06 Jan 2024
This week we take a look at Harpenden highlights, what’s on in Wheathampstead, and Redbourn red-letter days as part of our preview of events taking place across the whole of 2024.
Harpenden Gang Show runs from January 9 to January 13, with the 74th event promising to once again wow audiences at the Eric Morecambe Centre with a blend of song, dance and comedy.
From Monday January 8 local charity Computer Friendly will be offering free weekly drop-in sessions at Redbourn Parish Centre for anybody who would like some help using their mobile phones, tablets or laptops. Sessions run from 2.30-4.30pm.
Friends of Harpenden Academy are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on the Common on Friday March 29, with 10 clues leading to Easter themed signs.
The fun of the fair comes to Harpenden on various bank holiday weekends, including Thursday March 28 to Monday April 1, Thursday May 23 to Monday May 27, Thursday August 22 to Monday August 26. and the Statty Funfair between Tuesday September 10 and Saturday September 14.
Bigger, bouncier and better than ever! The Inflatable 5K Obstacle Course is taking place at the Herts County Showground on Saturday April 20, with 32 gigantic obstacles to navigate around.
The annual Harpenden and Wheathampstead Scouts St George’s Day Parade is on Sunday April 28 at 2pm.
Wheathampstead’s popular 10K race and 2K family fun run will be back on Sunday May 19, starting and finishing on Marford Playing Fields, and the Redbourn Fun Run returns on Sunday May 12 with 1K, 3K, 5K and relay races at Redbourn Leisure Centre.
The flagship Hertfordshire County Show, celebrating country living, food and farming, will be back at the Showground near Redbourn on Saturday to Sunday May 25-26.
This year the main attraction will be the Bolddog Lings freestyle motocross stunt display show, but visitors can also expect the best of local food and drink and the celebrated Made in Herts zones.
The biggest event in Harpenden’s calendar, the Summer Carnival, will be on Saturday June 8 from 12 noon until 6pm.
Run by the town council and Harpenden Round Table, the free-to-enter event is held on Harpenden Common and will feature an action-packed programme of acts and activities, with bands providing music throughout the day, along with a wide range of stalls and food and drink options available.
Art on the Common also takes place on the Saturday, but also Sunday June 9, with a tented artists’ village showcasing 50 local artists exhibiting a wide range of artwork including paintings, ceramics, fine art photography, jewellery, wood and glass.
111 Rivers Charity Bike Show is an annual bike show with live music at the British Legion and on Harpenden Common, encouraging safe motorcycling. It takes place from 10am-5pm on Sunday June 30.
The 6th biennial Festival on the Field will be at Sir John Lawes School in Harpenden on Saturday July 6, presenting some of the finest music tribute acts alongside entertainment and food and drink. This much-loved fund-raising event is run by the parents’ organisations of SJL and Manland Primary, and has so far raised more than £100,000 for both schools.
The annual Wheathampstead Village Weekend takes place over the second weekend in July, which this year is from 13-14, and although final details have yet to be confirmed, it is expected to include the popular Picnic on the Meads and Village Parade.
The Redbourn Road Rider is being held on Sunday July 14, an organised cycling event featuring three different routes for all ages and levels.
Also that day will be the annual celebration of all things Scottish, as the Harpenden Highland Gathering returns on Sunday July 14 between 11am-4.30pm, including all the traditional Scottish Highland Games events, marching pipe bands, dancing, stage performances, arena displays and children’s events.
A weekend of family fun is promised at this year’s Redbourn Festival, taking place on the Common from July 6-7.
For petrol-heads and classic car enthusiasts alike, there are two major events taking place later this year. Organised by Rotary in Harpenden, the iconic Classics on the Common will be taking place on Wednesday July 24, and the 7th Redbourn Classics is in the village on Saturday August 31.
Meanwhile, Harpenden Sustainability Market can be found on the Common on March 17, May 19, and July 21, welcoming local eco and food stalls to help residents live a more sustainable life.
Harpenden’s traditional Teddy Bears’ Picnic is in Rothamsted Park on Wednesday August 7 from 11am until 2pm. This fun-filled day offers a variety of free activities for children, which in years past has included face painting, a bouncy castle, crafts, and just-for-kids live entertainment.
The event is permanently moving from Lydekker Park to Rothamsted following the success of last year’s picnic. The move allows for more activities, more space for the growing number of attendees and allows use of the play area.
But Lydekker will still be hosting its annual afternoon of music and refreshments on Saturday August 24 from 12 noon until 4pm.
This autumn it’s The Real Harpenden Beer Festival’s 11th year, with over 50 real ales, perries and ciders for visitors to try between Friday September 13 and Saturday September 14. The event coincides with the Harpenden Food and Drink Festival on the Saturday from 12 noon until 6pm, hosting more than 70 food and drink stalls featuring a variety of takeaway meals, snacks and beverages showcasing the best food and drink which
Harpenden businesses have to offer.
As we move towards the end of the year, there’s still plenty to look forward to. Harpenden’s Remembrance Day parade and service is on Sunday November 10, and then we start the countdown towards Christmas with a variety of different events.
The Harpenden Christmas Carnival is on Sunday November 24 from 12noon until 6pm, presenting the usual mix of Santa’s Grotto, the Harris Funfair, live music on the Main Stage, walk about entertainment and the Young Enterprise Trade Fair. The procession will make
its way down Sun Lane, along the High Street and up Vaughan Road from 3pm. The lights switch-on is at 5pm.
Batford Christmas lights switch-on has been confirmed for Thursday November 28 from 4.30-6.30pm, with carols, mulled wine, mince pies and craft activities, and then it’s Southdown’s turn on Friday November 29 from 5.30-7.30pm, with stalls, Santa’s Grotto, carols, fun fair,
lantern parade and more.
The date of Wheathampstead Christmas lights switch-on has yet to be confirmed for 2024.
