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If you want to get into the Christmas spirit, you won't have to travel far. There's so much going on in Harpenden in preparation and celebration of the big day! Keep an eye on this article as we'll keep adding more, and don't forget this is just what's going on here in Harpenden. Take a look at our What's On page for details of more events and activities in the surrounding area.
🌟Christmas Lights
Sadly the Christmas Carnival had to be cancelled due to the weather, but the lights were still switched on and you can pop into town and admire them any time!
Also, the residents of Westminster Fields in Harpenden have decorated and lit up their houses in aid of The Harpenden Trust. Everyone is invited to pop along and take a look and make a donation if you are able.
Take a look at our What's On page for other lights and illuminations events at Stockwood Discovery Centre, Ashridge House and Shuttleworth.
🎅Christmas Family Fun
2nd - 23rd Dec: Look out for the Harpenden Round Table Santa Float as it makes it way around the streets collecting for charity.
6th Dec: St Dominic School Christmas Fair - fun for the whole family with Santa's Grotto, crafting, mulled wine, treats, games, an epic raffle, hair braiding, our famous bottle tombola, food, drinks (soft and less soft!) and so much more.
7th Dec: High Beeches Christmas Fair - Raffle, Games, Delicious baked goods, Crafts, Bottle tombola, Christmas jumpers, ...and much more!
7th Dec: St Nicholas Church will be holding their Christmas Fayre, and there will be lots of musical entertainment from the choir and Harpenden Concert Band.
7th - 30th Dec: Harpenden's annual family panto, Sleeping Beauty, will be running at the Eric Morecambe Centre. There will be a relaxed performance on 12th December at 6pm.
13th Dec: For all budding ballet dancers, get in the Christmas dance mood with a Nutcracker workshop with Harpenden Dance School - open to all dancers, not just members.
14th Dec: Join St John's Christmas Holiday Club to learn about the Christmas story, and prepare for the all age nativity taking place on 15th Nov.
14th Dec: Make a Santa Card in Harpenden Library’s Christmas Craft event. Book at the enquiry desk.
17th - 23rd Dec: Drop into the High Street Methodist Church between 10am and 12noon and take part in their interactive Christmas Trail.
23rd Dec: FizzBug are turning the Grove Junior School into a winter wonderland for their Christmas Festival.
23rd Dec: Santa will be making a special stop at The Little Gym Harpenden and popping in to the see the children in their Santa's Grotto.
Throughout December: Look out for the St Albans Postboxes post box toppers adorning some of the postboxes in town and across St Albans district.
7th, 14th, 21st and 23rd Dec: Breakfast with Santa at The Old Bell.
You can find lots of other Santa's grottos and Father Christmas experiences around the local area, in our Where to See Santa article. And lots more Christmassy events and activities in the surrounding area including lots of theatre, pantos and Christmas trails on our What’s On page.
🎁 Christmas Shopping
Until 12th Dec: Stock up on your Christmas cards whilst helping good causes at the Cards for Good Causes pop-up shop in the United Reform Church.
25th Nov - 8th Dec: Creative Collective will have their Christmas Pop-up Shop at 8&, opposite Waitrose.
7th Dec: Satsuma Christmas Market, High Street Methodist Church
7th Dec: The Engineer Christmas Fayre
8th Dec: Luton Hoo Estate (just outside Harpenden) are holding their first Christmas Market.
22nd Dec: Christmas Farmer's Market on the High Street.
Click here for more Christmas Markets outside Harpenden.
Do also take a look at our Shopping & Gifts section for more local shops, craft and gift businesses.
🎄Real Christmas Trees
Looking for somewhere nearby to buy a real Christmas tree...
And for recycling it after it's all over, The Hospice of St Francis will collect and recycle in Harpenden (register by midday 1st January - subject to availability) in return for a donation. If you are a garden waste subscriber with St Albans District Council, they will collect on garden waste collection days from Thursday 9th January and ask that trees over 7ft are cut in half.
🎶Christmas Music
See our separate article for all the concerts and carol services taking place in Harpenden.
🌟Family Christmas Services
10th December
Christingle Service, St Johns Church - 5pm
14th December
Firepit Carol Singing, All Saints Church - 6.30pm
15th December
A Taste of Christmas - Bethany Community Church - St George's School Assembly Hall, 4pm
All-age Nativity Presentation, St Johns' Church - 9.30am
22nd December
Nativity Service, High Street Methodist Church - 10.30am
Nine Lessons and Carols, St John's Church - 5pm
Carols by Candlelight, High St Methodist Church - 6pm
Candlelit Carol Service, All Saints Church - 6.30pm
Carols by Candlelight, URC Harpenden - 6.30pm
Christmas Eve
Visit the Crib, St Nicholas Church - 10am - 12noon
Carols around the Crib, St John's Church - 11am
Family Crib Services, St Nicholas Church - 3pm & 5pm
Family Christingle Service, High Street Methodist Church - 3pm & 5pm
Crib and Carols, URC Harpenden - 3pm
Walking to Bethlehem, from outside Co-op to St John's - 3pm
Crib Service, All Saints Church - 4pm
Children’s Nativity Service, Our Lady of Lourdes Church- 5pm
Carols on the Common - 6pm
Mass during the night, Our Lady of Lourdes Church - 10pm (Carols from 9.30pm)
Midnight Holy Communion, St Nicholas Church - 11pm
Christmas Communion, High Street Methodist Church - 11pm
Midnight Mass, St John's Church - 11.30pm
Midnight Mass, All Saints Church - 11.30pm
Christmas Day
Christmas Day Services, St Nicholas Church- 8am (Holy Communion with Carols), 9.30am (Holy Communion with Carols), 11.30am (Morning Praise with Carols - particularly suited to families)
Christmas Day Masses, Our Lady of Lourdes Church - 8.30am, 9.45am (Family Mass), 11.30am (Sung Mass)
Christmas Day All-Age Eucharist, St John's Church - 10am
Christmas Day Family Communion, All Saints Church - 10am
Christmas Day Service, URC Harpenden - 10am
Christmas Day Celebration, High Street Methodist Church - 10.30am
Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas!
