02 Jul 2024
Summer months are filled with festivals, exhibitions, shows and seasonal celebrations for all ages to enjoy, plus parents need not fret as historical and contemporary attractions such as St Albans Museums and St Albans Cathedral offer enticing programmes to keep the whole family entertained – including lots of free things to do!
Here’s a taster of what’s on…
St Michael’s Folk Evening returns to St Michael’s Village on Wednesday July 3 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.
St Albans Comedy Garden (July 24-28) is five days of laughter with bars and food stalls starring the finest comedians of the moment in the glorious surroundings of Verulamium Park. Catch the iconic Harry Hill, everyone’s favourite Ross Noble, national treasure Jo Brand, the inimitable Dara O’Briain, The Last Leg’s Josh Widdicombe plus many more outstanding comedians.
Deep Dish has taken over the beach courts in Verulamium Park and offer weekly beach volleyball training sessions, social sessions plus tournaments and private hire. Suitable for all ages and levels it’s a great way to meet, play and chill with fellow members of the beach sport community in an incredible facility in the heart of St Albans. Booking required.
Explore historic St Albans and the surrounding countryside on a guided Electric Bike Tour. Cycle through Verulamium Park, Gorhambury, marvel at St Albans Cathedral and the Roman wall. With refreshments included, it’s the perfect way to experience the great outdoors.
St Albans Tour Guides run captivating walks sharing local history. All guides are qualified with the Institute of Tourist Guiding and have comprehensive knowledge of the city, see their calendar of walks on their website.
Experience new versions of classic plays and stories at the Roman Open Air Festival Theatre by production company OVO. Enjoy captivating and imaginative performances in
the atmospheric setting of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium from now until September 8.
The Bishop of St Albans opens his beautiful two-acre Summer Garden to the public every weekend until August 11. Plants may be on sale and dogs are welcome on a lead. Open between 2-4pm, entry is £5 per adult in aid of The Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust.
Head to the OLLIE Foundation’s community garden at Sandridge Road Allotment on August 3 and join local artist Hazel in Nature’s Palette Workshop: Exploring Botanical Dyes. Hazel guides you through the process of cultivating plants for dyeing purposes and reveals the enchanting process of extracting vibrant colours from plants such as marigolds, nettles, lavender, and hibiscus, along with colour-blending techniques.
Enjoy an Al Fresco Gin & Tea Afternoon at St Michael’s Manor Hotel on August 11. From gin-based cocktails to gin-infused cakes, it will be an afternoon of refined indulgence featuring live entertainment and lots of delectable treats.
Back for its seventh year, Redbourn Classics Motor Show & Village Fete on August 31 features more than 300 classic vehicles, including vintage cars, vans, motorbikes and tractors. With live music all afternoon on the stage, great street food, a licensed bar, children’s funfair rides and a miniature railway, there will be fun for all the family. Suggested donation £3 per adult, (children free) all donations go to support local charities.
Don’t forget the award-winning Charter Market is on every Wednesday and Saturday and during the school summer holiday, on Sunday August 11 too. St Albans Vintage Market with all manner of antiques, vintage, brocante and architectural salvage, is on Sunday July 21 and August 18.
Free summer activities are on offer every day at St Albans Museum + Gallery from July 24 to September 1, thanks to the generosity of Taylor Walton Solicitors, including a trail to discover People and Places of St Albans Past, dressing up to become a character from St Albans’ history, an artefact handling trolley and explorer buckets for youngest visitors to investigate the museum.
Catherine Newley, audience development manager at St Albans Museums, said: “Historical buildings are fantastic places to explore and inspire young minds. Playfulness and creativity are at the heart of our packed summer programme which is carefully curated to offer something for families of all ages from arts and crafts workshops and interactive exhibitions to educational talks and treasure hunts. And don’t forget to try climbing the Clock Tower or having a picnic at Sopwell Ruins, historic attractions can help to wear out little legs too!”
Get creative at the Crafty Characters Make Your Own Toy workshop on July 30 and August 20, taking inspiration from the colourful and iconic Ladybird books in the museum’s exhibition. Use a wooden spoon or peg and craft a new toy to take home. Or why not flutter along to Make a Model Ladybird workshop and create a model ladybird or minibeast of your choice from colourful polymer clay on August 6 and 27?
To celebrate South Asian Heritage month, which runs from 18 July 18 to August 17, join a Mini Mela South Asian festival! Drop in any time during the day and celebrate St Albans’ rich and diverse communities. Learn more, take part in craft activities, add to the community mandala installation, experiment with mehndi patterns and watch cultural clothing demonstrations.
Also, as part of South Asian Heritage month, free Poetry Workshops for adults and young people will run on July 28 and August 11 thanks to community partner, Suman Gujral and her ‘Third Space’ project which brings the arts and creative opportunities to all. Suman is a local artist, poet and printmaker and the workshops will be delivered by established South Asian writers and are suitable for anyone who would like to give poetry a try!
From July 24 to August 31 families can enjoy daily activities included with admission at Verulamium Museum – enjoy trails to help explore the museum, dressing up to imagine living in Roman Verulamium, an artefact handling trolley, explorer buckets to help youngest visitors investigate the museum, arch building and mosaic activities to imagine being a Roman craft worker.
There’s a packed programme at the Cathedral too with lots of regular and special events planned for adults and the whole family.
Join the Cathedral’s first ever Summer Camp for a week of fun with mad scientists, samba drummers, cooks, actors, and much more from July 29 to August 2.
Catch the 10-minute History Alive talks from costumed guides as they re-enact characters from the medieval Abbey on August 10. Meet, amongst others, Thomas Radcliffe talking about his Alban Bun and Brother Infirmarian introducing you to his Herb Gardens. Ask them anything you’ve ever wondered about life during medieval times!
By Candlelight sees leading tribute bands perform iconic anthems from artists Queen (August 21-22) and David Bowie (August 23-24) by candlelight.
Experience cinema’s most iconic music performed by The London Film Music Orchestra in a stunning illuminated setting in ‘A Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated’.
Including the music of Star Wars, Gladiator, Pirates of The Caribbean, Harry Potter, Inception, The Dark Knight and more on August 30-31.
Vivien Cannon, St Albans BID manager says: “There’s plenty for people to do in St Albans city centre over the summer period. It’s the perfect opportunity to rediscover all the hidden gems that are right here on your doorstep and enjoy your local high street.
“From family friendly attractions and entertainment to al fresco dining and shopping all easily accessible from the city centre.”
Visit www.EnjoyStAlbans.com for the What’s On guide which includes dates, times, venues.
