12 things to do this weekend including Christmas markets, festivals, theatre, comedy and carol concerts

Join Hartbeeps and Blackcurrant Babies for this fun family Christmas event sponsored by Kiddylicious. The event is helping to raise funds in aid of Children’s Air Ambulance and Betsy. Some of the features and activities to expect are: Santa and his Sleigh, reindeer, singing from the Vegas Girls, arts and crafts marquee, hula hoop workshop, and a tombola with some fantastic prizes to be won!

The Great Barn, Micklefield Hall, Rickmansworth, Sunday, December 18, 12pm to 4.30pm. Details: 0203 362 4242

St Albans Christmas Market, photo by Brian Cooke

Visitors will enjoy browsing the high quality produce on offer in up to 60 traditional wooden chalets outside the Cathedral and in the Vintry Garden. The pretty Cathedral quarter sits right at the centre of a triangle of St Albans ‘oldest’ treasures: the only working medieval clock tower, the oldest public school in the country, and, for visitors to the market who fancy a pint of real ale, the oldest pub in the UK, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.

St Albans Cathedral, Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban Sumpter Yard, St Albans, until Sunday, December 18. Details: 01727 864511

The Wind in the Willows

A host of woodland creatures of all ages will be taking to the stage this Christmas in the Abbey Theatre’s production of The Wind in the Willows. Adapted by Alan Bennett, Kenneth Grahame’s story of Mole, Ratty, Badger and the irrepressible Mr. Toad, is funny, fast-paced entertainment, not just for children, but for the whole family, with or without the junior members.

The Abbey Theatre, Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans, Friday, December 16, to Friday, December 30. Details: 01727 857861

Christmas Tree Festival

Marvel at over 40 decorated lit Christmas trees in the church, with carol singing around the trees.

St John’s Church, Station Road, Boxmoor, Saturday, December 17, to Tuesday, December 20. Details: 01442 260299

ShooShoobaby’s Christmas Party

The effortlessly funny musical double act, ShooShooBaby, have a well-earned reputation for excellent singing and musicianship. Their unashamedly sparkly and flamboyant Christmas Party includes witty new arrangements of much-loved songs alongside some less well-known vintage gems such as Angie the Christmas Tree Angel. Expect I’d Like You for Christmas accompanied by the musical saw and A Winter Wonderland performed with Wagnerian gravitas. In true ShooShooBaby style, the guests get plenty of opportunity to participate, including a rousing chorus or two on the kazoo.

The Old Town Hall, High Street, Old Town, Hemel Hempstead, Saturday, December 17, 2pm. Details: 01442 228091

Festive Family Concert

Rickmansworth Players are proud to present A Christmas Cracker, their first ever festive family concert. In a departure from the usual seasonal choir concert, the performing arts society is involving all its members, young and old, in the festivities. The concert will feature not just seasonal acapella favourites, but also singing and dancing from their award-winning youth and junior groups.

Christ Church, The Common, Chorleywood, Saturday, December 17, 4.30pm. Details: 07971680 271

A Flamin’ Cool Christmas Party

Whether you’re ice cool or smokin’ hot, Watford Colosseum’s fire and ice themed Christmas Party is sure to get you in the festive spirit.

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, Saturday, December 17, 7.30pm. Details: 02036 598914

Just the Tonic’s Christmas Comedy Special

Get your Christmas jumper on and grab your mates for a hilarious night of comedy, festive cheer and amazing food and drink. All tickets include a side-splitting line-up of comedians including Geoff Boyz, Dana Alexander, Danny Ward and Steve Harris. Includes a full Christmas meal with a drink and entrance into the post-show Christmas disco.

The Comedy Loft, 76 The Parade, High Street, Watford, Saturday, December 17, and Sunday, December 18, 8.15pm. Details: 02037403700

Holiday Celebration of Chamber Music

The Notting Hill Orchestra for Film Music Chamber music series premieres this December in Watford. Come and hear a wonderful program that will feature solos, duos, trios and quartets and acclaimed classics and film melodies such as La Cumparsita, Ave Maria, Over the Rainbow, So This is Love, and Christmas favourites too!

St John’s, Sutton Road, Watford, Saturday, December 17, 7.30pm. Details: 07791439921

Nine Lessons and Carols Service

A traditional service of lessons and carols, including poetry, with traditional carols for all to enjoy. Followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

St James’s Church, High Street, Bushey, Sunday, December 18, 6.30pm. Details: 020 8421 8192

Lionel Ritchie

Hamilton Browne is the number one Lionel Richie tribute around today. His uncanny resemblance to Richie prompted the BBC to invite Hamilton to guest alongside Lionel himself on the Graham Norton Show. While in such great demand the length and breadth of the UK, Hamilton spends a considerable part of the year around Europe and Dubai as well as the Caribbean working for the world’s biggest cruise lines.

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, Sunday, December 18, 2pm. Details: 02036 598914

Santa Spectacular

Willows Activity have a Santa-tastic programme of activities this Christmas. Entering Santa’s Grotto the children will be greeted by sparkling scenes inspired by fairy tales, winter wonderland and traditional Christmas characters. After meeting Santa and telling him what they would like for Christmas, Santa hands each child a golden key to his Toy Shop where they can choose ANY gift from the hundreds stacked from floor to ceiling. The fun doesn’t end there. The children will have plenty of fun including graduating from the Elf School with their own diploma, Nativity Story with animals, festive shows, seasonal Snowball Shootout and Cotton-tail Village. Not forgetting the adorable animals in The Farmyard.

Willows Activity Farm, Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, until Saturday, December 24. Details: 0870 129 9718