Bishop's Stortford Christmas Events & Workshops 2011 will be taking place throughout the town and surrounding area during the next couple of month in the lead up to Christmas.

During the festive season, there are always several Bishop's Stortford Christmas Events & Workshops from which to choose for children, adults and the whole family. This year, 2011, is no different and there is once again, a diverse range of activities for all ages to help everyone get in the Christmas spirit.

Christmas is all about the children and they like nothing better than a trip to see Santa Claus. Lots of events in and around Bishop's Stortford will see the great man make an appearance, but two of the most popular in the area are the Hatfield Forest Father Christmas Trail & the Audley End Santa Special where you can take the miniature train to Santa's Grotto where he will be waiting to greet you.

If you are the creative type, then you maybe interested in one of the many craft workshops being held. For example, Audley End House & the Hopleys in Much Hadham, which are both a few miles from Bishop's Stortford, will be holding a Christmas Wreath Workshop in the run up to Christmas.

Christmas in often a time of reflection and a chance to remember loved ones. Events such as the Bishop's Stortford Lights of Love & St Elizabeth's Centre Reflections at Christmas in Much Hadham and will give you an opportunity to do this by joining in a short service and by lighting a candle in memory of those that have passed on. Or alternatively, you may like to attend the Audley End Carol Concert or Hatfield Forest Christmas Carols which take place at the Shell House.

We have searched high and low to produce our list of Christmas events in Bishop's Stortford so you can find them all in one place. However, if you know of any events we have missed out, please let us know and we will happily add them for you.

There are also several Bazaars, Fairs, Markets & Late Night Shopping Evenings in and around Bishop's Stortford to tempt you, all with a fantastic range of gifts & presents from which to choose.

You will find these all listed separately in our Bishop's Stortford Christmas Fairs, Markets & Bazaars 2011 Guide, so don't miss out

November 2011

‘Please click on the highlighted title of each event for more information'

21 November 2011
Christmas Wreath Workshop
Audley End House, Saffron Walden
Get into the festive spirit at Audley End House as we prepare for Christmas. Learn about Victorian Christmas traditions and make a Christmas wreath or table arrangement to take home with you. Lunch and materials included.

25 November 2011
Sawbridgeworth Festive Family Fun
Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall
Festive family fun to coincide with the turning on of the Sawbridgeworth Christmas Liights. This is one of the busiest nights in our village and we will have special festive stalls, games and activities. Please come along and join us for a fun evening.

26 & 27 November 2011
Audley End Victorian Christmas
Audley End House, Saffron Walden
A Victorian Christmas is brought to life this yuletide at Audley End. Wander around the beautifully decorated rooms of the house and encounter a range of costumed characters along the way as they prepare the house for the upcoming festivities. Children will get to meet Father Christmas in the Cart Yard, have their photos with his reindeer and take part in a festive fun trail around the grounds. There will also be music, carol singing and a variety of seasonal gifts.

28 November 2011
Family Church Advent Service
Event Location : St Mary the Virgin, Ware
The church of St Mary the Virgin in Ware will be holding a family service to mark the beginning of advent and the Christmas season. Service starts at 10am. All welcome.

29 November 2011
Saffron Walden Christmas Lights Switch On
Saffron Walden Market Place
Carols from 3.30pm, Christmas lights will be switched on by Father Christmas at 4pm.

December 2011

‘Please click on the highlighted title of each event for more information'

2 December 2011
Lights of Love Bishop's Stortford
The Market Square, Bishop's Stortford
The Bishop's Stortford "Lights of Love" ceremony will be taking place in The Market Square, Bishop's Stortford. We would like to invite you to join us in remembering loved ones and friends who will not be with us this Christmas. Lights on the trees are symbolic in remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones at this special time of year.

3 December 2011
Lights of Love Sawbridgeworth
Bakers Walk, Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth
The Sawbridgeworth "Lights of Love" ceremony will be taking place in Bakers Walk, Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth. We would like to invite you to join us in remembering loved ones and friends who will not be with us this Christmas. Lights on the trees are symbolic in remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones at this special time of year.

