Events & Activities in Hemel Hempstead
This page gives information on events and activities in Hemel Hempstead and the surrounding area. If you would like to advertise on this website and the Facebook page, please do get in touch by using the email address opposite.
Wednesday 26th March – Board Games
Come and join in with some board games every other Wednesday night from 7pm, at Adeyfield Community Centre, The Queen’s Square, Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4EW. Feel free to bring your own game/s or just bring yourself and play other people’s. They generally have a wide variety of games available and people ready to teach. There are lighter games for new or casual players and more advanced, heavy cardboard for those who want to get their teeth stuck into something. They charge £2 per head to cover venue costs and you have to bring your own refreshments. Next 9th April.
Wednesday 26th March – Open Mic Night
Enjoy a variety of different acts or if you have a talent (or just want to try) for singing or playing an instrument then come down and take part. If interested in getting on the mic email [email protected] Doors open 7pm, music 7.30pm. Every fourth Wednesday of the month. At Boxmoor Social Club, 81 Horsecroft Road, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1PY.
Thursday 27th March – IT Champion
IT Champions offer one-to-one support, problem-solving, and online safety advice for users of the library computers and WiFi. Thursdays from 11am – 1pm, at Hemel Hempstead Library, The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DN.
Thursday 27th March – Karaoke
Join The Copper Bar, 4 Waterhouse Street, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1ET, every Thursday for Karaoke from 8.30pm. Until at least August.
Friday 28th March – Baby Group
Meet other families with young babies in a supportive, stimulating and friendly environment. During the 90 minute session there will be time for babies to play, discover more about their development and support your wellbeing as a new parent. £1.50 per family, pay on the day. Fridays from 9.30am – 11am, at St George’s URC, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2HX.
Friday 28th March – Life Drawing
Regular Life Drawing session at the stunning Boxmoor Trust Centre, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2RE. In the main building, upstairs to the right, from 10.30am – 1pm. Life model, friendly vibe, everyone welcome. Cost is £15, cash payment on the day. Please bring along your own materials, board and paper essential, any other materials are completely up to you. Easels very welcome. Last Friday of the month apart from December which is on the 19th.
Saturday 29th March – Gadebridge Parkrun
The event takes place at Gadebridge Park, Leighton Buzzard Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AQ. A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event, every Saturday from 9am. For further information click here
Saturday 29th March – ParkPlay
ParkPlay is for all abilities to play together and connect in a relaxed, safe and welcoming environment. Park Play is a two-hour long play session of fun and games for everyone. Sessions are run every Saturday from 10am, by local qualified sport coaches. At Yewtree Primary School, Fletcher Way, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5QR. To register click here
Tuesday 1st April – Physical Fun
A fun, 90 minute active session suitable for children aged 18 months plus. Come and meet other local families and enjoy lots of fun games and play opportunities to support your child with their physical development. Older siblings welcome. Chargeable drop in, £2.50 per family, pay on the day. Tuesdays from 9.30am – 11am, at Highfield Community Centre, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5SB.
Wednesday 2nd April – Alzheimer’s Society Coffee Morning
Join Alzheimer’s Society for a monthly coffee mornings on the first Wednesday of each month from 10am – 12 noon. Come and chat to the team at The Marlowes Shopping Centre, Hemel Hempstead (located opposite The Entertainer), for a catch-up, or talk about any queries or concerns.
Friday 4th April – Coffee Morning
Join this coffee morning on the first Friday of every month from 11am – 1pm Sometimes they host a quiz, sometimes a coffee morning, always guaranteed to leave feeling happy and full from tea and biscuits or coffee. For more information please contact Malcolm on 07942735952. At Chaulden Community Centre, Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2HX.
Saturday 5th April – Cafe and Craft
Come and explore St Barnabas church, Queen Square, Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4HY. Join in some crafting or just enjoy a cuppa with a chat. Saturday 5th April from 10am – 12 noon.
Saturday 5th April – Easter Fete
Easter fete with Easter Egg Hunt, Hook A Duck, Tin Alley, Raffle, Tombola, Bath and Body Items, Lucky Dip, Bouncy Castle, Hand Made Gifts, Pre Loved Clothing and more. Saturday 5th April from 1pm – 5pm. At Nash Mills Village Hall, Lower Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8RT.
Saturday 5th – Sunday 20th April – Easter Bunny Trail
The Easter bunnies will bounce into Hemel Town Centre, for you to find. Local Primary Schools and Community Groups have beautifully decorated 10 bunnies which are hiding in local town centre businesses, just waiting to be discovered. Grab your trail sheet from their Car Park Entrance. Track down all 10 bunnies in different shop windows, complete the trail and pop it in the post box at the Riverside Car Park entrance for a chance to win an incredible Easter hamper. Saturday 5th – Sunday 20th April.
Sunday 6th April – Hemel Old Town Market
This vibrant and popular market is held on the first Sunday of every month from 11am – 3pm. The market stalls will be located in St Marys Square, Under the Arches next to The Old Town Hall, in St Mary’s Church Hall and on the grassy area surrounding St Marys Church.
