harpenden NOW May 26 by wendy robertson

harpenden

May 2026

NOW

promoting local businesses, events and much more since 2006

Welcome to May

With the better weather here there’s loads of local events to keep you busy and get you outside enjoying the sunshine. It’s also the start of the festival season with the Herts Book Festival, Alban Day Festival, Foodies Festival, Sausage & Cider Festival, Festival of Flight and the Roman Theatre Festival.

To make sure you don’t miss out, the magazines are available to read online every month, and as always there’s lots of local businesses to help you with whatever you need doing. Run your own business? We‘d love to include you too, just book your space online today.

Jane & Wendy @theNOWmagazines

Advertise in the June editions of the NOW magazines

Deadline 6th May Book online today theNOWmagazines.com wendy@theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588313

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Harpenden Salvation Army Hall AL5 2TG Wednesdays 10.45am - 12.15pm

Wheathampstead Mead Hall AL4 8BP (free parking) Mondays 1.30pm - 3pm

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Providing help to those that need it in and around the home, from simple tasks to assisting with outings, companionship and offering respite to carers who may simply need a break.

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Out & About

Willows Activity Farm

Tulleys Tulip Fields until 31st May

Set in the fields next to Willows, with vibrant seas of colour, Dutch-inspired street food and more.

Dino Venture Bank Holiday Fun 2nd - 4th May

Enjoy a Dino Hunt, fossil finding in the giant sandpit, Jurassic arts & crafts, see Tank, Raptor and Rex in their own shows and more.

Dragon & Princess Adventure 23rd - 31st May

Meet a fire-breathing dragon in The Arena, see The Tower Princess in in The Indoor Theatre, enjoy arts & crafts. dressing up and more.

St Albans AL4 0PF willowsactivityfarm.com

Hangar Nights: Aircraft Access

until 19th June please book, from £100

Explore the Museum after hours. Adults only RAF Museum London NW9 5LL rafmuseum.org.uk

St Albans Museum + Gallery

Exhibition: Draw with Rob until 20th Sept Free

See the work of this best-selling author and illustrator.

Shop Small Pop Up Creative Market

9th May 10am - 4pm free

Locally made jewellery, gifts, candles, games, treats, clothes, cards, prints and much more.

Curator Talk: Horticultural History of St Albans 12th May 7pm in-person £10 / Zoom £6

A deep dive into the hidden gems from the archive.

English Civil War Battle Games

17th May 10.30am - 3.30pm Age 7+

Come and roll some dice and find out more about St Albans in the English Civil War.

Colourful Clay Charm

26th May 10.15am & 11.30am £8.50

Make a colourful polymer clay model inspired by flowers, fruit and vegetables.

Young Gardeners 27th May 10.15am & 11.30am

Make seed bombs and a bug hotel to create colour and encourage biodiversity. £6.50 ages 5 - 11

Printing Workshop for Families

28th May 10.15am & 11.30am £6.50 age 7+

Work out your design, draw it onto a polystyrene tile, then start printing.

St Peter’s Street stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Barn Theatre

The Late Edwina Black 24th April - 2nd May 8pm

This ingeniously plotted mystery will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. Poetry at the Barn 15th May 8pm

Enjoy a short set from 3 featured poets.

Cabin Pressure

26th - 30th May 8pm & 30th May 2.30pm

Buckle in for the flight of your life!

Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST barntheatre.co.uk

Abbey Theatre

George Orwell’s 1984

24th April - 2nd May 8pm & 26th April 2.30pm £15, £13

The Taming of the Shrew 15th - 23rd May

Shakespeare’s battle of sexes with a bold new spin. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

20th - 22nd May 7.30pm & 23rd May 2.30pm & 7pm

The Girl on the Train 12th & 13th & 17th - 20th June 8pm & 14th June 2.30pm £15

Gripping psychological thriller where memory is unreliable, obsession is relentless and truth lurks just out of reach.

St Albans AL1 2DL abbeytheatre.org.uk

The Alban Arena

The Spongebob Musical 29th April - 3rd May

Bikini Bottom comes to life in this bold, bright, buoyant musical adventure.

An Evening with Sir Bradley Wiggins 4th May 7.30pm

Join the Tour De France and Olympic winning Medallist as he discusses his career, what brought him to cycling, his new book and everything in-between!

