Christmas Markets & Pop-ups in St. Albans & Surrounding Areas
Alban City School Christmas Fair
The primary school in the city centre has its annual Christmas Fair which will have fundraising activities, stalls and a Santa’s grotto.
Where: 7 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3RR.
When: Saturday 2nd December 14:00-16:30.
About: Alban City School is a state funded, free School for primary aged children which opened in 2002. Its motto is “Happiness, Well-Being and High Achievement”.
Tickets: Free entry.
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Aylett Nurseries
A large array of beautiful Christmas ornaments and decorations.
Where: Aylett Nurseries, North Orbital Rd, St Albans, AL2 1DH
When: Christmas season, see website for opening times.
About: Roger Aylett started Aylett Nurseries Ltd at the age of 21 after training at Oaklands College. The nursery is famous for its Dahlias.
Tickets: None required.
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Burston Garden Centre
Santa’s grotto will be at Burston again this year, with a plethora of festive decorations also on sale.
Where: North Orbital Road, Chiswell Green, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 2DS.
When: Running on weekends during November and throughout the month of December. See link for sessions.
About: Brothers John and Richard Pearson founded Burston Nurseries in 1978 but the entire site had to be rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1997. It has grown steadily and from strength to strength since then.
Tickets: £11 per child + £1 per adult + £1.50 booking fee.
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Busy Bees Christmas Fair
Lucky dip, raffle, face painting, market stall and a VIP visit from SANTA!
Where: Montessori by Busy Bees Glenalmond, 14 King Harry Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4AP.
When: Saturday 2nd December, 10:00 - 14:30.
About: Montessori by Busy Bees Glenalmond is set in a beautiful original building amongst impressive grounds on the outskirts of St Albans near to the town.
Tickets: None required but can be reserved if you prefer. Free entry.
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Christmas Pop-Up Shop
Beautiful, curated Christmas gifts with workshops and craft events.
Where: 29 High St, Wheathampstead, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 8BB.
When: Thursday 23rd November – Sunday 17th December, Tuesday to Saturday 09:00-17:00, Sunday 10:00-15:00, Monday Closed.
About: Organised by Robyn and her team, the Village and Co runs pop-up events in Hertfordshire.
Tickets: None required.
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Christmas Celebration at the Vineyard Church
Hugely popular indoor Christmas Market with Family Festive Films and an activity area.
Where: The Vineyard Church, 7 Brick Knoll Park, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 5UG.
When: Saturday 2nd December, 12:00-17:00.
About: The Vineyard Church movement has 100 centres of worship in the UK. The St Albans branch is a huge facility for celebration as well as a charity with a food bank and baby bank.
Tickets: Free and no ticket required.
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Crinkle Crankle Christmas Market
The village hosts their annual switching on of their Christmas lights with plenty of fun to be had and lots of Christmas treats on offer to purchase.
Where: Crinkle Crankle Garden, Wheathampstead, St Albans, Hertfordshire and Wheathampstead High Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire.
When: Thursday 23rd November, at the Crinkle Crankle garden from 16:00-20:00 and on the high street 17:30-20:00.
About: Wheathampstead Parish Council is putting on an extravaganza to launch the Christmas season with the switching on of the lights, market stalls, fairground rides, carols and Santa’s grotto.
Tickets: Free entry.
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Fleetville Christmas Craft Fair
With stalls of craft products, a Christmas café, a children’s craft activity room and proceeds going to a local St Albans charity.
Where: Fleetville Community Centre (opposite Morrisons), Royal Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 4LQ
When: Saturday 25th November, 10:00-17:00.
About: Fleetville Community Centre is a local place for people to meet, hire rooms and enjoy events such as fairs and pub quizzes.
Tickets: Free entry.
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The Hertfordshire Garden Centre
Christmas gifts and winter plants on sale at this lovely centre in Redbourn.
Where: Redding Lane, Redbourn, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 7PS.
When: Christmas season, visit website for opening times.
About: In 2009 Graham Armstrong took over the site, previously Godlys Roses, and since then it’s grown into a thriving store and centre with a popular café and landscaping arm.
Tickets: None required.
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The Hertfordshire Christmas Shopping Fair
Around 120 exhibitors with plenty of Christmas treats.
Where: Herts County Showground, Redbourn, Hertfordshire, AL3 7PT.
