EVENTS PROGRAMME 2020

Hertford Town Council has finalised its community events programme for 2020 which will include the return of established favourites as well as some brand new events to suit all ages.

Annual events to return for 2020 include ‘Rock at the Castle’, a free music festival, the ‘Hertford Castle Open Air Cinema’, the ‘Food and Drink Festival’, amongst many other favourites.

New events for 2020 include Open Air Theatre productions at Hertford Castle, an event to mark the 75^th anniversary of VE Day and a three-day Christmas Market at Hertford Castle.

All events are free of charge to attend, with the exception of The Hertford Castle Open Air Cinema and Open Air Theatre.

Cllr Jane Sartin, Chairman of the Development and Leisure Committee, said: “Hertford Town Council’s 2020 community events programme includes something for everyone, comprising of established favourites alongside first-time events.  As well as events at Hertford Castle including Cars at the Castle and Open Air Theatre, there will also again be a variety of town centre activities, including the Food and Drinks Festival in August and two Hertford Play Days, expanding this popular event for children.  I am pleased we are also marking the 75^th anniversary of VE Day with a major event in the Castle grounds on the May public holiday.”   

 

EVENTS PROGRAMME LINE UP

 

MAY

Hertford Arts Festival

Saturday 11^th April – Saturday 9th May

The Hertford Arts Festival is back to showcase and promote the local arts and culture in the county town. The festival events include the Hertford Arts Trail, the Courtyard Arts Open Exhibition, Hertford Theatre Week and The Arts Society Exhibition.

Immerse yourself in locally created art and absorb the culture throughout this month-long festival by visiting pop up exhibitions, shows and performances.

 

Hertford Arts Trail

Saturday 11^th April – Saturday 9^th May

Visit up to 30 pop up art exhibitions free of charge in Hertford Town Centre. The artwork on display will range from sculpture to textile, oil on canvas to watercolour and the majority of the art is available to purchase.

The Arts Trail gives visitors a chance to discover the wide array of independent traders and artists work within the county town. The trail map will be available to download online or pick up from the Town and Tourist Information Centre closer to the date.

 

75^th Anniversary of VE Day at Hertford Castle

Friday 8^th May

12pm – 3.15pm

An event to mark the 75^th Anniversary of VE day will be held at Hertford Castle to celebrate the end of World War II.

With exhibitions, photos and story board detailing the lives of local Hertfordshire WWII soldiers, and other exhibitions of artefacts and memorabilia from the war.

Old fashioned games, live music and entertainment reminiscent of the era will entertain the crowds, as well as vintage cars.

Hertford Castle will be open for the first time this year, where the public can explore the castle rooms and basement free of charge.

 

Cars at the Castle

Sunday 24^th May

12pm – 4pm

Visit Hertford’s largest free car show of the year within the picturesque setting of the Hertford Castle grounds. Up to 90 modern and vintage cars will be on exhibition, there will be food and refreshment stalls, live music and Hertford Castle will be open for visitors to explore.

 

JUNE

Hertford Castle Fun Day

Sunday 7^th June

12pm – 5pm

Visit Hertford Castle for a fun day of entertainment for all the family. There will be live entertainment throughout the day, over 50 stands will exhibit on the castle lawn offering funfair games, craft and tombola stalls and much more. There will be food stands, a bar and face painting at the event.

Hertford Castle will be open for visitors to explore and the charity event is free of charge to attend. Organised by Hertford Rotary in partnership with Hertford Town Council.

 

Hertford Castle Open Air Theatre

Sunday 21^st June

Ticketed event

Hertford Castle will be hosting two open air theatre performances in its grounds for you to enjoy with friends and the whole family. Bring along a picnic, or treat yourself from the food stalls and bar, sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

 

“Treasure Island” on the Main Lawn

Tickets prices £10 per person

Gates open at 2.00pm, performance starts at 2:30pm

 

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on the Main Lawn

Tickets prices £10 per person

Gates open at 6:30pm, performance starts at 7:00pm

Tickets can be purchased online at www.hertford.gov.uk/events or from the Town & Tourist Information Centre by calling 01992 584322

 

JULY

Hertford Castle’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Sunday 19^th July

12pm – 4pm

Families and friends are invited to attend the annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic held in the Castle Grounds. Bring your picnic blanket, your favourite teddy and join in the bear hunt inside the castle, or the teddy bear’s parade in the main arena.

There will also be magic shows, bouncy castles and a whole programme of activities in the arena.

A live brass band concert will perform throughout the day and Hertford Castle will be open to the public to explore. Hertford Canoe Club will be running free water activities on the River Lea for children and adults to enjoy.

