Berkhamsted Festival of Light 2019

Berkhamsted Living Magazine Festival of Light Mrs Claus and her elves

Berkhamsted Town Council is pleased to announce that  Berkhamsted High Street will be preparing for Christmas in the month of November with many retailers hoping to win the coveted, Berkhamsted Citizens Association, Best Dressed Christmas Window Display. Judging will take place the week before the Festival of Light, which takes place on Sunday 24 November.

The festivities will start at 3.30pm when the High Street will be lined with a variety of festive fare, craft, mulled wine and, of course, mince pies from both charity and commercial stalls.

Entertainment includes a chance to hear from Gobstoppers Theatre Arts, Rock Chorus, Lockers Park School Choir and  more. Watch the Town Council website and notice boards for an update nearer the time.

Mrs Claus will be making sure that all the children entering her posting house at the Civic Centre can write, crayon or design a special message to Father Christmas from 3.30pm to 6pm. Entry to the Posting House is £2 .50 per child whilst adults go free, there is even a chance to have an elf biscuit and juice and meet Mrs Claus’ Chief Elf. All funds raised at the Posting House will go towards the nominated Westfield School PTA charity, which this year is Hector’s House, whose mission is ‘To help prevent suicide, by making it easier to recognise the symptoms which may lead to suicide, and to help people find the appropriate resources to improve their mental wellbeing’.

Father Christmas and his sleigh will arrive just after the lights switch on at 5.15pm and don’t forget the St Peter’s Candlelit Stillness at St. Peter’s church from 6pm.

Thanks go to Community Action Dacorum, The Berkhamsted Chamber of Commerce, Berkhamsted Citizens Association, Berkhamsted Rotary Club, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer for their support and contributions. In previous years London Midland have very generously provided free parking on the day and we are hoping they will agree the same for this year.

Timings For the Day: (approximate except start and finish times)

  • The Festival of Lights – 3.30pm to 6pm
  • Best Dressed Window Display – 5.00pm
  • Blessing from Father Tim Pilkington
  • Lights switch on – 5.15pm
  • Father Christmas arrives

If you miss out seeing Father Christmas at the Festival of Light then the Rotary will be taking him around the streets of Berkhamsted during December.

For information regarding stalls at the Festival of Light please contact Louise Cecil: louise@communityactiondacorum.org.uk.