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July 2026 promoting local businesses, events and much more since 2006
Welcome to July...
...with Music, Food, Theatre, Kite and Archaeology Festivals there’s lots going on, and that’s not all, just have a look through to find an amazing amount to do from the Highland Gathering and St Albans Comedy Garden to Open Air Theatre, the Kimpton Horse Show and Children’s Summer Holiday Activities, just check out the Out & About pages to see what’s on. To make sure you don’t miss out, the magazines are available to read online every month, and as always there’s lots of local businesses to help you with whatever you need doing. Run your own business? We‘d love to include you too, just book your space online today.
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Out & About
Whipsnade Zoo
Toddler Safari until 15th July term time only
Exhibition: ZSL at 200 until 31st Dec
An interactive exhibition to showcase the Zoo’s rich history.
Animal Awareness Days Free with zoo entry
Enjoy special talks, animal feeds, family friendly activities and extra animal experiences.
3rd July World Meerkat Day
14th July World Chimpanzee Day
29th July International Tiger Day
Join the Zoo Crew! 18th July - 2nd Sept
With role-play and costume dress-up activities. Dunstable LU6 2LF whipsnadezoo.org
Abbey Gatehouse Open Garden
Sundays until 11th Aug 2pm - 4pm
Visit the Bishop of St Albans’ hidden garden. £5, child free, dogs on leads welcome Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane AL3 4HN
Roman Theatre Open Air Festival until 31st Aug
Bold, imaginative surprising live theatre and music, in the UKs oldest producing theatre. ovo.org.uk
St Albans Museum + Gallery
Exhibition: A Growing City until 31st Aug free
Discover how St Albans has been the base for internationally known names such as Ryders’ Seeds and Sanders’ Orchids and more.
Exhibition: Draw with Rob until 20th Sept
See the work of this best-selling author and illustrator. Free
Romans Unearthed 1st - 31st July
Explore the city as it was 2000 years ago, all within the digital world. You just need a smart phone.
Get Guerilla Gardening 5th July 1pm
Learn how to transform a neglected corner of your neighbourhood into a vibrant garden. £10, ages 13 -19 free, please book Mosaic Masterclass 11th July £70
A fun creative day of mosaic making. Summer Craft Workshops
28th July Sausage Dogs & Other Creatures
4th Aug Papercraft Garden Scene
11th Aug At the Bottom of the Garden
18th Aug Ceramic Tile Painting
1st Sept Play with Clay stalbansmuseums.org.uk
Luton Hoo Estate
Open Wednesdays until 30th Sept 10.30am - 4pm £7.50, £2.50
See and tour the Capability Brown designed walled garden and its unique service buildings.
Outdoor Theatre: As You Like It 8th July 7pm
A bicycle-powered production from The Handlebards. The Bug Hunt 24th July £5, child £2 Crafty fun with a creepy crawly theme.
Children’s Summer Workshops 10am - 12pm
30th July The Fragrant (smelly) Garden
6th Aug The Kitchen (tasty) Garden
Crafty fun with a garden theme, adults must stay. Ages 4 -11, please book £10
Luton Hoo Estate LU1 3TQ lutonhooestate.co.uk
Outdoor Theatre at Waddesdon
Free with grounds admission, please book 12th July The Tempest 12 noon
26th July Twelfth Night 12 noon
19th July The Railway Children 12 noon & 2.30pm
24th July A Midsummer Night’s Dream 1pm
31st July Sword in the Stone Workshop 12.30pm / show 2pm Ages 5-10
5th Aug Everywhere’s a Beach 1pm & 3pm
Taking place on a giant revolving beach parasol!
6th Aug The Hound of the Baskervilles 1pm 12th Aug The Three Musketeers 2pm
Treasure Island 26th Aug 1pm
Bucks HP18 0JH waddesdon.org.uk
Hitchin Festival 27th June - 31st July
Enjoy events including poetry, art exhibitions, concerts, theatre, kids entertainment, walks, talks, comedy, an art trail and more.
hitchinfestival.co.uk
Bedford Summer Sessions
Deacon Blue 2nd July 5pm, from £60.25
UB40 feat. Ali Campbell 3rd July 5pm, from £52.15
Tom Grennan 4th July 5pm, from £60.55
Paul Weller 5th July 5pm, from £67.30
Bedford Park MK40 2PF smmrsessions.com
The Alban Arena
Aladdin 2nd - 4th July Waves 11th July 2.30pm & 7.30pm
A show full of vibrant, energetic and talented performers with a range of dance and musical theatre styles accompanied by a live band.
