November, of course starts with a bang with all our local firework events taking place in the first couple of weeks. Take your pick from Redbourn Common Fireworks and St Albans Cathedral Firework Spectacular both on 2nd November, Crabtree Schools Fireworks on 9th November, and Harpenden Rugby Club Fireworks and Wheathampstead Fireworks both on 10th November.

The middle of the month is always a bit quieter after the Halloween/Firework excitement and the promise of Christmas to come, but there are still some lovely events to enjoy as a family...

There are three opportunities to immerse your children in classical music this month. On Sunday 10th November illustrator James Mayhew joins the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra to draw his way through two much-loved children’s tales set to music - Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and Ravel’s Mother Goose.

Peter and the Wolf is also being performed by a quintet at the Radlett Theatre on 1st November.

And on Sunday 17th November you can join St Albans Symphony Orchestra for their annual children’s concert. This year’s theme is “We’re going on a Bear Hunt”. Dressing up is encouraged and children will get a chance to try the instruments!

The annual skating rink at Van Hage Garden Centre in Great Amwell opens on 14th November and runs until the new year. Booking is now open.

There’s also lots of great family theatre this month with I Believe in Unicorns, Spontaneous Potter:Kidz, The Giant Balloon Show and Soonchild at Luton Library Theatre, Dear Zoo Live! at Hertford Theatre, The Adventures of Dr Dolittle and The Snow Dragon at Old Town Hall Hemel Hempstead, The Gruffalo at The Radlett Centre, The Scarecrow's Wedding at the Broadway Theatre, Letchworth, Hansel, Gretal and You...Who? at Luton Central Library

And before we know it, it’s the end of the month and all the festivities will be kicking off with Harpenden Christmas Carnival on 24th November which promises to be bigger and better than ever with extra events including a Christmas Emergency Services Open Day and Harpenden Collective Christmas Market happening alongside all the usual fun; Southdown Lights and Lanterns Extravaganza on 29th November; and Batford Lights Up on 1st December.

We’ll be back next month to tell you what’s in store for Christmas including all your local pantos!  If you can't wait, then check out the What's On page because most are listed there already!