Danny Baker: Aye Aye! Ahoy Hoy! 6th May 7.30pm

The unstoppable talking panjandrum is back, celebrating 50 years afloat on the showbiz seas!

Country Hits Live 8th May 7.30pm

Transporting you to the heart of downtown Nashville. Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra 9th May 7.30pm

Jools continues to dazzle and impress audiences.

David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time 12th May 7.30pm

Join David as he uncovers the story of four firearms that changed the world and the lives of our ancestors.

Dr Louise Newson: Breaking The Cycle, The Power of Hormones 13th May 7.30pm

Unpacking the history and science of hormones. Fastlove 14th May 7.30pm

The world’s favourite George Michael tribute. Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs Live! 16th May 3.30pm

For the first time since 1881, the home of dinosaurs is going on tour!

The Sooty Show 17th May 2.30pm

Spectacular mix of magic, music, mess and giggles.

Elvis Years: The Story of The King 20th May 7.30pm

Copacabana Magic: The Barry Manilow Tribute 21st May 7.30pm

The story of one of the greatest showmen of all time. Killer Couples with Emma Kenny 22nd May 7.30pm

Exploration of romance gone horrifically awry.

Rude Science 29th May 11.30am & 3pm

The naughtiest, funniest, most revolting science show.

K-POP ALL STARS 30th May 3pm

Celebration of the music, the artists, and the culture taking over the world.

Murder Trial Tonight 4: Death of a Landlord 31st May 2.30pm

A trial where you’re the jury, you hear the case and deliver your verdict!

What’s Love Got To Do With It? 7th June 7.30pm

Celebrating the music of the one and only Tina Turner. Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf 19th June 7.30pm St Albans AL1 3LD everyonetheatres.com

Out & About

Kimpton May Festival 1st - 3rd May

With a comedy night, wine tasting, Kimpton Entertains, a music night and more. ticketsource.com/kimpton-may-festival

Hatfield House & Park

Tudor Women 1st May 6pm £50

Exploring some remarkable women, each one connected to Hatfield Park or the Cecil family. Live Music at The Coach House Kitchen 1st May 6.30pm - 9pm £10

Enjoy romantic jazz from the 30s to the 50s.

Slam Dunk Festival 23rd May 9am

The UK’s biggest independent Rock Festival.

Hatfield AL9 5HX hatfield-house.co.uk

Waddesdon

The Tree Listening Project 1st - 31st May Using advanced acoustic technology hear the natural sounds of trees amplified, and discover what happens behind the bark. Included with grounds admission Art in Nature 23rd - 31st May Workshops, master classes and talks, art trails with artwork from leading artists. Included with grounds admission, please book Bucks HP18 0JH waddesdon.org.uk

Eric Morecambe Centre

The West End Tenors 1st May 7.30pm

A Tribute to The Carpenters 2nd May 7.30pm

The Sound of Springsteen 7th May 7.30PM Lindisfarne 24th May 7.30pm

Long-time members along with founder Rod Clements. Fun For Little Ones Live 26th May 11am Fun, interactive show with audience participation.

An Evening with Harry Redknapp 28th May 7.30pm Jack J Hutchinson Acoustic 29th May 7.30pm

The George Harrison Project 30th May 7.30pm Celebration of Harrison’s music.

Flowers & Friendship Bracelets 13th June 6pm

An explosion of music, dance and excitement.

Mississippi MacDonald: Acoustic Night 26th June 7.30pm Songs direct from the classic southern soul-blues songbook. Harpenden AL5 2FR everyonetheatres.com

Whipsnade Zoo

Big Birthday Bash 2nd - 4th May To celebrate 200 years of ZSL enjoy a street-party filled with fun, food and nostalgia with games, crafts and a gigantic picnic. Biggest Ever Paint-by-Numbers 23rd - 31st May

Help build a huge collaborative artwork aiming for the highest number of contributions to a paint-bynumbers for a Guinness World Records® Dunstable LU6 2LF whipsnadezoo.org

The Old Town Hall

Simon Evans is Staring at the Sun 2nd May - 12th June 8pm £18, 14+

This highly acclaimed stand-up comedian is squinting at an uncertain future, and revisiting the blue remembered hills of his youth.

