Christmas isn’t complete without a trip to a festive fair. From German-style food stalls to Santa’s Grottos, Hertfordshire’s Christmas markets have it all.
We've found the 10 best so that you don't miss out..
The Knebworth Christmas Fair:
Brought to you by the team behind the extremely popular East of England Food Festival in April and the Country Show in the summer, this market will have a huge range of over 200 stalls with Christmas and seasonal goodies including art, craft, design, food and drink. Plus your chance to meet Father Christmas in his Grotto alongside his reindeer.
Knebworth House, Knebworth, SG1 2AX, Friday, November 11 until Sunday, November 13. Details: 01206 263088
Frost Fair:
Up to 200 stands of exciting, unusual and original gift ideas for all will come to Hatfield House, with craft men and women showing off their skills. There will be a Fine Food Fair where you can taste the mouth-watering array of foods and drink, entertainment from choirs, dancers and street entertainers and even Father Christmas will be going.
Hatfield House, Hatfield, AL9 5NQ, Thursday, November 17 until Sunday, November 20, 10 to 5pm. Details: 01707 287010
All Saints' Church Christmas Market:
The annual market is now in its fifth year and is a fundraising event for the church. They have gift and craft stalls mixed with tombola's, children’s activities, cakes and biscuits, Santa’s Grotto, live music and to round off the event there is the Grand Prize Draw with a first prize of £500. Hot food, refreshments and mulled wine will be available.
All Saints' Church, The Green, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, WD3 3HJ, Saturday, November 19, 11am until 4pm. Details: 01923 720856
St Albans Christmas Market:
This town knows a thing or two about markets, having one of the oldest regular markets in the UK, dating back to the 9th century. The 25-day event will take place around the magnificent 11th-century St Albans Cathedral and in the beautiful Vintry Garden – a walled garden adjacent to the Cathedral.
Famed as one of England's most picturesque boutique Christmas Markets, with 55 pretty chalets will be grouped in a charming walled garden in the grounds of St Albans Cathedral.
There will be up to 60 traditional wooden chalets circling the Cathedral and into the Vintry Garden. For visitors to the market who fancy a pint of real ale the oldest pub in the UK, The Fighting Cocks, is just at the foot of the Abbey Orchard, a stone’s throw from the Cathedral.
Vintry Garden, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, AL1 1BY, Thursday, November 24 until Sunday, December 18. Details: 01727 819370
Photo by Brian Cooke
Rickmansworth Christmas Evening:
Rickmansworth's Christmas event has been running for 25 years this year. There will be lots of family fun with the Starlight Parade, singing and dancing, festive stalls, Santa's Grotto, Morris dancing, fairground rides and lots of food and drink on offer.
Rickmansworth Town Centre, High Street, Rickmansworth, WD3 1AJ, Friday, November 25. Details: 07757 253971
Tring Together Christmas Festival:
Every last Friday in November the festive season is started in Tring with an enchanting evening for the whole family. The historic High Street and Victoria Hall will be transformed into a sparkling Christmas Market.
The town will be abuzz with shops open for late night trading and stalls selling all manner of decorations, cards and gifts. There will be a Fun Fair, Tring Brewery tent and a main stage which has a full night’s programme of entertainment.
Tring High St and The Victoria Hall, Tring, HP23 5AH, Friday, November 25, 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Details: 01442 828920
Harpenden Christmas Carnival:
This all-day event will have a farmers market, charity stalls and Christmas market as well as a fun fair, stage performances and, of course, Santa’s Grotto. The evening will conclude with the turning on of the Christmas Lights.
Harpenden High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2RS, Sunday, November 27, 12pm until 8pm. Details: 01582 768278
Redbourne Christmas Market:
Visit the pretty historic village of Redbourn as they come together to celebrate authentic and quality local crafts, food and music. There will be more than 70 stalls with food, crafts and gift ideas as well as a ryule raffle, seasonal music and a grotto for the man himself.
High Street in the village of Redbourn, AL3 7LW, Sunday, November 27, 11am until 5pm. Details: redbournchristmasmarket.com
Pitch & Eat Christmas Food Festival:
Hemel Hempstead Old Town's one and only street food event, featuring a range of fabulous food traders, live music, local ale, a prosecco themed bar and communal seating to celebrate the festive season.
As a one off for Christmas they will have a separate area offering festive treats, gifts and products; all taking place in St Mary's Close car park and the high street of the Old Town.
Hemel Hempstead Old Town, High Street, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AE, Saturday, December 10. Details: 07740 353605
Lee Valley White Water Christmas Market:
Discover all you want with quirky homemade gifts, seasonal entertainment, festive food and a visit from Santa Claus, even the Grinch will have a hard job stealing Christmas from Lee Valley White Water Centre.
Lee Velley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross, EN9 1AB, Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 12pm until 8pm, with an evening market from 7pm to 11pm. Details: 01992 655976
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