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What’s On in Hertfordshire in December

russell kane at alban arena
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Discover the best of Hertfordshire this December with a festive lineup that’s sure to delight. From enchanting light trails and captivating art exhibitions to holiday-themed theatre and family events, there’s something for everyone this season. Here are our top picks for what’s on in Hertfordshire this December.


Top Things to Do in Hertfordshire This Month


Catching the Chain

catching the chain st albans museum + gallery subterranean cells exploring the history of st albans museum + gallery buildings

Dates: Until 25 April 2025

Venue: St Albans Museum + Gallery

A thought-provoking collaborative exhibition on crime and the justice system, where visitors can discover first-hand the experience of being behind bars, is now open at St Albans Museum + Gallery. “Catching the Chain” is a phrase used in prison communities to refer to leaving prison and re-entering society. With the Government releasing offenders early from prison to make more space it has never been a more important focus for debate.

Inspired by the building in which it takes place – St Albans Museum + Gallery was once the Town Hall where dramatic stories of law and order unfolded – the community collaboration exhibition brings to life the history of criminal justice and the ways in which communities have dealt with offending over the centuries, from the Iron Age to today.

Working with more than 10 partners, the exhibition was informed by creative and community organisations, academics, professionals and individuals with lived experience inside and outside the criminal justice system, including HACRO (Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders), Colour Me In Wellbeing, PeoplePlus and Fine Cell Work.

Visitors to the exhibition can experience what it’s like being held in a recreation of a life-size modern prison (complete with bed and toilet) created by participants of a TurnAround project run by HACRO, a charity which supports offenders, potential offenders and their families to make positive changes to their lives and to reduce the number of victims of crime.

The exhibition will also include art created in response to written accounts of trials held in the Museum + Gallery’s historic courtroom. Artists used a variety of different mediums including paints, charcoals, mosaics, photos, music, live performance and mixed media to create pieces representing historic prisoners and their own experiences of the justice system.

View at St Albans Museum


Illuminating Art

illuminating art at wimpole christmas cathedral

Dates: Until 1 January 2025

Venue: Wimpole

The countdown is now on for Christmas at Wimpole, set to dazzle with a spectacular array of new illuminated artworks. This festive season, Wimpole will sparkle brighter than ever, transforming into a magical winter wonderland that promises to enchant visitors of all ages. One of the most exciting new additions for 2024 is Ros’O by TILT, where clusters of elegant reeds, standing up to seven metres tall, rise like glowing wild plants in assorted shades. 

Book your tickets at My Christmas Trails


Horrible Christmas

horrible christmas alexandra palace

Dates: 12 December-4 January

Venue: Alexandra Palace

The story of how Christmas came to be what it is today – in Horrible Histories style. Horrible Histories Live on Stage is back, bringing holiday cheer with a fabulous twist in their

fan-favourite show, Horrible Christmas. Have you ever wondered why you get together with your family, or put up a Christmas tree, or send a Christmas card, or buy presents, or eat a turkey? Horrible Christmas goes on an amazing journey to discover the answers in a fabulous adventure for the whole family.

Get tickets at Alexandra Palace


Maria Meyer

maria meyer in hertfordshire

Dates: Until 9 March 2025

Venue: UH Arts + Culture

UH Arts + Culture and St Albans Museum + Gallery are delighted to present a solo exhibition by artist Maria Meyer. This November the Keeper’s Galleries will be taken over by multidisciplinary artist Maria’s captivating sculptures, installations and paintings. Maria works primarily with existing objects, arranging them as conceptual assemblages that explore our relationship with artefacts and our immense desire as humans to be surrounded by material objects.

