Christmas Magic is Here! 🎄✨

Christmas has well and truly arrived in Harpenden, and doesn't our town look absolutely spectacular? The festive lights are twinkling away, creating that magical atmosphere we all love this time of year! ✨

This week is packed with wonderful seasonal events to get you into the Christmas spirit – from the enchanting Batford Lights Up and the dazzling Southdown Lights & Lanterns Extravaganza to cosy craft sessions, festive markets, and even Breakfast with Santa coming up! Whether you're after carol singing, wreath making, or just want to soak up the festive vibes at our Christmas markets, there's something for everyone 🎅

Thursday 27th November

9:30am kicks us off with Rachel's Body Tone class at The EMC – the perfect way to energize your morning! 💪

10am sees Baby Rhyme Time starting at Harpenden Library (running until 10:30am, with another session from 11:30am-12pm – donations welcome for both!). 👶

10am-12pm is your chance to network at The George for the Business Buzz Harpenden face-to-face drop-in session. It's a brilliant opportunity to catch up with the local business community in Hertfordshire over a cuppa (£10 + VAT, payable in advance or on the day). ☕

2pm-4pm brings something really important – the 'Orange The World' event at The EMC, Harpenden, where Soroptimist International St Albans & District is hosting powerful perspectives on Domestic Abuse as part of the 16 Days of Action Against Gender Based Violence. Everyone's welcome but booking is essential as space is limited in the EMC foyer! 🧡

4:30pm-6:30pm is when Batford Lights Up! This magical event includes carol singing by Sauncey Wood School, craft making and free refreshments – absolutely perfect for getting into the festive spirit! ✨

7pm finds Rachel back again with another Body Tone session at Katherine Warrington School (and don't forget to check out her weekly schedule for lots more classes including Zumba and Pure Stretch!).

7:30pm-9:30pm is when the artistic types gather at Harpenden Art Club for their Colour Mixing practical session with Anne Hignell at the Salvation Army Hall, Leyton Green. Non-members are welcome for a £5 trial session! 🎨

8pm is Quiz Night at The Harpenden Arms! 🧠 It's the weekly battle of wits – get your team of up to 6 together for some serious brain-teasing action!

Friday 28th November

5:30pm-7:30pm is the BIG ONE tonight – the Southdown Lights & Lanterns Extravaganza! 🎄 Expect a variety of entertainment including carol singing, fairground rides, stalls, free entry to meet and greet Santa, craft activities, and local businesses getting festive too. It's going to be absolutely magical!

6:30pm-8pm is Quiz Night at Lea Grange – a fun-filled evening of trivia, delicious refreshments and prizes! Book via [email protected] or call 01727 223600. 🧠

7pm-9pm brings something spiritual – Reiki Hearth at The Kinsbourne Barn, Bray Stables. It's a warm and welcoming space for shared Reiki practice, whether you're trained at any level or curious to experience it for the first time! 🌟

7:30pm is when Rabbit Rabbit – A Tribute To Chas And Dave hits the stage at The EMC! £27.50 gets you Triple Cream performing all those feel-good songs with fantastic musicianship and witty banter. You'll be singing along and smiling from ear to ear!

Evening brings DJ Sessions at The Old Cock Inn for those wanting to dance the night away! 🎵

Saturday 29th November

9am-12pm welcomes bikers and enthusiasts to The Two Wheel Centre Ltd's Coffee Morning/Black Friday Day at 50 Westfield Road. FREE tea, coffee, cakes and pick up a free Motorcycle Monthly newspaper – come spend a few hours with fellow bikers! ☕🏍️

10am-10:30am is Saturday Storytime at Harpenden Library – these interactive story sessions are perfect for pre-schoolers to enjoy with their parent or carer. Discover The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Gruffalo and other favourites, then choose books to borrow! Free (donations welcomed), no booking needed. 📚

10am & 2pm Christmas Wreath Making at Rothamsted Manor! Unleash your creativity and craft beautiful wreaths with talented florists Maple Flowers. 🎊

2pm-3:30pm brings Christmas Craft at Harpenden Library – bring your little ones along for a festive treat making Christmas cards. Adults must be present with children aged 8 and under, no booking necessary, £4.40 per child. 🎨

3:15pm sees SW DANCE Academy taking over The EMC with an afternoon full of fun and dance! Students will perform a range of choreography from commercial street dance, hip hop, lyrical and freestyle genres. Tickets £19.50/£15.50. 💃

7pm-10pm is Another Evening with Party Aint Over at The Harpenden Trust Halls, Southdown! This five-piece band plays predominantly music from the 60s and 70s. Tickets are £25 and include a fish and chip supper – just bring your own drinks and dancing shoes! 🕺

7:30pm is for the brave souls attending the Paranormal Investigation at The Spotted Dog, Flamstead! Experienced paranormal investigators provide a brief history and introduction to ghost-hunting techniques. You'll be armed with EMF meters, infrared cameras and spirit boxes! 👻

9:30pm-midnight rocks with Afterlife Rock Covers Band UK (Classic Rock, 5 piece) at The Plough & Harrow! 🎸

Sunday 30th November

9:05am – Meet at The Park Harpenden for the FREE 905 Run Club! Every Sunday near Brad and Dills, there's a warm-up followed by a 5K or 3K run, then a social chat and coffee afterwards at Brad and Dills. 🏃‍♀️

10am-12pm offers the Baby & Child First Aid Class at The Harpenden Trust, Southdown. This 2-hour class is perfect for anyone with a baby or child wanting to learn basic first aid skills without being overwhelmed!

