events & festivals

January 2012

28-29 January - Residents First Weekend
A chance for local people to enjoy free entry to attractions, Residents Feasts offers at cafés and restaurants, 2-for-1 on leisure activities, and the Residents Raffle. Find out more.

February 2012

21 February - St Albans Pancake Race
Held at noon on Shrove Tuesday, with a traditional running race and the Flippin' Walkers race.

March 2012

17-25 March - St Albans Music City
Music City 2012 featured a host of gigs at regular venues around the District as well as workshops and special events, including an acoustic 60’s night at The Museum of St Albans and a Ruby Tuesdays Anniversary Special.
Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk/musiccity

May 2012

8 May - Beating the Bounds
The ancient ceremony of Beating the Bounds will be re-enacted starting from Kingsbury Watermill in St Michael’s Village at 1400 hrs. The procession, led by the Mayor and officers of the District Council, will follow the medieval boundary of the town as defined in 1327. The route is just over 2 miles and takes around 2.5 hours. Free.

20 May - Harpenden Carnival - Harpenden High St and Rothamsted Park
A procession of floats sets out from Bowers Way Car Park and congregates in Rothamsted Park for judging to take place. Other attractions include children’s entertainment, stalls and displays. Web: www.harpendenroundtable.org

June 2012

June to September - Music in the Parks
Showcasing the finest musical delights from the local scene, in the fragrant surroundings of St Albans' picturesque parks. From jazz, blues and folk to Indie, singer-songwriters and DJs, the soundtrack to your summer is right here!
Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk/musicintheparks

2-3 June - Hertfordshire County Show - Redbourn
The Hertfordshire County Showground is the setting for a variety of events throughout the year including the Herts County Show. Web: www.hertsshow.com

2-5 June - Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
Big Lunches, street parties and beacon lightings around the district.

10 June - St Albans Half Marathon
St Albans’ major sporting event, raising funds for local charities. In addition to the half-marathon there is a Walking Half Marathon, 1.5 Mile Children’s Fun Run and 5k Healthy Hearts Jog. Web: www.stalbanshalfmarathon.co.uk

16 June - Harpenden Common Discovery Day
An opportunity to find out more about the common and the countryside, investigate the nature trails or simply have a picnic. There will be a wide range of free activities for the whole family to enjoy including falconry, bug hunts and much more. Web: www.harpenden.gov.uk. Tel: 01582 768278.

16 June - Grove House Midnight Walk
A 10 mile women’s Midnight Walk around St Albans, raising money for Grove House. To register and for more information visit the website. Web: www.midnightwalk.org

16 June - Redbourn Torch Relay and Party on the Common
For more details, check the website. Web: www.redbourn.org.uk

16–17 June - Art on the Common - Harpenden Common
A wide variety of local artists to exhibit their work including paintings, jewellery, greeting cards, ceramics and sculptures. Tel: 01582 620961. Web: www.harpenden.gov.uk

16 June - 1 July - St Albans Festival
The Festival is a two week celebration of art, culture and heritage and provides an annual opportunity to experience all that the City has to offer. Web: www.stalbansfestival.com

23 June - Redbourn Olympic Celebration Day
Held at the Redbourn Recreation Centre For more details, check the website. Web: www.redbourn.org.uk 

24 June - Larks in the Parks
Join your neighbours for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Music, workshops, games and much more will be on offer so bring a picnic and come and join in. Larks take place in Fleetville, Sopwell, London Colney, Colney Heath, Highfield and Victoria Playing Field. Free entry. 12noon to 5pm.

St Albans International Organ Festival
This is a biennial event, with the next festival in June 2013. Web: www.organfestival.com

July 2012

8 July - Wheathampstead Village Day- Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead
On the second weekend of July the beautiful rural village of Wheathampstead comes alive with a procession through the High Street at 1300 hours to the Marford Playing Fields to the village fete and family entertainment. Web: www.wheathampstead-pc.gov.uk

15 July - Harpenden Highland Gathering- Rothamsted Park, Harpenden AL5 2HU
Believed to be the largest Highland Gathering outside Scotland, the participation of pipe bands, Scottish dance competitions, haggis-hurling and caber-tossing ensures that the true spirit of the Highlands is brought to Harpenden. A great day out for the family. Web: www.harpenden-lions.co.uk

15 July - Race for Life - Verulamium Park, St Albans
Why not enter with your friends, family and colleagues and make a great day out this summer? Web: www.raceforlife.org

25 July - Classics on the Common- Harpenden Common
A unique evening of classic cars on the Common. Web: www.classicsonthecommon.com

September 2012

6-9 September - Heritage Open Days
St Albans opens its doors to allow you to visit many of the museums and attractions free, and to explore buildings that are normally closed to the public. Read about last year's event.

8-30 September - Hertfordshire Open Studios
Meet local artists, browse through their work and perhaps buy something that pleases you, as over 150 artists across the District open their studios and welcome you. Web: www.hvaf.org.uk

9 September - Giant Monopoly
Join us for a game of Giant Monopoly played across an area of the city centre and Verulamium. Come and get some exercise and get to know your city better!  Tel: 01727 827667

26-29 September - St Albans CAMRA Beer Festival
St Albans is the home of CAMRA – The Campaign for Real Ale. Come and sample over 300 varieties of real ale plus ciders and perries at the biggest beer festival in Hertfordshire. Web: www.stalbansbeerfestival.com

26 September - 7 October - St Albans Food & Drink Festival
St Albans has a long history of excellent pubs and restaurants. The Food and Drink Festival celebrates this and there will be plenty to Eat and Drink throughout the 12 day festival. Web: www.stalbansfoodanddrink.com

October 2012

14 October - Herts 10K
Find out more about this charity event, one of the fastest growing regional 10k events in the country, if you’re a keen runner or walker and enjoy a challenge. Web: www.herts10k.com

October - The Big Draw
In line with the National campaign for Drawing, there will be a series of creative art workshops at venues across the district. Open to all ages, there is also the “Big Draw” event at the end of the month, which will be a fun day out for all the family. Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk/artstalbans

November

3 November - St Albans Firework Display- Verulamium Park, St Albans
The largest public display in the south of England, this veritable panoply of pyrotechnic craft is organised by St Albans Cathedral in aid of local charities. Box office tel: 01727 844488

18 November - St Albans Christmas Lights Switch On- St Peter's Street, St Albans
An afternoon and early evening spectacular of pantomime stars, street entertainers and fun and games for children, marks the start of Christmas shopping in St Albans. Separate events also take place in Harpenden, Southdown and London Colney. 

25 November - Harpenden Christmas Carnival
A spectacular event encompassing a carnival procession, charity stalls, a Farmers Market, turning on of the Town’s Christmas lights, fairground rides and festive shopping. Web: www.harpenden.gov.uk

December

22 December - Carols on the Hour
Take a break from the last minute Christmas shopping and enjoy this special St Albans Cathedral event. Each service lasts just 30 minutes, enough time to sing some uplifting carols with the Cathedral Choirs. Tel: 01727 864511

Boxing Day - St Albans Mummers
Traditional play by St Albans Mummers held at various locations in the city centre. For further details, contact the St Albans Tourist & Information Centre on 01727 864511.