Hertfordshire weekend plans for 31 October–1 November 2026

Half term ends with Halloween on Saturday and the first big fireworks night of the season on Sunday. The clocks have already gone back, so it's dark by late afternoon, which suits a fireworks evening. On Sunday 1 November you can choose between two ticketed shows a short drive apart: the Hertfordshire Firework Show at Brocket Hall near Welwyn, and Metropolitan Bushey's pyro-musical night with a funfair and street food. Saturday's daytime pick is Stevenage's free Spooktacular at the Indoor Market. On Sunday morning, St Albans Vegan Market fills St Peter's Street for one of only two dates this year. Whether you're out with mates, the kids or a partner, these are the four to build 31 October–1 November around.

Hertfordshire Firework Show — Brocket Hall, Lemsford

The Hertfordshire Firework Show returns to the Brocket Hall estate at Lemsford, near Welwyn Garden City, on Sunday 1 November 2026. Gates open at 4pm, last entry is 6.45pm and the fireworks start at 7pm, set to film soundtracks. The event closes around 8pm. Before the display there's a bubble show and a princess show with singing (roughly 5pm–6.45pm), a DJ and live music, character entertainment, face painting and food and drink trailers.

Earlybird general admission is listed at £18 adults and £10 juniors, under-2s free, and parking is included in the ticket. There's also a Members Fireworks Experience at £40 adult / £20 junior (ages 2–14), on sale until noon on Saturday 31 October. The organiser says the 2024 and 2025 shows both sold out, so book ahead on the Hertfordshire Firework Show 2026 Skiddle page. Don't use Brocket Hall's own fireworks page: it still shows the 2024 event. Welwyn Online's fireworks round-up has a good summary.

This is the weekend's headline pick for families: a big estate display, kids' entertainment before dark and no parking hassle. Wrap up, because it's open parkland and it gets cold once the sun goes down.

Watford Legends Fireworks Night — Metropolitan Bushey

Metropolitan Bushey (Aldenham Road, Bushey, WD23 2TR) runs its pyro-musical Fireworks Night on Sunday 1 November 2026, 3pm–8pm. This year's display is set to the music of Watford's own Elton John and George Michael. Around it there's a big funfair, bars and street food stalls (burgers, fish and chips, loaded hot dogs, pizza, Indian street food), a kids' magic show with Magic Kurtis at 4.30pm, and two sets from tribute act Spice Girls Forever at 5pm and 6.20pm. The fireworks go up at 6pm, an hour earlier than Brocket Hall, which helps with younger children.

Advance prices are on the Metropolitan Bushey Fireworks Night booking page. Early bird is £7.50 single or £25 for a group of four, pre-sale is £8.50 / £30, on the day it's £10 each, and under-2s go free. There's no parking on site, not even for Blue Badge holders, and you can't park on Aldenham Road. Walk, get a lift, or use Costco's car park, which allows 90 minutes free and closes at 7pm. Outside food and drink and dogs aren't allowed, and there's an accessible viewing area away from the main crowd.

This one suits groups of mates and families who want the funfair, a drink and a sing-along as well as the fireworks, and it's cheaper per head than Brocket Hall.

Spooktacular Market Event — Stevenage Indoor Market

On Halloween itself, Stevenage Borough Council is putting on a free Spooktacular Market Event at Stevenage Indoor Market (Boston House, Park Place, SG1 1AY) on Saturday 31 October 2026, 10am–3pm. There's free Halloween face painting from 11am, trick-or-treating around the traders' stalls, fancy dress, Halloween crafts and spooky games, plus the usual independent traders to browse.

It's free and you don't need to book. Details are on the Stevenage Borough Council October half term events page. One earlier council release gave the start as 11am, so if face painting is the main draw, 11am is the time to aim for. Use the town centre car parks.

It's a low-cost Halloween daytime for families with younger children, and it leaves the evening free for trick-or-treating at home. To make a day of it, Church Farm Ardeley's Spookfest (pick-your-own pumpkins) is a short drive out past Walkern and also runs until 31 October.

St Albans Vegan Market — St Peter's Street

Vegan Market Co's St Albans Vegan Market takes over St Peter's Street (AL1 3DH) on Sunday 1 November 2026, 10.30am–4pm. It's only on two days a year, and the next one isn't until April 2027. Expect up to 30 stalls: vegan street food, artisan bakers, ethical jewellery, local artists and environmental charities. Entry is free, the market is fully accessible, well-behaved dogs are welcome, and there are lots of gluten-free options.

Dates and stall details are on the Vegan Market Co St Albans page, and you can register interest (free) on the St Albans Vegan Market Eventbrite listing.

It's a good relaxed Sunday lunch with a partner or friends, whether or not you're vegan. It also works as an afternoon warm-up before heading on to the fireworks at Brocket Hall or Bushey.

Quick shortlist

• Hertfordshire Firework Show, Brocket Hall: Sun 1 Nov, gates 4pm, fireworks 7pm. Earlybird £18 adult / £10 junior, parking included. Best for families.
• Watford Legends Fireworks Night, Metropolitan Bushey: Sun 1 Nov, 3–8pm, fireworks 6pm. Early bird £7.50 single / £25 for four, with a funfair and street food, but no on-site parking. Best for mates and families.
• Spooktacular Market Event, Stevenage Indoor Market: Sat 31 Oct, 10am–3pm, free, face painting from 11am. Best for families with little ones.
• St Albans Vegan Market, St Peter's Street: Sun 1 Nov, 10.30am–4pm, free, up to 30 stalls. Best for couples and friends.

Also worth a look:

• Watford's free Trick or Treat Show on The Parade: Sat 31 Oct, street show 5–6pm, with a free haunted house on Pondside from 3–7pm.
• Hertfordshire Zoo's Pumpkin Valley: included with a zoo day ticket, final day Sun 1 Nov.
• The free Parsonage Lane Fireworks in Bishop's Stortford: Sun 1 Nov, gates 5.30pm, fire show 6pm, fireworks 6.30pm, with a suggested £15 donation for a family of four.
• The Makers & Bakers market at BEAM Hertford: Sun 1 Nov, 10am–3pm.

Coming up: Bonfire Night falls on a Thursday this year, so most big displays are on Saturday 7 November. That includes Hertfordshire's largest free show at Cassiobury Park, Watford (from 6pm, fireworks 7.30pm), plus displays in St Albans, Berkhamsted and Tring.

If you're only picking one: for a family fireworks night with easy parking, go to Brocket Hall. For a cheaper night with a funfair and a drink, go to Bushey. For a free Halloween morning, go to Stevenage, and for a slow Sunday browse, go to St Albans.