3 December 2011
Ware Brass Band Christmas Supper Concert
Fletcher's Lea, Ware
Enjoy a fish & chip supper and celebrate Christmas with Ware Brass. Tickets £12 available from Ware Priory. All proceeds to Ware Brass & the Mayor's Charity.

3 December 2011
Christmas Wreath Workshop
Hopleys, Much Hadham
Learn how to construct a Christmas door wreath and decorate it to suit your taste in a traditional or contemporary style. This workshop is suitable for all.

3 & 4 December 2011
Hatfield Forest Father Christmas Trail
Hatfield Forest, Takeley, Essex
Follow the magical trail which will lead you through the woods to Father Christmas in his Grotto. Collect your craft items along the way to make something in the classroom at the end of the trail. All children will receive a gift, craft, drink and a biscuit.

3 & 4 December 2011
Audley End Santa Special
Audley End Railway, Saffron Walden
Come and ride our Santa Special to see Father Christmas in his very own special Grotto where the train stops with each child receiving an early Christmas present. The Signal Box Café will also be open for hot food, mulled wine, mince pies & steaming hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows.

4 December 2011
Uniquely Stortford Christmas Shopping Festival
Bishop's Stortford Town Centre
A Christmas shopping festival in Bishop's Stortford town centre with live music & entertainment. Including the Herts & Soul Choir, characters from the Rhodes Pantomime, Robin Hood & The Babes in the Wood, Santa Claus in his Grotto, face painters, child entertainers, treasure hunt with prizes and goodie bags and much more. Several of the towns cafes, stores and salons will be open as well.

4 December 2011
Reflections at Christmas - Much Hadham
St Elizabeth's Centre, Perry Green, Much Hadham,
Please join us in St Elizabeth's Chapel to dedicate a candle and join in signing traditional hymns and carols. This is a lovely opportunity to remember someone special by lighting a candle in their memory. Service will be followed by mulled wine and minced pies. All are welcome.

6 December 2011
Audley End Carol Concert
Audley End House, Saffron Walden
Join in the Christmas celebrations at Audley End House with carols provided by Christ College Cambridge in the stunning surroundings of the Great Hall at Audley End House. A glass of wine or soft drink is included.

9 December 2011
Much Hadham Santa Dash
St Elizabeth's Centre, Perry Green, Much Hadham,
Get on your running shoes and beard and take part in this one mile fun run and help raise money for St Elizabeth's centre. Children welcome.Mince pies, tea and coffee included.

10 December 2011
Ware Choral Society Christmas Concert
Ware Drill Hall
Christmas Concert with Crispian Steele-Perkins More details to follow.

10& 11 December 2011
Hatfield Forest Father Christmas Trail
Hatfield Forest, Takeley, Essex
Follow the magical trail which will lead you through the woods to Father Christmas in his Grotto. Collect your craft items along the way to make something in the classroom at the end of the trail. All children will receive a gift, craft, drink and a biscuit.

10 & 11 December 2011
Audley End Santa Special
Audley End Railway, Saffron Walden
Come and ride our Santa Special to see Father Christmas in his very own special Grotto where the train stops with each child receiving an early Christmas present. The Signal Box Café will also be open for hot food, mulled wine, mince pies & steaming hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows.

17 December 2011
Hatfield Forest Christmas Carols
Hatfield Forest, Takeley, Essex
Join us to celebrate the festive season with carol singing at the Shell House.

17 & 23 December 2011
Audley End Santa Special
Audley End Railway, Saffron Walden
Come and ride our Santa Special to see Father Christmas in his very own special Grotto where the train stops with each child receiving an early Christmas present. The Signal Box Café will also be open for hot food, mulled wine, mince pies & steaming hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows.

24 December 2011
Ware Christingle Service
St Mary the Virgin, Ware
The church of St Mary the Virgin welcomes families to attend the annual and very popular Christingle service. As well as an opportunity for families to figure out how to make a Christingle, it largely involves an orange, some red tape and a sweets on sticks, the service is to raise money for the Children's Society.