It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit with a series of festive events planned in the county town this month.

This year's annual Hertford Christmas Gala will take place in the town centre on Friday, November 22.

The official Hertford Castle Christmas Market will run across the same weekend from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24.

Both wonderful events are organised by Hertford Town Council and kindly sponsored by McMullen’s Brewery and Duffield Harrison.

The free to attend festivities will take place across both Hertford town centre and the Hertford Castle grounds, with residents and visitors encouraged to visit the county town, shop locally and kick-off the festive season in style.

Local businesses will be running promotions and offers throughout the Gala and across the weekend.

Chair of Hertford Town Council’s development and leisure committee, Councillor Ann Woodward, said: “We are really looking forward to our Christmas events in town and in the Castle grounds this year and we do hope that residents and visitors alike will take the opportunity get in the festive spirit and really enjoy themselves.”

Full details will be listed at www.hertford.gov.uk/events-listings

Christmas in Hertford events poster for November 22-24Christmas in Hertford events poster for November 22-24 (Image: Hertford Town Council)

When is the Hertford Christmas Gala and Hertford Castle Christmas Market?

Hertford Town Christmas Gala 2024

Date: Friday, November 22: 3pm – 8pm.

The town centre will be filled with Christmas market stalls and food stands.

There will be fairground rides, Christmas carollers in Parliament Square and entertainment performances live on-stage from 4.30pm, including the Simon Balle Big Band, ‘Take Note’ adult community choir, Hertford Dramatic and Operatic Society, and local musicians Chris Sims and Summer Georgie.

The town centre Christmas lights switch-on in Salisbury Square will be at 6pm with the mayor of Hertford, who will hopefully be joined by Father Christmas!


Hertford Castle Christmas Market

Dates: Friday, November 22: 3.30pm – 8pm.

Saturday, November 23: 11am – 6pm including ‘Storytime with Santa’ from 11am.

Sunday, November 24: 11am – 5pm.

The three-day Christmas Market in the spectacular grounds of Hertford Castle boasts an array of stalls selling a selection of festive products and produce — perfect for those who like to shop early for Christmas.

In addition, there will be fairground rides, live entertainment and food and drink stands providing delicious seasonal treats.

Back by popular demand, children will be able enjoy a magical ‘Storytime with Santa’ on the Saturday. Sessions are approximately 50 minutes long.

While all sessions are intimate in style and setting, the first 11am to noon session has been specifically dedicated to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), so please select this time slot during booking if appropriate.

Tickets are £5 per child with all proceeds going to the Mayor of Hertford’s Appeal Fund.

This year, Hertford Town Council is also donating a proportion of ‘Storytime with Santa’ tickets to The Hertford Pantry and the Hertford & District Food Bank, to help some of the families they work with to have an extra special Christmas this year.