Don’t miss out on the Christmas Cracker on Sunday 16 November
Thousands of people are expected at the St Albans Christmas Cracker – a free family-friendly event that kicks off the festive season.
The annual street festival takes place in the City Centre from noon until 6pm on Sunday 16 November with St Peters Street closed to traffic to create a safe and vibrant atmosphere.
Among the attractions will be live music, fairground rides, a Santa’s grotto, street entertainers and dozens of market stalls selling hot food, drinks and seasonal gifts.
Much of the family-friendly entertainment will be free with something to suit people of all ages and abilities.
Festive decorations and installations will be illuminated throughout the event and there will also be guest appearances from some of the cast of this year’s Alban Arena pantomime, Aladdin.
The Christmas Cracker is organised by St Albans City and District Council with sponsorship from St Albans City Centre BID and support from local businesses including Costa Coffee, Code Ninjas and Ovo.
It is part-funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Attractions include:
The Main Stage: situated near the taxi rank, there will be live music and other entertainment from local performers.
Market Traders: around 100 stalls selling a vast range of novelty gifts, seasonal produce and mouth-watering street food.
Street Performers: a stilt-walking Christmas tree, elves riding reindeer, festive roller skaters and Christmas carols with Ovo at the Clock Tower.
Code Ninjas: build and play your very own video game, experience LEGO® and VEX robotics, engage with AI and discover how to turn screen time into powerful learning.
School Choirs: local school choirs will perform in front of the BID-funded Christmas tree at the St Albans Museum + Gallery.
Santa’s Grotto: situated by the Alban Arena, sponsored by St Albans City Centre BID and run by the St Albans Rotary Club.
Christmas Catch-Ups: a seating zone sponsored by Costa Coffee in St Albans where you can chat with friends and family.
Create and Play Zones: free interactive festive activities for all at locations across the site, including festive decoration making, a basketball shoot-out, facepainting and traditional wooden games.
Community Safe Zone: located by the Civic Centre, this is a quiet and safe space, somewhere to sit and keep warm.
To ensure the event is accessible, British Sign Language Interpreters will be available at the activities throughout the day and Sight Guides for the visually impaired will be available on request.
There will be an accessible viewing zone by the main stage, priority seating and ramps on kerbs for wheelchair access.
Councillor Helen Campbell, Chair of the Public Realm Committee, said:
I am thrilled that we are organising another St Albans Christmas Cracker.
This is a fantastic way to launch the District’s festive season. It is free to attend, accessible to all and attracts thousands of people to the City Centre to create an exciting atmosphere.
I urge our residents not to miss out on the fun as there is great entertainment for people of all ages.
The event also boosts the local economy by bringing many extra visitors to the City Centre where they will use our shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants as well as the market stalls.
Vivien Cannon, Manager of St Albans City Centre BID, said:
We are delighted to be working with the Council and Father Christmas in his Santa Grotto helped by our St Albans Rotary Club friends. We hope everyone is practising their Ho, Ho, Ho’s.
BID will make sure the Christmas lights are ready for the celebration and our Christmas Bauble Trail will be available to do on the day or when you revisit in the following weeks. Maps can be collected from the City’s Museum and Gallery where you can also find unique St Albans-themed Christmas trinkets and other gifts.
The event will provide a seasonal spotlight on the City, highlighting the rich retail offer and fabulous hospitality venues for gift ideas and social gathering venues. There is always something for everyone in St Albans.
More details about the Christmas Cracker including a timetable can be found here.
Charter Market
Another highlight of the festive season will be the additional December dates for the twice-weekly Charter Market.
The Market will take place every Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 9am to 3pm, in the fortnight leading up to Christmas Day as well as the usual Wednesdays and Saturdays.
There will be an extra day’s trading, too, on Tuesday 23 December.
Pantomime
Aladdin starts at the Alban Arena on Friday 5 December and runs until Wednesday 31 December.
Its stars include EastEnders legend Steve McFadden and panto favourite Bob Golding. Tickets are available here.
This year’s pantomime at the Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden is Jack and the Beanstalk with more information, including how to buy tickets, available here.
Photo: scene from the 2024 Christmas Cracker. More photos available on request.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council: 01727-919533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.
Editor’s Note: The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life changes across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, people and skills. More information is available here.