Hertfordshire weekend plans for 17–18 October 2026

Mid-October in Hertfordshire is Oktoberfest-and-pumpkins season. The big Bavarian tent lands on Hartham Common in Hertford, the farm pumpkin festivals hit their first proper scarecrow-and-tractor weekend, Ware fills its Drill Hall with 40-odd makers, and Old Hatfield's farmers' market takes over Salisbury Square on Sunday. Whether you're rounding up mates, planning a family day or after a slower Sunday with a partner, these are the four worth building 17–18 October around.

Hertfordshire Oktoberfest — Hartham Common, Hertford

Hertfordshire Oktoberfest returns to Hartham Common, Hertford (SG13 7AH) on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October 2026. Saturday has two sessions: an afternoon session, 11am–4pm (billed as Oktoberfest brunch and Oompah), and an evening session, 5–10.30pm. There's also a Friday evening session from 5pm if you want to start the weekend early.

Expect live Oompah bands, singalongs and karaoke-dancing, Oktoberfest games, axe throwing and a DJ, plus German-style beer, craft beer and cider, a full bar, and a swinging grill doing bratwurst and currywurst alongside a food court of local vendors. General admission gets you in with unreserved seating; listings showed early-bird tickets at £18 and second release at £26. VIP tables are booked in groups of 10 (listed at £47 a head early bird) and include a reserved table, one food and one drink token each, and table service.

It's strictly 18+ with Challenge 25 ID checks, bag checks and body scanning on entry, and the organiser states a strict no-refund policy, so pick your session carefully. Book on the Hertfordshire Oktoberfest Saturday afternoon session on Eventbrite or the Saturday evening session on Eventbrite; event info is on the official Hertfordshire Oktoberfest site.

This is the weekend's headline mates-and-partners plan: loud, social and properly festive. Grab a group of ten for a VIP table if you're celebrating something.

Pumpkin Festival weekend — Willows Activity Farm, London Colney (or Aldenham Spook-Fest)

Willows Activity Farm's Pumpkin Festival runs Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026 in London Colney (it also ran 10–11 October and returns daily 23–31 October). The farm says it has more than 15,000 pumpkins ready, and children choose their own as part of a full day out. The all-inclusive day ticket covers the Pumpkin Hunt, the Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground, live shows, character meet and greets, tractor rides, funfair rides, adventure play, adventure golf and the farmyard animals.

Day tickets for adults (16+) and children 90cm and over range from £14.95 to £24.95 depending on the date, plus a £0.75 booking fee; under-90cm children go free (booking fee still applies). Adults have to visit with children. Book ahead via the Willows Activity Farm day tickets page; festival details are on the Willows Pumpkin Festival page.

Prefer something cheaper and gentler? Aldenham Country Park's Spook-Fest (Aldenham Road, Elstree, WD6 3BA) is "spooky rather than terrifying", and 17–18 October is the first weekend of its scarecrow shows and Horrid Hay tractor ride (from £3.50). The farm pass starts at £7.95, pumpkin picking with access to the carving marquee is from £4.95, and weekend parking is £5.50 at the barrier. Book on the Aldenham Country Park Spook-Fest page.

Either way, this is the family outdoor-day pick of the weekend: wellies, a wheelbarrow of pumpkins and tired kids by teatime.

Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Makers Market — Ware Drill Hall

Folk & Bespoke's Artisan Craft Makers Market is at Ware Drill Hall (17 Amwell End, Ware, SG12 9HP) on Saturday 17 October 2026, 10am–3pm. Entry is free, and more than 40 stalls are listed, all hand-curated local makers selling handmade gifts, so it's a good chance to meet the people behind the products and get an early start on Christmas presents. Details are on the Stall & Craft Collective listing for the Ware market, and the organiser is Folk & Bespoke.

Ware sits right next to Hertford, so this pairs neatly with the Oktoberfest evening session: browse and lunch in Ware, then head over to Hartham Common for 5pm. It's an easy couple's Saturday or a relaxed morning with a friend.

Old Hatfield Farmers Market — Salisbury Square

Old Hatfield Farmers Market sets up in Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield, on Sunday 18 October 2026, 10am–2pm. It's free, and dogs on leads are welcome. Expect butchers, fresh fruit and veg, honey, chutneys, olives, cheese, bread, cakes and crafts. It's run with The Hertfordshire Barrow Boy, a fourth-generation market family who also run Potters Bar's farmers and craft market. Details are on the Hatfield Park listing for the Old Hatfield Farmers Market.

Park in the multi-storey across the Great North Road, or for free at the Hatfield Park visitors' car park via George's Gate (AL9 5HX). If you're coming by train, the main pedestrian entrance to Hatfield Park is directly opposite Hatfield station. It's the slow Sunday after a big Saturday: stock up for Sunday lunch, wander Old Hatfield, and suits families, couples and dog walkers alike.

Quick shortlist

• Hertfordshire Oktoberfest, Hartham Common: Sat 17 Oct, 11am–4pm or 5–10.30pm (Fri 16 evening too), tickets listed from £18, 18+. Book on Eventbrite (mates / partner)
• Willows Pumpkin Festival, London Colney: Sat–Sun 17–18 Oct, all-inclusive day tickets £14.95–£24.95, or the cheaper Aldenham Spook-Fest from £7.95 (families)
• Folk & Bespoke Makers Market, Ware Drill Hall: Sat 17 Oct, 10am–3pm, free, 40+ makers (couples / friends)
• Old Hatfield Farmers Market: Sun 18 Oct, 10am–2pm, free, dog-friendly (family / couple)

Also worth a look: the WGC Food & Craft Market at Stonehills, Welwyn Garden City (Sat 17 Oct, 10am–4pm); Street Food Saturday with Safar's Persian cooking at The Piggeries in Tring (Sat 17 Oct, 4–7pm), with Blues Bar Tring's live music from Michael S Day there on Sunday afternoon (2.30–4pm).

Coming up: October half term (26–30 October) is peak pumpkin season, with Willows open daily 23–31 October and Aldenham's Spook-Fest running every day to 31 October.

If you're only picking one, decide the vibe: a proper Oktoberfest session in Hertford, a pumpkin day with the kids, a makers' morning in Ware, or a slow Sunday market in Old Hatfield. Hertfordshire has all four on the same weekend.