Bollywood Dance Spectacle 12th July 4.30pm
A fusion of East meets West, experience everything from high-energy hip-hop to elegant classical influences, glamorous cabaret flair and of course the infectious magic of Bollywood.
Sweet & Sour: The Ultimate Tribute to Sabrina Carpenter & Olivia Rodrigo 18th July 5pm
Bringing every beat and lyric to life, immersing you in the stories, sass, and soul of two of pop’s biggest sensations, with a powerhouse live band and dynamic dancers.
Juvenile Ensemble Auditions: Beauty & the Beast 19th July 2pm
The Alban Arena and Evolution Productions are looking for children (aged 9-14 on 31/1/27) and under 5ft to be part of this year’s pantomime.
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
24th July 7.30pm
Using projection photos and original film footage to tell the story of Simon & Garfunkel, with a live band performing hits including Mrs Robinson, Bridge Over Troubled Water and many more.
St Albans AL1 3LD everyonetheatres.com
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Out & About
Hatfield House & Park
Live Music at The Coach House Kitchen
3rd July 6.30pm £10
With ABBA tribute act A Twist of ABBA.
Beekeeping Experience
12th July & 9th Aug 9.30am - 3pm
Explore the lifecycle and roles of honeybees, and learn about a selection of hive products. £125
Battle Proms Picnic Concert 18th July 4.30pm
Pack a picnic and celebrate 25 years of the Battle Proms. From £44.50
Folk by the Oak Festival 19th July 12 noon from £66
The Jungle Book 31st July 5.30pm
Funny, exciting and wildly entertaining, this fantastic musical by Immersion Theatre will have you howling with laughter! £17.34, child £13.01
Romeo & Juliet 7th Aug 5pm
This powerful story of forbidden love is brought to life in a visual spectacle by Immersion Theatre with comedy, heartbreak and danger. £17.34, child £13.01 Age 10+
The Great Fete 8th & 9th Aug 12 noon - 10pm
With three stages, a food village, comedy, a kids’ zone, and funfair, iconic dance acts from the past 30 years and sing-along bands.
Hatfield AL9 5HX hatfield-house.co.uk
Todd in the Hole 3rd - 5th July
An award-winning, independent, family-friendly music and food festival.
Exclusive access to the Museum for ages 6 months - 4 years and their adults. £7, adult free Pop-up Paper Tales
28th - 31st July 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm
Make a townscape out of paper, complete with a pop-up fox! £5 plus museum entry Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 0AL roalddahlmuseum.org
Abbey Theatre
Sheila’s Island 3rd - 4th & 7th - 11th July 8pm & 4th & 5th July 2.30pm, £15, £13 see page 6
Darkly humorous play, where friendships fray, secrets emerge, alliances shift and each woman must confront who she really is.
STAJE in Concert
16th July 8pm £15, child £12.50
High-energy concert by this local jazz ensemble. St Albans AL1 2DL abbeytheatre.org.uk
Festival on the Field
4th July 12 noon - 10.45pm
Headline act Massaoke is back!
Sir John Lawes School, Harpenden AL5 4QP festivalonthefield.co.uk
Showroom open: Mon, Wed-Sat 10am-4pm
enquiries@gjsmithroofing.com
Out & About
The Hardynge Choir 4th July 7.30pm
A concert of sea shanties and madrigals. Wheathampstead Memorial Hall AL4 8AY hardyngechoir.org
Dine for Wildlife 4th July
Black-tie Charity Ball includes after-hours access to the Zoo, drinks reception, dinner with wine, entertainment, an auction and raffle. £75 Herts Zoo, Broxbourne EN10 7QA hertfordshirezoo.com
Chilfest 4th July
A festival with a love of retro music and a passion to keep it alive and kicking, with a line-up including Level 42, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Toploader, The Christians and Tony Hadley. Tring HP23 5NS chilfest.co.uk
Kimpton Folk Festival
4th July 11am - 11pm
A day of amazing live music on 3 stages, and family-friendly fun. kimptonfolk.uk
Hertford Castle
Beer & World Food Festival
4th July 12 noon - 6pm, free entry
Enjoy global flavours, great drinks and live music. Teddy Bears Picnic 19th July 12 noon - 4pm, Take your favourite teddy for a day of fun, adventure and entertainment. Free Rock at the Castle 2nd Aug 12 noon - 7pm
Performances by local musicians featuring a wide range of genres, suitable for all the family. Free Hertford SG14 1HR hertford.gov.uk
Redbourn Festival 4th & 5th July
Celebrating community and cycling with a weekend of free events, entertainment and activities. Redbourn Common AL3 7DA redbournfestival.org.uk
Art on the Common
4th July 10am - 5pm & 5th July 10am - 4pm
With over 70 local artists and live music. Harpenden Common
Chiltern Open Air Museum
free with admission unless otherwise stated See Traditional Skills in Action
4th July Spoon Carving 11th July Decorative Coach Painting
12th July Decorative Leatherwork
18th - 30th July Spinning
25th & 26th July Traditional Cooking or Baking
Buckinghamshire Music Trust Summer Festival 5th July
Bring a picnic and enjoy live performances from local young musicians. Bottlefolk 12th July
Enjoy a relaxing day of folk music on the bandstand. Classic Vehicles Show 18th & 19th July
Celebrating vintage cars, motorbikes and vans. Chat to vehicle owners who share their stories and knowledge, listen to live music and more.
