Summer holiday activities for families and kids around Watford

While many events got cancelled last year due to the pandemic, a number of activities are due to go ahead this summer.

If you’re looking for something to look forward to over the coming month, here’s our round-up of events that are expected to take place in Watford and surrounding areas.

Watford Big Screen

Residents from Watford will be able to enjoy a ‘cinema under the stars’ experience in two of the town’s parks this summer as Watford Borough Council’s free ‘Big Screen’ outdoor cinema returns.

Part of the council’s Summer of Fun programme of events, the Big Screen will make the most of Watford’s open spaces in the following locations:

• Monday 26 July to Sunday 1 August – Woodside Playing Fields
• Monday 2 to Sunday 8 August – Knutsford Playing Fields

There is a line-up of movies designed to appeal to all age groups from sing-along Frozen, and family favourites like Minions, Cars, Mary Poppins and La La Land. Grab some popcorn and put down a blanket or bring your own chair while you watch the films.

Leisure centre summer camps in Three Rivers

Sports and leisure operator, Everyone Active, is aiming to keep kids moving this summer by hosting a series of activity camps and sports sessions across Three Rivers.

The activities will take place between Friday 23 July and Tuesday 31 August at William Penn Leisure Centre and South Oxhey Leisure Centre, managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Three Rivers District Council.

The camps will offer a range of fun activities from 8am – 5:30pm  for children between the ages of five and 13 with the aim of keeping them engaged in physical exercise outside of school.

For full details of the activity timetables and costs of the sessions, contact admin@multi-active.co.uk or 01462 351582.

Paradise Wildlife Park

Animal lovers will want to visit Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne this summer, with the park brining back its summer evenings. Watch the sun set behind the majestic lions or even the t-rex in the World of Dinosaurs. Summer evenings will begin from July 30 and go ahead every Friday and Saturday throughout August.

In addition to this, the Paradise Lagoon will be reopening, giving visitors a chance to cool off in the splash pool. Plenty more will also be going on in the park as well – you can find out more by clicking here.

St Albans Comedy Garden in Verulamium Park

From Wednesday, July 28 to Sunday, August 1, an array of stand-up superstars will be delighting audiences in Verulamium Park in St Albans, including Dara O’Brian, Alen Davies, Tom Allen and Rob Beckett.

The comedy extravaganza will be brim-full with pop-up bars serving craft beers, summer-styled cocktails and more to wash down tasty morsels from the leading lights of the local street-food scene.

This new St Albans event is the latest venture from the London-based comedy event company run by sibling-team Will Briggs and Cass Randolph.

The pair have spent the last decade building a reputation for delivering meticulous comedy programming in boutique-festival settings.

Find out more here 

Big JiveSwing Festival

The Big JiveSwing Festival is one of the UK’s largest Free Jazz Festivals which will be going ahead in Cassiobury Park on July 25.

Going ahead between 12pm and 6pm, it will feature some of the best internationally acclaimed Jazz musicians, bands and dancers within the UK. 

There will be a variety of food & drink vendors on site including Crepes Fantastique, Wandering Spirits Horsebox Bar, Really Awesome Coffee and a hot doughnuts & savoury snack bar.

There will also be vintage stalls on the day too.

Find out more here 

Watford Big Beach

You won’t need to travel far this summer to feel the sand between your toes, with the Big Beach returning to Watford town centre.

It is due to go ahead in The Parade from August 9 to August 22. Whilst no more details have been revealed, previous years have seen arts and crafts, children’s activities, exercise classes and more go ahead.

Photo credit: Simon Jacobs

More details about the Big Beach will be revealed in due course.

You can find out more here

Colourscape, Watford

Users of Colourscape in Cassiobury Park will be able to explore a unique labyrinth of 70 interlinked chambers of intense colours and discover musicians and dancers interacting with you.

Explore for a while and discover long views of intense colour and light. Move forwards and another view opens up - and another - and another. 

Musicians and dancers are found anywhere in this space leading you on a journey of colour, music and space.

The event will go ahead from August 21-30. Find out more here https://www.watfordsummeroffun.com/colourscape​

Stage in the Park, Watford

The new 500-seater Stage in the Park has launched in Watford’s Cassiobury Park.

The open-air venue will host theatre, comedy and live music suitable for all the family until August 8.

It will include shows from London’s West End such as a musical about Elton John titled It’s a Little Bit Funny as well as Showstopper! The Improvised Musical.

Also featuring is F.R.I.E.N.D – a one-person homage to the American sitcom Friends, told from the viewpoint of Central Perk’s Gunther.

The event will provide various seating options which will all be socially-distanced, with the choice to bring one’s own seats and blankets.

There is also the possibility to rent a bubble with chairs provided.

Find out more here 

St Albans Markets

Charter Market:

Twice weekly charter markets - every Wednesday and Saturday.

Enjoy Eco Pop Up Market:

This eco-friendly market brings the best of sustainable businesses together and offers great veggie food and drinks too.

Market place. 11am-4pm. Sunday 1st August.

Young Traders Market:

This recently launched night market takes place on the first Thursday of each month across the summer. Created to support and nurture young talent, the market hosts a collection of young entrepreneurs offering everything from baked goods to jewellery, cocktails, and 3D printing.

Market place. 4-8pm. Thursday 5th August.

Inside Out Market:

Enjoy the fringe pop-up market every Friday in Market Place. Enjoy delicious street food and artisan goods from a collection of local businesses.

Market Place. Friday: 6, 13, 20, 27 August.

Caravanserai:

This new market brings the spirit and historical concept of caravanserai to St Albans every second Thursday of the month. Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce, information and people across the network of trade routes covering Asia, North Africa and Southeast Europe (most notably the Silk Road). So, expect to find gorgeous handmade Pakistani dupattas, sumptuous traditional Indian desserts, authentic Bangladeshi plants, tasty Moroccan tagines, handcrafted homewares from all the Arab nations and henna artists whose skills have been passed down from generation to generation.

Thursday 12th August 4-8pm.

St Albans Farmers Market:

Stock up on local specialities, mouth-watering cheeses, seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh herbs, top quality meat and game, dairy produce, freshly baked cakes & bread and locally hand-crafted goods. Street food to eat there and then, and plenty to take home, alongside entertainment and delicious refreshments.

Sunday 8th August 8am - 2pm.

St Albans Vintage Market:

This outdoor street market right in the heart of the city brings all manner of Antiques, Vintage, Brocante and Architectural Salvage. An amazing atmosphere with inspirational dealers and fascinating finds.

Sunday 15th August 9-3pm

Harpenden Farmers Market:

Expect to find local specialities, mouth-watering cheeses, seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh herbs, top quality meat and game, dairy produce, freshly baked cakes & bread and locally hand-crafted goods. Street food to eat there and then, and plenty to take home, alongside entertainment and refreshments.

Sunday 22nd August. 10-4pm Hight Street Harpenden.

World Market:

Discover produce and delights form around the globe at the World Market which takes place in High St, Market Place and George St.

Sunday 29th August 11-5pm.

Real Street Food Nights:

Taking place on the last Thursday of each month, 4-8 pm throughout the summer, bringing together a range of traders offering delicacies from around the world, that are guaranteed to tantalise the taste buds.

Thursday 26th August, 4-8pm.

What events will you be heading to this summer? Let us know in the comments