30 Dec 2023
Whether food, music, arts and culture, comedy or dancing is your passion, St Albans has it all covered with a packed calendar of events and festivals in 2024.
Marvel at Peace Doves, an incredible art installation by Peter Walker Sculptor at St Albans Cathedral, in which 10,000 paper doves will hang from the magnificent Norman Tower. Events will take place under the Peace Doves including Peace Dove Lates, Yoga, concerts and performances from January 3-13.
Rana Begum: Ordered Form, curated by UH Arts and Culture, focuses on the acclaimed artists geometric works created over the past three years and is on at St Albans Museum + Gallery until April 14. The awe-inspiring No. 670 Mesh installation which creates an immersive and sensory environment for the viewer runs from January 20 to March 17.
Join the fun of the annual St Albans Pancake Day Race where teams of four compete in walking and running pancake flipping races. Head down and cheer on your favourite at the city centre on Shrove Tuesday, February 13.
St Albans Festival of Film will be a weekend celebrating British film and TV history presented by Renown Pictures and Talking Pictures TV with celebrity hosts and guests, stalls and exclusive show offers – look out for Neil Brand, Britt Ekland, Rick Wakeman… and Hartley Hare! Taking place at the Alban Arena March 16-17.
A landmark exhibition, Becoming Us: African Caribbean St Albans, opens at St Albans Museum + Gallery on February 16 and will explore the role of the African Caribbean community in St Albans and celebrate its multifaceted contributions to the city over the past 80 years. Running until June 30.
Hertfordshire County Show is Herts’ largest outdoor event. With showjumping, equine classes and livestock competitions, entertainment and amazing stunts, the show is loved by everyone whether you’re an enthusiast, competitor, or excited spectator. Shop ‘til you drop with independents showcasing their delightful products- with over 450 stalls there’s something for everyone to enjoy from delicious local produce to craft liqueurs, to garden accessories to beard oils! Taking place from May 25-26 at The Showground, Redbourn.
St Albans International Organ Festival will celebrate the winners of its 60th Anniversary Competition held in 2023. A special gala concert will take place at St Albans Cathedral where last year’s winners are expected to perform on June 8.
Theatre production company OVO’s open-air summer festival sees captivating, imaginative and surprising new versions of classic plays and stories performed in the atmospheric setting of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium, and is running next year from May 31 to September 8.
Foodies Festival returns to St Albans’ Oaklands College between May 31 to June 1 for a weekend celebrating music, food and drink with live bands, cooking demos by top chefs, artisan market, feasting tent, kids’ activities and more.
The award-winning annual festival SustFest (June 7-16) provides inspiration on how to live more sustainably through engaging events and activities held by groups, organisations and businesses across St Albans, Harpenden and the villages. A new EXPO event at the Alban Arena on June 7-9 will be a fun, informative and thought-provoking weekend bringing together leading figures in sustainability alongside active community groups.
St Albans Folk Festival is a weekend of events including a day of dance, music in local pubs and other venues and a festival concert plus an annual concert in the Roman Theatre at Verulamium between June 14-16.
The Alban Festival promises to be fun for all with live music from local musicians, arts, crafts, games and activities, entertainment, street food and shopping from a well-loved selection of traders. The annual Alban Pilgrimage on June 22 starts with an impressive city centre procession of giant 12ft tall carnival puppets and the re-enactment of events which led to St Alban’s execution at the hands of the Romans. The day ends with Pilgrimage Evensong at St Albans Cathedral at 4pm.
Next summer a colourful exhibition The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Artists will reveal the story of the talented illustrators who played such an enormous part in the success of the much-loved books at St Albans Museum + Gallery.
St Michael’s Folk Evening returns to St Michael’s Village for a wonderful celebration of live music, dancing in the street plus food and drink. Head down and join the welcoming community for a memorable evening on Wednesday July 3.
From July 21-30, St Albans Comedy Garden promises the ultimate remedy this summer with five nights of stupendous open-air stand-up comedy in the glorious surroundings of Verulamium Park.
Hosted by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, Pub in the Park returns to St Albans’ Verulamium Park between September 6-8 for an action-packed weekend to celebrate food and music. Dance to live bands and enjoy amazing food created by award winning restaurants and top chefs in a stunning park setting.
St Albans Feastival once again promises to be an incredible foodie experience where the central streets in the city centre will be filled with food and drink stalls, street entertainment, bars with live music, art and crafts activities, cookery demonstrations, and fun for all ages in September.
CAMRA’s St Albans Beer and Cider Festival will be serving up thousands of pints of beer, ciders and perries from all round the world plus there will be live music, phenomenal street food and snacks promising four days of fun between September 25-28.
In October the hugely popular Gin & Jazz Festival will again provide a fantastic showcase for George Street retailers and hospitality venues who open their doors for late night shopping. With live swing jazz music, fabulous food, and of course- gin bars, this free event is a brilliant buzz for all.
Don’t miss St Albans Cathedral’s Fireworks Spectacular at Verulamium Park in November, raising thousands of pounds for local charities.
Head to the city centre across the festive period in December and January for a fantastic Christmas programme which is absolutely packed with magical events, bringing fun, joy and merriment to all folk.
Check EnjoyStAlbans.com for all event listings, including final dates for events in latter part of the year.
