Christmas Markets and Pop-ups in Harpenden and Surrounding Areas
Christmas markets are magical. Twinkling lights, hot chocolate, mulled wine, gingerbread and local made gifts for loved ones, are just some of the things that make the festive season so special. Why not pop along and show support to some of the local Christmas Markets and Pop-Ups, which are offering a wide array of gifts and treats (many of which are from local businesses).
Check out our guide of local Christmas Markets and Pop-Ups to visit this festive season.
Christmas Market at the Engineer
On at the same time as the Southdown lantern show so is a great place to pop in for some Christmas shopping after seeing the spectacle.
Where: 12 St Johns Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 1DJ
When: Friday 1st December - 4pm to 8pm
About: The Engineer was so named, when the railway from London to Bedford was built in 1868. The beer garden has sheltered picnic tables.
More Info
Christmas Pop-Up Shop
Beautiful, curated Christmas gifts with workshops and craft events.
Where: 29 High St, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 8BB.
When: Thursday 23rd November – Sunday 17th December, Tuesday to Saturday 09:00-17:00, Sunday 10:00-15:00, Monday Closed.
Tickets: None required.
About: Organised by Robyn and her team, the Village and Co runs pop-up events in Hertfordshire.
More Info
Creative Collective Christmas Pop-Up Shop
Lots of carefully selected gifts and treats, perfect for Christmas.
Where: 8& Pop-Up Shop, opposite Waitrose, 8 Leyton Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2TL.
When: Friday 10th - Sunday 19th November, timings vary.
Tickets: None required.
Crinkle Crankle Christmas Market
The village hosts their annual switching on of their Christmas lights with plenty of fun to be had and lots of Christmas treats on offer to purchase.
Where: Crinkle Crankle Garden, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire and Wheathampstead High Street, Hertfordshire.
When: Thursday 23rd November, at the Crinkle Crankle garden from 16:00-20:00 and on the high street 17:30-20:00.
About: Wheathampstead Parish Council is putting on an extravaganza to launch the Christmas season with the switching on of the lights, market stalls, fairground rides, carols and Santa’s grotto.
Tickets: Free entry
More Info
Harpenden Christmas Carnival
The Carnival will feature all the traditional features such as a Santa's Grotto, food stalls, outdoor bars, the market, entertainment, the traditional procession and the Christmas Lights Switch On at 5.00pm.
Where: Harpenden High Street, Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
When: Sunday 26th November, 12:00-18:00.
Tickets: None required.
More Info
Harpenden Christmas Sustainability Market
Regular sustainable market has a Christmas twist with the ‘Big Harpenden Christmas Jumper Swap’.
Where: Lower High Street, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2RU.
When: Sun 19th November, 10:00-15:00.
About: Sustainable St Albans raise awareness and address the challenges of climate change. In partnership with Harpenden Town Council, they run a Sustainability Market in Harpenden on the Third Sunday of alternate months excluding January (March, May, July, Sept, Nov).
Ticket: None required, free entry.
More Info
Harpenden Farmers Market
Look out for festive treats at the regular town market.
Where: Lower High Street, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2RU.
When: 4th Sunday of the month, from 10:00-14:00
About: The Harpenden Town Council strives to conserve and improve the towns’ green spaces, promote Harpenden as a sustainable town, put on events for the community and run efficient low-cost council administration.
Tickets: None required
More Info
The Hertfordshire Christmas Shopping Fair
Around 120 exhibitors with plenty of Christmas treats.
Where: Herts County Showground, Redbourn, Hertfordshire, AL3 7PT.
When: Saturday 2nd – Sunday 3rd December, 10:00-15:30.
About: Charlie Owen Events put on country shows and craft, food and seasonal fairs with stalls and entertainment for all the family.
Tickets: Adults £5, discounts online, under 18s free.
More Info
The Hertfordshire Garden Centre
Christmas gifts and winter plants on sale at this lovely centre in Redbourn.
Where: Redding Lane, Redbourn, Hertfordshire, AL3 7PS.
When: Christmas season, see website for opening times.
About: In 2009 Graham Armstrong took over the site, previously Godlys Roses, and since then it’s grown into a thriving store and centre with a popular café and landscaping arm.
More Info
Our Lady of Lourdes, Christmas Fair
A traditional Christmas Fair with the usual stalls including bottles, cakes, craft, gifts and toys.
Where: Lourdes Hall, Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PD
When: Saturday 2nd December, 12:00-15:00.
About: A welcoming Catholic parish in Harpenden, putting on events and bringing the community together.
Tickets: None required, free entry.
More Info
Redbourn Christmas Fair
100+ stalls at this festive market raising funds for the community with seasonal music.
Where: High Street, Cumberland Gardens and the Village Hall car park, Redbourn, Hertfordshire.
When: Sunday 3rd December, 11:00-17:00.
About: The Redbourn committee run by volunteers, first put together a market in 2012 and the annual Christmas market has gone from strength to strength since then.
Tickets: Not for profit – no tickets but all donations welcome.
More Info
Salvation Army Fair
Stalls full of great gift items and festive decorations, with music by the Salvation Army brass band.
Where: The Salvation Army, Leyton Green, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2TG.
When: Saturday 18th November, 10:00-14:00
About: The Salvation Army is a Christian Church and a Registered Charity and has had a branch in Harpenden for 138 years.
Tickets: None required.
More Info
Sarah Collins at The Barn
Only open twice a year, this gift shop is a treasure trove for Christmas goodies.
Where: The Barn, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 8RQ.
When: Thursday 5th October - Saturday 23rd of December, 10:00-17:00 Thursday-Sundays.
