Thousands of people are expected to join the St Albans Spring Festival this Sunday as the city centre will host an exciting street party with free entertainment - here is all you need to know.
The festival, returning for its second year on May 17, is a celebration of food, well-being, community spirit and sustainability.
Among the attractions will be live music, arts and crafts, fairground rides, face painting, roving street performers and around 100 stalls selling takeaway food, drink and other produce. There will also be opportunities to take part in a wide range of fun activities.
Councillor Edgar Hill, lead for events, said: “The Spring Festival was such a success last year that we decided to bring it back in response to the demand from residents.
“Once again, there will be lots of activities and entertainment that will appeal to people of all ages and interests. It will be an afternoon of free music, games, activities, arts and crafts, eating, drinking and shopping.
“One of our priorities is to make the event inclusive and accessible, so that’s why we’ve put together an access guide to provide information about the event.
“We are expecting many thousands of residents and visitors, so I would urge people to come along and not to miss out on the fun.”
To ensure accessibility, British Sign Language interpreters will be in attendance. There will be ramps for wheelchair users and priority seating with the event supported by Age Friendly St Albans District.
A Sensory Retreat will be available for anyone who wants space to relax while the Community Zone, hosted by Communities 1st, will offer a quiet space where people can get support and information on local organisations.
A special event guide by Herts Inclusive Theatre will be available for anyone with access requirements. It is available to view here.
Find out all you need to know about the event here:
Where is the event?
The Spring Festival, organised by St Albans City and District Council, takes place on St Peter's Street, Chequer Street and High Street in St Albans city centre. These roads will be closed to traffic for people's safety.
When is the festival?
The event runs from midday until 6pm on Sunday, May 17.
How can I get to the event?
Residents are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport where you can, leaving the available car parking spaces for those that really need them.
St Albans City train station is a 12 minute walk, while St Albans Abbey train station is a 16 minute walk. Train times can be found at National Rail.
Local bus routes, timetables and diversion information can be found at Intalink.
Music timetable
The main stage will be situated at the top of St Peter’s Street by the Hatfield Road roundabout.
- Harry Beart: Midday - 12.20pm
- Dead The Will: 12.35pm – 12.55pm
- The Flying Dodos: 1.15pm – 1.55pm
- Zara Angeline: 2.10pm – 2.50pm
- Revellers Steel Band: 3.10pm – 3.50pm
- Missing The Ferry: 4.10pm – 4.50pm
- The SGs: 5.10pm – 6pm
Experience Zone
Free taster sessions and experiences will be hosted outside the museum - British Sign Language interpreters will be at the experience zone for the duration of the event.
- Gardening for wildlife: Midday – 12.20pm
- Bollywood taster: 12.30pm – 1pm
- Salsa demo class: 1.10pm – 1.40pm
- Circus skills: 1.50pm – 2.20pm
- Greenpeace saving our oceans: 2.35pm – 2.55pm
- Seated FitSteps: 3.05pm – 3.35pm
- Sensory story telling: 3.45pm – 4.15pm
- Circus skills: 4.30pm – 5pm
- Tennis taster sessions (in the layby): Midday - 6pm
Street entertainers
Look out for the street entertainers wowing the crowds across the site:
- Morris dancers in front of the Clock Tower at 3pm and 4pm
- Live DJ in front of Studio 10 in Chequer Street
- Puddle Ducks playing jokes
- Butterfly stiltwalkers
Earth Zone
Situated in front of the museum, the Earth Zone features free interactive activities and learning to support sustainability and the environment.
- Being waste aware, St Albans City & District Council waste team
- Pond dipping, St Albans Cathedral
- Ocean and whale activity, St Albans Greenpeace
- Fixing workshop, St Albans District Fixers, bring along your small items for fixing (midday – 2pm only)
- Mindful trees, Youth Talk
- A Library of Things, SHARE St Albans
Challenge Arena
Located in Civic Close, between the Alban Arena and the Civic Centre, you can challenge friends and family to a range of free fun, mind‑bending and physical activities.
- Inflatable football darts provided by St Albans City Football Club
- Fitness challenges – rowing machine and skierg provided by Everyone Active
- Rodeo sheep
- Foosball table
- Giant buzz wire
- Sideshow games
- Connect4
- Jenga
- Traditional wooden games
Create Zone
Get involved in the free arts & crafts activities near to The Entertainer, including:
- Spring flower head garland making
- Sustainable community art project
- Bracelet making
- Clay hedgehogs
Toddler Zone
A quieter zone in front of the Clock Tower for toddlers and their families to enjoy for free:
- Softplay
- Diddy cars
- Pavement chalk drawings
- Spring colouring
Community Zone
Meet charities and community groups, get involved in their activities and learn about their amazing work, all conveniently located alongside Barclays Bank.
- Emmaus, mosaic making using recycled materials
- Neighbourhood Watch and the Police
- Herts Inclusive Theatre
- St Albans Musical Theatre Company
- The Abbey Theatre
- Bowls Club
- Hedgehog crafts, Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary
Fairground rides will also be available across the site in addition to henna tattoos and face-painting stations in front of Five Guys.
Share