When: Saturday 2nd – Sunday 3rd December, 10:00-15:30.
About: Charlie Owen Events put on country shows and craft, food and seasonal fairs with stalls and entertainment for all the family.
Tickets: Adults £5, discounts online, under 18s free.
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Sandridge Christmas market
Indoor and outdoor market with 35+ small business stalls, activities and raffle. Dogs on leads welcome.
Where: Sandridge Scout Hut, Sandridge Lane, St Albans, AL3 6JB
Tickets: None required.
About: The Sandridge market puts on events to support small/local businesses and the community!
When: Saturday 25th November, 11:00-17:00.
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Sarah Collins at The Barn
Only open twice a year, this gift shop is a treasure trove for Christmas goodies.
Where: The Barn, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 8RQ.
When: Thursday 5th October - Saturday 23rd of December, 10:00-17:00 Thursday-Sundays.
About: Sarah Collins is a freelance illustrator/designer working from a 17th Century barn in Wheathampstead that sells gifts twice a year.
Tickets: None required
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Shop Small Pop-Up
A Christmas themed market with items from local creatives.
Where: St Albans Museum & Gallery, St Peter's St, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3DH.
When: Saturday 2nd December, 11:00-16:00.
About: Supporting small, independent local business with pop up shops and markets in Hertfordshire.
Tickets: None required
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Redbourn Christmas Fair
100+ stalls at this festive market raising funds for the community with seasonal music.
Where: High Street, Cumberland Gardens and the Village Hall car park, Redbourn, Hertfordshire.
When: Sunday 3rd December, 11:00-17:00.
About: The Redbourn committee run by volunteers, first put together a market in 2012 and the annual Christmas market has gone from strength to strength since then.
Tickets: Not for profit – no tickets but all donations welcome.
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Smallford Farm Shop
Christmas specific treats including festive hampers.
Where: Smallford farm shop, Hatfield Rd, Smallford, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0HE
When: Christmas season, see website for opening times.
About: You're in for a treat if you haven’t been here before; the farm shop offers up a load of the best of local and organic produce with its very own family-run nursery produce sold on site, and the café has irresistible bakes galore!
Tickets: None required.
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St. Albans Farmers Market
Look out for festive treats at the regular city centre market.
Where: St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ.
When: 2nd Sunday each month, from 08:00-14:00.
About: Enjoy St. Albans is run by St. Albans city and district council and St Albans bid and promotes all that the city has to offer with guidance on events, history and culture.
Tickets: None required.
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St. Albans Christmas Cracker
A fantastic day out for the family kicking off the festive season with market stalls for the perfect Christmas gifts, as well as a Santas grotto, live music and games and food.
Where: St Peter's Street and Marketplace, St Albans, Hertfordshire.
When: Sunday 19th November, 12:00-18:00.
About: Enjoy St Albans is run by St Albans city and district council and St Albans bid and promotes all that the city has to offer with guidance on events, history and culture.
Tickets: None required.
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St. Stephen’s Church Christmas Fair
New gifts and crafts as well as traditional games, mulled wine and mince pies, and the church’s regular organist Bob Roome.
Where: St Stephen’s Church, Watling Street, Hertfordshire, St Albans, AL1 2PT.
When: Saturday 25 November, 14:00-16:00.
About: The parish has two churches, St Stephen’s on Watling Street, and St Julian’s in Cottonmill that regularly unite as one community. St Stephen’s church is over 1000 years old.
Tickets: None required.
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surrounding areas
Berkhamsted Pop-Up Bazaar
The town hall Berkhamsted is hosting 50+ stalls from local and independent retailers, perfect for sourcing a Christmas gift or treat.
Where: The Pop-Up Bazaar at the Civic Centre, 161-163 High St, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 3HD.
When: Saturday 2nd December, 10:00-16:00, Sunday 17th December 10:00-15:00.
About: The Pop-Up Bazaar organises events throughout the year, hosting stall holders in Berkhamsted town centre and helping to spread the word.
Tickets: None required, free entry.
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Christmas Fair at Leavesden Green Community Hub
A fair with stalls, arts and crafts, Santas grotto and raffle.
Where: Leavesden Green Community Hub, Clarke Green (Off Clarke Way), Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 0BW.
When: Saturday 16th December, 14:00-17:00.