About: Sarah Collins is a freelance illustrator/designer working from a 17th Century barn in Wheathampstead that sells gifts and treats during two periods a year.
Tickets: None required
More Info
St.George's Christmas Fayre
Raffle, tombola, gifts, refreshments and more at this PSA fundraiser for the school.
Where: St George's School, Sun Lane, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 4TD.
When: Saturday 18th November 13:00-16:00.
Tickets: None required.
surrounding areas
Berkhamsted Pop-Up Bazaar
The town hall Berkhamsted is hosting 50+ stalls from local and independent retailers, perfect for sourcing a Christmas gift or treat.
Where: The Pop-Up Bazaar at the Civic Centre, 161-163 High St, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 3HD.
When: Saturday 2nd December, 10:00-16:00, Sunday 17th December 10:00-15:00.
About: The Pop-Up Bazaar organises events throughout the year, hosting stall holders in Berkhamsted town centre and helping to spread the word.
Tickets: None required, free entry.
More Info
Christmas Fair at Leavesden Green Community Hub
A fair with stalls, arts and crafts, Santas grotto and raffle.
Where: Leavesden Green Community Hub, Clarke Green (Off Clarke Way), Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 0BW.
When: Saturday 16th December, 14:00-17:00.
About: Leavesden Green Community Hub is open for hire for a variety of purposes.
Tickets: £2.50 + £0.91 admits child into Santa’s grotto. Free entry into Christmas Fair.
More Info
Christmas Market at Luton Hoo
Selling Christmas wares, treats and hot drinks in the setting of the beautiful Luton Hoo hotel.
Where: The Walled Garden, Farm Rd, Luton, border of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, LU1 3TQ.
When: Sunday 10th December, 10:00-16:00
Tickets: None required, free entry.
About: A country hotel, which has been a home and estate since 1601 until today. It is a popular venue for filming as well as events.
More Info
Hertford Christmas Market
Annual Christmas market, the perfect place to shop local and early for the season. Includes a free Santa story time on the Sunday.
Where: Hertford Castle, Castle Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1HR.
When: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th November, various times.
About: Hertford castle is an iconic Grade 1 listed, 15th Century building with beautiful gardens alongside the river Lea open to hire for weddings and events. The Hertford council puts on events and promotes local news, groups and activities via their Go Hertford website.
Tickets: The event is FREE of charge to attend; you are however welcome to donate to the Mayor of Hertford’s Charity Appeal Fund.
More Info
Herts Winter Wonderland
Third year to date for this Christmas market which is bigger than ever with over 50 small businesses.
Where: Tewinbury Farm, B1000 Hertford Road near Welwyn, Tewin, Hertfordshire, AL6 0JB.
When: Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th November, 11:00 -16:00.
About: This annual fair has craft stalls, live music, children’s crafts, bouncy castle and soft play with a visit from Santa and his elf!
Tickets: £4 for adults, £5 for children + booking fee.
More Info
Knebworth Christmas Fair
Over 250 stalls with all kinds of festive treats for a fun day out.
Where: Knebworth house, Old Knebworth Lane, Stevenage, SG12AX
When: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th November, timed entry.
About: Aztec Events is family-run and started in 1995, with two arms Aztec Shows LLP (Festive Gift, Country and Dogs Shows) and Aztec Garden Shows Ltd (Garden Shows and Antique Fairs).
Tickets: Various prices, see website for details.
More Info
Tring Annual Christmas Fair
A jam-packed itinerary of events for this festive celebration in various site on Tring high street.
Where: See event guide for details. The High Street and High Street Crossroads, Akeman Street Baptist Church, Victoria Hall, High Street Baptist Church, Library car park, St Peter & St Paul Church, Memorial Garden, Tring, Hertfordshire.
When: Saturday 25th November, 15:30-20:30
About: The annual Christmas fair in Tring used to be Victoriana themed and has run for thirty years. It is organised by local charity Tring Together and has various local sponsors.
Tickets: None required, free entry.
More Info
Van Hage Garden Centre
Absolute wonder for adults and children alike this Christmas, with Santa’s grotto, a miniature railway and fantastical festive displays including animatronics.
Where: Pepper Hill, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, SG12 9RP.
When: From 10th November weekends only. From 27th November all week until the 20th December.
About: The Blue Diamond group runs the three sites of the Van Hage Garden centres including their flagship store at Great Amwell with over 1000 square metres of shopping space and a miniature railway.
Tickets: £12.50 per child and additional fee of £1.50 per family booking up to a maximum for 4. Booking essential.
More Info
Ware Christmas Event
A Dickens themed evening of festive entertainment and shopping, with funfair rides, craft stalls and shops staying open late.
When: Friday 1st December, 18:00-22:00.
Where: High Street, Baldock Street, Church Street, East Street, West Street, Ware Drill Hall and Amwell End - Ware, Hertfordshire.
Tickets: None required, free entry.
More Info
Watford Festive Market
Explore a wide variety of stalls featuring everything from artisanal gifts to festive treats.
Where: Watford House Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1BJ.
When: Sunday 3rd December, 10:00-15:00.
About: The Watford market dates back to the twelfth Century and the current organisation wants you to shop local and eat local, with themed markets and evening events.
Tickets: Free entry.
More Info
Winter Market at Hatfield House
All you’ll want for festive shopping at the beautiful Riding School Stable Yard of Hatfield House, in support of the Isabel Hospice.
Where: Riding School Stable Yard, Hatfield Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5HX.
When: Saturday 18th November, 10:30 - 16:00
Tickets: £2.50 per adult - payment on the door, children under 15 years free (accompanied by an adult). Parking £2.50 per vehicle.
More Info