Dacorum Borough Council restrict the traffic on market day so the High Street is closed to traffic between 10am – 4pm. If you are a blue badge holder, please show this to the gate operatives and they will allow you access. Pedestrian access to the market is unrestricted. There are plenty of car parks within a 2 minute walk of the market grounds. The public toilets in the High Street and in St Mary’s Church Hall will be open on the day.
Monday 7th April – Easter Monday Fundays
Monday Fun Days are back for the Easter holidays, Monday 7th April and Monday 14th April from 1pm – 4pm, at The Red Lion, Nash Mills, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9TD.
Monday 7th – Thursday 17th April – Easter Holiday Club
Easter Holiday Club fun for ages 4-11 years. keep your little ones active and entertained this Easter, with this holiday club, packed with fun activities, games, and creative workshops in a safe and supportive environment. Monday 7th – Thursday 17th April, at Micklem Primary School, Boxted Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2QH.
Tuesday 8th April – Chess Night
Come join Fishery Wharf Cafe, Fishery Lock, Fishery Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1NA, for an evening of Chess, bring a board or just bring yourself and join in on a game, All levels of play are welcome. Drop in for Chess or other games from their cafe games cupboard every second Tuesday of the month from 6pm -10pm. The bar will be open for hot drinks and cakes, beers wine etc.
Sunday 13th April – Easter Eggstravaganza
Easter Eggstravaganza with Easter egg hunt, crafts, face painting, refreshments and more, Sunday 13th April from 11am – 3pm, at Blackbirds Moor, St John’s Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1NP.
Monday 14th April – Open Mic Night
Held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each Month from 7pm, this bi-weekly open mic night for musicians is held in the cosy indoor Snug room of Fishery Wharf Cafe, Fishery Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1NA. This open mic night is for music only, no backing tracks please. Bar and doors open 6pm. Until at least 21st July.
Tuesday 15th April – Easter Kids Craft
With your supervision, your child can explore a variety of mini craft stations, sparking their creativity in a hands-on, Spring-inspired experience. Though the majority of the crafts will be suitable for ages 5-10 they will have a specially designated Toddler Table, ensuring they can get stuck in too. Tuesday 15th April from 10am – 3pm. At St George’s United Reformed Church, 106 Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2HX. To book click here
Thursday 17th April – Brush Party
Join Brush Party, the UK’s ‘Paint and Sip’ experts, at Ye Olde Red Lion, London Road, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9TD on Thursday 10th April from 7pm – 10pm to paint their fabulous theme Stargazer. For further information and to book click here
Saturday 19th April – Family Fun Easter Party
Join Alternatives Hemel for this family fun Easter party on Saturday 19th April from 2pm – 3pm. With Easter egg hunt, fun and games, raffle, meet the Easter bunny and more. At Alternatives mother and baby Charity Shop, 160 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1BA.
Sunday 27th April – Gadespring Cressbeds: Open Day
Take a walk through this tranquil micro nature reserve, meet the volunteers who work hard to manage the site, learn about the history of the site as a working cressbed farm and take some time to observe the wildlife of the site in the bird hide. Free entry, though donations are appreciated. Sunday 27th April from 11am – 2pm. At Gadespring Cressbeds, Old Fishery Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2BN. Last Sunday of the month until the end of the year.
Thursday 1st May – French Wine Tasting
Join The Fishery Wharf Café, Fishery Road, Boxmoor, HP1 1NA, for their next wine tasting event. Partnered with the local and knowledgeable team at Rosewood Wine School to bring you an exclusive tasting of six carefully selected French wines. Relax and enjoy as you explore the key grape varieties, wine styles, and renowned wine regions of France, all paired with a selection of delicious cheese and nibbles. As an added bonus, you will have the opportunity to purchase the wines featured during the event at special trade prices. Thursday 1st May from 7.30pm – 10.30pm. To book click here
Sunday 11th May – Vegan Market
The Hemel Hempstead Vegan Market event takes over the Marlowes, just outside Primark and right in the centre of the town, on just one day each year. The event brings together live music alongside a huge variety of vegan street food vendors, artisan bakers, craft brewers, ethical jewellers, sustainable chandlers, local artists, zero-waste champions, environmental charities and loads more. Sunday 11th May from 10.30am – 4pm.
Saturday 17th May – Buffet and Ghost Hunt
Come and join a fantastic night of food and spooky fun, at Harvester Mallard, London Road, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9BQ. The building started it’s life as a posting house, according to census records dating back to 1851. These would be houses or, in this case an inn, where horses were kept that could be rented out. They would be used as post offices are today, to distribute the mail. Tickets for this event will include a buffet supper and the price of that is included in the price. All you pay for on the night are drinks behind the bar.
