Twixtmas ’tis the time of year after Christmas Day that lingers on until the last Quality Street is eaten, the mince pies have been consumed, you can’t eat any more cheese and you’ve run out of cold turkey… and patience. It’s that bit before you go back to reality and start making up New Year’s resolutions. Whether you have a house full of guests to get out of the house entertain, or you need some fresh air and perspective, here’s some ideas for things to do and places to visit in Hertfordshire between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, so that Twixtmas doesn’t drive you Christmas crackers.
Don’t forget that if you’re looking for inspiration for days out or things to do then check out the Days Out blogs or have a look at my list of Country Parks in and around St Albans.
Wishing you a very Merry Twixtmas…
The weather can change and so can the details of events, so please check directly with the venue or organisers BEFORE you travel.
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 Thursday 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, Thursday 26th December 2019, performing St George and the Dragon at various locations around St Albans: St Albans Museum + Gallery 11.30am; The White Hart Hotel 12.20pm; St Albans Abbey (West End) 1pm; The Fighting Cocks 1.50pm; The Clock Tower 2.40pm. Visit the website for more information.
Ashridge Estate – Christmas Pudding Walk
Ashridge Estate, Moneybury Hill, Nr Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1LT
Go along to Ashridge Estate until Monday 6th January 2020 and enjoy a self-led walk, following the Christmas puddings on a way-marked route through the woodland. A fun, free trail for all the family, which begins at Bridgewater Monument. Wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions and walking shoes or boots as the paths can be muddy. Visit the website for for more information.
Ashridge Estate – The Nutcracker Trail
Ashridge Estate, Moneybury Hill, Nr Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1LT
Go along to the Ashridge Estate and follow the magical Nutcracker themed trail through the woods 10am-3pm from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th December 2019. Buy your trail from the visitor centre before going round the meadow, answering questions and getting engrossed in the quintessential Christmas tale of the Nutcracker. Then return to the visitor centre to claim your present. £3 per child. Visit the website for more information.
Hertford Theatre – The Snow Queen: A Frozen Fairytale
Hertford Theatre, The Wash, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1PS
The story that inspired the smash-hit film Frozen, is brought to life in an all-singing, all-dancing, all-snowing Christmas spectacular from Thursday 26th December 2019 to Wednesday 1st January 2010 at the Hertford Theatre. Brought to you by the same creative team behind last year’s smash hit production ‘The Astonishing Adventures of Pinocchio’. Take a look at my review of this year’s Hertford Theatre panto or visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Gordon Craig Theatre – Beauty and the Beast
The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1LZ
A baddie wanting boos, goodies with some gags, a heroine in hot water… but what has happened to the handsome prince? Enjoy a spectacular panto adventure as Dame Derrière and son Potty Pierre cause chaos at the chateau from Thursday 26th December 2019 to Sunday 26th January 2010. Enjoy all the magic and mayhem of a truly traditional Christmas extravaganza. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information
Hawthorne Theatre – Snow White
Hawthorne Theatre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6BX
Enjoy Snow White at the Hawthorne Theatre in Welwyn Garden City from Thursday 26th to Tuesday 31st December 2019. Fast and furious with fistfuls of fun, this take on the familiar fairy tale is guaranteed to warm the cockles of your collective hearts with festive silliness galore. In a kingdom long, long ago, the Magic Mirror proclaims Snow White to be ‘the fairest of all’ which enrages her stepmother, the jealous Queen. The beautiful and kind-hearted princess is forced to flee into the dark and dangerous forest in fear of her life. The plucky heroine takes refuge in the cosy cottage of seven loveable dwarfs who endeavour to hide her from the wicked Queen. Throw in a prince, a poisoned apple and the power of love’s true kiss and it won’t be long before you are heigh-ho-ing all the way home. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Watford Palace Theatre – Sleeping Beauty
Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1JZ
From Thursday 26th December 2019 until Tuesday 31st December 2019, enjoy some festive family fun at the Watford Palace Theatre. The devoted team at Watford Palace Theatre bring you the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty, with fabulous costumes, stunning sets and non-stop laughs. It’s the eve of Princess Aurora’s 18th birthday party and her father, King Lenny VIII of Watford, is worried sick about the Bad Fairy’s curse. Just one prick of her finger on a spinning wheel and Aurora’s dream of escaping the Palace to travel the world will remain just that – a dream. A guitar-playing Prince is the only hope to wake Aurora from her long, long sleep. Join Fairy Fender and Dame Nanny Fanny on this unforgettable, time travelling magical adventure. The ultimate seasonal treat for you, your family and friends. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Stockwood Illuminated
Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 4LX
On Friday 27th to Sunday 29th December 2019, a magical trail of light will weave its way through the gardens of Stockwood Discovery Centre. Discover Stockwood like you’ve never seen it before, as you weave your way on a self-guided tour through the illuminated pathways, which lasts around 30 minutes. Afterwards you can stay and enjoy festive food from a range of street food stalls. Visit the website to book tickets, or for more information.
Ashridge Estate – Post Christmas Walk
Ashridge Estate, Moneybury Hill, Nr Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1LT
Go along to Ashridge Estate on Friday 27th December 2019 at 10am and enjoy a scenic post-Christmas walk through the estate to see Ashridge in all its wintery beauty. Adults £5, children £3. Wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions and stout walking shoes. Visit the website for more information.
