
Christmas
Discover the magic of Christmas in Welwyn Garden City town centre.
Join us as we kick-start the festive season in Welwyn Garden City town centre with our Christmas Lights Event on Saturday 15th November from 12 noon - 6:00 pm.
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A fun filled festive day for the whole family to enjoy. ​
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Our Christmas Lights Event is funded by the businesses of Welwyn Garden City town centre in partnership with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. ​​
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A visit from
Father Christmas
Father Christmas will be taking some time out of his busy schedule to join us for our festive celebrations.
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Story time with Santa in The Howard Centre
1:00 pm and 3:30 pm.
Please note this is a free activity and no booking required.
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Father Christmas will be available for photos throughout the day.
Meet Blizzard the penguin
New for 2025!
Blizzard the 8ft Penguin will be waddling into Welwyn Garden City for our Christmas Lights Event!
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Saturday 15th November
Catch him between 4:30pm – 5:30pm
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Bring the family, snap a photo with Blizzard, and get into the festive spirit, it’s going to be magical!
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Fun for everyone
We have some fantastic activities and entertainment available throughout the day.
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Magical Fairies
Mrs Claus stilt walkers
Stilt walking Elf
Face painting*
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* face painting is suitable for children aged 3+. Face painting will be £2.50 per child. All monies raised will be put towards town centre events and campaigns.
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Make sure you bring your camera, as we have lots of wonderful festive photo opportunities for you. ​​​
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There will be something magical happening everywhere you look in Wonderful Welwyn Garden City town centre.
Christmas Trail
Discover the magic of Christmas with our business funded Christmas light installations.
Locate all 11 installations which include: ​
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The Christmas Bear
Wilfred The Christmas Dog
The Tunnel of Lights
and many more.
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Have your photo taken with one of our giant installations and upload it to social media using
#WGCXmasLights for your chance to WIN some incredible prizes.
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Snap It | Share it | Win


Festive Fun Fair
Returning for 2025 is our ever popular fun fair.
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This year the fair will feature rides for smaller children as well as the thrill seeker favourites.
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Friday 14/11/2025
4pm - 9:00pm
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Saturday 15/11/2025
12noon - 7:00pm
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Cash and card payments accepted for all rides.
Ride prices start from £3.00.
Food and drink
A range of delicious food and drink will be available. ​
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Dotty's Sweet Bus
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German Sausage
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Waffle Wands
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Festive refreshments
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Don't forget to check out some of the festive
hot beverages from our town centre cafes and coffee shops.


Food & Craft Market
A range local traders will be joining us for a festive market on Howardsgate
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A selection of food traders and craft stalls.
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For all the 2025 Christmas market days in Welwyn Garden City town centre
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​A full list of traders will be available soon.
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Entertainment & Performers
Coming soon.......
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Event FAQs
What time will the lights be switched on? ​
The business-funded Christmas lights trail will be illuminated all day for everyone to enjoy and take photos. At 6:00 pm the tree and the lights on Howardsgate will be lit to mark the start of the festive shopping season in Welwyn Garden City town centre.
Who will be doing the countdown to Christmas in Welwyn Garden City town centre?
TBC - We will update the page when we have confirmed this information.
Letters to Santa and Colouring competition
You can download the template from the top of this page or here.
You can also collect a copy from Kutchenhaus Welwyn Garden City, 64 Howardsgate.
Letters and coluring competition entries must be posted no later than the 17th December. Postal box inside Howden Insurance.
Is there event parking?
Paid parking is available in The Howard Centre, Hunters Bridge, Campus West, Sainsburys. There ae a number of disabled parking spaces located on Howardsgate.
How much is the face painting?
Face painting is for children aged 3+ and is £2.50 per child. All money raised from face painting is invested into town centre events and campaigns,
Face painting will be from 12 noon - 5pm, please note that the queue may close earlier to ensure that everyone who is in the queue is seen.
Will the town centre roads be closed?
YES!
For your safety, all access to the town centre will be closed from 12 noon on Friday 14th November and will remain closed until 23:00 on Saturday 15th November. Only authorised vehicles and emergency vehicle will be granted access to the town centre. A traffic management team will be in place to enforce road closures,
Will the taxi rank be moved?
YES! The taxi rank will be relocated to Wigmores North, opposite John Lewis. Additional signage will be around the town centre with directions and information.
Are there events toilets?
Public toilets are available in The Howard Centre, Sainsburys and a number of local businesses within the town centre.
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The Christmas Lights Event is funded by the businesses of Welwyn Garden City town centre with in partnership with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.