Heritage Crafts Weekend:
Discover Traditional Skills 25th & 26th July
Live demonstrations of thatching, blacksmithing, woodturning, natural dyeing, chair making, rope making, spinning, amber jewellery crafting, chainmail making, pottery and historic cooking.
£15, child £11.50
Newland Park, Bucks HP8 4AB coam.org.uk
St Albans Cathedral
Faith in Felt Exhibition 4th - 16th July
Tour: Turbulent Tudor Times
6th July & 5th Aug 10.30am £12
Telling the turbulent story of the English Reformation. Tour: Flora & Fauna 8th July 10.30am £12
See how plants, animals and religious symbols recur in stained glass, stone carving and decoration.
Somewhere 2 Sing in Concert 10th July 7.45pm & 11th July 1.30pm, 6.20pm & 8.30pm
With popular songs from Billy Joel to Karl Jenkins with over 120 singers. £10 - £26
Tower Tours 11th, 12th, 15th, 25th, 26th July & 8th, 9th, 12th, 22nd, 23rd & 26th Aug
View the city from the roof and you might even see the tall buildings of the City of London.
More to Explore: Graffiti Hide & Seek 12th July 1.30pm Uncover some of the Abbey’s harder to find graffiti.
Summer Organ Festival 13th July The Masterpieces 6.30pm
Hear the organ at its most searching and sublime. 20th July Bach & Friends 6.30pm
Smart, stylish and full of baroque brilliance. 27th July The Favourites 6.30pm
From a galaxy far, far away to British pomp and organ thunder. Star Wars, Elgar’s Nimrod, Bach’s mighty Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
The Peasants' Revolt Tour 15th July 2pm
In 1381 St Albans Abbey was threatened with destruction. Learn about the events and their aftermath. £12
An Evening of Radiohead
17th & 18th July 7.30pm
Making your Mark Tour 21st July 12.30pm £12
See how visitors to the Cathedral across the centuries have ‘scratched’ their mark on the building. Tower & Treasures Tour 22nd July 10.30am 25th July 1pm & 1st Aug 10.30am
Stained Glass Tour 24th July 10.30am £12
Guitar for Gaza 25th July 7.30pm
An evening of beautiful music in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Summer Holiday Club 27th - 31st July £150
Space-themed activities, games, creativity and discovery for primary-aged children.
Family Music Day: WOOFYT Interactive
Organ Model 27th July 12.30pm £10
Work as a team to build and play your own one-octave organ. Age 9+
Family Music Day 27th July
A joyful, family friendly day of musical discovery, with activities, live demonstrations and a performance of Peter and the Wolf.
stalbanscathedral.org
Out & About
Shuttleworth
Summer Fete Open Weekend
4th & 5th July 10am - 6pm £7.50, child free
A hub of entertainment and fun with live music and activities.
Summer Air Show
25th July 9pm - 9pm £37, child free
Marking the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire, with aircraft displays, a fun fair, interactive discovery zones and more.
Flying Proms Air Show
15th Aug 10am - 10pm £60, child £25
See aerobatics and pyrotechnics choreographed to live music from the National Symphony Orchestra, with a firework finale.
Alder Drive, Beds SG18 9EA shuttleworth.org
Wrest Park
Sunday Music
5th, 12th, 19th & 26th July 10am - 5pm
Enjoy a wonderful day of live music.
Great British Summer 18th July - 6th Sept 10am - 5pm Fairground activities, circus skills, puppet antics and more.
Silsoe, Beds MK45 4HR english-heritage.org.uk
Eric Morecambe Centre
Me & Ron 7th - 12th July
A musical comedy, where people are not who they appear to be, not who they’d like to be and not who they’re going to be!
