Harpenden set to sparkle at christmas carnival
Harpenden’s Christmas Carnival will take place this year on Sunday 23rd November from 12pm-6pm, and promises to be an exciting, festive celebration. The Town Council is delighted to invite people of all ages to come together to enjoy the Christmas Carnival and all that Harpenden has to offer in its vibrant Town Centre. Around 20,000 residents and visitors are expected to attend.
Included in this year’s event are engaging Christmas workshops suitable for all ages, food and drink stalls, outdoor bars, fairground rides and walkabout entertainment from cheeky elves and stilt walkers dressed as clockwork ballerinas. The Christmas Farmers’ Market will also be a main feature of the High Street, plus Young Enterprise Stalls and of course Santa will be waiting to see the children in his Grotto!
The Procession will begin at 3pm; from Lydekker Park it will travel along the High Street up to Vaughan Road. The Pipes and Drums will lead the parade as tradition dictates, closely followed by Santa and his elves. Joining them are clockwork ballerina stilt walkers and entertainers, Brownies and Rainbows groups, Police Cadets, entertainers, musicians, community groups and the cast of this year’s Harpenden Panto.
Live entertainment will be performed on two stages with community groups and music entertainment performing on both of these. Main Stage performances include Rock Choir, Hurst Children’s Theatre, Top Hat, SASA School of Performing Arts, Number 7, Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show and the cast of the Harpenden Panto. We are also delighted to welcome to the Mini Stage: Threefold, Abbie Gathard and the Cheeky Elves Show.
The Town’s Christmas Lights will be switched on at 5pm by The Town Mayor, Cllr Beth Fisher, together with the winners of the Mayor’s Christmas Card Competition 2025 and 2024, a design competition open to children in Harpenden. This is always a show stopping moment for the Town and a time to appreciate the hospitality and breadth of the best of Harpenden.
Stewart Matthews, Managing Partner and Head of Commercial Law, Neves Solicitors (Principal Sponsor of the event) said, “We’re delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Christmas Carnival. Having had an office in Harpenden since 1957, we feel firmly rooted within the local community. This festive celebration promises to be a wonderful event for everyone to enjoy.”
Cllr Beth Fisher, Mayor of Harpenden, 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'm especially looking forward to taking part in the procession, meeting the Young Enterprise Companies, and accompanying the Christmas Card Competition Winner when turning on our magnificent Christmas lights. I hope to see you there!”
Alongside the event, the fantastic Christmas Emergency Services Open Day will also be taking place again this year at the Harpenden Fire Station. Further information is available on the Town Council’s website calendar: www.harpenden.gov.uk
Free parking for the event will be available at the Station car park starting at 12 noon; because of expected high attendance the Town Council encourages people to walk to the event where possible.
For families attending with young children, there will be free lost child wristbands available at the Town Council Information Tent.