Patrick Monahan: The Good, The Pat & The Ugly 6th May 8pm New stand-up show covering topics from life, love and mishaps. £18, 16+

The Chas & Dave Tribute: Rabbit Rabbit 16th May 8pm Sing along to the feel-good songs the boys recorded over three decades. £26

Alex McAleer: Mind Reader 22nd May 8pm

Blending razor-sharp humour with jaw-dropping feats of psychological trickery, leaving you amazed, laughing and questioning reality. £17 12+

Sir Charlie Stinky Socks & the Really Big Adventure 25th & 26th May 11am & 2pm from £10

Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE oldtownhall.co.uk

Stockwood Discovery Centre

Exhibition: Luton Made: Vauxhall 2nd May - 28th June 11am - 5pm (closed Mons & Tues in term time) free From the factory floor to the design studio, telling the story of Vauxhall Motors through the voices of those who lived it.

Hickory Dickory Dock 28th May 11.30am & 2pm

A merry slapstick show with glove puppets, dozy delivery drivers and a magnificent clock. £10 ages 3 -8

Stockwood Discovery Centre culturetrust.com

Highfield Park

30th Anniversary Sunrise Walk & Breakfast 2nd May 5.30am & 8am £6

Hedgehog Talk 6th May 7.30pm £10

Learn how to protect hedgehogs and help them thrive. Forest School 28th May 12 noon & 1pm £10

Family focused sessions exploring the park, building dens, going on bug hunts, bush craft and more. St Albans AL4 0RA highfieldparktrust.co.uk

Chiltern Open Air Museum

Heritage Crafts: See Traditional Skills in Action 2nd May - 20th June

Roman Gladiators 3rd & 4th May Immerse yourself in the sights & sounds of ancient Rome.

Cavalry & Cannons: The Napoleonic Experience 24th & 25th May

With over 150 re-enactors from riflemen to cavalry. English Civil War: Muskets, Cannons & Pikes 13th & 14th June Step back into the turbulent 1640s.

Father's Day: Motors & Music 21st June

With the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club & Hemley Hillbillies. Newland Park, Bucks HP8 4AB coam.org.uk

Knebworth House & Gardens

Hertfordshire Garden Show 2nd - 4th May

Ghost Tour & Bat Walk 14th May 6pm

Explore the grounds by night. £35 includes a light meal

Medieval Jousting

21st June displays 12 noon & 2.30pm

Cheer as you watch costumed Knights on majestic warhorses galloping at full tilt across the arena. Stevenage SG1 2AX knebworthhouse.com

Hertfordshire Zoo

Star Wars Cosplay 4th May 10am - 4pm Step into the galaxy and take part in interactive activities. Bluey 16th & 17th May 10am - 3.30pm

A day of fun, laughter and unforgettable memories. Hertfordshire Zoo EN10 7QA hertfordshirezoo.com

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Out & About

St Albans Cathedral

Tour: Rogues & Rebels 4th May 2pm £12

Tour: Flora & Fauna 9th May 10.30am £12

See how the natural world of Hertfordshire has been depicted in stone, wood, glass and textile.

More to Explore Tour: Visit the Organ Loft 17th May 1.30pm £12

A unique chance to visit the organ loft and meet the Assistant Director of Music.

Tour: Grand Designs 18th May 2pm £12

Discover the artistry of medieval craftsmen, including stone and wood carving, stained glass, bell casting, wall painting and illuminated manuscripts.

Young People's Puppet Theatre Present:

- The Crossing Place 20th May 6.30pm £7

A re-imagination of the Alban story.

- A Grim Day Out 20th May 7.45pm £7

A story about a time of great change and warring political factions in the Cathedral.

