25 Nov 2025
Thousands of people flocked to Harpenden on Sunday for the town’s annual Christmas Carnival.
This year’s event featured a range of Christmas stalls featuring mulled wine and festival gifts, farmers’ market food and drinks, Santa’s Grotto, free craft workshops, fairground rides and Young Enterprise stalls set up by local students.
Live entertainment included performances by Rock Choir, Hurst Children’s Theatre, SASA School of Performing Arts, Number 7, the Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show, Abbie Gathard and the cast of the town panto.
Folk dance group English Miscellany added to the occasion with their popular performance and Victorian costumes, raising money for the Mayor’s charities: Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline and The King’s Pantry Foodbank.
The procession through the High Street began at 3pm, led by the Pipes and Drums band and closely followed by Santa and his elves and the Town Mayor, Cllr Beth Fisher in a tuk tuk, alongside Scouts, Brownies, Rainbows, and other children’s groups.
The Christmas lights were later switched on by the Mayor and the winners of the Christmas Card Competition from 2024 and 2025, an art contest open to all children in Harpenden.
Mayor Cllr Fisher said: “Harpenden’s Christmas Carnival is a truly magical event, bringing people together to enjoy the festive season. It is always wonderful to be amongst so many people celebrating this time with family and friends.
“I would like to thank the community groups, charities and local businesses who contribute so much to this event and really help to make it a special day. I especially enjoyed taking part in the procession, meeting the Young Enterprise companies, and accompanying the Christmas Card Competition winner when turning on our magnificent Christmas lights.”
Beth Woodward, partner and head of divorce and family law at principal sponsors Neves Solicitors added: “We were thrilled to sponsor this year’s Christmas Carnival and to see such an incredible turnout from the Harpenden community.
“Having been part of Harpenden since 1957, we’re proud to feel so deeply connected to the area. This festive celebration truly brought people together, and we’re delighted to have played a part in making it a memorable event for all.”
All photos by Steve Collins – more images in this week’s issue.
