Harpenden truly comes alive in event season. When the stalls go up on the High Street and the common fills with people and colour, this unassuming commuter town bursts with personality and character. If you’re planning days out in 2026, this is your ultimate guide to the best events in Harpenden. Mark the dates in your diary and, where necessary, make sure you secure your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Why visit these events in Harpenden
Harpenden’s events calendar is a mix of summer festivals, charity fundraisers, and boutique markets that reflect the town’s local spirit. Bookmark the official pages, sign up for local newsletters if you want early ticket access, and enjoy what Harpenden has to offer this year.
Harpenden Farmers’ Market
Date: Fourth Sunday of every month
Free, no tickets required
Once a month, Harpenden’s High Street comes alive with the smell of fresh bread, hot coffee, and street food. Wander between stalls piled high with seasonal produce, handmade pastries, and local cheeses. It’s relaxed, friendly, and a great way to enjoy the town. Come for artisan jams and honey, stay for the local cheese and vegetables, then drift off with a bag full of things you didn’t know you needed. If you want to see Harpenden at its most sociable, this is it.
Harpenden Summer Carnival
Date: June 2026 (date TBC)
Free, no tickets required
Arguably the highlight of the summer and a quintessentially English day out, Harpenden Summer Carnival is a free summer bash that draws families, visitors, and locals to Harpenden Common for an afternoon of music, fun, and community spirit. The town comes alive with performances from pop, rock, and indie acts on the music stage to circus magic and amazing acrobatics.
There’s a whole world of activities for both kids and adults including inflatables, archery, a climbing wall, bubble shows, and fairground rides. Food stalls serve everything from BBQ and Greek souvlaki to vegan treats and frozen cocktails, while outdoor bars keep the buzz going. Best of all, the carnival raises money for local charities and good causes, so you can feel good about having a great day out.
Festival on the Field
Date: Saturday 4 July 2026
Find out more and get your tickets here
Harpenden’s family-friendly Festival on the Field returns in July, held on the Sir John Lawes School playing fields. It’s a volunteer-run fundraiser for local schools with brilliant live music, exciting food stalls, fun family activities and a relaxed, community atmosphere. If you enjoyed previous editions, expect the same mix of local acts, food traders, and activities aimed at parents and kids alike.
This event has raised over £120,000 to date, so by attending you’re supporting local schools as well as enjoying a great day out. The 2026 date has been confirmed and tickets are available from the festival website, so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.
Classics on the Common
Date: July 2026 (date TBC)
Free, no tickets required, although donations are welcome
Classics on the Common is one of Britain’s biggest one-day classic car shows, where up to 1,000 lovingly restored cars, motorcycles and scooters from every decade of the 20th century sit in gleaming rows, drawing oohs and aahs from thousands of spectators. You’ll see everything from a 1904 Crestmobile to a 1996 Aston Martin DB7, with rare gems and quirky curiosities alike sparking conversation and admiration.
There’s no fixed entry charge for visitors, just a chance to soak up great machines, meet passionate owners and be part of a community celebration that raises tens of thousands of pounds for charity each year. Classics on the Common is a feast for the eyes, a treat for car lovers, and makes for the perfect summer day out.
Harpenden Lions Club Highland Gathering
Date: TBC
Tickets required
Harpenden Lions Highland Gathering is a day that turns Rothamsted Park into a lively celebration of Scottish culture, local spirit and good old fun for all ages. A lively summer event, you can watch pipe bands march, see Highland dancers whirl and athletes test their strength in traditional games like tossing the caber and haggis hurling. There’s music, arena displays, children’s races, archery and go karts, plus stalls, food, drink and plenty to keep families busy from morning until evening.
Tickets are required, but the event raises money for charities including Rennie Grove Hospice and Harpenden Lions’ Life Skills programme, so every laugh and cheer helps people within the local community. Whether you love the music, the spectacle of the games or the chance to soak up a summer atmosphere, the Highland Gathering is a classic Harpenden day out with a feel-good purpose.
Christmas Carnival and Lights Switch-On
Date: November 2026 (date TBC)
Free, no tickets required
Harpenden’s Christmas Carnival and lights switch-on is the town’s festive headline, usually staged in late November and combining street stalls, family entertainment, and a lights ceremony. From Santa’s Grotto and market stalls to food, outdoor bars and live entertainment, there’s plenty to enjoy before the big countdown.
The procession is always a show-stopper, setting off at 3pm from Lydekker Park and winding its way along the High Street, led by Pipes and Drums, with Santa and his elves close behind, joined by stilt walkers, entertainers, local youth groups and community favourites.
Two stages keep the atmosphere lively all afternoon, with everything from children’s theatre and dance to choirs, circus acts and the Harpenden Panto, before local favourites take to the Main Stage to get everyone in the festive spirit. It all builds towards the highlight of the day: the Christmas Lights Switch On at 5pm, when Harpenden comes together to welcome the season in the best possible way.
Top tips for attending events in Harpenden
Save money on your train travel: Advance rail tickets can save you money, and if you’re travelling with a group of 3-8 adults, you could save up to 34% on your train travel with GroupSave. If you’re travelling with kids, make the most of Thameslink’s Kids for £2 deal.
Buy tickets where required: Festival on the Field and the Highland Gathering require advance booking. The Farmers’ Markets and Classics on the Common are free, but donations are always appreciated.
How to get to Harpenden by train
The best way to visit Harpenden is by train with Thameslink. It takes only 25 minutes from London St Pancras International, and less than 10 minutes from Luton. Harpenden is well connected on the Thameslink network, making it the perfect day trip from anywhere in London and the Home Counties.
