Our round-up of the top festivals and events in Hertfordshire this summer
Herts Fit Fest
Herts Fit Fest is a celebration of health and fitness. The emphasis is on bringing people together through fitness in a non-judgemental environment. The festival will offer interesting, challenging, fun and effective classes, talks and group sessions for all abilities. Experience all this in a relaxed and fun environment where you can turn up in your old gym clothes, get involved, get sweaty, make friends, have fun and no one judges you. Experience classes you haven’t tried before with a number of boutique and unique style classes all in one location. Classes include Zumba, kickboxing, pole fitness, and yoga and pilates, along with some of best instructors in Hertfordshire and the UK.
Springfield Farm, Old Parkbury Lane, St Albans, AL2 2DY, Thursday, July 4, to Monday, July 8. Details: hertsfitfest.com
Tringe Festival
Tring’s comedy festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2019 and attracts top names which this year include Milton Jones, Romesh Ranganathan, Ed Byrne, Reginald D Hunter, Josh Widdicombe, Clive Anderson and many more. The festival kicks off with The Roving Comedy Night, a crazy pub crawl involving 20 comedians in four local pubs.
The Court Theatre, Tring, Sunday, June 30, to Saturday, July 20. Details: get-stuffed.biz/tringe/
Chilfest
A music festival set in the idyllic Chiltern Hills, Chilfest has been running for the last six years and in that time has raised £30,000 for charity. The custom-built Chilfest arena comprises a top quality stage and sound rig, and a wide variety of food and drink outlets, providing all the ingredients for a great weekend of live music. This year’s line-up includes Bananarama, Soul II Soul, Hot Chocolate, The Selecter, and many more.
Cow Lane, Tring, Saturday, July 6. Details: 01296 660279 chilfest.co.uk
Folk by the Oak
This one day festival is surrounded by the leafy green parkland of Hatfield House, where you will be immersed in music, history, ancient oaks, bunting, fun and laughter. From the intimacy of the Acorn Stage to the open air festival buzz of the Main Stage, award-winning musicians and inspiring new talent will come together for one memorable day. The carefully curated stages are complemented by hand-picked caterers and craftspeople. There are also creative workshops to discover onsite as well as a dedicated family friendly area.
Hatfield House, Great North Road, Hatfield, Sunday, July 14. Details: folkbytheoak.com
Todd in the Hole
A family friendly festival in the heart of the Hertfordshire countryside, celebrating the very best of English eccentricity. Music acts include tributes to Oasis, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie and Elvis. There will be a selection of great food from South African cuisine to Indian vegan dishes, a classic BBQ banquet to a tempting Greek menu, all washed down with something refreshing from the festival’s huge bar. There will also be a summer flea market celebrating the best local artisans from Hertfordshire, offering homemade arts and crafts, baked treats, floral crowns, vintage clothing and much more.
Todd’s Green, Stevenage, Friday, July 19, to Sunday, July 21. Details: toddinthehole.co.uk
Hertford Castle Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Families and friends are invited to attend the annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic held in the castle grounds. Children are encouraged to bring along a teddy to the event. There will be a bear hunt, teddy bear parade, magic shows, bouncy castle and activities 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.
Hertford Castle, Hertford, Sunday, July 21, 12pm to 4pm. Details: hertford.gov.uk
The Great British Food Festival
Expect lots of amazing food producers, tasty street food and thirst quenching bars, alongside chef demos, a bake stage, new BBQ stage, lots for the kids and great live music in a stunning location.
Knebworth House, Stevenage, Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21, 10am to 5pm. Details: greatbritishfoodfestival.com
Battle Proms
The Battle Proms picnic concert takes place in the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field in the leafy parkland at Hatfield House. Legend has it that it was beneath one of the ancient oaks in this field that the young Queen Elizabeth I heard that she was to be Queen of England. The Old Palace at Hatfield House is where Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood and later held her first Council of State in 1558. A place so steeped in history makes the perfect setting for a summer celebration with the Battle Proms. Events include a Napoleonic cavalry display, the British Army’s official parachute display team, gun salute and some great music.
Hatfield House, Great North Road, Hatfield, Saturday, July 13. Details: battleproms.com
Standon Calling
Set in the valley of the River Rib, you can expect a picturesque country escape from this premier music festival. The festival will this year be headlined by Rag’N’Bone Man, Wolf Alice and Nile Rodgers & CHIC with special guests Friendly Fires. Camping is available, as well as boutique camping and a campervan field.
Standon Lordship, Standon, Thursday, July 25, to Sunday, July 28. Details: standon-calling.com
Festival of Wildlife
The 2019 Festival of Wildlife, in association with Herts Natural History Society and in partnership with Tarmac, takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Panshanger Park, near Hertford. The free family festival celebrates the rich diversity of wildlife in Hertfordshire and Middlesex and features walks, talks, family activities and conservation demonstrations. Local conservation groups, food producers, artists and craftsmen will also be there on the day.
Panshanger Park, Thieves Lane, Hertford, Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28. Details: hertswildlifetrust.org.uk
Big JiveSwing
The Big JiveSwing Festival is one of the UK’s largest free jazz festivals featuring some of the best internationally acclaimed jazz musicians, bands and dancers within the UK. It’s a great family day out with live cabarets, dance classes for children and adults and a vintage photo booth, all for free.
Cassiobury Park, Watford, Sunday, July 28. Details: watfordbigevents.co.uk
Highland Gathering
Harpenden Lions Highland Gathering is a great day out with a Scottish flavour, offering five pipe and drum bands, highland dancing competitions and displays as well as solo piping. Plus traditional highland games heavy events including weight over the bar, tossing the caber and putting the stone. There are plenty of amusements for children including a climbing wall, rugby and golf challenges, the popular kids’ circle for younger children, opportunities to make sand art pictures and to use a potters’ wheel, face painting and electric go-karts. And there were lots of food and drink too with beer and cider stalls run by local pubs. Adults and children enjoy the charity and commercial stalls and the Crafters’ Marquee selling traditional and handmade items. The Scot’s Corner sells Scottish fine food, clothing and crafts. Sideshows provide further entertainment and in addition there is a large classic cars and motorbikes display.
Rothamsted Park, 33 High Street, Harpenden, Sunday, July 14. Details: harpenden-lions.co.uk
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