Hertfordshire weekend plans for 12–13 September 2026

The middle of September still gives you a full spread of Hertfordshire plans: a big dog day at Knebworth, a community beer festival with a proper kids’ zone, a free family afternoon at Tring, and a Watford evening with strings. If you’re settling a family day, a mate’s outing or a night out, these four make the most sense.

All About Dogs Show — Knebworth

All About Dogs Show is at Knebworth House & Park (near Stevenage) on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026, open 9.30am–5pm both days. It’s billed as Hertfordshire’s largest dog festival, with arena displays, Fun Dog Shows, shopping, breed meet-ups and have-a-go activities. Scruffts joins on Sunday, and dogs are welcome throughout.

Early-bird tickets are roughly £15 adult, £14 concession and £10 child (5–15), with family options from about £37. Morning and afternoon arrival slots help with parking, and you can stay all day once you’re in. Book via the official ticket shop if you want a smoother start — this is the headline day out if you’ve got a dog, or if you simply like a busy park day with something to watch.

Kings Langley Beer & Fizz Festival

Kings Langley Beer & Fizz Festival is at All Saints Church, Church Lane, Kings Langley (WD4 8JS) across the weekend. Saturday runs midday–11pm (children welcome until 6pm); Sunday is midday–7pm with kids welcome all day. Friday is adults only if you want a quieter opener.

Day tickets start from £13.50 and weekend tickets from £23, with a souvenir glass and first drink included on adult tickets. Expect local Hertfordshire beer and cider (Mad Squirrel, Tring and others), fizz from about £5, food stalls, live music — Groove Generation headline Saturday — and a kids’ zone pass for £3.50 (10 and under) covering bouncy castles, crafts and face painting. It’s the social pick: friends, couples, or a family afternoon that doesn’t feel like a dry “kids event.”

Celebrating Dorothea Bate Family Day — NHM Tring

Celebrating Dorothea Bate Family Day is at the Natural History Museum at Tring on Saturday 12 September 2026, 11am–3pm. It’s a free drop-in celebrating fossil hunter Dorothea Bate, with trails, story time, fossil digs and hands-on natural-history activities across the galleries and grounds.

Activities aren’t separately ticketed, but free Museum entry tickets are worth booking ahead so you don’t miss out. It’s fully wheelchair accessible, and a good fit if you want a calmer Saturday that still feels like an outing — especially with younger children, or if the weather turns.

Fun Lovin’ Criminals — Live with Strings

Fun Lovin’ Criminals — Live with Strings is at Watford Colosseum on Saturday 12 September 2026, with the show listed from 6.30pm. Official tickets are via Ticketmaster through the Colosseum; check current prices when you book, as they move with the sale.

This is the evening slot if you want a proper night out rather than another daytime plan. The “with strings” framing makes it feel like more than a standard pub gig — worth sorting early if you’re going with friends and want seats together.

Quick shortlist

• All About Dogs Show — Knebworth — Best for a full day out (with or without a dog).
• Kings Langley Beer & Fizz — Food, drink, music and a kids’ zone that actually works.
• Dorothea Bate Family Day — Tring — Free, hands-on, easy Saturday with children.
• Fun Lovin’ Criminals — Watford — Big evening out with a bit of theatre to it.

If you’re only picking one, decide what kind of weekend you actually want: busy and outdoors, social and local, gentle and free, or a proper night in Watford. Hertfordshire has all four on the same page this time.