Hertfordshire weekend plans for 7–8 November 2026

Bonfire Night falls on a Thursday this year, so Hertfordshire saves its big displays for Saturday 7 November. That makes this the main fireworks weekend of the year. The headline is free: Watford Borough Council's display at Cassiobury Park, the county's largest free show. A few miles away, St Albans Cathedral runs its ticketed Fireworks Spectacular in Verulamium Park, with a food village. In daylight, Christmas shopping starts early at Southern Maltings in Ware, where the Christmas Winterfest Market fills two floors on both days. On Sunday, St Albans' Second Sunday market has a Diwali theme, on the day of the festival itself. Whether you're out with mates, the kids or a partner, these are the four to build 7–8 November around.

Cassiobury Park Fireworks — Watford

Watford Borough Council's Cassiobury Park Fireworks return on Saturday 7 November 2026, and the council bills them as Hertfordshire's largest free fireworks display. Things get going at 6pm: Vibe 107.6FM and local band The Nevers warm up the crowd, and the fireworks start at 7.30pm. Around the park you'll find food and drink stalls, children's funfair rides, bungee trampolines and a bouncy slide. Bring cash, because the council advises it for the stalls on the night. Watford Lions Club volunteers collect donations for local charities: cash or contactless on the night, or online by QR code.

It's free and you don't need a ticket. Full details are in Watford Borough Council's Cassiobury Park fireworks announcement. Parking is the catch. Gade Avenue car park closes to general parking from 3pm, with only a few Blue Badge spaces on a first-come basis, and parking restrictions apply on the roads around the park from 7am to 11pm. Use the town centre car parks or come by train or bus. Watford Met station is a short walk from the park.

This is the weekend's headline pick for families and big groups of mates: a proper fireworks night that won't cost a penny unless you're on the funfair or the food. It's busy, so agree a meeting point before the display.

St Albans Fireworks Spectacular — Verulamium Park

St Albans Cathedral runs the St Albans Fireworks Spectacular in Verulamium Park on Saturday 7 November 2026. Gates and the Food Village open at 6pm, the fireworks start at 7.30pm and it's all over by about 8.15pm. Every ticket helps fund Isabel Hospice and the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline.

The early bird has ended. Online tickets are now £12.50 adults, £7.50 children (4–16) and £35 for a family of two adults and two children. Under-4s go free. On the gate it's £15 / £10 / £40, so booking online saves a family £5. Book on the St Albans Cathedral Fireworks Spectacular page. The accessible viewing area is through Gate 1 only. The Verulamium surface car park (St Michael's Street, AL3 4SW) has only about 150 spaces, so arriving by train at St Albans Abbey or City station, or walking in through the park, is easier.

It's a good pick for couples and friends who want food and a drink with the fireworks, and for families who'd like a shorter, well-organised evening with a clear finish time. To make a day of it, go to the Christmas Artisan Fair in St Albans Cathedral's nave beforehand (11am–3pm, 70+ stalls, adults £2.50, under-16s free).

Christmas Winterfest Market — Southern Maltings, Ware

Southern Maltings (Kibes Lane, Ware, SG12 7BS) holds its Christmas Winterfest Market on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026, 10am–3pm both days. It's the arts centre's biggest market of the year: 45+ stalls across two floors and the Malt Garden. Stalls include Hertford Sauce Co, Four Acres Estate sparkling wine from Little Hadham, local honey and beeswax candles, ceramics, prints of Ware and Hertford, jewellery, wreaths and Christmas decorations, kids' knits and toys. The SMart Café sells mulled wine and mince pies, and there's a public piano on each floor for anyone to play.

Entry is free and there are no tickets. Southern Maltings is a volunteer-run charity, so donations are welcome. The stallholder list is on the Southern Maltings Christmas Winterfest Market page. Ware station and the town centre car parks are a few minutes' walk away.

This is the relaxed daytime pick for couples and friends who want to get ahead on Christmas presents from local makers, with a mulled wine in hand. If you're doing the fireworks on Saturday night, Sunday is the easier day to go.

St Albans Diwali Market — St Peter's Street

St Albans Market turns its monthly Second Sunday+ Collective Art market into a Diwali-themed market on Sunday 8 November 2026, the day of Diwali itself. Stalls run along St Peter's Street and the Market Place. The council's market calendar lists 9am–4pm. Expect the usual Second Sunday mix of local food and drink, sustainable arts and crafts and independent makers. Alongside them are Diwali traders selling food, gifts, fashion, jewellery, homeware and artwork that celebrate the Festival of Lights.

It's free to browse. Dates and times are on the St Albans City and District Council markets page, and there's more about the celebration on Enjoy St Albans' Diwali market listing. Drovers Way multi-storey is £2.50 all day on Sundays. It's also Remembrance Sunday, so expect the city centre to be quieter around the 11am silence.

This one is a colourful Sunday wander and lunch for families, couples and friends, and a good chance to try Diwali street food and sweets. It also pairs well with a Saturday night at the Verulamium fireworks if you want a St Albans weekend.

Quick shortlist

• Cassiobury Park Fireworks, Watford: Sat 7 Nov, from 6pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Free, with a funfair and food stalls (bring cash). Gade Avenue car park closes at 3pm. Best for families and big groups.
• St Albans Fireworks Spectacular, Verulamium Park: Sat 7 Nov, gates 6pm, fireworks 7.30pm, ends 8.15pm. £12.50 adult / £7.50 child / £35 family online, more on the gate. Best for couples, friends and families.
• Christmas Winterfest Market, Southern Maltings, Ware: Sat 7 and Sun 8 Nov, 10am–3pm. Free, 45+ local makers, mulled wine. Best for couples and friends.
• St Albans Diwali Market, St Peter's Street: Sun 8 Nov, 9am–4pm, free. Best for families and friends.

Also worth a look:

• Berkhamsted Fireworks at Berkhamsted Cricket Club: Sat 7 Nov, gates 5.30pm, display 7pm. Advance tickets £12 adult / £8 child / £30 family, plus a booking fee.
• Willows Activity Farm Low Bang Fireworks, London Colney: Fri 6 and Sat 7 Nov, gates 6pm, display 7.30pm, £14.95. It's quieter than a normal display but not silent, so it suits younger children.
• Baldock Community Fireworks at Hartsfield School: Sat 7 Nov, gates 4pm, fireworks about 6.45pm, with live music, stalls and fairground rides.
• Christmas Artisan Fair at St Albans Cathedral: Sat 7 Nov, 11am–3pm. The free art exhibition in the North Transept runs until Mon 9 Nov.

Already sold out: Hitchin's Strathmore Fireworks, which turns 25 this year.

Coming up: Mill Green Museum's Christmas Craft Fair is on Sun 15 Nov. The Knebworth Christmas Fair runs 27–29 Nov.

If you're only picking one: for a free fireworks night, go to Cassiobury Park. For food, a drink and a tidy finish time, go to Verulamium. For early Christmas gifts, go to Southern Maltings, and for a bright Sunday wander, go to St Albans' Diwali market.