 

AUGUST

Rock at the Castle

Sunday 2^nd August

12.30pm – 7pm

Get your dancing shoes ready and come along to Rock at the Castle 2020, a free music festival within the spectacular grounds of Hertford Castle.

Local musicians will be performing across three music stages featuring acoustic, folk, indie, rock and pop music.

The lawns will also host an area of food & drink stalls to keep you refreshed throughout the afternoon. The Island will host the family stage again, with bouncy castles, face painting and many more fun activities. And if you feel like a bit more of a laid back vibe check out the acoustic Garden Stage in the Moat Garden.

 

Hertford Play Day

Wednesday 5^th August

11am – 4pm

Hertford Town Centre will be filled with child friendly activities, games, promotions and events throughout the day, most of which are free of charge to enjoy.

 

Hertford Food and Drink Festival

Saturday 22^nd and Sunday 23^rd August

Head to the county town of Hertfordshire for a two day Food and Drink Festival. Event highlights include the Hertford Castle Beer & World Food Festival, street food markets, café, bar and restaurant activities, samples, events and promotions and cookery demonstrations.

 

Hertford Castle Beer & World Food Festival

Sunday 23^rd August

12pm - 6pm

With a large beer tent, offering a variety of local and national beers, ales and ciders, and a dedicated Gin & Prosecco area this event is not to be missed.

With over fifteen world food stalls exhibiting on the lawn there is something for everyone. Get your taste buds singing with delicious Mexican, BBQ, Spanish and Thai treats as well as a whole area dedicated to sweet delicacies.

There will be live music throughout the afternoon and the castle will be open for you to explore.

 

Hertford Castle Open Air Cinema

Friday 28^th August

Film choices to be confirmed

Hertford Castle will host a day of open air cinema screenings with the Castle as its backdrop, with two family films scheduled during the daytime and an evening performance. Spectators can bring along picnic chairs, snack and sit back to relax and enjoy the movies. Refreshments will also be available from our traders. Previous showings have all sold out so tickets must be purchased in advance.

 

11am

Tickets £3 per person

Under 2’s FREE

Film starts at 11am

 

2pm

Tickets £3 per person

Under 2’s FREE

Film starts at 2pm

 

7pm

Tickets £7 per person

 

Tickets can be purchased online at www.hertford.gov.uk/events or from the Town & Tourist Information Centre closer to the time of the event.

 

SEPTEMBER

Hertford Castle Heritage Day

Sunday 20^th September

After a successful 2019 the Heritage Day is back at Hertford Castle in conjunction with the National Heritage Weekend programme. The lawn will host medieval encampments, bouncy castles, historical information stalls and birds of prey.

The Archery workshop will be back where you can have a go at wielding the bow and arrow.

The performance arena will host Viking battles, re-enactments, storytelling and falconry displays to keep you entertained throughout the afternoon.

Don’t forget to head inside the Castle to explore the original parts of the building, including the robing room, and then head down to the basement to check out the themed rooms.

 

OCTOBER

Autumn Festival

Sunday 11^th October

Head over to Hertford Castle for some seasonal fun, peruse the craft stalls, take part in the children’s autumn trail and explore the castle rooms and themed basement.

There will be wreath making stalls, pumpkin carving, face painting, flower arranging and so much more.

 

Hertford Play Day

Wednesday 28^th October

11am – 4pm

Hertford Town Centre will be filled with child friendly activities, games, promotions and events throughout the day, most of which are free of charge to enjoy.

 

NOVEMBER

Hertford Christmas Gala

Friday 27^th November

3.30pm – 8pm

The Hertford Christmas Gala is an annual favourite event with locals and visitors to the county town. The Gala evening includes Christmas markets throughout the town, live entertainment on stage, street entertainment and costume characters, fairground rides and the famous Christmas tree light switch on.

Retailers will be offering free goodies and samples, discounts and instore entertainment throughout the weekend.

In addition, for 2020 Hertford Castle will hold its first event Christmas Market set within the castle grounds with free entry during the event.

The Castle Christmas Market will also run from 11am – 7pm on Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th November with free entry.

 

Hertford Castle Christmas Market

Friday 27^th, Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th November

Friday Opening Hours 3.30pm – 8pm

Saturday and Sunday Opening Hours 11am – 7pm

Hertford Castle will hold its first Christmas Market set within the spectacular castle grounds for visitors to attend free of charge.

There will be an array of Christmas market stalls offering homeware, crafts, jewellery and much more. In addition, there will be food and drink stands.