Tour: Royal Connections 29th May 10.30am £12

00's Silent Disco 29th May 8pm, from £32

Phil Collins & Genesis - The Candlelight Concert 4th June 7.30pm, from £21.50

The Music Of Westlife by Candlelight 10th June 7.30pm, from £20

Queen by Candlelight 11th June 7.30pm, from £35

Alban Day: Pilgrimage & Festival 20th June

Witness 12ft puppets walking through the streets, retelling the story of St Alban from 10.45am. stalbanscathedral.org

Luton Hoo Open Wednesdays

6th May - 30th Sept 10.30am - 4pm £7.50, £2.50

See and tour the Capability Brown designed walled garden and its unique service buildings. Luton Hoo Estate LU1 3TQ lutonhooestate.co.uk

Hat Factory Arts Centre

Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Preview: Glenn Moore & Garrett Millerick 7th May 7.30pm £13.20 age 16+

Claytime! 30th May 11.30am & 2pm & 31st May 10am & 2pm ages 3 - 6 £10

A play with clay, with audience participation. Bute Street, Luton LU1 2EY culturetrust.com

Songs of the People 9th May 7.30pm £17

Join Music Makers for pieces by Elgar, Stanford, Seiber, Guerrero and Bartók and Rutter. St Nicholas Church, Harpenden AL5 2TP Judie.caunce@gmail.com / 07775 652578

Oaklands College

Lambing Weekend 9th & 10th May see page 21

Foodies Festival 29th - 31st May foodiesfestival.com/events/st-albans/ The Ibiza Orchestra Experience 26th June ibizaorchestraexperience.co.uk/st-albans

Sausage & Cider Festival 27th June sausageandciderfest.co.uk

Summer in Nashville 28th June summerinnashville.com/st-albans St Albans AL4 0JA oaklands.ac.uk

St Albans Organ Theatre

Organ Concert 9th May 3pm

Mechanical Instrument Concert 10th May 3pm

320 Camp Road AL1 5PE stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk

Heartwood Forest all events free, please book

Bat Walk 9th May 8.15pm age 8+

Dawn Chorus 10th May 6am

Join an expert guide to identify birds from their song. Spring Tree ID for Beginners 16th May 10.20am

Dawn Chorus at the Arboretum 17th May 6am

Spring Butterfly Walk 30th May 11am

With Herts & Middx Butterfly Conservation. Sandridge AL4 9DQ woodlandtrust.org.uk/events

Sounds of Jazz: Gershwin +

Shostakovich 10th May 4pm £8 - £18

With de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra. Weston Auditorium, University of Herts AL10 9EU uharts.co.uk

Hertford Castle

Eco Fest & Family Fun Day 10th May 12 noon - 4pm free

Eco-themed activities, stalls, entertainment and a chance to learn more about living sustainably.

Cars at the Castle 7th June 12 noon - 4pm free

With over 60 modern, classic and vintage cars and motorcycles, live music and food and drink stalls.

Hertford SG14 1HR hertford.gov.uk

St Albans South Signal Box 10th, 24th & 27th May & 14th & 28th June 2pm - 5pm

5 Ridgmont Road, St Albans AL1 3AJ sigbox.co.uk

Shuttleworth

Season Premiere Air Show 10th May 9am - 6pm

Experience the thrill of a stunning air display from both visiting and Collection aircraft. From £35 150th Anniversary of Shuttleworth House 17th May 10am free

Wings & Wheels Air Show 30th May 9am

From £37, child free

Festival of Flight 27th & 28th June 9am

See air displays from UK and international visiting aircraft and the Collection. From £40, child free Shuttleworth SG18 9DT shuttleworth.org

NGS Open Gardens

Ashridge House Gardens 11th - 13th May 9am - 4pm Berkhamsted HP4 1NS

The Manor House 16th & 17th May 11am - 5pm

Six acre garden, walled garden, glasshouses, rose and herb beds, topiary and more.

Ayot St Lawrence AL6 9BP

Amwell Cottage 24th May 2pm - 5pm

Informal garden, orchard of mature trees, tall yew hedges, woodland pond and more.

Amwell Lane, Wheathampstead AL4 8EA

16 Langley Crescent 29th May 5pm - 8pm & 30th May 2.30pm - 5.30pm Compact walled garden with a wide range of unusual herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees. St Albans AL3 5RS findagarden.ngs.org.uk

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Out & About

The Creation of Lokkelbury Vineyard

12th May 7.45pm £5

Harpenden Gardening Society talk. All Saints Church Hall, Harpenden AL5 4UU

The Arts Society St Albans

L S Lowry: A Visionary Artist 13th May 10.30am

Is Lowry’s work the visual counterpoint of T S Eliot’s poetry and can we claim him as our English Van Gogh. £7.50 from janesayers110@yahoo.co.uk

