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You don't have to travel too far to enjoy plenty of Christmas festivities. There's so much going on just right here in St Albans throughout November and December...
Offering some early Christmas cheer, St Albans Musical Theatre Company are bringing White Christmas to the stage at the Alban Arena from 11th November to 15th December.
And over at the Abbey Theatre from 14th to 16th November, and 19th - 22nd November Company of Ten are performing the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life.
From 15th November to 28th December, keep the children entertain while you do your Christmas shopping with the St Albans BID Christmas Bauble Trail around the city centre. Find the baubles to gather the letters and reveal the Christmas phrase and be in with a chance of winning a prize. Trail maps can be picked up from St Albans Museum during opening hours.
The official start of festivities - St Albans Christmas Cracker - is happening on Sunday 16th November and you can expect all the usual free fun with music, entertainment, stalls, funfair, Santa's grotto, refreshments, Christmas lights and more.
From 22nd November on weekends and then 19th - 24th December, you can visit Father Christmas and enjoy a whole host of Christmassy fun at Willows Activity Farm's Santa Spectacular.
Santa's Grotto is open at Burston Garden Centre on selected dates until 24th December, including quiet sessions for children with additional needs. And de Havilland Aircraft Museum are hosting their first Christmas at the Museum on 30th December with live music and Santa in his grotto.
The annual Columban Fayre, a Christmas tradition at St Columba's College takes place on Saturday 22nd November, and everyone is welcome. Earthworks St Albans are holding a Winter Fair on Saturday 29th November. There's a Christmas Fair taking place at New Greens Residents Social Club on Sunday 30th November, and Sandridge School are holding their Christmas Fair on Tuesday 2nd December after school.
For many, there's nothing that signifies Christmas is on the way more than the St Albans Round Table Santa float making its way down your street with lights twinkling and music playing and a special passenger on board. This year the float will be touring on selected dates between 1st and 24th December and you can find details of the dates, areas and route on their website.
Another classic Christmas tale is of course Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and OVO Theatre Company return with their popular promenade version in a new venue at the Vintry Garden by the Cathedral on dates between 5th and 30th December.
If you prefer your Christmas theatre with a bit more "it's behind you" and "oh no it isn't", then this year's panto at the Alban Arena is Aladdin, starring Eastenders legend Steve McFadden and panto favourite Bob Golding. The production runs from 5th to 31st December.
On Saturday 6th December you can pick up some beautiful gifts from local small businesses at the St Albans Creatives Christmas Market in St Albans Museum & Gallery, and at the Sandridge Christmas Market.
If you enjoy some community carol singing then there's two opportunities on Saturday 13th December with Carols in the Park at Highfield Park, and Carols on the Hour at St Albans Cathedral. On the same day there's also a Live Nativity Trail around the Cathedral. Just pick up a trail map at any of the stops. All of these are free, drop-in events.
For a Santa visit with a difference, StAR will have their Reverse Father Christmas in St Albans Museum on Saturday 14th December. Rather than receiving a gift, children are asked to bring an item which this year will be sent to Ukraine. Items requested this year are underwear, socks, hats, scarves, gloves and toiletries.
The annual Children's Society Christingle service in St Albans Cathedral will take place on Saturday 14th December.
For more Christmassy theatre, children's fantasy adventure The Box of Delights will be brought to life on stage at The Abbey Theatre from 19th to 23rd, and 27th & 28th December.
And on 20th December, enjoy another family Christmas classic, The Snowman, on the big screen accompanied by a live orchestra in St Albans Cathedral.
There's more family Christmas movie fun to be had at the Hub on Verulam with a family-friendly festive edition of their Cinema Supper Club on Sunday 21st December. The movie will be PG rated and a movie-inspired meal will be served. If you want to know what the movie is, you'll have to get in touch with them! If your child is too little for that movie experience, there's a Mini Wonderland event for under 6s on 22nd December, with creative activities, lunch and a family-friendly U-rated movie.
On Christmas Eve, everyone is invited to get ready for the big day, at one of St Albans Cathedral's Crib Services with carol singing and the nativity story.
When all the presents are unwrapped, the leftovers eaten and you are wondering what to do now, Tiny Mites will be bringing some silliness to St Albans Library with their version of Jack and the Beanstalk.
You can find even more Christmassy activities and events happening in the local area on our What's On page and all the local Santa's Grottos and Father Christmas Experiences are details in our Where to see Santa article..
