Omicron is doing its best to ruin the end of 2021 for us with a wave of shows and events being cancelled, but let’s be optimistic and look forward to a new year of activities that will stimulate both our minds and our bodies.
JANUARY
St Albans Cathedral has something for all members of the family planned in 2022, with a touring exhibition of The BFG in Pictures from January 7-27, to delight your whole family.
FEBRUARY
If you’re looking for a laugh in February (and who isn’t?) then get down to the Abbey Theatre on Holywell Hill and enjoy the talent of the Company of Ten and their production of the award-winning comedy play One Man, Two Guvnors ( February 25-March 5). Laugh-out-loud satire, slapstick humour, mistaken identity, brilliant characters and toe-tapping songs will cheer us all up!
MARCH
Never was there a more chilled combination than great food and jazz. If this appeals, then Lussmanns in St Albans is intending to restart its jazz nights in the spring, so it’s worth checking out the website of this winner of the 2021 Chamber award for Best Restaurant in St Albans for more details.
APRIL
Get fit and have fun in 2022 with the Mayor’s Triathlon, hosted by Westminster Lodge. You’ll need to sprint, cycle and swim for this fantastic event, which raises money for the Mayor’s charities and is organised by Everyone Active. But don’t worry, you’ll never be far from Westminster Lodge as you ride on stationary bikes, swim in the centre’s pool and run round the nearby athletics track. Give yourself a challenge to be proud of in 2022 and sign up for this in January so you have time to put the training in (rumour has it the Mayoress has already started training!).
MAY
Many of us have been affected by grief, particularly in the past two years, and The Keepers Gallery at the St Albans Museum and Gallery is holding an exhibition from May 27-September 14 called The Art of Grieving which enables artists working in any medium to share work related to grief and loss. The diverse and moving exhibition will include paintings, sculptures, photographs, poetry, textiles and all other forms of artwork that artists, art groups, or art societies wish to contribute for display. Submissions close on January 31, contact Kate at artofgrieving19@gmail.com
JUNE
St Albans celebrates its eponymous son – Alban – who is also Britain’s first saint, with the Alban Pilgrimage through the town centre on June 25. Last year’s event saw a magnificent procession heading to St Albans Cathedral. People of all ages got involved, dressed as Roman soldiers, lions and angels to accompany the 12ft-tall carnival puppets who represent the key figures from the Alban story as the historic execution event was re-enacted.
JULY
St Albans Cathedral is planning a Tudor Summer next year so there’s plenty of time to dig out your smocks, kirtles, partlets, jerkins and doublets, and of course feathered caps, to look the part and enjoy the family fun.
AUGUST
One of the great things about the city of St Albans is how quick and easy it is to get into London’s West End. If you’ve missed your usual family theatre trips this year because of uncertainty surrounding Covid, then take advantage of the ‘Kids Go Free’ month of August. A child aged 16 or under can go to any participating show for free where tickets are available as long as they’re accompanied by a full-paying adult. Adults can also buy up to two extra children’s tickets at half price and there are no booking fees. For more information https://officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week/
SEPTEMBER
TV chef Tom Kerridge and his popular touring food and music festival is coming back for a third time in September! Pub in the Park is planned to hit Verulamium on the weekend of September 9-11 with acts like the Kaiser Chiefs, Melanie C and Sophie Ellis-Bextor already confirmed!
Autumn continues the foodie theme with the St Albans Food and Drink Festival, celebrating our city’s excellent restaurants, pubs and breweries. Usually held late in September into early October, the 2022 festival will mark its 15th year.
OCTOBER
The best 10K run in the county along a beautiful multi-terrain course through the Hertfordshire countryside has been going since 2006. This run has a fun atmosphere like no other running event around, and will tick both your get fit and your charity donation boxes as it raises money for Rennie Grove Hospice. For information see www.herts10k.com
NOVEMBER
Remember remember that St Albans Cathedral’s iconic Fireworks Spectacular is once again due to light up the sky in November. This stunning event, which takes place in Verulamium Park on November 5, also raises money for important local charities.
DECEMBER
This year’s pantomime at the Alban Arena has had five-star rave reviews, so next year’s is sure to be just as unmissable. Christmas doesn’t start until the St Albans panto begins!
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