Watford Town Centre Winterfest and Christmas lights switch-on returns on Saturday 15 November

Watford bid xmas lights

Christmas is coming to Watford Town Centre!

The commencement of the festive season will be marked by the return of ‘Winterfest’, a completely free event on Saturday 15 November from 2:00pm – 6:00pm.  Winterfest will include Christmas celebrations, funfair rides, food & drink stalls, a high street parade, live stage performances and Santa Claus himself.

Winterfest largely takes place on The Parade, which will be filled with activities suited for all ages, a community feel and a fun Christmas vibe.  The funfair rides will all be completely free to attendees including a rodeo reindeer, giant snow globe, Christmas carousel, pudding shy, penguin skittles and much more.  As well as a Christmas-themed Watford market, the event will also include live on-stage entertainment by the pond.

One of the main features of the day will be the Winterfest parade, which 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 has once again funded the town’s spectacular LED Christmas light installations for the seventh 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 Harlequin Watford’s beautiful displays.  The town’s festive installations will light up Winterfest at roughly 4.30pm following the conclusion of the high street parade and they will illuminate our town every evening up until January 2026.

Kara Mesiano, BID Manager of Watford Town Centre, said: “We are delighted to once again be delivering a festive event to mark the beginning of the Christmas celebrations in Watford Town Centre.  We are delighted to host a spectacular event that is completely free to attend, with activities and rides that are free for attendees to enjoy.

 

Huge credit must go to our BID businesses for funding another thrilling and vibrant 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 flavoured coffee, experience Winterfest, book a lovely evening meal and go for a celebratory drink afterwards!”

Following on from Winterfest, Watford Market will keep you warm with cosy street food and drink, as Christmas Market Lates returns from 6–10pm, with thanks to Watford Borough Council for organising

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 regular updates.

Published: 9th October 2025

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