Your weekend in Watford: Dorian Friday, Raas Garba Saturday, Taylor Trek Sunday

Hi. Welcome back to The Watford Brew. Issue 3.

Happy Thursday. October opens with a clear shape: Oscar Wilde gone dark at the Palace through Saturday, a charity Raas Garba at Holywell on Saturday afternoon, and two very different Sundays if you lace up early. Pick one of the Sunday walks or runs. Do not try both.

Scroll on and pick your plans. The Brew

FRIDAY

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Watford Palace Theatre
Fri 2 Oct · about 2h10 incl. interval · 12+ · tickets from £13 · box office 01923 225 671

Tilted Wig with the Palace. Youth, beauty, a portrait that pays the bill. Three nights only (Thu 1 to Sat 3 Oct), so Friday is the middle night if you want a Clarendon Road evening. Stylish, unsettling, and proper Watford theatre for Black History Month week one.

SATURDAY

Charity Raas Garba, Holywell Community Centre
Sat 3 Oct · 1-5pm · advance tickets only · free parking (first come)

Everyone welcome, any background. Live music, learn the moves or just watch, food to buy on the day. 100% of ticket, donation and raffle proceeds go to Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals and West Herts Hospitals Charity (costs covered by the Mayor’s Small Grants and Chime Housing). Tickets: watfordcharitygarba@gmail.com or 07751 771630. Chaffinch Lane, off Tolpits Lane, WD18 9QD.

Also Saturday: The Picture of Dorian Gray · last night at the Palace · same show, last chance.

SUNDAY

The Taylor Trek 2026, Vicarage Road
Sun 4 Oct · from 08:00 listing · family 3.5 miles from £10 child / £15 adult · pets welcome on the family route

Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust walk celebrating Graham Taylor, raising for the Trust and Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care. Medium 8.3 miles and Challenge just over 18 miles if you want more. Finish is pitch-side at the Vic. Book before you turn up.

Also Sunday: Macmillan Run the Trail, Cassiobury Park · Bandstand · 5K/10K from 10am · 17+ · entry £10 with a £150 fundraising pledge · not a kids race.

WHAT'S NEW

October, and Black History Month, is here. Quiet week for brand-new shop openings. If you hear of one, reply and tell us.

Harlequin late-night shopping still runs Thu to Sat until 8pm. Superdrug’s bigger store is still Coming Soon, not open this week.

EAT & DRINK

Tina Lake’s Coffee and Cakes, Pump House
Sat 2-6pm this weekend (closed Sundays). Volunteer-run café in the Charles Room, Local Board Road. Mon / Wed / Thu / Fri 1-5pm · Tue 2-9pm. Good Saturday stop before or after town.

Food at the Garba
Holywell has food to buy on the day (Sat 3 Oct). Not a restaurant review. Just a practical note if you’re dancing through the afternoon.

COMING UP

• Wed 7 Oct: Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister · Palace · VIP from 6pm · doors 6.30 · show 7.30 · 14+

• Thu 8 Oct: Fastlove · George Michael tribute · Palace · about 2h20

• Sat 10 Oct: Gary Delaney · Palace · 16+ · same afternoon as Hornets home vs Burnley (re-check kick-off nearer the day)

• Thu 15 Oct: Barry From Watford · Palace · 16+

• Tue 27 Oct: Dinosaur Adventure Live · Palace · 2pm · half-term family

• Fri 30 Oct: Halloween Market Lates · Watford Market · 6-10pm · free entry · street food and music

• Sun 11 Oct: Unit VII car meet · Tolpits Lane · 9am-3pm · no booking

DID YOU KNOW?

Watford’s Fire Museum keeps 1850s pumps and an 1896 Shand-Mason steamer in the collection. A small local history rabbit hole when the weekend plans are sorted.

Know something brewing? Reply and tell us. If this helped you plan even one evening, forward it to a Watford mate. That’s how the Brew grows.

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Thanks for reading. See you next Thursday.
The Watford Brew