Hertfordshire weekend plans for 3–4 October 2026

Early October in Hertfordshire leans hard into food, drink and markets: award-winning gin and jazz on George Street on Friday, Welwyn Garden City’s food and craft market on Saturday, Oktoberfest in the Farm Yard at Tewinbury that evening, and a big makers’ market at BEAM Hertford on Sunday. If you’re sorting mates, a couple’s night or a browse-and-buy day with family, these four are the ones worth planning around.

George Street Gin & Jazz — St Albans

George Street Gin & Jazz returns to St Albans city centre on Friday 2 October 2026, 6–10.30pm. It’s a free street festival — late-night shopping, gin tastings hosted by local businesses (some offering gins they’ve helped produce), food and drink, and live jazz from Chris Flegg, The Reverbs and The Swinging Blue Hawks. Shop lights and overhead festoons keep the street warm and social.

St Albans BID and George Street traders won Best Event at the National BID Awards 2026 for this night, so it’s the clear Friday kick-off if you want a proper night out with friends or a partner without buying a ticket. Check the St Albans BID / Shop St Albans listings closer to the day for any stage or tasting updates.

WGC Food & Craft Market — Welwyn Garden City

Welwyn Garden City Food & Craft Market is at Stonehills (AL8 6NA, outside the old Debenhams) on Saturday 3 October 2026, 10am–4pm — the first Saturday of the month slot. Expect local and guest traders with produce, gifts, crafts, plus hot and cold food stalls.

Free to wander, easy for families or a casual Saturday with friends before you commit to an evening plan. Pair it with a coffee in the town centre and you’re already having a proper day out.

Oktoberfest at the Farm Yard — Tewinbury

Oktoberfest at the Farm Yard is at Tewinbury Farm Hotel, Hertford Road, Welwyn, AL6 0JB on Saturday 3 October 2026 from 6pm. The Farm Yard turns Bavarian for the night: long tables, glowing lights, German-inspired food (bratwursts, pretzels and street-food stalls), beers flowing, Hosen Brass live, then DJs later. Tickets are £20 per person via Tewinbury — book ahead if you’re bringing a group.

This is the weekend’s big “mates night” pick: loud, social, and properly festive. Best for couples and friends rather than little kids.

Makers & Bakers Farmers & Craft Market — BEAM Hertford

Makers & Bakers Farmers & Craft Market is at BEAM Hertford (The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS) on Sunday 4 October 2026, 10am–3pm. Over 35 stalls across two floors plus outdoor pitches — local makers, bakers and small producers from Hertford and nearby. It’s listed as a free browse-and-buy market; BEAM has no on-site parking, so use St Andrew Street, Gascoyne Way or Hartham and walk in.

Sunday’s gentler social day if Saturday night was Oktoberfest — family-friendly, dog-friendly in spirit if you’re calm about town crowds, and a good excuse for a Hertford lunch afterwards.

Quick shortlist

• George Street Gin & Jazz — St Albans — Free Friday night festival (mates / couple)
• WGC Food & Craft Market — Free Saturday daytime browse (family / friends)
• Oktoberfest — Tewinbury Farm Yard — Ticketed Saturday night with brass, beer and food (£20)
• Makers & Bakers — BEAM Hertford — Sunday artisan market across two floors

If you’re only picking one, decide the vibe: free Friday jazz and gin, a daytime market, a proper Oktoberfest night, or a Sunday makers’ hall. Hertfordshire has all four across the same weekend.