10am-2pm Indoor Christmas Market at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club – catch it if you missed Saturday! The market offers something for everyone and is bursting with community spirit! 🎁

Monday 1st December

Welcome to December! ❄️

9:30am-10:45am starts the week peacefully with Monday Morning Yoga at Batford Memorial Hall. Free trial session available – email [email protected]! 🧘

10:30am-12pm is the Harpenden Library Coffee Morning – every Monday! ☕

1pm-3:30pm welcomes everyone to Mencap Harpenden Allotment Club! This practical, outdoor social club at a vibrant local allotment teaches you all about planting, harvesting, watering and weeding. Email [email protected] to join! 🌱

3:45pm-4:45pm is LEGO Club at Harpenden Library! Come along for fun challenges building problem solving, spatial awareness and creative thinking. Places are limited so please book – £4.40 per session. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 🧱

Tuesday 2nd December

9:30am-11:30am brings Inheritance Tax Planning – Creating a Legacy for Future Generations by The Harpenden Collective at Red Gabes, West Common. This Post Budget Inheritance Tax Workshop covers everything you need to know. THC Members FREE, Non Members £25+VAT. 📊

2:15pm-2:45pm is StoryTime at Harpenden Library! All welcome, donations appreciated. 📖

7pm (also 11am on 7th December) is Christmas Wreath Making at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club! Unleash your creativity and craft beautiful wreaths with talented florists Maple Flowers. 🎊

9pm kicks off the Weekly Quiz at The Engineer! 🧠 Max 6 per team, £1 entry, cash prizes up for grabs!

Wednesday 3rd December

10:30am-11:30am is Pilates with Push Me Fit Herts at The Harpenden Trust (above the Co-Op in Southdown) – a 50+ gentle class.

2:15pm-3pm offers Active Rhyme Time at Park Hall Community Hall – a free 45-minute session of fun, active rhymes and songs for your baby and toddler, with older siblings welcome too! 🎵

4pm is Ballet with Zoe for 4-6 year olds at The Harpenden Trust (above the Co-Op in Southdown). Email [email protected] for a trial class! 🩰

7pm-10pm is when creativity meets cocktails! Join Brush Party, the UK's 'Paint and Sip' experts, at The Harpenden Arms for an unforgettable evening! 🎨🍷 Get creative with your paintbrush in one hand and your favourite drink in the other – it's a great night out that you'll be talking about for weeks!

Ongoing Through The Season

Every day from now until 19th December, Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, pop into the Charity Christmas Card & Gift Shop at United Reform Church, Vaughan Road, for all your festive needs! 🎁

The Museum at the Eric Morecambe Centre is usually open 11am-3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Right now they've got two fantastic exhibitions – George Hogg: Son of Harpenden, Hero in China, 1915-45 (extended by special request to end of November), and Everyday Life in Edwardian Harpenden (running to end January 2026)! 🏛️

Harpenden Library is running their Winter Reads Challenge – complete your free challenge for a chance to win an iPad! Open to all ages, just join at the Library. Plus there's the How to Train your Dragon treasure hunt and dragon design – design your own dragon for a chance to win 1 of 5 signed copies of Cressida Cowell's first 'How to Train your Dragon School' book. Collect from staff and return by 11th January 2026! 📚

If you're interested in getting into rugby or getting the little ones into Mini's rugby, drop a line to [email protected]! 🏉

Harpenden Learning for Leisure is a voluntary group running local educational leisure courses for the whole community – meet others and keep your mind active with affordable courses on diverse topics! Check out https://www.harpendenlearningforleisure.org.uk/

Kings Pantry Foodbank is providing Christmas hampers to 75-80 families they've supported this year. Please provide hamper donations by Monday 15th December latest to the Salvation Army Hall, Coop Southdown or Coop Batford. Suggested items include Christmas Pudding, Nuts (whole or roasted), Custard, Tinned Fruit, Mince Pies, Jams, Marmalade, and Boxes of Chocolates! 🎄

The Salvation Army is running the Christmas Present Appeal again to help children in the town – donate new and unwrapped toys and gifts for children ages 0-18 years! 🎅

Coming Up!

8am-11am on Saturday 6th December brings something absolutely magical to The Old Cock Inn, Harpenden – Breakfast with Santa! 🎅 This pre-booked family event is the perfect way to start your weekend, with children and their parents joining for a festive breakfast while Santa himself greets everyone. Each child will receive a small gift to make the morning extra special – what a treat! Book by calling 01582 712649 or email [email protected], sittings are 8am and 9:45am✨

Polka Dot Pantomimes and The Eric Morecambe Centre are delighted to announce the Pantomime you've all BEAN waiting for – JACK AND THE BEANSTALK! Showing at the EMC from Saturday 6th to Tuesday 30th December 2025! 🌱✨

What an incredible week ahead – see you out and about in Harpenden! 🎉