Everyone has their own traditions and special treats that make their Christmas special. Christmas traditions don’t have to be expensive – you can make a gingerbread house at home, decorate the Christmas tree together, or visit family and friends. There are some events in St Albans in December that add to the Christmas sparkle and become part of the festive landscape of the City. Take a look at these festive family events that make up some of the ingredients for a magical Christmas in St Albans in 2019…
Please don’t forget to check the details of an event with the venue or organisers, before you travel.
Christmas Shows and Pantos
There are so many festive theatre treats in the local area, you are spoilt for choice. Take a look at my pick of some fantastic family-friendly productions and make a trip to the theatre part of your magical Christmas. There’s a Reindeer On The Roof, a Sleeping Beauty and even George’s Marvellous Medicine! Take a look at my guide to Christmas shows and pantomimes in Hertfordshire.
Santa’s Post Office at Christopher Place
Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DQ
On Thursday 14th November 2019, 4-8pm, visit the launch of Santa’s Post Office at Christopher Place Shopping Centre in St Albans. After being greeted by the elves, children may write their letter to Santa, place it in the special post box and watch it on its magical journey to Lapland. Santa’s Post Office is in Christopher Place in St Albans for two late night openings (4-8pm on 14th November and 12th December 2019) and on weekends 11am-5pm Saturday and Sunday from 16th November to 22nd December 2019). No need to book and entry is free. Visit the website for more information.
Maltings Shopping Centre – Jingle Bells
28 The Maltings, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3HL
On Sunday 17th November 2019, 11am to 4pm, visit the Maltings Shopping Centre in St Albans to celebrate the wonder of Christmas and get up close and personal with Crumpet the Elf and Blitzen the Reindeer. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Christmas Cracker Street Festival 2019
St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire
On Sunday 17th November 2019, 12noon to 6pm, come to St Albans for the St Albans Christmas Cracker Street Festival! Enjoy an afternoon of festive fun full of music and entertainment in St Albans City centre. Enjoy some great food from a variety of traders, do some Christmas shopping at the craft and gift stalls, visit the Poppycock Winter Wonderland Bar and listen to the Christmas choirs. With fun fair rides for the whole family and lots to see and do, it’s a great way to start the festive season. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Festive Friends Christmas Trail
St Albans Central Library, The Maltings, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JQ
This festive season come and join in the fun, complete the St Albans Festive Friends Christmas Trail and collect Festive Friends Trail cards as you go. Visit the participating shops and venues from Friday 15th November to Tuesday 31st December 2019* collect all 20 of the free, Festive Friends Trail cards and play with your friends and family. *Cards are available while stocks last. Start your trail at St Albans Central Library in the Maltings Shopping Centre. Visit the website for more information.
Burston Garden Centre – Festive Fun Day
North Orbital Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 2DS
To celebrate the opening of Burston Garden Centre’s Father Christmas Grotto, come and enjoy Burston’s Festive Fun Day on Saturday November 23rd 2019, 11am-4pm. Look out for the stilt-walking Christmas tree and Burston’s own cheeky elf, Crackerjack, will entertain you with his fabulous balloon animals and amazing magic tricks. There will also be face-painting and musician Sarah Lee will be performing Christmas classics in the afternoon. There’s also hundreds of decorations, lights, artificial and pre-lit trees, Christmas cards and wrapping to browse in the Christmas Shop. Visit the website to book your tickets for the Father Christmas Grotto or for more information.
Alban Arena – Vienna Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Civic Centre, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3LD
On Saturday 23rd November 2019 the Vienna Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker at the Alban Arena. Be swept away on a magical adventure in one of the most famous classical ballets of all time – The Nutcracker. With its combination of enchanting choreography and unforgettable music, this fabulous ballet is a Christmas treat like no other. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Maltings Shopping Centre – Prince Amir
The Maltings, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3HL
On Saturday 30th November 2019, 11am to 4pm, visit the Maltings Shopping Centre in St Albans and you can meet the miniscule majesty of Prince Amir and his grumpy camel, Nazreddin! Visit the website for more information.
Dagnall Street Baptist Church – Living Nativity
1 Cross Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5EE
On Saturday 30th November 2019, 10.30am-12.30pm visit Dagnall Street Baptist Church to see their Living Nativity. Dagnall Street Baptist Church are kicking off the Christmas season by transforming the car park into a stable. All are welcome to come and meet the donkey, sheep, chickens and friends that might have been there on that first Christmas night. After meeting the animals you can pop inside for a bacon roll, hot drinks and crafts for all the family. Visit the website for more information.
