The Best Guide To The Christmas Events In Hertfordshire 2025
Christmas is quite possibly our favourite time of year and we are lucky to have so many Christmas events in Hertfordshire to help us get into the festive spirit.
We have pulled together a quick round up of the Christmas events in Hertfordshire 2025. Whether you want to visit a Christmas panto, wander around a Christmas market or meet Santa in Hertfordshire, we have you covered.
Here is a complete list of Christmas activities in Hertfordshire. So read on to discover what to do in Hertfordshire this Christmas.
Before we get to the best things to do at Christmas in Hertfordshire, we thought we would mention London quickly.
As London is just a short train ride away from most of the towns in Hertfordshire, we have included some ideas of the top Christmas things to do in London as well as places to visit Santa in London.
After all, it is one of the best cities in the UK to visit at Christmas. If you are visiting London and need any ideas for restaurants to take the kids, make sure to read about the family-friendly restaurants in London that we recommend.
Not quite Christmas just yet? How about checking out these Halloween events in Hertfordshire and places to go pumpkin picking in Hertfordshire!
**Many of the 2025 Christmas events in Hertfordshire have not been announced yet but we will be keeping this post updated as and when dates are released so keep checking back!**
The best Christmas events in Hertfordshire in 2025
Santa’s Grottos in Hertfordshire
Searching for where to see Santa in Hertfordshire? A visit to a Santa’s Grotto really has to be top of the list of things to do at Christmas with kids.
Christmas in Hertfordshire would not be complete without a visit to the big man so here are some of the best places in Hertfordshire to visit Santa.
Garden Centres
Christmas Grotto at Burston Garden Centre – North Orbital Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 2DS.
Santa’s Grotto at Van Hage – Van Hage Garden Company, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, SG12 9RP.
Stevenage Garden Centre – North Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AH.
Notcutts Garden Centre – Hatfield Road, Smallford, Hertfordshire, AL4 0HN. There will be no grotto in 2025 but there will be other festive treats.
The Magic of Christmas – The Old Rectory Farm, Walkern, Hertfordshire, SG2 7PD. Grotto bookings open October 2025.
Worth a mention as it is just on the fringes of Hertfordshire is Springtime Nurseries (also known as Crewe’s Hill). It is one of the best Garden Centre Santa’s Grottos and Christmas Wonderlands around.
Animal Parks
Hertfordshire Zoo – White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, EN10 7QA. 2023 dates TBC.
PWP is a fabulous zoo and also has one of the best dinosaur parks in the UK, It is one of the best Hertfordshire attractions at Christmastime with so much to see and do.
Willows Activity Farm – Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PF. End of November to 24th December.
Shepreth Wildllife Park – Station Road, Shepreth, Nr. Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 6PZ. Weekends in December.
Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park – although in Essex it is worth mentioning because it is close to the Hertfordshire border. From beginning to 24th December.
Country Houses and Parks
Knebworth House Lunch with Santa – Old Knebworth Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2AX. Mid December.
Santa Cruise at Lee Valley Boat Centre – Old Nazeing Road, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, EN10 6LX. 2025 dates TBC..
Aldenham Country Park Winter Fest – Aldenham Road, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3BA. End of November to beginning of January.
Christmas at Hatfield – Hatfield House, Great North Road, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 5HX. 2025 dates TBC..
Read more: If you are taking a Christmas break with the family this year, here are some more places to visit Santa in the UK.
Hertfordshire Christmas markets
Having been to a number of Christmas markets in Europe, we are totally hooked on them and are so happy to see more and more Christmas markets in the UK.
Here are some of the best Christmas markets in Hertfordshire this year.
Hitchin Christmas Market – brought to you by Hitchin Markets, one of the oldest markets in England. 2025 dates TBC.
St Albans Christmas Market – brought to you by Enjoy St Albans as part of the Christmas Cracker event. There will be all sorts of other Christmas events going on too. Keep an eye on their website for more info. 2025 dates TBC.
Southern Maltings Christmas Market – Kibes Lane, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 7BS. 2025 dates TBC.
Hertford Castle Christmas Market – Hertford Castle, Castle Street, SG14 1HR. 2025 dates TBC.
Knebworth House Christmas Fair – Old Knebworth Ln, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2AX. End of November.
Tring Together brings you the Tring Christmas festival with Christmas market stalls and a Christmas grotto. 2025 dates TBC.
While visiting Tring, make sure to pop in to the Tring Natural History Museum or take a lovely winter walk at nearby Ashridge Estate, one of the loveliest places for a family walk in Hertfordshire.
Don’t forget, there are also some fabulous Christmas markets in London.
Hertfordshire Christmas tree farms
Visiting a Christmas tree farm to pick out your own Christmas tree is becoming as popular as Pick Your Own Pumpkins or visiting Lavender fields. Here are some Christmas tree farms in Hertfordshire:
Dane End Christmas Tree Farm – Highview Farm, Green End Lane, Dane End, Herts, SG12 0FF.
Festive Trees Hertfordshire – Oak’s Cross Farm, Hook’s Cross, Herts SG14 3RY.
The Real Christmas Tree Farm – G. I Rogers & Son Christmas Trees, Goose Hill Farm, Ringshal, Berkamstead, Herts, HP4 1ND.
Littlefield Farm – Apple Tree Farm, Kinsbourne Green, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 3PF.
