Browse the siteWelcome! From bumps to teens we have it covered.
This is your one-stop site for everything you need to know about living in Harpenden with children.
Advertising Feature by The Culture Trust
If you're looking for a magical winter experience, Stockwood Illuminated in Luton is a must-visit destination. This enchanting light trail transforms Stockwood Discovery Centre’s gardens into a glowing wonderland, perfect for families, couples, and anyone seeking festive cheer.
Tickets are selling out fast, so pre-booking is recommended! Call the box office on 01582 878100 or book online for more information: Stockwood Illuminated.
As you wander through the landscaped gardens; you'll encounter stunning light installations that highlight the beauty of the natural surroundings, every corner is a photo opportunity. Warm up with seasonal treats and hot food and drinks in the cafe, which features a special festive menu.
Located conveniently just off junction 10a of the M1, Stockwood Illuminated is an ideal family-friendly evening out, with free parking, accessibility for pushchairs and wheelchairs throughout the route, and free entry for under 2s. You can walk round the trail as many times as you like, and you can stay as long as you wish.
Stockwood Illuminated is at Stockwood DIscovery Centre, London Road, Luton, LU1 4LX. For parking, follow signs from London Road, then continue along the access road past the rugby club, all the way to the car park at the end open daily until 24 December.
Advertising Feature by Musicale
Don’t book your summer holiday just yet! Musicale Summer Holiday Courses only run for two weeks in the summer and you don’t want to miss out on our EARLY BIRD offer. From 21 July 2025, every young musician from pre-grade 1 up to diploma level, aged 8-18, will have the opportunity to explore all genres of music in orchestras and wind bands and make life-long friends. Book your place before 31st December 2024 and pay last summer’s price!
Mini musicians, aged 5-7, enjoy musical games, stories and compositions, an introduction to playing a range of instruments as well as art & craft, outdoor games and lots of other fun musical activities.
Musical theatre enthusiasts, age 8-18, will be putting on a production of Sister Act Jr in a week from 28 July. Don’t think this is just for girls! There are just as many parts for the boys and… NEWS FLASH! One of the male Musicale alumni from our Matilda and Annie Jr courses is now performing in the West End!
The music courses, aged 8-18, are an open opportunity for every young musician. The students are grouped in various ensembles according to age and ability and music is then chosen to challenge everyone. The tutors are all professional musicians who work with top international orchestras, ensembles and theatre companies.
Please visit our website for more information and to book: www.musicale.co.uk
Lovely comments from previous course attendees:
“Enormous thank you to the team at Musicale for the amazing week.. The quality of the course was incredible… Huge credit to the team for their wonderful inclusivity and heartfelt thanks for the inspiration and guidance they offered”
“Kids absolutely loved it, so did we. Thank you for everything you do with bringing music to life”
“another absolutely brilliant week at Musicale. I was completely blown away by the final performance.”
“Musicale summer course is helping her both musically and socially. For which I’m very thankful, she has had such a good week.”
“A MUST! The world needs what they offer like never before.”
The votes have been counted, checked and verified, and we are delighted to announce the results of our 2024 Awards! A huge thanks to everyone who took part whether it was in the nominations stage, the voting stage or both. And thanks to all the businesses who got involved and embraced it.
🌟 Best Activity Class or Group for Under 5s
WINNER: The Little Gym Harpenden
RUNNER-UP: Funnybones Music
🌟 Best Activity Class or Group for School-age Children
WINNER: Harpenden Colts Football Club
RUNNER-UP: Hurst Children's Theatre Group
🌟 Best Holiday Club or Class
JOINT WINNER: FizzBug
JOINT WINNER: The Little Gym Harpenden
RUNNER-UP: ArtShed!
🌟 Best Pre/Post-natal Support Service
WINNER: Zing Wellness
RUNNER-UP: Body Mechanix
🌟 Best Party and Celebrations Provider
WINNER: The Little Gym Harpenden
RUNNER-UP: Feeding Time
🌟 Most Family-friendly Café/Restaurant/Pub
WINNER: Brad & Dills
RUNNER-UP: The Waffle House (Harpenden)
🌟 Best Local Independent Business
WINNER: Threads
RUNNER-UP: Artscape
🌟 Best Local Event
WINNER: Harpenden Christmas Carnival
RUNNER-UP: Festival on the Field
Congratulations everyone!
Thinking about booking a visit to see Santa this Christmas?
Take a look at our article to see what's on in the area.
From traditional grottos to train rides to full day experiences you can find them all listed here, and we’ve got more then ever this year. We've also highlighted those that are offering quiet sessions for those with additional needs.