Christopher Place Giant Snow Globe Event
Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans, AL3 5DQ
Come to Christopher Place, St Albans on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December 2019, 11am to 5pm for the Giant Snow Globe Photobooth! Get inside the giant inflatable snow globe and have some unique pictures taken with the family. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Postbox Toppers Christmas Trail Launch
29 Holywell Hill, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1HD
On Sunday 1st December 2019, at 11am, come and help launch this year’s wonderful St Albans Postbox Toppers Christmas Trail outside Café Rouge on Holywell Hill in St Albans. PostBox Toppers will begin appearing throughout the day as well as on Monday 2nd December 2019. Start your journey to find all 54 postbox toppers, share your photographs using #stalbanspostboxes and don’t forget to donate. This year St Albans Postbox Toppers are raising money for Earthworks, Age Concern Hertfordshire and Small Acts of Kindness. Huge thanks to the fantastic yarnbombers who work throughout the year to make the trail possible and Atlas Translations who make it all happen. Visit the website to donate and find out more.
Rudolph Run and Fun Run
Civic Close, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3LE
Have fun, raise money for Rennie Grove Hospice Care or just enjoy the spectacle of this year’s Rudolph Run and Fun Run on Sunday 1st December 2019! The annual run is a festive fundraising event for all the family. The Fun Run starts at 11am: a 1.5k route great for families and open to all ages. The 5k Jingle Bell Jog starts at 11.30am and is open to all over 10 years old. Visit the website for details of how to register.
Round Table Christmas Float
From Sunday 1st December until Tuesday 24th December 2019, the St Albans Round Table Christmas Float will be winding its way around the streets of St Albans and the local area with a very special passenger! You can check when Santa will be coming to you on the St Albans Round Table website here. A word to the wise: it might be worth keeping this information to yourself and follow the live Santa Tracker as well as checking on Facebook and Twitter as the Christmas Float has been known to break down. Although the volunteers make an enormous effort to get the Christmas Float out as scheduled, things don’t always go to plan and if you keep it a surprise for the little ones, then you don’t have to deal with the tears if the worst happens – you have been warned!
Donate to St Albans & District Foodbank
‘Tis the season of goodwill and there are many people in the district who are struggling to add the sparkle to this Christmas. If you can, then take a moment over the festive season to think of those who need a little extra help. There is a list of urgently needed items and drop-off points for St Albans & District Food Bank here.
Rockaholly Christmas
Outside the Civic Centre, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3LD
On Friday 6th December 2019, 5 to 7.30pm, visit the area outside the Alban Arena where St Albans will be Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree retro style, to celebrate the opening of the Alban Arena Pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, with music and jive, swing or Lindy hop! Visit the website for more information.
STAMPede at Heritage Close
Heritage Close, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4EB
On Saturday 7th December 2019, visit Heritage Close and collect four stamps from businesses in Heritage Close displaying the STAMPede poster and exchange them for a voucher from Shaken Cow St Albans*. There’ll also be live music from the Dodo Bones at Empire Records from 2pm. *Vouchers available while stocks last so get in early! Visit the website for more information.
Maltings Shopping Centre – Giant Penguins
The Maltings, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3HL
On Sunday 7th December 2019, 11am to 4pm, visit the Maltings Shopping Centre in St Albans and you’ll find two larger than life penguins carrying their baby around the shopping centre and making friends wherever they go. Visit the website for more information.
Christmas At The Museum – St Albans Film Festival – Elf
St Albans Museum + Gallery, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3DH
Get your tickets to see the film Elf in the Courtroom at St Albans Museum + Gallery on Saturday 7th December 2019! St Albans Film Festival, in partnership with St Albans Museums and St Albans City & District Council are excited to present a special one-off screening of Elf, kindly sponsored by Dylans Kings Arms pub and restaurant! Visit the website to book your tickets or for more information.