Abbey Theatre, St Albans AL1 2DL

Professor Victor & Dr Albert’s

Prescription for Joy 15th May 2.30pm £15

Musically talented identical twins who have crafted a modern take on a traditional music hall variety show. ‘A Morecambe and Wise for the 21st Century’ The Maltings Theatre, St Albans AL1 3HL ovo.org.uk

Shaw's Corner

House Tour: Shaw's Circle 15th May 5.30pm Shaw knew many people, but only some were invited to his sanctuary, find out who made the cut, and the impressions they left behind. Please book House Tour: Masterpieces at Shaw's Corner 17th June 2pm please book

See Bernard and Charlotte's fabulous art collection. Garden Tour: William Morris 22nd June 2pm

See the inspiration for William Morris’ designs with a tour of the flourishing summer garden. Please book Ayot St Lawrence AL6 9BX nationaltrust.org.uk

Brambleton Model Railway

16th May 2pm - 5.30pm A chance to run the railway as it was originally intended. £4, child £3, family £12 off Highfield Oval, Harpenden AL5 4FB brambleton.org.uk

Amadeus Chamber Orchestra

16th May 7.30pm £18, child £1 St Saviour's Church, St Albans AL1 4DF ticketsource.co.uk

Herts Book Festival

16th May 10am - 4pm - BEAM, Hertford 17th May 10am - 4pm - Southern Maltings, Ware Talks, workshops and readings for all ages hertsbookfestival.com

Hospice of St Francis Plant Sale 16th May

The Hospice of St Francis HP4 3GW Hemel Hempstead 10K 17th May £25 stfrancis.org.uk

Scale Model Show

17th May 10.30am - 4.30pm £10, child £5

Model clubs, vendors, book sellers & other exhibitors. de Havilland Museum, London Colney AL2 1BU dehavillandmuseum.co.uk

Wheathampstead 10k & 2k Fun Run

17th May from 10am Memorial Hall, Marford Rd, Wheathampstead AL4 8AY

Herts Showground

Herts County Show 23rd - 24th May

Showcasing local farming, agriculture and related skills, crafts, trades and professions.

Food, Farming & Sustainability Careers Day 30th June 3.30pm

Speak with industry experts and employers and explore job paths and opportunities.

Herts Showground AL3 7PT hertsshow.com

Mystery Mission 23rd - 31st May 10am - 5pm

Your mission is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Wrest Park, Silsoe MK45 4HR

Harpenden Museum

Talk: The ‘Naughty’ Vicar & the Missing £20k 26th May 8pm £5

High Street Methodist Church AL5 2RU

Exhibition: Life in Harpenden during WW1

Open: Tues, Thurs & Sat: 11am - 3pm free Harpenden Museum, EMC, Rothamsted Park AL5 harpenden-history.org.uk

Herts Wildlife Trust

Smartphone Safari 26th May 1.30pm

Learn to take amazing nature photos with your phone.

Guided Walk: Dark Waters 28th May 8.30pm

Experience the nocturnal wildlife of the Park after dark. Both events: Stanborough Park, WGC AL8 6DF hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Roald Dahl Museum

George’s Marvellous Miniature Farmyard

26th, 27th & 29th May 11am - 3pm age 5+, £5

Animal Antics with Jungle Juniors

28th May 11.30am - 2.30pm, £5 Learn about some fascinating bugs and get up close to a range of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Awesome Animals Village Trail

29th May 11.45am & 2.15pm, £5 Guided tour around the Roald Dahl sights of Great Missenden. Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 0AL roalddahlmuseum.org

Roman Theatre Open Air Festival

5th June - 31st Aug

A season of bold and imaginative productions. St Albans AL3 6AE ovo.org.uk

Tour de Vale Charity Bike Ride

7th June 9am 25k / 45k / 70k & 110k

Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Bucks HP21 9PP tourdevale.com

Castle Walk 14th June

5 or 10 mile charity walk, starting at Berkhamsted Castle, to raise funds for Herts Homelessness Charity DENS. dens.org.uk/walk

Two By Two 20th June 7.30pm

St Albans Choral Society Concert

St Peter's Church, St Albans AL1 3HG stalbanschoralsociety.org

Ayot St Lawrence Art Show

20th - 21st June 10am - 5pm £2.50, child free St Lawrence Church, AL6 9BZ ayotartshow.co.uk

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