- Lights switch-on
- Sat 21 November 2026, 5pm, Pondside
- Palace Theatre panto
- 29 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Hogwarts in the Snow
- 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027
Christmas lights switch-on: Saturday 21 November
The free switch-on is at Pondside on The Parade. A parade leaves from outside McDonald’s on the High Street at 4pm, there is live entertainment on stage from 4:30pm, and the tree and the new starry night installations are switched on at 5pm. The event finishes at 6pm.
Read the full Watford Christmas lights switch-on 2026 guide.
A Christmas Carol: The Panto at Watford Palace Theatre
The Palace’s pantomime this year is a panto remix of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol “with a proper Watford twist”. It runs from 29 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 at 20 Clarendon Road, WD17 1JZ. Ebenezer Scrooge, “the grumpiest Watfordian in town”, is played by Michael Lambourne, and Terence Frisch is Dame Dilber, who plays all the Ghosts of Christmas.
Every ticket is a flat £25 and the theatre says it is suitable for the whole family. Group rates and membership discounts do not apply.
- Relaxed performances: Wednesday 9 December at 2.30pm and Sunday 13 December at 2.30pm.
- Captioned and audio-described performance: Sunday 27 December at 2.30pm.
- Wheelchair spaces and companion tickets are available. Box office: 01923 225 671.
Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
The Studio Tour at Leavesden dresses the original Harry Potter sets for Christmas from 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. The Great Hall has towering Christmas trees and a festive feast, and the Hogwarts castle model is covered in filmmaking snow. New for 2026 is a Backlot Stage session on how the films’ festive sound effects were made, plus a Butterbeer Bar.
The extra features are included in the ticket price and tickets must be booked in advance. Visit London’s listing says regular shuttle buses run between Watford Junction and the Studio Tour, around 15 minutes.
Just outside Watford
Watersmeet in Rickmansworth stages Peter Pan from 4 to 31 December 2026. See the directory of businesses and venues in Rickmansworth for places to eat before a show.
Plan the rest
Our weekly email lists the weekend’s events every Thursday, and what’s on in Watford this weekend is updated from each issue. For ideas with children, see things to do in Watford with kids.
Questions
When are the Christmas lights switched on in Watford in 2026?
On Saturday 21 November 2026 at 5pm at Pondside, as part of a free event that runs from 4pm to 6pm.
What is the Watford Palace Theatre panto in 2026?
A Christmas Carol: The Panto, a panto remix of Dickens’ story with a Watford twist, running from 29 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
How much are tickets for the Watford Palace Theatre panto?
Every ticket is a flat £25, according to the theatre. Group rates and membership discounts do not apply.
Are there relaxed or captioned panto performances in Watford?
Yes. Relaxed performances are on 9 December and 13 December at 2.30pm, and a captioned and audio-described performance is on 27 December at 2.30pm.
When is Hogwarts in the Snow at Leavesden?
From 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027 at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Tickets must be booked in advance.
Is there a Christmas panto near Watford other than the Palace?
Yes. Watersmeet in Rickmansworth is staging Peter Pan from 4 to 31 December 2026.
Sources
- Watford Borough Council: lights switch-on announcement
- Watford Palace Theatre: A Christmas Carol, The Panto
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Hogwarts in the Snow
- Visit London: Hogwarts in the Snow listing
- Watersmeet: Peter Pan
Plans can change. Check the organiser’s page before you travel. Spotted a mistake? Email hello@watfordbrew.co.uk.