New Banking Hub for Harpenden
Harpenden Town Council has announced that the new Harpenden Banking Hub will open on 11th December 2024, initially as an Interim Banking Hub at the Town Hall, on Leyton Road, while its permanent premises on the High Street is finalised.
Residents, business, voluntary and community organisations are urged to use the interim Banking Hub in the same way as their own bank. Cash withdrawals, opening an account, paying in cheques, financial advice and all other services are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Further information regarding the permanent Banking Hub location will be announced when agreements are in place.
A downloadable leaflet is available on the Harpenden Town Council website. Printed copies of the leaflet are also available from the Town Hall.
Hertfordshire Libraries have launched Winter Reads, a series of exciting reading challenges and events for all ages, taking place across Hertfordshire libraries until the end of January.
There are separate challenge for adults and children and you can either work through the challenges set, or change them to suit yourself.
❄️ Pick up your challenge materials from your local library. Adults will get a Winter Reads bookmark and children receive a Winter Reads challenge card.
❄️ Complete and record your challenges on your bookmark or challenge card.
❄️ Return to your local library to get a stamp for each completed challenge.
Once you've finished 6 challenges you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad (plus other fantastic runners-up prizes).
As well as being a great way to explore new books, authors and genres, Winter Reads is a brilliant opportunity to read together as a family or with friends.
Sleeping Beauty
7th December
- 30th December
The Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
Christmas Trail
(FREE)
17th December
- 23rd December
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
Pets as Therapy - Read 2 Dogs
(FREE)
21st December
Harpenden Library, Harpenden
Candlelit Carol Service
(FREE)
22nd December
All Saints Church, Harpenden
Nativity Service
22nd December
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
Nine Lessons and Carols
(FREE)
22nd December
St John's Church, Harpenden
Carols by Candlelight
22nd December
United Reform Church, Harpenden
Harpenden Christmas Farmer's Market
(FREE)
22nd December
Lower High Street, Harpenden
FizzBug Christmas Festival
23rd December
Grove School, Harpenden
(The Night Before) The Night Before Christmas with Sonorité Saxophon
23rd December
St John's Church, Harpenden
The Little Gym Santa's Grotto
23rd December
The Little Gym Harpenden, Harpenden
Visit the Crib, Cafe & Carols
(FREE)
24th December
St Nicholas Church, Harpenden
Christmas Crib Service at St Nicholas Church
(FREE)
24th December
St Nicholas Church, Harpenden
Carols on the Common
(FREE)
24th December
Harpenden Common, Harpenden
Crib Service
(FREE)
24th December
All Saints Church, Harpenden
Family Christingle Service
24th December
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
Carols around the Crib
(FREE)
24th December
St John's Church, Harpenden
Walking to Bethlehem
(FREE)
24th December
Co-op to St John's Church, Harpenden
Crib and Carols
24th December
United Reform Church, Harpenden
Children's Nativity Service
(FREE)
24th December
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Harpenden
'Midnight' Christmas Eve Services
24th December
Various Churches, Harpenden
Christmas Day Family Communion
(FREE)
25th December
All Saints Church, Harpenden
Christmas Day Celebration
25th December
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
All Age Parish Eucharist
(FREE)
25th December
St John's Church, Harpenden
Christmas Day Service
25th December
United Reform Church, Harpenden
Christmas Day Masses
(FREE)
25th December
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Harpenden
Christmas Day Services
25th December
St Nicholas Church, Harpenden
Family Friendly New Years Eve Party
31st December
Aldwickbury Park Golf club, Harpenden
New Year's Day Duck Race
1st January
The Marquis of Granby Pub, Harpenden
Ballet Bootcamp With Balls for Warchild
4th January
St Johns Church Hall, Harpenden
75th Harpenden & Wheathampstead Gang Show
14th January
- 18th January
The Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
The Mum Club St Albans - Harpenden Brunch
23rd January
The George of Harpenden, Harpenden
Dick Whittington
23rd January
- 26th January
The Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
The Teenage Brain (&how to survive it!)