Some of the current staff experienced strange goings on within the building, the most frequent one being the hand dryer in the ladies toilets turning itself on late at night when the restaurant was being locked up. There was also a recording of someone, in the carpark, walking about and then disappearing, on the cctv footage. The last investigation proved the building to be very active with lots of emf meters going off, Ouija board work and seeing someone’s hair being tugged. Saturday 17th May from 8pm. To book click here
Saturday 24th – Monday 26th May – Boxmoor Canal Weekend
Boxmoor’s canal weekend is held from Saturday 24th – Monday 26th May. Fishery Wharf Café will play host to a weekend of live music alongside the colourful Herts Roving Canal Traders three-day floating boat market, situated between Fishery Lock and Old Fishery Lane Bridge. Come along to listen to the music, sample the delicious café food and freshly made to order pizza, enjoy a drink from their licensed bar and stroll along the canal, soaking up the colour’ atmosphere, as you peruse and purchase some beautiful gifts and handmade items. For further information click here
Sunday 8th June – Open Farm Sunday
Visit Gaddesden Home Farm, Bridens Camp, Hemel Hemstead, HP2 6EZ, as part of Open Farm Sunday 8th June from 10am – 1pm. The day will include, tractor and trailer rides, static machinery, a host of family-friendly activities, displays such as sheep shearing and large machinery demonstrations, food on sale from local producers and a chance to chat all things farming in 2025. To book click here
Saturday 14th June – Hemel Hempstead Campus: Open Day
There is no better way to get an insight into life at college than at this Spring Open Day. Join them at Hemel Hempstead Campus, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1HD, on Saturday 14th June from 9.30am – 12.30pm. This is your chance to tour and explore the campus and facilities, speak to the expert tutors and support staff and discover the course that matches your ambitions. To book click here
Sunday 15th June – Bubble Rush
Start and end in a sea of bubbles. The course is family friendly, so you can walk, run, dance, jog, or toddle through the foam, and it is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs too. Plus there is no time limit so you can go at your own pace, come and join in a bubble fiesta and enjoy the party atmosphere. A 5k fun run (two 2.5km loops so you can stop after one or have double the bubble fun), 8 colourful bubble stations, with entertainment and music. Sunday 15th June from 10am, to book click here
Saturday 21st June – Local Artisan Market
Discover local gems at this local Artisan Market. Alongside their stores there will be a selection of individually hand-picked local stallholders and small businesses, selling a range of Artisan products including candles, homeware, sweet treats and more. Saturday 21st June from 10am – 4pm, at Riverside Shopping Centre, Riverside, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1BT. Next Saturday 19th July, Saturday 16th August, Saturday 20th September and Saturday 20th December.
Sunday 6th July – Record Fair
Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting out, you have the chance to have a good look through thousands of vinyl records, CDs and cassettes from a wealth of dealers all under one roof. From reggae to heavy metal, soul to glam rock there will be something for everyone on display. Pick up that rarity that’s been eluding you for years or catch a bargain. Free entry. Sunday 6th July from 10am – 3pm. At The Hemel Hempstead School, Heath Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1TX. Next 6th July, 5th October and 14th December.
Sunday 6th July – Classic Car Show
Bovingdon classic car show and summer fair, plus food and drink, all day music, children’s entertainment, fairground rides and games, stalls and more. At Bovingdon Green, Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 0LB. Sunday 6th July from 12 noon – 6pm.
Friday 8th – Sunday 10th August – Hemel Fest
Hemel Fest is back in Gadebridge Park, Leighton Buzzard Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DN, for the biggest party in Hemel Hempstead on Friday 8th August – Dance Anthems. Saturday 9th August – Legendary Tributes and Covers. Sunday 10th August – All new Food Fest. There will, as always, be glorious street food on offer from locally based street food vendors. For further information and to book click here
Saturday 23rd August – Family Fun Day
In aid of The Childhood Tumour Trust, this family fun day is on Saturday 23rd August from 12 noon – 4pm, at The Red Lion, Nash Mills, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9TD.
Sunday 21st September – DENS Hillbuster
Gear up for one of the South East’s biggest cycling events, with your choice of a challenging 60k, 100k, 120k or NEW Elite 150k route. Your ride will take in areas of natural beauty over rolling Chiltern Hills and the stunning countryside. Ideal for club cyclists, teams and individuals, the ride includes chip timing, GPX files and well-signed routes on the day. Everyone is welcome to snacks at their feed stations, and a token to commemorate the day.
Every penny raised at the Hillbuster will help rebuild the lives of local individuals and families facing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion. Sunday 21st September At Gadebridge Park, Leighton Buzzard Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1DN. For further information and to book click here
Saturday 4th October – Oktoberfest
Experience a traditional Oktoberfest as Hemel Hempstead is being transformed for one weekend into a traditional Bavarian bash with their authentic Oktoberfest steins. Top up your stein and step inside the huge Bier tent and prepare to be entertained Bavarian style. From traditional folk to ‘Oompop’ expect foot stomping, dancing and hearty singing galore. Grab some traditional German grub from the outdoor food court as you raise your steins at Oktoberfest Hemel Hempstead. At Gadebridge Park, Leighton Buzzard Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DN. To book click here
Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th November – A Christmas Carol
The Old Town Hall’s resident company, the award-winning Dyad Productions, bring their magic to Dickens’ classic and perennially relevant ghost story. Taking inspiration from Dickens’ original performances of his own work and utilising the brilliant narrator of the novel to bring the story to life. At The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AE. Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th November from 8pm. To book click here
