The Christmas countdown is on and St Albans BID, along with city centre shops and businesses, will be hosting a new set of jolly characters this festive season with the St Albans Gingerbread Christmas Trail.

Running from 17 November until 23 December 2023, this fun, free, family-friendly trail invites visitors to explore the city centre and find 10 gingerbread characters, taking photos and making memories along the way.

The characters can be found in shop windows across the city centre. Simply collect a trail map, which reveals each location, from the St Albans Museum + Gallery on St Peter’s Street (open daily 11 am– 5 pm). Find the names of all 10 gingerbread characters and then post completed trail sheets in Santa’s Postbox – also at St Albans Museum + Gallery, for a chance to win one of three £50 St Albans Gift Cards.

St Albans Gingerbread Christmas Trail participating shops & businesses:

• Rug Maker – 42 Verulam Road, AL3 4DQ
• Sofas & Stuff – 27-29 High Street, AL3 4EH
• Books on the Hill – 1 Holywell Hill, AL1 1ER
• Barclays – 16-18 St Peter’s Street, AL1 3NA
• Bouyage Maltings Beauty – 50 The Maltings, AL1 3HL
• Debenhams Ottaway – 107 St Peter’s Street, AL1 3EW
• Ollie Quinn – 11 Market Place, AL3 5DR
• Air Aesthetics – 19, Christopher’s Place, Upper Dagnall St, AL3 5DQ
• Marks & Tilt – 18 London Road, AL1 1NG
• On Brand – Victoria Street, AL1 3JB
• St Albans Library – The Maltings, AL1 3JQ
• The Alban Arena – Civic Close, AL1 3LD
• St Albans Museum + Gallery – St Peter’s Street, AL1 3DH

Magical photo spots

Throughout the festive season, the streets will be illuminated with Christmas lights and fantastic festive installations to add some Christmas cheer and provide the perfect backdrop for seasonal photos. This year’s lights and installations, which are arranged by St Albans BID, also include:
• A charming gingerbread sleigh at The Alban Arena
• A new snow globe photo frame on St Peter’s Street
• A fun Santa chair and trees outside St Albans Museum + Gallery
• An illuminated throne on Market Place
• A gingerbread throne at the St Albans Library, where they will be hosting
storytelling and readings
• The ever popular giant walk-through bauble by the Clock Tower

Street entertainment

The sound of Christmas will fill the streets with a wonderful selection of street performances, planned by St Albans BID. Activities include a Festive performance by Jupiter Singers on 25 November, Traditional Christmas Carol Singers on 16 December, Angie’s Festive Funky Hooping on 20 December and a Dancing Christmas Tree and Lairy Fairy on 22 December.

Vivien Cannon, BID Manager at St Albans BID, says: “We are delighted to be able to bring something new to St Albans this Christmas with the Gingerbread Christmas Trail and additional light installations. Our popularChristmas trails showcase our wonderful city centre shops and businesses and encourage people to explore all that is on offer here during the festive season. With plenty of places to shop for gifts and dine, alongside a great programme of events – St Albans offers the perfect day out this Christmas.”

Locals and visitors can access all things Christmas via a dedicated online Christmas guide complete with event listings, places to eat and ideas on things to do in St Albans. Visit EnjoyStAlbans.com/Christmas/