The start of the Christmas season will be marked by the return of ‘Watford Town Centre Winterfest’, a completely free event on Saturday 23 November from 2:00pm – 6:00pm. Back for the second year running, Winterfest promises to be bigger and better than last year and will include funfair rides, Christmas activities, food & drink stalls, a high street parade, live stage performances and Santa Claus himself!
Winterfest will predominantly be taking place on The Parade, which will be filled with even more activities and entertainment than last year’s big event. The funfair rides will all be completely free to attendees, including a rodeo reindeer, giant snow globe, Christmas carousel, penguin skittles and a snowboard simulator that is being introduced this year!
This year, there will be a fantastic stage provided by Winterfest’s event sponsors, Just Smile, up on the event space by the pond hosting live entertainment including Watford Brass Band, Jigsaw Arts, Pump House Theatre and live music performances throughout the duration of the event. There will also be a special LED performance from DC² entertainment as the finale, following on from their stunning Trick or Treat show performances that they treated crowds to in October.
The traditional high street parade will begin at 4pm outside of McDonald’s on the lower high street. The festive parade will include a marching band, costume characters, community groups and Santa Claus himself riding his magical sleigh! The parade will move up Watford Town Centre until they reach the pond on The Parade.
As well as funding and organising Winterfest, Watford Town Centre BID have once again funded the town’s spectacular LED Christmas light installations for the sixth year running, with thanks to a contribution from Watford Borough Council. The festive LED twinkly lights provide a wonderful backdrop for all Watford Town Centre users, and they will complement Atria Watford’s beautiful displays.
The town’s festive installations will be switched on at around 4.30pm following the conclusion of the high street parade, and they will illuminate our town during every evening up until January 2025. All members of the parade and audience will count down from ten in preparation for the magical switch-on moment.
Kara Mesiano, BID Manager of Watford Town Centre, said: “We are so excited to host a bigger and better Winterfest event this year. We know how tough times are for many local families, which is why we wanted to host a spectacular event that is completely free to attend, with activities and rides that are completely free to enjoy.
Our BID businesses deserve enormous credit and support for funding another thrilling and dynamic event in our town for the benefit of residents and visitors. We encourage all attendees to enjoy a full day out in Watford Town Centre; do some Christmas shopping, enjoy a coffee, experience Winterfest, book a lovely evening meal and go for a celebratory drink afterwards!”
Watford Town Centre Winterfest is sponsored by Just Smile, a Hertfordshire-based event production, sound and lighting company that will help bring the Winterfest stage performances to life on Saturday 23 November.
To find out more about Watford Town Centre Winterfest and what’s on locally during the Christmas period, be sure to keep an eye on @WatfordTownCentre Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads and TikTok accounts, as well as visiting www.watfordtowncentre.com for full event details.
