Theatre

Haunting Julia by Alan Ayckbourn

25th Nov - 3rd Dec 8pm & 3rd Dec 2.30pm Matilda Jnr by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin 15th, 16th, 20th & 23rd Dec 7.30pm 17th, 18th & 27th Dec 2.30pm & 5pm Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST www.barntheatre.co.uk

The Maltings Theatre

Talking Heads 30th Nov - 2nd Dec Three of Alan Bennett’s award winning dramatic monologues; Her Big Chance, A Lady of Letters, Bed Among the Lentils. £6

A Christmas Carol 1st - 23rd Dec Become immersed in the action as you are led around Verulamium Roman Theatre by Charles Dickens himself, in this outdoor promenade experience, meeting Scrooge, The Cratchits, Tiny Tim and many others. All washed down with locally produced mulled wine, hot chocolate, seasonal snacks and lashings of Christmas cheer. £25, child £15 Christmas with The Herts Big Band 3rd Dec Enjoy big band jazz with songs from Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Diane Schuur and the music of great bands such as Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich and Count Basie. £13, concs £10 Maltings Shopping Centre, St Albans AL1 3HL www.ovo.org.uk

The Eric Morecambe Centre

Fisherman’s Friends 3rd Dec 7.30pm

A decade ago, Britain’s oldest boy band, Fisherman's Friends (combined age 401) were persuaded to sign a million pound record deal becoming the first traditional folk act to land a UK top ten album.

Family Carols 4th Dec 10.30am free Enjoy singing, drama and the Good News of Christmas hosted by ChristChurch Harpenden. Advent Carols 4th Dec 5pm free

A traditional service of lessons and carols, with choral pieces, congregational singing and the Christmas message, hosted by ChristChurch Harpenden. FestiveLea 22nd Dec 7.30pm

The Lea Singers with conductor, Benjamin Kirk present an evening of uplifting singing and popular carols, raising funds for The Harpenden Trust Christmas Appeal. Please book Rothamsted Park, Harpenden AL5 2FR www.the-emc.co.uk

The Elves and The Last Christmas Bear 15th - 20th Dec between 10.30am 4.30pm Magic, love and kindness is at the heart of this Christmas tale. Complete with songs, silliness and lots of Christmas spirit. Children can meet the Elves and Mrs Claus and receive a Nice List Certificate. The Market Theatre, Hitchin SG5 1AE www.thedoorstepelves.com

The Night Before Christmas 20th 24th Dec On Christmas Eve, Emily stares out of the window and waits excitedly for the morning, while in the corner a little mouse called Eddie can’t understand why only humans get presents, so he sets off in search of Santa to find out. £12, £10, age 3 - 7

The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3A www.oldtownhall.co.uk

Mr A’s Amazing Maze Plays 17th - 28th Dec Suzy lives with her mother and her dog, Neville. When a mysterious new neighbour moves in strange things start to happen. A tale of villainous intrigue and daring adventure with plenty of audience participation as you decide what Suzy and Neville should do next. £15, child £9

Abbey Theatre, St Albans AL1 2DL 01727 857861 www.abbeytheatre.org.uk

Alice in Wonderland 29th Dec 2.30pm & 7pm

A funny, music filled adventure down the rabbit hole with new songs, lots of laughs and many many hats. Trestle Arts Base, St Albans AL4 0JQ www.trestle.org.uk

Live Cinema

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story 27th Nov 3.10pm & 1st Dec 8.15pm

An irresistibly theatrical retelling of Dickens’ classic winter ghost story. £16.30

Exhibition On Screen - Cezanne: Portraits of a Life 29th Nov 8.30pm & 4th Dec 4pm

Taking audiences to the places Cézanne lived and worked and shedding light on an artist who is perhaps one of the least known and yet most important of all the Impressionists. £10.60

Royal Opera House: The Nutcracker 8th Dec 7.15pm & 11th Dec 2pm

Join Clara in a magical adventure as she fights the Mouse King with her enchanted Nutcracker and visits the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince in the glittering Kingdom of Sweets. Marvel at the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s score, and enjoy this festive ballet classic, combining the thrill of the fairy tale with spectacular classical dancing. £18.30 £20.30

Campus West, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk

NOW at the Cathedral

Advent Trail 1st - 31st Dec 9am - 5pm

Explore some of the Cathedral's beautiful reminders of the Christmas story.

