Christmas
Discover the magic of Christmas in Welwyn Garden City town centre.
Welwyn Garden City Christmas Lights Event 2026
Join us in Welwyn Garden City town centre on Saturday 21st November 2026, from 12 noon to 6pm, as we kick-start the festive season with our much-loved Christmas Lights Event!
Get ready for a magical day of festive entertainment, live performances, family-friendly activities and Christmas fun as we transform the town centre into a festive destination for visitors of all ages. With more festive fun and exciting entertainment planned for 2026, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring family and friends together and celebrate the start of Christmas in Welwyn Garden City.
Organised by Welwyn Garden City BID (Wonderful WGC), the Christmas Lights Event is funded by Welwyn Garden City town centre businesses through their BID levy, helping to create a vibrant town centre, attract visitors and support local businesses.
The 2026 event has also received additional funding from our headline sponsors, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, and event sponsors, Newmedica.
Event details:
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Date: Saturday 21st November 2026
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Time: 12 noon – 6pm
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Location: Welwyn Garden City town centre
Make plans to visit Welwyn Garden City for a fantastic festive day out and celebrate the start of the Christmas season at our 2026 Christmas Lights Event!
A visit from
Father Christmas
Father Christmas will be taking some time out of his busy schedule to join us for our festive celebrations.
Story time with Santa in
The Howard Centre
12:30 pm 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm
Please note this is a free activity and no booking required.
Father Christmas will be available for photos throughout the day.
Meet Blizzard the penguin
Blizzard the 8ft Penguin will be waddling into Welwyn Garden City for our Christmas Lights Event!
Saturday 15th November
Catch him between 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Bring the family, snap a photo with Blizzard, and get into the festive spirit, it’s going to be magical!
Fun for everyone
We have some fantastic activities and entertainment available throughout the day.
Magical Fairies
Mrs Claus stilt walkers
Stilt walking Elf
Face painting* 12 noon - 5:00 pm
* 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.
Make sure you bring your camera, as we have lots of wonderful festive photo opportunities for you.
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:
The Christmas Bear
Wilfred The Christmas Dog
The Tunnel of Lights
and many more.
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.
Snap It | Share it | Win
Festive Fun Fair
Returning for 2025 is our ever popular fun fair.
This year the fair will feature rides for smaller children as well as the thrill seeker favourites.
Friday 20/11/26
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday 21/11/26
12 noon - 7:00 pm
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
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
A selection of food traders and craft stalls.
For all the 2026 Christmas market days in Welwyn Garden City town centre
A full list of traders will be available soon.
Entertainment & Performers
Waterside Academy
DH Dance Academy
Stagecoach - Welwyn & Hatfield
KT's Dance Academy
Warriorz
Headline Acts
Stay tuned for more information.
Event FAQs
What time will the lights be switched on?
The Christmas Lights Trail and tree will be illuminated at 6:00pm.
Who will be doing the countdown to Christmas in Welwyn Garden City town centre?
To be confirmed.
Letters to Santa and Colouring competition
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 06:00 on Friday 20th November and will remain closed until 23:00 on Saturday 21st 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 on Howardsgate will be closed.
The temporary taxi rank will be situated at the top of Howardsgate outside of Postino Lounge.
Are there events toilets?
Public toilets are available in The Howard Centre, Sainsburys and a number of local businesses within the town centre.
The Christmas Lights Event is funded by the businesses of Welwyn Garden City town centre and organised by the Welwyn Garden City BID team.
This year's headline sponsors are Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
and event sponsors NewMedica.