Christmas in Hertford

The Hertford town centre christmas lights will be officially switched on at 4:30pm on Sunday 3rd December in Salisbury Square by The Mayor, Councillor Sally Newton, in the presence of Father Christmas himself.

There will be plenty to eat and drink during the afternoon with a hog roast and mulled wine supplied by Emily and Jody at The White Hart along with a live band from 3:30pm, shellfish from Claydon's fish stall and burgers.

The Top Hat Stage School will be singing carols from 2:30pm. The Mayor and Father Christmas will be driven in to Salisbury Square in plenty of time for photographs and sweets before the lights are turned on.

Many of the town centre shops will be open for early Christmas shopping as well as Hertford's wide selection of cafes, bars and restaurants to enjoy lunch or a light meal before or after the switch-on.

Hertford Castle will be open on both Saturday and Sunday the 2nd and 3rd of December for an arts and crafts fair between 10:30am and 4pm. There will also be a chance to visit Santa's Grotto between 12-1pm and 2-3pm on both days. Admission to The Castle is free. There is also a chance to go along and join in with "Carols at The Castle" on Saturday 16th December at 5:30pm.

A town centre window judging competition is also being staged on a theme of 'pantomime', so many shop windows will be particularly colourful. The windows will be judged during the week preceding 3rd December and the winner will be presented with a splendid cup sponsored by Co-Operative Funeralcare in Fore Street at the switching on ceremony.