Santa Hunt In Wick Wood
Wick Wood, Marshals Drive, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 4RQ
The Santa Hunt in Wick Wood will take place on Friday 27th December 2019, 10am-12noon. Find 5 different Christmas tokens and bring them back to be exchanged for a small chocolate treat. £1 per child, all proceeds go to ‘Friends of The Wick’. The woodland paths are muddy so only suitable for off-road buggies that you don’t mind getting mud on. Dress for the weather and wear wellies! Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Constellation Trail
Market Place, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
From Friday 27th December 2019 to Sunday 5th January 2020, come and explore the stars with your family at St Albans Museum + Gallery. Can you find all 12 constellations hidden around the museum? Pick up a sheet and when you’ve found them all you can get a special sticker from the front desk at the St Albans Museum + Gallery. This activity is free. Make sure you check the festive opening hours before you travel. Visit the website for more information.
Verulamium Museum – Constellation Trail
St Michael’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4SW
Pop into the Verulamium Museum from Friday 27th December 2019 to Sunday 5th January 2020, and explore the stars in the constellation trail. Can you find all 8 constellations hidden around the museum? When you do, you’ll also discover some facts about the Roman and Greek myths that inspired their names. This activity is free with admission to Verulamium Museum. Don’t forget to bring proof of residence in St Albans District if you qualify for free entry. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Festive Crafts
Market Place, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
From Friday 27th to Tuesday 31st December 2019, visit St Albans Museum + Gallery where there will be FREE festive crafts for all the family to enjoy in the Assembly Room. Please note that children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Make sure you check the festive opening hours before you travel. Visit the website for more information.
Jordans Mill – The Great Christmas Decorations Hunt
Visit Jordans Mill from Friday 27th to Tuesday 31st December 2019, pick up a trail sheet from the mill shop (£1.50 per child) and enjoy the Great Christmas Decoration Hunt! Help to cheer up the Christmas Elves by finding all of their missing decorations. No need to book, just turn up. The gardens at Jordans Mill are open 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm. Visit the website for more information.
Waddesdon Winter Light Trail
Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
From Friday 27th to Tuesday 31st December 2019), 11am-6pm, visit Waddesdon Manor for their Christmas festivities. Make sure you stay after dark as Waddesdon becomes home to an illuminated Winter Light Trail from dusk until 6pm. Don’t forget to book in advance for your grounds tickets or timed house tickets to see the manor house filled with dazzling decorations and trees sparkling with lights. Visit the website for more information.
Skate van Hage
Van Hage, Great Amwell, Pepper Hill, Hertfordshire, SG12 9RP
Van Hage Great Amwell’s real ice rink is back for another year! Until Monday 6th January 2020 you can experience the magic of Christmas with Skate Van Hage public skating sessions. Skate Van Hage sessions are very popular so it is a good idea to book online to avoid disappointment. Visit the website for more information.
Abbey Theatre – George’s Marvellous Medicine
Abbey Theatre, Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2DL
Visit the Abbey Theatre from 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.
NHM Tring
Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 6AP
Visit the Natural History Museum at Tring from Friday 27th December 2019 to Sunday 5th January 2020 and take a journey around the Museum with Rudolph to explore and meet his new friends. Spot hidden reindeer and have a go at some games. Complete the trail and receive a chocolate treat! Suitable for all ages. £1 per child. Visit the website to check opening times and for more information.
Luton Library Theatre – Santa’s Marvellous Magical Toyshop
Luton Library Theatre, Luton Central Library, St George’s Square, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2NG
Don’t miss Santa’s Marvellous Magical Toyshop at the Luton Library Theatre on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th December 2019. Christmas is coming, but after 164 years of service, Santa’s Chief Elf would like to retire. He’s getting old and he wants to spend Christmas with his little family. But poor Santa is left with a very big problem… who will make all of the toys for the good girls and boys? It’s a very big job and Santa must find someone he can trust – and fast! He places an advert on JobsForElves.com – what could possibly go wrong? This funny, festive show comes to life with catchy songs, beautiful puppets and Santa’s Marvellous Magical Toy Shop, full of glittery surprises! Suitable for children aged 3 years old + and their families. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
RAF Hendon
RAF Museum London, Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5QW
From 2nd January 2020 RAF Hendon is open 7 days a week, welcoming families for a fantastic day out and admission is free (a car parking charge does apply). There are over 100 aircraft at the museum and an interactive gallery, designed especially for children. The majority of the exhibits are in the aircraft hangers so you can escape the cold and/or the rain whilst learning more about the aircraft collection. Visit the website for more information.
Better Extreme Indoor Trampoline Park
Gosling Sports Park, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6XE
Inside the Gosling Sports Park you’ll find Better Extreme Trampoline Park, full of trampolines to jump on and bounce on. Children over 5 years old can explore the main arena’s different zones: there’s Dodge Ball, a Battle Beam, Trapeze, Foam Pits, Basketball… as well as all the trampolines in the main arena. There’s also a special under 5’s area for children 18 months to 5 years old, with trampolines and mini foam-pits. Take a look at what we thought of the new Better Extreme Indoor Trampoline Park in my preview here.
Stockwood Discovery Centre
Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 4LX
Stockwood Discovery Centre is a fantastic and free place to visit, with beautiful gardens to explore, an outdoor children’s play area, as well as an indoor collection of carriages – the Mossman Collection, and the garden cafe. If you are looking for somewhere to while away an hour or two in January, Stockwood Discovery Centre is a great option. Visit the website for more information and opening times.
Polar Bear Plunge 2020
St Albans Sub Aqua Club Swimming Pool, Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1HJ
The St Albans Polar Bear Plunge returns for another year. Start 2020 off with a splash and take a refreshingly cool outdoor dip, or just come along to support the plungers at the Sub Aqua Club pool on Cottonmill Lane in St Albans and help raise money for charity. Book your slot to take the plunge on 1st January 2020, 11am to 3pm. Spectators are very welcome. There will be hot chocolate, cakes and music. All spectators and plungers must purchase tickets in advance. Visit the website to book your tickets or for more information
Details of events are correct at the time of publishing.
Please check details with the venue of event, before you travel.
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