About: Leavesden Green Community Hub is open for hire for a variety of purposes.
Tickets: £2.50 + £0.91 admits child into Santa’s grotto. Free entry into Christmas Fair.
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Christmas Market at Luton Hoo
Selling Christmas wares, treats and hot drinks in the setting of the beautiful Luton Hoo hotel.
Where: The Walled Garden, Farm Rd, Luton, border of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, LU1 3TQ.
When: Sunday 10th December, 10:00-16:00
Tickets: None required, free entry.
About: A country hotel, which has been a home and estate since 1601 until today. It is a popular venue for filming as well as events.
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Hertford Christmas Market
Annual Christmas market, the perfect place to shop local and early for the season. Includes a free Santa story time on the Sunday.
Where: Hertford Castle, Castle Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1HR.
When: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th November, various times.
About: Hertford castle is an iconic Grade 1 listed, 15th Century building with beautiful gardens alongside the river Lea open to hire for weddings and events. The Hertford council puts on events and promotes local news, groups and activities via their Go Hertford website.
Tickets: The event is FREE of charge to attend; you are however welcome to donate to the Mayor of Hertford’s Charity Appeal Fund.
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Herts Winter Wonderland
Third year to date for this Christmas market which is bigger than ever with over 50 small businesses.
Where: Tewinbury Farm, B1000 Hertford Road near Welwyn, Tewin, Hertfordshire, AL6 0JB.
When: Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th November, 11:00 -16:00.
About: This annual fair has craft stalls, live music, children’s crafts, bouncy castle and soft play with a visit from Santa and his elf!
Tickets: £4 for adults, £5 for children + booking fee.
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Knebworth Christmas Fair
Over 250 stalls with all kinds of festive treats for a fun day out.
Where: Knebworth house, Old Knebworth Lane, Stevenage, SG12AX
When: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th November, timed entry.
About: Aztec Events is family-run and started in 1995, with two arms Aztec Shows LLP (Festive Gift, Country and Dogs Shows) and Aztec Garden Shows Ltd (Garden Shows and Antique Fairs).
Tickets: Various prices, see website for details.
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Tring Annual Christmas Fair
A jam-packed itinerary of events for this festive celebration in various site on Tring high street.
Where: See event guide for details. The High Street and High Street Crossroads, Akeman Street Baptist Church, Victoria Hall, High Street Baptist Church, Library car park, St Peter & St Paul Church, Memorial Garden, Tring, Hertfordshire.
When: Saturday 25th November, 15:30-20:30
About: The annual Christmas fair in Tring used to be Victoriana themed and has run for thirty years. It is organised by local charity Tring Together and has various local sponsors.
Tickets: None required, free entry.
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Van Hage Garden Centre
Absolute wonder for adults and children alike this Christmas, with Santa’s grotto, a miniature railway and fantastical festive displays including animatronics.
Where: Pepper Hill, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, SG12 9RP.
When: From 10th November weekends only. From 27th November all week until the 20th December.
About: The Blue Diamond group runs the three sites of the Van Hage Garden centres including their flagship store at Great Amwell with over 1000 square metres of shopping space and a miniature railway.
Tickets: £12.50 per child and additional fee of £1.50 per family booking up to a maximum for 4. Booking essential.
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Ware Christmas Event
A Dickens themed evening of festive entertainment and shopping, with funfair rides, craft stalls and shops staying open late.
When: Friday 1st December, 18:00-22:00.
Where: High Street, Baldock Street, Church Street, East Street, West Street, Ware Drill Hall and Amwell End - Ware, Hertfordshire.
Tickets: None required, free entry.
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Watford Festive Market
Explore a wide variety of stalls featuring everything from artisanal gifts to festive treats.
Where: Watford House Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1BJ.
When: Sunday 3rd December, 10:00-15:00.
About: The Watford market dates back to the twelfth Century and the current organisation wants you to shop local and eat local, with themed markets and evening events.
Tickets: Free entry.
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Winter Market at Hatfield House
All you’ll want for festive shopping at the beautiful Riding School Stable Yard of Hatfield House, in support of the Isabel Hospice.
Where: Riding School Stable Yard, Hatfield Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5HX.
When: Saturday 18th November, 10:30 - 16:00
Tickets: £2.50 per adult - payment on the door, children under 15 years free (accompanied by an adult). Parking £2.50 per vehicle.
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