Hertford Christmas Gala

Get into the Christmas spirit with the annual Hertford Christmas Gala which will take place in the Town Centre on Friday 22nd November.

Kicking off a weekend of festivities in Hertford, from 3.00pm the Town Centre will be filled with Christmas market stalls and food stands. There will be fairground rides, Christmas Carollers on Parliament Square and entertainment performances live on-stage from 4:30pm; including the Simon Balle Big Band, ‘Take Note’ adult community choir, Hertford Dramatic and Operatic Society and local musicians Chris Sims and SummerGeorgie. 

The Town Centre Christmas light switch-on in Salisbury Square will be at 6:00pm with the Mayor of Hertford, who may be joined by a seasonal special guest!  

Entertainment Line Up

In celebration, the following local businesses will be running promotions and offers throughout the Gala and across the weekend: 

• Mudlarks - Christmas crafts for sale in the café on Friday 22nd November. Plus, live music at the café from 8-10pm on Friday 22nd November.
• Proove – On Friday 22nd November,10" Margherita Pizza only £8 for takeaway. Plus, across the weekend discounted festive menus including a 3 Course Festive Menu only £25 with option to upgrade to Bottomless for an extra £20 per person. 
• Pearl Milk Bar - Buy one, get one free on all hot drinks available all weekend.
• Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors - Handing out mince pies and mulled wine outside office on Fore Street on Friday 22nd November.
• Magpie Amore - Late opening on Friday 22nd November, open on Saturday 23rd as normal and open Sunday 24th November.
• Tom Ashley Limited - In-salon discounts on retail range plus a free gift on select purchase.
• Kids Connection - 10% off non-logoed items.
• Ruby Room - Late night shopping Friday 22nd November. Christmas party atmosphere with music, free glasses of bubbles, mince pies and chocolates for the children. From Sunday 24th November to December 20th Sunday opening 10am to 4pm.
• Gingerlillie - Late night shopping on Friday 22nd November until 7pm with mince pies and nibbles.  There will be promotions throughout the evening on selected products.
• Sugar Mamas - Offers & Activities available Friday 22^nd – Sunday 24^th November: Festive dessert specials and hot chocolate specials and buy any dessert and get a FREE festive hot chocolate throughout the event weekend. Plus, the shop will be adorned with festive décor, perfect for snapping a selfie or family photo!
• PEACH. Hertford - Serving Christmas Tipples including Mulled Wine, Mulled Aperol and Smoking Bishop.
• Tilly's Gelato - 15% off hot chocolate & crepes until 8pm on Friday 22nd November.
• Hertford Museum – Drop in for Christmassy crafts, carol singing and Father Christmas in his magical grotto! Check out website for more details http://www.hertfordmuseum.org/events.
• Highway Cycles – From 5-9 pm on Friday 22nd November Highway cycles will be running a Christmas Community Wellbeing event including activities, games and competitions.  Free to attend.
• Hertford Cake Company - Serving “School Cake & Hot Devon Custard” across the weekend in shop and at the Hertford Castle Christmas market. Plus, later opening at the shop across the weekend (8:30pm on Friday 22nd & 7pm Saturday 23rd). Seasonal hot drinks available in store.
• Shepherds - Free glass of Prosecco on Friday 22nd November, 6-8pm
• Hertford Town and Tourist Information Centre - 25% off retail price of 70cl Campfire Gin, 25% off Hertford Teddy bear key rings and Paul Crowley Hertford Posters only £3.00 (normal price £6.00).
• Phoenix Charity - From 4pm, live DJ sets across the weekend including: Sean O’Keefe (2 bad mice) on Friday 22nd, Stortford Sound System (Phoenix Charity) on Saturday 23rd and Phoenix DJs on Sunday 24th. 

Click here for full event programme

Running alongside the Hertford Town Christmas Gala, visitors can enjoy the festive Hertford Castle Christmas Market. From Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th November the beautiful Castle grounds will be transformed into a traditional Christmas market with stalls offering homeware, crafts, jewellery, and much more! For more information on the Christmas Market please click here. 

Travelling to the Event

Hertford Town Council declared a Climate Emergency in July 2023 and has committed to taking action to protect human health and our natural world to the maximum extent its powers allow. We therefore encourage people to come to our events by public or active transport. The two Hertford railway stations, Hertford North and Hertford East, are a short walk from the Castle, and bus services are available to the Wash and Hertford bus station. Please visit National Rail for live train times and Intalink for bus routes.

With crowds anticipated, it is advised that visitors ideally avoid bringing buggies and dogs.

Changing Places

The nearest Changing Places toilet is located in the foyer area of BEAM, The Wash. There is step free access from the main entrance to the Changing Places. Please be advised that the Changing Places does not have a permanent attendant. For further information please get in tough HERE. 

Event Sponsors

Hertford Town Council thanks events sponsors Duffield Harrison Solicitors and McMullen & Sons for supporting this event.  

For sponsorship opportunities please click here.