Hatfield Park Estate – Hatfield House, Great North Road, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 5HX.
Whilst these are not traditional Christmas events in Hertfordshire, it is a lovely thing to do at Christmas in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire Pantomimes
Watching a pantomime at Christmas is such a great British tradition and has to be one of the most family-friendly Christmas events in Hertfordshire.
It is one of our top recommendations of things to do at Christmas with kids in Hertfordshire.
Alban Arena – Panto runs throughout December.
Hertford Theatre – TBC.
Sandpit Theatre – Panto runs from mid to end of December.
Watford Palace Theatre – Panto runs from end of November to end of December.
Gordon Craig Theatre – Panto runs from end of November to beginning of January.
If you happen to be heading into London this Christmas – here are some of the best Christmas shows this year.
London Christmas shows
- The Snowman – an absolute must-see when in London at Christmas with kids.
- Elf – The Musical.
- The Nutcracker
- Christmas Actually
- Peter Pan Goes Wrong
See also our guide to things to do with kids in London at Christmas.
Festive Afternoon Tea in Hertfordshire
We love the decadence of the British tradition of an Afternoon Tea and have taken the kids to a few places for afternoon tea with kids in London. Here are a couple of suggestions for a festive afternoon tea closer to home.
Sopwell House Festive Afternoon Tea – Sopwell House, Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2HQ. Throughout December. From £42.00 per person.
Knebworth House Christmas afternoon tea – Knebworth House, Old Knebworth Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2AX. 2025 dates TBC.
Read more: Best places to take afternoon tea in London
Hertfordshire Christmas lights
Willows Activity Farm
When: Mid November to end of December.
Where: Willows Activity Farm, Coursers Rd, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PF.
Tickets: From £20.00 per person booked in advance or £25.00 on the day (plus booking fee).
Hatfield Park is also running one of Hertfordshire’s Christmas light trails. End of November to end of December.
See here for more Christmas light trails around the country. There are some lovely Christmas light displays in Hertfordshire towns.
Most towns in Hertfordshire will put up the Christmas lights from mid-November onwards. There are some fantastic light displays in:
- St Albans
- Welwyn Garden City
- Harpenden
- Watford
- Hatfield
- Hitchin
These are the best places to see Christmas lights in Hertfordshire.
Not far away, you may want to visit the Winter Light event at Waddesdon Manor or Blenheim Palace Christmas lights. There will also be a light trail at Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton.
Also look around your own neighbourhood as there may be some hidden gems in the residential areas waiting to be discovered. Not such a hidden gem any more but Beech Road Christmas lights is a great example.
Don’t forget, the Christmas lights in London are just a short trip away. We have lots of information on visiting London at Christmas with kids
If you are looking to visit a Christmas light trail (which we highly recommend), then the closest would be Kew Gardens and Blenheim Palace Christmas lights.
Harry Potter at Christmas
Harry Potter fans will want to check out Warner Bros Hogwarts in the Snow – one of the best Harry Potter experiences in the UK.
Running from mid November to mid January. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
See here for Studio Tour tickets and see here for our review of the Harry Potter Studio Tour.
Drive in Cinema in Hertfordshire
Going to a drive in cinema is a little bit special but was a great idea when most events had to be cancelled. There are a few places in Hertfordshire hosting drive in movies. Christmas dates are yet to be released.
Luna Cinema at Knebworth House
The Screen Space at Hatfield House
Christmas shops
You can find some lovely Christmas decorations and Christmas gifts at many of the garden centres (see above), but this place goes a touch further and dedicates an entire barn to Christmas!
The Magic of Christmas – The Old Rectory Farm, Walkern, Hertfordshire, SG7 2PD.
Also worth a mention because they are not far from Hertfordshire are the Olde Watermill Shopping Village in Bedfordshire which transforms at Christmas and the Springtime Nurseries Christmas Shop in Enfield.
Photo Credit: The Magic of Christmas
Santa Sleighs
Check your local Rotary Club or Round Table to see if they are running a Santa Sleigh in your area. You can check their schedules and watch them drive around the streets collecting money for charity. They are always a fun sight.
Here is the St Albans Round Table Christmas Float site as an example. They will update the route nearer the time.
So that is pretty much it for the Christmas things to do in Hertfordshire this year. Do you have anything you would like to add to the list? Get in touch below or send us an email!
Christmas things to do near Hertfordshire
These are some of the best things to do at Christmas near Hertfordshire (in the surrounding counties) if you don’t mind travelling a little bit.
Waddesdon Manor Christmas Fair – (BUCKINGHAMSHIRE).
Legoland at Christmas – read about visiting Legoland with small kids and their Santa Sleepover (BERKSHIRE).
Lapland UK (BERKSHIRE).
Audley End have a fantastic Santa train ride. It’s one of the best Christmas events in Essex (ESSEX).
Olde Watermill Shopping Village (BEDFORDSHIRE).
Mead Open Farm (BEDFORDSHIRE).
Whipsnade Zoo – Santa Paws (BEDFORDSHIRE).
Leighton Buzzard Railway – for the Santa Train ride. (BEDFORDSHIRE).
Also check out our guides to the Christmas events happening in Suffolk and the Christmas events in Norfolk this year.
When you’re finally done with all of your Christmas days out in Hertfordshire and ready to settle down at home, take a look at these Christmas movies for kids.
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See what’s going on at Christmas in the South East of England this year:
