The festive season is almost upon us, and St Albans City Centre BID is once again lighting up the city with dazzling Christmas decorations and a brand-new family-friendly Bauble Trail.

Running from 15 November to 28 December, the Christmas Bauble Trail offers free festive fun for all ages. Families can collect trail maps from the St Albans Museum + Gallery and set off to find 12 colourful Christmas baubles hidden across the city centre. Those who discover them all and correctly arrange the accompanying letters can enter a prize draw to win a £50 St Albans Gift Card by posting their completed entries back to the Museum + Gallery, which will be open daily from 10am to 4pm, except 24, 25 and 26 December.

St Albans City Centre BID, a business-led organisation funded by local city centre businesses, manages and funds the core delivery of the city’s annual Christmas lights and installations, with additional support from St Albans City & District Council.

Welcoming visitors to the city centre and creating a magical atmosphere perfect for photos and festive activities, this year’s Christmas displays include freestanding decorations, lamp column wraparounds, overhead festoons and a giant 7.5m Christmas tree. They’ll be installed and switched on in time for the council’s annual Christmas Cracker event on 16 November, which officially kicks off the festive season in St Albans, with BID sponsoring the Santa’s Grotto.

Vivien Cannon, BID Manager said: “Bring the family and enjoy the festive fun. We have an abundance of Christmas food menus to keep you fed and warm whilst here and our shops have inspirational gift ideas to make shopping easy. Our fun Bauble Trail will keep everyone occupied and why not capture memories by taking a selfie next to our seasonal decorations.  We look forward to seeing you in St Albans.”

Christmas Bauble Trail Locations:

• 305 Barber Co – Holywell Hill
• Aloha Poke – High Street
• Air Aesthetics – Christopher Place
• Kristina B. Salon – French Row
• Knoops – Market Place
• The Skin to Love Clinic – Chequer Street
• St Albans Eye Care Centre – London Road
• Cotswold Outdoor – The Maltings
• Nottingham Building Society – St Peter’s Street
• The Entertainer – St Peter’s Street
• Zoohause – Catherine Street
• The Big Picture Reborn – St Peter’s Street

For more information and to download a digital version of the trail map visit: www.enjoystalbans.com/christmas-trail

In addition to the lights and trail, the BID has curated a comprehensive guide to what’s on in St Albans this Christmas, including events, activities, and festive menus from local restaurants. For all things Christmas in St Albans visit: www.enjoystalbans.com/christmas