Christmas in Hertford

Hertford Town Christmas Gala & Hertford Castle Christmas Market 2026

Get into the Christmas spirit in Hertford!

Join us for a magical festive weekend, featuring the Hertford Town Christmas Gala and the Hertford Castle Christmas Market. There’s festive fun for all the family, plus the perfect chance to do your Christmas shopping in beautiful surroundings.

Hertford Town Christmas Gala – Friday 27th November 

Join us in the Town Centre on Friday 27th November for the start of a magical festive weekend with the Hertford Town Christmas Gala. From 3:00pm, the streets will be bustling with Christmas market stalls, delicious food stands and festive fun for all the family!

Visitors can enjoy fairground rides, Christmas carollers on Parliament Square and live entertainment on the stage in Salisbury Square from 4:30pm, leading up to the Christmas Lights Switch-On at 6:00pm with the Mayor of Hertford.

Local businesses will be spreading even more cheer with special promotions and offers throughout the Gala and across the weekend. Further details will be added in due course. 

Hertford Castle Christmas Market – Friday 27th – 29th November

From Friday 27th – Sunday 29th November, the beautiful Castle grounds will be transformed into a traditional Christmas market filled with charming stalls selling homeware, crafts, jewellery, gifts and much more — perfect for festive shopping!

Alongside shopping, visitors can also enjoy delicious food and drink, fairground rides and live entertainment throughout the weekend.

Opening Times: 
Friday 27th November – 3.30pm – 8pm
Saturday 28th November – 11am – 6pm
Sunday 29th November – 11am – 5pm

Event Sponsors

Hertford Town Council would like to express its appreciation to Duffield Harrison and McMullens for their generous sponsorship.

First established in 1843, Duffield Harrison LLP has been providing a full range of legal services for businesses and individuals for generations. In Hertford, Hoddesdon and Enfield, Duffield Harrison pride themselves on a professional and friendly approach with great service. Their attention to detail, a willingness to understand clients and keep them up-to-date, as well as a patient and understanding approach to sensitive issues, has won them many loyal clients.

McMullens was founded in 1827 and since then have continued brewing in Hertford without a break. They have protected the company’s brewing history throughout that time by acquiring and investing in the public houses. To this day, the McMullen family remains firmly committed to their beers because they act as the ‘flag’ for their business. 

For further sponsorship opportunities please email events@hertford.gov.uk.  

Event Information:

Location 

Hertford Town Christmas Gala – Friday 27th November: located across Hertford Town Centre, including Maidenhead Street, Salisbury Square, Market Place, Parliament Square and Bircherley Green.

Hertford Castle Christmas Market – Friday 27th – Sunday 29th November: located at Hertford Castle, Castle Street, SG14 1HR 

Entry information 

The event is FREE of charge to attend, you are however welcome to donate to the Mayor of Hertford’s Charity Appeal Fund, which this year is supporting CHIPS Playscheme and Herts Mind Network.

The Castle grounds can be accessed by foot at any of the following pedestrian gates: Castle Street, St Andrew Street Car Park, Main Castle Gate off The Wash or through the Moat Garden on Castle Street.

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 at the Gala, it is advised that visitors ideally avoid bringing buggies and dogs.

Parking

Unfortunately, there is no public parking at Hertford Castle (including disabled) but there are a number of public car parks close to the Castle. Please click here for more information and map. 

Amenities 

• Portable toilets, including an accessible unit, are located to the side of the main lawn in Hertford Castle, on the footpath by the Ashley Webb Shelter. 
• Public toilets are located next to Weatherspoons at The Wash.
• Accessible toilets & baby changing facilities are available inside the castle, please speak to a volunteer for access. 
• First aid will be provided by St John’s Ambulance, who will be on patrol at the Gala and will be located on the main lawn at Hertford Castle.
• Dogs are welcome, however they must be kept on a lead at all times and we kindly ask that dog waste is picked up and put in the bins provided.
• 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 touch HERE.