30th January
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
Ashridge House Illuminated
29th November
- 1st January
Ashridge House, Berkhamsted
Scruff's Christmas Adventure
30th November
- 24th December
The Old Town Hall Arts Centre, Hemel Hempstead
Aladdin
30th November
- 31st December
Watford Palace Theatre, Watford
A Christmas Carol
30th November
- 29th December
The Roman Theatre of Verulamium, St Albans
Family trail: Chaos at Christmas
5th December
- 31st December
Dunstable Downs, Dunstable
Beauty and the Beast
6th December
- 5th January
Grove Theatre, Dunstable
The King's Polar Bear
7th December
- 24th December
Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton
Sleeping Beauty
7th December
- 30th December
The Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
Cinderella
12th December
- 12th January
The Alban Arena, St Albans
Sleeping Beauty
12th December
- 5th January
Campus West, Welwyn Garden City
Stockwood Illuminated
13th December
- 24th December
Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton
Christmas Trail
(FREE)
17th December
- 23rd December
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
Narnia at Wrest Park
18th December
- 23rd December
Wrest Park, Silsoe
Breakfast with the Elves
19th December
- 23rd December
Dunstable Downs, Dunstable
Father Christmas Visits Wardown
20th December
- 21st December
Wardown House, Museum & Gallery, Luton
The Railway Children
20th December
- 22nd December
Abbey Theatre, St Albans
The Naughty Elf Trail
20th December
- 5th January
Jordans Mill, Biggleswade
Santa's Lost Sleigh
21st December
Luton Library Theatre, St George's Square
Enchanted Forest Grotto
21st December
- 24th December
Luton Point, Luton
Christmas at Woodside
21st December
- 24th December
Woodside Animal Farm, Slip End
Winter Arts and Crafts at Rye Meads
21st December
- 2nd January
RSPB Rye Meads, Stanstead Abbotts
Cinderella and the Glass Slipper
21st December
- 24th December
BEAM Hertford, Hertford
Puss In Boots
21st December
- 24th December
Sandpit Theatre, St Albans
Christmas Reindeer Search
(FREE)
21st December
- 29th December
Stanborough Park, Welwyn
Pets as Therapy - Read 2 Dogs
(FREE)
21st December
Harpenden Library, Harpenden
Magic of Midwinter Celebration
21st December
Mill Green Museum, Hatfield
Van Hage Christmas Circus
21st December
- 5th January
Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell
Candlelit Carol Service
(FREE)
22nd December
All Saints Church, Harpenden
Nativity Service
22nd December
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
Nine Lessons and Carols
(FREE)
22nd December
St John's Church, Harpenden
Carols by Candlelight
22nd December
United Reform Church, Harpenden
Harpenden Christmas Farmer's Market
(FREE)
22nd December
Lower High Street, Harpenden
FizzBug Christmas Festival
23rd December
Grove School, Harpenden
(The Night Before) The Night Before Christmas with Sonorité Saxophon
23rd December
St John's Church, Harpenden
Santa Storyboats
23rd December
Frogmore Paper Mill Wharf, Hemel Hempstead
The Little Gym Santa's Grotto
23rd December
The Little Gym Harpenden, Harpenden
Visit the Crib, Cafe & Carols
(FREE)
24th December
St Nicholas Church, Harpenden
Christmas Crib Service at St Nicholas Church
(FREE)
24th December
St Nicholas Church, Harpenden
Carols on the Common
(FREE)
24th December
Harpenden Common, Harpenden
Crib Service
(FREE)
24th December
All Saints Church, Harpenden
Crib Services
(FREE)
24th December
St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
Family Christingle Service
24th December
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
Carols around the Crib
(FREE)
24th December
St John's Church, Harpenden
Walking to Bethlehem
(FREE)
24th December
Co-op to St John's Church, Harpenden
Crib and Carols
24th December
United Reform Church, Harpenden
Children's Nativity Service
(FREE)
24th December
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Harpenden
'Midnight' Christmas Eve Services
24th December
Various Churches, Harpenden
Christmas Day Family Communion
(FREE)
25th December
All Saints Church, Harpenden
Christmas Day Celebration
25th December
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
All Age Parish Eucharist
(FREE)
25th December
St John's Church, Harpenden
Christmas Day Service
25th December
United Reform Church, Harpenden
Christmas Day Masses
(FREE)
25th December
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Harpenden
Christmas Day Services
25th December
St Nicholas Church, Harpenden
Cinderella and the Glass Slipper
26th December
- 1st January
BEAM Hertford, Hertford
Narnia at Wrest Park
27th December
- 31st December
Wrest Park, Silsoe
The Railway Children
27th December
- 28th December
Abbey Theatre, St Albans
Puss In Boots
27th December
- 29th December
Sandpit Theatre, St Albans
Here's the latest recommendations from our visitors and followers. Click on the business name to find out more. If you'd like to add a recommendation for a business or organisation search for their listing here on the site and click on the Leave a recommendation button.
Mini Professors Science Classes
"Delightful class for little ones. Fun, factual, interesting and hands on"
"Well stocked local art supplies shop with multiple choices and friendly service. Very good picture mount / framing service across all sizes, with good turnaround times. I have had 15 pictures framed (9 of them under glass) so far."
"Wow fabulous class to introduce little ones to all sorts of arts and crafts. Small classes so personal touch and everything is provided and no mess for you to clean up. Just a happy child ."
Why not browse through some of the listings we have recently added to the site...
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