St Stephen’s Christmas Tree Festival
Watling Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2PT
Enjoy a wonderful St Stephen’s Christmas Tree Festival at St Stephen’s Church, Watling Street, St Albans, AL1 2PT from Friday 6th and Monday 9th December 2019. Get into the festive spirit with Christmas trees imaginatively decorated by local people and organisations. Light refreshments will be available. The festival is open 10am-4pm on Friday, Saturday and Monday and open 12noon-4pm on Sunday 8th December. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Farmers’ Market
St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL 3JE
On Sunday 8th December 2019 head to the St Albans Farmers’ Market for the final Farmers’ Market before Christmas. You will find stalls filled with local specialities, amazing cheeses, fruit and veg, fresh bread, perfectly presented preserves and festive treats. This is your last chance to stock up at the St Albans Farmers’ Market, ready for a Christmas feast to remember.
St Albans Cathedral Christingle Service
St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY
Children and adults alike love the St Albans Cathedral Christingle Service, Sunday 8th December 2019 at 3pm, which is open to all and particularly suitable for young children. For more information visit the website.
Christmas At The Museum – St Albans Film Festival – It’s A Wonderful Life
St Albans Museum + Gallery, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3DH
Get your tickets to see the film It’s A Wonderful Life in the Assembly Room at St Albans Museum + Gallery on Sunday 8th December 2019! St Albans Film Festival, in partnership with St Albans Museums and St Albans City & District Council are excited to present a special one-off screening of It’s A Wonderful Life, kindly sponsored by Morgan Sindall! Visit the website to book your tickets or for more information.
Carols ‘Til Closing Launch Event
Market Place, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DG
On Monday 9th December 2019, have a grown-ups night out at the launch of this year’s Carols ‘Til Closing. Assemble at The Boot pub in St Albans at 7.30pm for an evening of traditional carols, Christmas songs and festive merriment, led by Fr Richard from St Saviour’s Church. There will also be Carols ‘Til Closing events at The Great Northern on Wednesday 11th December at 8pm, The White Lion on Thursday 12th December at 8pm, The Mermaid on Monday 16th December at 8pm, The White Hart Tap on Tuesday 17th December at 8pm and Ye Olde Fighting Cocks on Thursday 19th December at 8pm.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Museum Minis
Market Place, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
Museum Minis at St Albans Museum + Gallery takes place on Tuesday 10th December 2019 with sessions at 10-11am and again at 11.30am-12.30pm. Enjoy a story, craft activity and a museum hunt, suitable for children aged 2-4 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a charge of £3 per child for craft activities. Book online or pay in person at the museum. Visit the website for more information.
Tots Tales at Verulamium Museum
St Michael’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4SW
Tots Tales at Verulamium Museum, St Albans takes place on Thursday 12th December 2019, with sessions at 10.30-11.30am, 11.45am-12.45pm and again at 1.30-2.30pm. Enjoy a story, craft activity and a museum hunt, suitable for children aged 2-4 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Don’t forget to bring proof of residence in St Albans District to qualify for free entry to the museum (£3 charge for craft activities). Visit the website to book online, or for more information.
St Albans French Market at Christmas
St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
The St Albans French Market at Christmas will be on St Peter’s Street on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th December 2019. You’ll find a wide range of top quality produce including regional cheeses, fresh bread and patisserie, provençal soaps, gifts and more. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Help Fill Santa’s Sleigh
Market Place, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
Visit the St Albans Museum + Gallery on Saturday 14th December 2019, 10am-4pm and help fill Santa’s sleigh! Can you be one of Santa’s little helpers this year? Father Christmas needs you! He is trying to give presents to everyone this year but he is running out of time to get them all. Can you help him and donate a present or presents for refugees? Father Christmas has got together with St Albans For Refugees and will be visiting St Albans Museum + Gallery so that children can come and see him free of charge and have their photo taken and get a lollipop instead of a present. All Santa asks is that you help him by bringing a donation of socks, hats, scarves, gloves, sleeping bags, walking boots, tracksuit bottoms, jumpers or coats. All of these can be pre-loved but underwear must be new. Please note that this is not a traditional grotto and Father Christmas will not be handing out presents but collecting donations instead. Visit the website for more information.