The Arts Society Harpenden Evening 15th July 8pm
Tony Rawlins: Baroque on a Roll: Classical Music in the Modern Media. How classical music enhances the mood of feature films.
The Arts Society Harpenden Area 16th July 10.30am
A Boy from Lowestoft: The Life and Works of Benjamin Britten.
Chuckl with Milton Jones & Special Guests 24th July 7.30pm
Laugh with the king of the surreal one-liner. Harpenden AL5 2FR everyonetheatres.com
Tring Natural History Museum
Treasures of the Rothschild Library Tour 7th July 3pm £15
See some of the natural history treasures from the 16th-20th century, including rare books, early photography and original artworks.
Museum Highlights Tour 6th Aug 3pm £6
Tour the Victorian galleries and hear about the extraordinary life of Walter Rothschild. Akeman Street, Tring HP23 6AP nhm.ac.uk
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
8th - 11th July 8pm & 11th July 2.30pm £12
With the Highstreet Players. outside Cornelia’s Café, Church Green, Harpenden hsplayers.org.uk
Wheathampstead Village Day
11th July 12 noon - 10pm
With dance taster classes, circus workshops, stalls, activities, live music and more.
Marford Playing Fields AL4 8AY wpcevents.co.uk
Zara Angeline 11th July 7pm £11.50
Beautiful, heart-stirring pop and folk music, with reflective, soulful lyricism.
The Maltings Theatre AL1 3HL ovo.org.uk
Heartwood Forest
Woodland Creation & Management Walk 11th July 10am
Learn how this former agricultural area has been transformed over nearly two decades.
Moth Catching Demonstration
11th July 9pm - 12am
The mysteries of night flying moths will be revealed by an expert lepidopterist.
Tree ID for Beginners at the Arboretum
26th July 10.20am
Play detective and learn tips and tricks to aid tree identification.
All walks are free, but please book Heartwood Forest, Sandridge AL4 9DQ woodlandtrust.org.uk/events
Knebworth House & Gardens
Iron Maiden Concert 11th July 1pm, from £145.08
Featuring a hand-picked bill of special guests and the biggest Eddie’s Dive Bar ever, Maiden-themed food and other stands, plus their very own take on the historic Knebworth Fayre!
Film Location Tour
25th July, 1st, 8th & 15th Aug £23.50
A guided tour of Knebworth House and gardens, bringing the estate’s rich cinematic history to life.
Garden Theatre: The Big Bad Wolf 26th July gates 5.15pm, performance 6.15pm
Enjoy a rock ‘n’ roll musical journey of plotting and scheming with folklore’s most notorious villain. £18, child £12, age 5+
Hands on History
29th July 11.30am & 1.30pm, drop in Step back in time and discover what life was like in Tudor England. Free with admission
Garden Theatre: Othello 2nd Aug gates 5.30pm / show 6.30pm
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men for an open-air performance of this captivating play. £20, £12
80s by Moonlight 21st Aug gates 6.30pm / show 7.30pm
This electric live band and stunning vocalists will have you dancing all night long! £30, child £17.50
Motown by Moonlight 22nd Aug gates 6.30pm / show 7.30pm
Put on your dancing shoes and party to the timeless tunes of Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and many more! £30, child £17.50
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Out & About
Harpenden Highland Gathering
12th July 10.30am - 5pm £10
Scottish themed family fun day. Rothamsted Park AL5 2LX
St Albans Organ Theatre
Mechanical Instrument Concert
12th July & 9th Aug 3pm 320 Camp Road AL1 5PE stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk
St Albans South Signal Box Open Days
12th & 26th July & 9th & 23rd Aug 2pm - 5pm 5 Ridgmont Road, St Albans AL1 3AJ sigbox.co.uk
Exploring the Nickey Line
13th July 7.30pm please book Guided walk led by Friends of the Nickey Line. sustainablestalbans.org
Young Pioneers U18 Open Mic 15th July 6.30pm free
A chilled space for young performers to share their music in front of a supportive crowd. No pressure, no judgement, just real music and real people. Reserve your slot email: events@pioneerclub.co.uk
The Pioneer Club AL3 5AY pioneerclub.co.uk
Barn Theatre
Death by Woody Allen 15th - 18th July 8pm & 18th July 2.30pm
No-one is afraid to die, they just don’t want to be there when it happens!
