December Events In Harpenden, Hertfordshire
what’s on in December
Check out our list of exciting things to do in December in Harpenden, Hertfordshire!
The Beauty and the Beast
A great family pantomime with spectacular scenery, glittering costumes and amazing special effects.
Where: Eric Morecambe Centre, Rothamsted Park, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2FR.
When: Saturday 9th – Sunday 30th December, various times.
Tickets: Standard Ticket £20.00, Concessions £18.00, Family (2 Adults, 2 Children) £71.00
About: The Eric Morecambe Centre was opened in a brand-new facility in 2021 in Harpenden and is a luxurious culture and entertainment centre.
More info.
Build a Bear Workshop
Create your own Festive ‘Candy Cane Doggy’ at this drop-in workshop.
Where: Village & Co, 29 High St, Wheathampstead, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 8BB.
When: Saturday 2nd December, 14:00-16:00
Tickets: £20 per child, book your space via timeforsplodgers@gmail.com.
About: Village & Co Pop-Up is a curated collection of artisan small businesses showcased at our Market or Pop-Up Shop events in Hertfordshire
More info.
Christmas in Blue – Festive Jazz with The Hardynge Choir
Festive jazz and Christmas carols and festive readings.
Where: St Johns Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 1DJ.
When: Monday 18th December, 20:00-22:00.
Tickets: Unreserved £16; Students £8; Under 16 Free.
About: Hardynge is the ancient name for Harpenden. The Hardynge choir was founded in 1966 and is runs 3-4 concerts per year, usually with professional orchestras and soloists.
More info.
Christmas Market at the Engineer
On at the same time as the Southdown lantern show so is a wonderful 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, 16:00-20:00
Tickets: None required.
About: Built in around 1862, the Engineer was renamed from ‘The Bird in the Hand’, when the railway from London to Bedford was built in 1868.
More info.
Drop and Shop
Leave the kids with Fizzbug so you can pop into Harpenden for your festive shop.
Where: Harpenden Leisure Centre, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2HU.
When: Saturday 2nd, 9th & 16th December, 09:00-16:00 (or half day option 09:00-12:30).
Tickets: £22 for a half day, £38 for a full day.
About: Fizzbug is an Ofsted registered, award-winning childcare club that focuses on educational and enjoyable play for children in Harpenden, St Albans, and surrounding areas.
More info.
Festive Family Concert with Sonorité Saxophone Quartet
Sonorité music plays Christmas favourites such as Jingle Bells, All I want for Christmas is You and Frozen.
Where: St John's Church, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 1DJ.
When: Fri 22nd December 15:00
Tickets: £13, 18-25s: £6 and Under 18s go Free!
About: Based in London, Sonorité Saxophone Quartet are a vibrant and young saxophone quartet aiming to make saxophone music more accessible to the everyday listener.
More info.
Festivelea Christmas Charity Concert
Christmas carols sung by local Lea Singers choir.
Where: Eric Morecambe Centre, Rothamsted Park, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2FR.
When: Thursday 21st December, show starts 20:00.
Tickets: Standard Ticket £15.00, Concessions Under 18’s & Students £8.00.
About: The Lea Singers are a chamber choir of 30 members, based in Harpenden who have been performing for over 60 years.
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.
Tickets: Adults £5, discounts online, under 18s free.
About: Charlie Owen Events put on country shows and craft, food and seasonal fairs with stalls and entertainment for all the family.
The Herts County Showground is run by the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society and the site is utilised to support local businesses, services and enterprises and showcase Hertfordshire’s finest.
The Little Gym Santa’s Grotto
Santa’s workshop with sensory play and crafts, followed by a Christmas themed gym play session and a gift from Santa. Sessions lasts up to 90 minutes. Suitable for 4 months to 12 years.
Where: Rothamsted Experimental Station, Rothamsted, West Common, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ.
When: Friday 22nd December, half-hourly slots from 10:00-14:00.
Tickets: £30 per child (adults free)
About: The Little Gym offers physical educational classes across the country, for ages 4 months to 12 years, using movement-based learning and imaginative play.
