Harpenden’s Christmas Carnival will take place this year on 24 November from 12pm-6pm, with magical festivities planned throughout the Town Centre. The event promises to be a fantastic celebration for all – it’s free to attend and will have something for everyone. The event has become a wonderful symbol of the start of Christmas celebrations. As one of the Town Council’s main events of the year it welcomes around 20,000 residents and visitors.

The Christmas Carnival is a lively occasion with an abundance of live entertainment, activities, food and drink, outdoor bars and music as well as the Christmas Farmers’ Market. Santa and his cheeky elves will be at the event again this year and there will be the opportunity to see them in the Procession as well as in his Grotto.

The Procession will begin at 3pm; from Lydekker Park it will travel along the High Street up to Vaughan Road. This year its theme is 'A Harpenden Winter Wonderland' and the Town Council has opened the opportunity to join in to even more groups than before, making it an even bigger showstopper at the event. The Pipes and Drums will lead the parade as tradition dictates, closely followed by Santa and his elves. Joining them are stilt walkers and entertainers, Brownies and Rainbows groups, Police Cadets, Harpenden Colts FC, schools, 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 split between the two. We’re delighted to welcome SASA School of Performing Arts, Hurst Children’s Theatre Group, Rock Choir, the Gang Show and many other fabulous local performers to the main stage. The Mini Stage on Harpenden Common will include a variety of music and children’s entertainment including the Elves Show and Strike Free, talented musicians from Roundwood School.

The Christmas Lights will be switched on at 5pm by The Town Mayor, Cllr Pip Liver, together with the winner of the Mayor’s Christmas Card Competition, 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.

Craft Workshops will take place as usual in Park Hall, including children’s Christmas stocking decorating, Christmas sack printing, and wreath making. Further details about how to book these popular activities which are free of charge will be announced soon.

Cllr Pip Liver, Mayor of Harpenden, said “The Christmas Carnival always brings festive cheer and excitement to Harpenden and we are really looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors. It is wonderful to see so many people will be taking part from young performers on stage, incredible community groups in the procession and a diverse range of small businesses. This event is a fantastic way to bring people together and of course enjoy our vibrant Town.”

Alongside the event, the fantastic Christmas Emergency Services Open Day will also be taking place again this year at the Harpenden Fire Station. 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. Further information updates will be available on the Harpenden Town Council website: www.harpenden.gov.uk