Somewhere 2 Sing at Christmas 3rd Dec 6pm A community of singers from Herts, Beds and Essex perform Christmas and popular songs. £10 £24 Carol Concert by The Hospice of St Francis 4th Dec 3pm Performances by local choirs as well as plenty of audience participation. £10 £20

Willow Carol Concert 6th Dec 7.30pm With the Hertfordshire Chorus, Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School and Eirra with audience participation. £6 £18 St Albans Bach Choir Carol Concerts 10th Dec 3pm & 7pm

Two concerts of Christmas music performed by Embassy Brass, organist James McVinnie and St Albans Bach Choir. £8, child £2 & £14, child £7 Christingle 11th Dec 3pm

This service for children and their families uses the symbol of a decorated orange, to explore the story of God’s love for the world. In support of the Children's Society.

Mulled Wine and Christmas Music 11th Dec 7pm Celebrate Christmas with a sing along. Ages 20 - 40 Carols On The Hour 17th Dec 11am 4pm Bite sized carol services on the hour, every hour. Live Nativity Trail 17th Dec 12 noon 3pm free Journey through St Albans, meeting and hearing from nativity characters, who will greet you throughout the day. Collect trails from St Peter's Church AL1 3HG. Parish Eucharist with Nativity 18th Dec 9.30am See the traditional crib scene come to life, as children star in this retelling of the first Christmas, expect laughs and festivity!

Lights of Love Service 18th Dec 2.30pm

A service of carols and prayers, as candles are lit in memory of loved ones, the tree of lights will be lit each evening as a sign of those we are remembering.

Lessons and Carols 21st & 22nd Dec 7.30pm

Atmospheric and beautiful services, opening with the choir singing Silent Night, as candlelight spills through the cathedral. Please book, free Crib Services 24th Dec 1pm & 2.30pm Welcoming children and families.

Christmas Eve

Choral Vespers 5,30pm / Midnight Mass 11pm Christmas Day Holy Eucharist 8am Christmas Day Eucharist 9.30am & 11.15am Carols on Boxing Day 26th Dec 4pm St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard AL1 1BY www.stalbanscathedral.org

NOW for some Music

Christmas Concert 3rd Dec 7.30pm

Seasonal songs from the Jupiter Singers, carols to join in and festive readings, in aid of The AT Society. Please book £12, concs £8 St Nicholas Church, Harpenden AL5 2TP www.atsociety.org.uk

A Christmas Coronation 3rd Dec 7.30pm Tavener The Lamb, Holst The Evening Watch, This have I done for my true Love and St Paul’s Suite and Handel Four Coronation Anthems. Performed by Voix De Vivre and Amadeus Chamber Orchestra. £16.50, concs £14 & £5 St Saviours Church, St Albans AL1 4DF www.voixdevivre.co.uk

Mayor of Harpenden’s Carol Concert 6th Dec 6pm

A traditional sing-along concert with performances by local choirs. Funds raised will be donated to the Mayor’s charities. £6 St Nicholas Church, Harpenden AL5 2TP

Christmas Charity Concert 10th Dec 3pm

An afternoon of festive music and audience carols with The Music Makers Choir of Harpenden. Plus refreshments and mince pies. High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden AL5 2RU www.musicmakerschoir.wordpress.com

A Celebration of Christmas 10th Dec 3pm Britten A Ceremony of Carols, Bax Mater ora Filium and Of a Rose I sing a Song, Lauridsen - O magnum Mysterium plus a selection of popular Christmas carols. With St Albans Chamber Choir, accompanied by harp, cello and double bass. £16, £5 & £2 St Peter’s Church, St Albans AL1 3HG www.stalbanschamberchoir.org.uk St Albans Organ Theatre Theatre Organ Concert 10th Dec 2.30pm With Alec Walters Special Sunday Opening 11th Dec 3pm With visiting mechanical organs 320 Camp Rd, St Albans AL1 5PE www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk

Celebration of Christmas 11th Dec 7pm St Albans Choral Society presents a fabulous programme of carols, seasonal music and readings. Marlborough Road Methodist Church, St Albans AL1 3XG www.choralsociety.com

Magnificat 19th Dec 8pm

A selection of Marian music, carols for choir and audience and festive readings. In support of Electric Umbrella amazing live music experiences with learning disabled people. £14, £7 St John’s Church, Harpenden 0845 475 1664 www.stjohnsharpenden.org.uk

Christmas Carols for Choir & Audience 20th Dec 7.30pm

With Harpenden Choral Society £12, child £6 High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden www.ticketsource.co.uk/harpendenchoralsociety