View at UH Arts + Culture


Winter Wonderland

winter wonderland at tewinbury farm

Dates: Until 1 January 2025

Venue: Tewinbury Farm

This festive season, Tewinbury Farm in Hertfordshire will be turning into a magical winter wonderland. Start your journey at the historic main farmhouse, where you’ll be welcomed into a world of festive wonder at the festive garden. Follow the twinkling woodland trail as it guides you through the ‘Enchanted Archway’ and ‘Cathedral of Light’, a dazzling tunnel of lights that will lead you past ‘Santa’s Sleigh’ into the illuminated ‘Field of Light’. No Christmas experience is complete without a visit to Santa’s Grotto.

View at Tewinbury Farm


Doggy Christmas

doggy christmas at ross & friends

Dates: 14-15/21-22 December

Venue: Ross & Friends

Absolutely covered the Berkhamsted-based Ross & Friends – the UK’s largest dog-only park – last month, but we will be revisiting for their Doggy Christmas special this month. Christmas market stalls for you and your lovely pet will be on offer, as well as hot refreshments and activities to keep you and your pooch happy. This was a real hit last year, so don’t miss the chance to be a part of a festive special.

Get your tickets at Ross & Friends


Christmas Spectacular with James Mayhew

James Mayhew at University of Hertfordshire de Havilland

Dates: 1 December

Venue: University of Hertfordshire de Havilland Campus

Illustrator James Mayhew is back with the de Havilland orchestra for a double-bill of magic and merriment to welcome the festive season. As the orchestra performs some festive favourites, James paints his illustrations live before your very eyes, all in perfect synchronicity with the music. Featuring the glorious Christmas Overture by Coleridge-Taylor, full of all your favourite Christmas carols, as well as Prokofiev’s Troika (Sleigh Ride), which was the composer’s first attempt at film music.

Book your tickets at UH Arts + Culture


Sleeping Beauty

sleeping beauty pantomime

Dates: 7-30 December

Venue: The Eric Morecambe Centre

This fabulous panto features Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK favourite Vicki Vivacious as Carabosse, the return of Harpenden’s much loved Dame Josh Handley as Nanny Nora, and the hilarious Oscar Carson as Chester The Jester, alongside Sam Makepeace-Beach as Prince Valiant, Charlie Morris as Fairy Nuff and Jasmine Martinez as Princess Aurora. With great songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and spectacular special effects this dream of a pantomime will be an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike.

Book at Everyone Theatres


Russell Kane

russell kane at alban arena

Dates: 6-7 December

Venue: Alban Arena

Whirlwind, FitBit-breaking comedian, presenter, actor and author Russell Kane is out on the road again, setting it on fire with his unique recipe of sharp wit and “storming physical comedy” (Mail on Sunday). The brand-new tour for 2024 and 2025 comes with a safety warning: wear strong underwear – pants will be spoiled. Russell is high-energy, high-octane, and hyper-active!

Get your tickets at Everyone Theatres


The Grinch

how the grinch stole christmas red lion

Dates: 22 December

Venue: Red Lion

Get yourself in the mood for Christmas with a magical movie night at the Red Lion in Bushey. Grab your family and friends for a fun-filled evening of entertainment. The Grinch resides outside the town of Whoville, whose inhabitants adore Christmas. But he despises them and the festival. Cindy, a resident, befriends the Grinch, hoping to make him love Christmas…

Get tickets at the Red Lion Watford

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Author

Picture of Mark Kebble

Mark Kebble

Mark's career in journalism started in 2001 when he landed a role on a small lifestyle magazine in Angel, North London. Soon enough, the magazine was purchased by a larger organisation and Mark found himself promoted to editor at the tender age of 23. He later became group editor, working on magazines for Angel, Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Highgate. He was also involved in a launch in Hadley Wood and a major new group website, later becoming Group Hub Editor. In 2021, Mark joined Zest Media Group and oversaw the launch of many Absolutely titles across the UK. To date, Mark has launched in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Sussex, Essex, Yorkshire and Cheshire. When he does have some free time, Mark is also the Chairman of an amateur football club in Surrey and is also a fully qualified FA football coach.
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