A Tribute to Miles Davis: Kind of Blue - Live 24th July 8pm 100 years of Miles Davis 1926 - 2026. Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST barntheatre.co.uk
Highfield Park
Bat Safari 16th July 9pm -10.15pm
Suitable for young and old alike, please wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear and bring a torch, meet at the Visitor Centre. Please book £8
Bubbles & Boules 18th July 2pm - 4.30 pm 30th Anniversary celebration where precision meets Prosecco at the Mediterranean Garden. Bring a picnic. Open play boules for all ages, for groups and individuals, ‘learn to play’ sessions. Please book £15, child £1 Hill End Lane, St Albans AL4 0RA highfieldparktrust.co.uk
Herts & Middx Wildlife Trust
Summer Tree Identification Workshop 16th July 10am - 3.30pm
Learn how to identify trees in their summer state, starting with a classroom session and then heading into the Park. Free, please book Panshanger Park, Hertford SG14 2NA
Guided Walk: Summer Tree Identification
22nd July 10am - 12 noon
Join a woodland walk and learn more about identifying trees. Free, please book Astonbury Wood, Aston SG14 3RY hertswildlifetrust.org.uk
The Old Town Hall
Live at The Old Town Hall 16th July 8pm £10
An electrifying night of local musical talent. Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club
27th July 8pm
Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE oldtownhall.co.uk
Summer Spectacular
17th July - 2nd Sept
Packed with family fun, outdoor adventures, and splashing excitement!
Willows Activity Farm, St Albans AL4 0PF willowsactivityfarm.com
Herts Archaeology Festival 18th July
Learn about archaeology from industry professionals, enjoy family friendly activities and demonstrations and take a tour of the baths with archaeologist Kris Lockyear.
Please book, £6.25, child £2.10
Welwyn Roman Baths AL6 9FG millgreenmuseum.co.uk
Dunstable Downs
Festival of Archaeology
18th & 19th July 10am - 4.30pm £2
Calling all mini archaeologists for ancient craft making and an artefact show and tell with a real-life archaeologist!
Kites Connect Festival 1st & 2nd Aug 10am - 5pm, free
Grab your kites and join in.
Big Camp 14th - 16th Aug
Pitch a tent for a two-night camp out beneath Dunstable Downs' skies. Expect camp fires with marshmallows and stories, sunset walks, nature arts and crafts, and lots of outdoor games and activities. £110 for up to 2 adults and 3 children
Featuring Jack Dee, Tom Allen, Sara Pascoe, Henning Wehn, Josh Widdicombe, Ross Noble and more.
Verulamium Park, St Albans stalbanscomedygarden.co.uk
Bedford Festival Fringe
22nd - 26th July
Featuring over 100 performances, spanning comedy, theatre, live music, film, dance, and spoken word. quarrytheatre.org.uk
Out & About
Celtic Harmony Camp
Celtic Warrior Experience
24th July & 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, 21st Aug
Unleash your inner warrior at this action-packed day of prehistoric skills, archery and adventure.
Summer Adventure Camp 4th - 5th & 11th - 12th Aug age 8 -11 years
A journey of wild discovery where you can master archery, fire-lighting and tribal drumming to build confidence and ancient skills in the woods.
Archery & Axe Throwing Experience 15th & 16th Aug age 8+.
Test your aim and sharpen your skills with expert tuition in archery and traditional axe throwing Brickendon Lane, Brickendon SG13 8NY celticharmony.org
Shaw's Corner
Outdoor Theatre: Candida 24th & 25th July
doors 5.45pm, performance 6.30pm £23
One woman, two men, and an eternal triangle of exuberant personalities! With his home as the backdrop, enjoy this exciting new production of Shaw’s play, Candida, for his birthday weekend!
Ayot St Lawrence AL6 9BX nationaltrust.org.uk
Shenley Park Walled Garden:
Open Air Theatre
Sherlock Holmes: Hound of the Baskervilles 24th July 7pm
With live music, audience interaction and more mystery than you can shake a magnifying glass at!
Peter Rabbit 9th Aug 2pm
Treasure Island 9th Aug 7pm Radlett WD7 9DW shenleypark.co.uk
Kimpton Horse Show 26th July Hitchin Road kimptonhorseshow.co.uk
Stockwood Discovery Centre
Stockwood Garden Party 28th - 30th July 11am - 3pm drop in free Wander through the gardens and discover a vibrant programme of live shows, storytelling and hands-on activities.
Colourscape 7th - 9th Aug £13.20, all ages 10.30am - 3pm, every 10 minutes
A walk-in labyrinth of colour and light will fill the lawn, wear a primary-coloured cloak to become part of the colour experience. Discover musicians playing Tibetan Singing bowls or the branch of a tree or a bicycle wheel with a violin bow! And dancers expressing the music with creative movement that draws you into the experience.