Abbey Theatre – George’s Marvellous Medicine
Abbey Theatre, Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2DL
Get your tickets for the Abbey Theatre on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December as well as Friday 20th to Monday 23rd and Friday 27th to Sunday 29th December 2019 to see George’s Marvellous Medicine. George lives on a ramshackle farm with his parents. Life is already hectic but it gets even worse when his appalling Grandma comes to stay. George decides to play a trick on her by concocting a new and improved medicine, but the consequences are much, much more than he bargained for. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
24 in 24 Photography Competition – Festive Special
St Albans Museum + Gallery, Market Place, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
Starting on Saturday 14th December 2019 at 11am, make sure that you join in with the 24 in 24 Photography Festive Special! Meet outside the St Albans Museum + Gallery at 11am to collect your list of 24 things. Then it’s go, go, go as you try and photograph all 24 subjects within 24 hours! Join in for a chance to be crowned the winner and have your picture displayed to the public in the St Albans Museum + Gallery. This challenge is free to enter. Visit the website for more information on how to take part.
Maltings Shopping Centre – The Snow Lion
Maltings Shopping Centre, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3HL
On Saturday 14th December 2019, 11am to 4pm, visit the Maltings Shopping Centre in St Albans and come and witness the mystery and majesty of the largest lion to walk the earth. Step forward for a photo and take home the memory of this magical character! Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Christmas Charter Market
St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3DH
Visit the St Albans Christmas Charter Market from the 15th to 24th December 2019. The historic Wednesday and Saturday charter market will run every day in the run up to Christmas. Enjoy the festive atmosphere as you browse, shop and enjoy the fresh produce, seasonal fruit and veg and delicious treats for foodies from the perfect cheeses for your festive cheese board to quality meats and beers from local breweries. You’ll also find hand crafted gifts, textiles, Christmas trees and holly wreaths, as well as street food, roast chestnuts, live music and performances on Sunday 15th and 22nd December to get you in the Christmas spirit. Visit the website for more information.
SandPit Theatre – Reindeer On The Roof
Sandringham School, The Ridgeway, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 9NX
On Saturday 21st December 2019, see Reindeer On The Roof at the SandPit Theatre in St Albans. It’s Christmas morning and Darcey wakes up to a sparkly tree, a stocking full of presents and a Reindeer on the roof! Join Darcey on her epic adventure to get her new Reindeer friend back to Lapland where he belongs and discover the true meaning of Christmas along the way. Suitable for children aged 3 years old + and their families. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Christopher Place Meet the Reindeers
Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans, AL3 5DQ
Come to Christopher Place, St Albans on Saturday 21st December 2019, 11am to 3pm and meet the real reindeer! Find out how these fascinating animals live from their experienced handlers. There will also be singing from local talent Amelia Lappert to make your visit to Christopher Place feel extra festive. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Cathedral – Carols on the Hour
Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY
Visit St Albans Cathedral on Saturday 21st December 2019, between 11am-4pm for Carols on the Hour. The 30 minute carol services, which start on the hour, every hour, are the perfect length for families and young children are welcome. No tickets are required, just come along and join in with some uplifting carols. Visit the website for more information.
The Big Community Nativity
St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY
On Tuesday 24th December 2019 at 1pm and again at 2.30pm, visit the St Albans Cathedral and join in the special retelling of the Christmas story with a twist. Expect a lively service, with a visit to the crib and plenty of carol singing. Alongside well-known faces from around the city, such as an innkeeper from a local pub! All are welcome to dress up as your favourite Nativity character and join in the fun! Visit the website for more details.
Christmas at St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY
A warm welcome awaits you at the St Albans Cathedral’s Christmas services. Visit the crib in the Cathedral at the Christmas Eve Crib Service, celebrate at Midnight Mass and enjoy carols on Boxing Day with a visit to the crib. Check the details of the St Albans Cathedral Christmas services on their website.
St Albans City FC – Boxing Day Football
Clarence Park, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 4PL
On Thursday 26th December 2019, come to Clarence Park for the Boxing Day local derby between St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Cathedral – Carols on Boxing Day
St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY
St Albans Cathedral will be hosting an informal Carols on Boxing Day service on Tuesday 26th December 2019 at 4pm. If you are enjoying a walk in the park, then make sure you visit the Cathedral to enjoy this short and informal carol service and you can also visit the crib. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Mummers Play
The St Albans Mummers keep an ancient tradition alive this Boxing Day, Wednesday 26th December 2019, performing St George and the Dragon at various locations around St Albans: The Town Hall 11.30am; The White Hart Hotel 12.15pm; St Albans Abbey (West End) 1pm; The Fighting Cocks 1.45pm; The Clock Tower 2.30pm. Visit the website for more information. Visit the website for more information.
Details of events are correct at the time of publishing.
Please don’t forget to check the details of an event with the venue or organisers, before you travel.
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