More info.
Mayor’s sing-along carol concert
With performances by St Nicholas’ Church Choir, Sir Johns Lawes school, Harpenden Academy and Katherine Warington school.
Where: St Nicholas Church, Church Green, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2TP.
When: Tuesday 12th December, 18:00
Tickets: £6, children free – all money raised will go to the mayor’s chosen charities. Tickets can be purchased via 01582 463 662, by email to jane.juby@harpenden.gov.uk or on the door.
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.
More info.
Monty’s Grotto
Breakfast with Santa for little ones.
Where: Monty’s, Harpenden Leisure Centre, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2HU.
When: Saturday 9th and Saturday 16th December, 09:30-10:00, 11:00-12:00
Tickets: Book a one-hour slot for children (to include breakfast) for £12.50. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult £5 (to include a hot drink). Limited availability.
About: Monty’s is a café on-site at the Harpenden Everyone Active leisure centre, run by members of the local community and named after Monty, the founder’s beloved golden labrador.
More info.
Open Bar presents A Christmas Carol
A four-person performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with plenty of laughs.
Where: The Harpenden Arms, 188 High Street, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2TR.
When: Wednesday 20th December 19:30-21:30
Tickets: General admission £18, Concessions (under 16 and OAP) £15
About: The Harpenden Arms, newly refurbished in 2023, is in central Harpenden right on the high street (on the edge of Harpenden Common) and serves up a wide range of Fuller's ales.
More info.
Southdown Lights and Lanterns
Stalls, Santa’s Grotto, carols, fun fair, lantern parade and more.
Where: Southdown, Harpenden, Hertfordshire
When: Friday 1st December, 17:30-19:30 (parade 17:30).
Tickets: None required.
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.
More info.
St. Nicholas Christmas Fayre
Carols accompanied by the Harpenden Concert Band, festive stalls, and a breakfast café.
Where: St Nicholas, Church Green, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2TP.
When: Saturday 9th December, 10:00-12:00 midday.
Tickets: None required.
About: The St. Nicholas church is a grade two listed building that has been in place for 800 years, in central Harpenden.
More info.
Teddy Family Concert at The Highfield Oval
Gerard Le Feuvre conducts short classical pieces (from Bach to the Beatles), interspersed with some zany antics and surprises. Teddy bears welcome.
Where: The Chapel, Highfield Oval, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, Al5 4BX.
When: Saturday 2nd December, 14:00-15:00
Tickets: £10
About: The YWAM Harpenden stands for ‘Youth with a Mission’ and is a global movement of Christians from many cultures, age groups, and Christian traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus. The Highfield Oval was once a children’s home, run by the National Children’s Home (NCH) charity. Now the site provides housing for YWAM staff and trainees, training facilities and coordination for many local and international projects.
More info.
UNA Harpenden Quiz Night
Fish and chips and a festive quiz night raising funds and awareness for the UNA Harpenden.
Where: Park Hall, Leyton Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2LX.
When: Saturday 9th December, 18:00-21:00.
Tickets: Based on food choices (covers hall hire and quiz costs) - Fish and chips £15, Scampi and chips £15, Sausage and chips £10, Halloumi and chips £10
About: United Nations Association Harpenden is a community group covering Harpenden, St Albans, and the surrounding villages, that supports the United Nations and campaigns on international, humanitarian, and social issues.
More info.
Vinsanto Bottomless Brunch
Bottomless prosecco or Aperol spritz with a specially designed Cicchetti brunch menu.
Where: 26 Station Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 4SE
When: Saturday 16th December 12:00-16:00 (2-hour session).
Ticket: £40 per person with bottomless cocktail or prosecco (2 hours). Upgrade to unlimited Piper Heidsieck Champagne for only £20 extra. T&Cs apply.
About: Award-winning chef Daniel Fletcher, who has worked in five-star restaurants, has brought the concept of a regularly changing Cicchetti menu to Harpenden (with a speakeasy bar for good measure).
More info.