Christmas Places in Watford

More than 70 artisan stalls fill the magnificent Norman nave of St Albans Cathedral for this festive fair, showcasing independent makers, artists, creatives and small businesses. It's a wonderfully atmospheric place to find something special for Christmas, with local primary school choirs singing at the altar from midday and the Abbots Kitchen café on hand for refreshments. Open 11am to 3pm. Adult tickets are £2.50 and under-16s go free. The fair also opens a three-day art fair in the cathedral, free to visit, running until 9 November.

The Christmas Cracker is St Albans' big festive street party, launching the season with around a hundred stalls filling the historic city centre around St Peter's Street. Browse gifts, crafts and seasonal food and drink, enjoy the funfair rides and catch the acts on stage as the city gets into the Christmas spirit. It runs from noon until 6pm and is free to attend, so it's a perfect afternoon out for all the family.

Harpenden's Christmas Carnival is a magical afternoon in the leafy town centre, with festive fun for all the family, a seasonal farmers' market and the switching-on of the town's Christmas lights. It's free and everyone is welcome. The carnival runs from 12 to 6pm, and from 1 to 5pm the same day Harpenden Fire Station opens its doors for a Christmas Emergency Services Day, a chance for little ones to see the vehicles up close. Another festive farmers' market follows on Sunday 20 December, 10am–2pm.

The Alban Arena's family pantomime this Christmas is the enchanting tale of Beauty and the Beast, starring Joe Swash. Expect a castle full of magic, a heroine with a heart of gold, a beastly curse to be broken, and all the slapstick, songs, sparkle and audience participation that make panto the highlight of the festive season. The run is from 4 December to 3 January. There's a BSL-interpreted performance on 5 December at 6pm and a relaxed performance on 12 December at 11am.