COMMUNITY PULSE

Halloween is creeping up on us, and if you're looking for ways to keep the little monsters entertained this half term, Watford has a few treats (or tricks 👀...) up its sleeve! From hunting for hidden ghosts to exploring a spooky trail in Cassiobury Park, there are plenty of ways to get into the Halloween spirit. So grab your costume and get these dates in your diary! First up, you can get into the Halloween spirit with an Outdoor Halloween Trail at Cassiobury Park on Sunday 25 October, from...

There's been a slight change in the weather but that hasn't stopped Watford's events and activities building up and we're now only a month and a few days away from the legendary Cassiobury Fireworks and Christmas Lights switch on! Prepare yourself for Halloween, the scare at the end of October, with some comedy throughout the month. Launching on Saturday 3rd of October Fuzzy Bear Comedy will see Dunnings II hosting some of the best comedians in the country, starting with a night headlined by...

It feels like only yesterday we were watching the World Cup, trying to keep cool during one of the hottest summers on record and making the most of those long, sunny evenings. Now, somehow, we’re in September. The school holidays are over, the evenings are getting shorter and Halloween is already creeping onto the horizon. But before we put away the picnic blankets and reach for the cosy jumpers, let’s take a look back at some of the highlights… From heatwaves and packed parks to live music,...

The summer is winding down, the evenings are getting cooler and it might be time to admit that some of those summer clothes probably aren’t getting another outing this year. But before you shove them to the back of the wardrobe, why not swap them for something new? As part of Recycle Week, the Clothes Swap is coming to Watford Palace Theatre on Saturday 19 September, giving you the chance to refresh your wardrobe without spending a penny! From 10am to 11am, bring along up to 10 good-quality,...

As the new school term begins and there's a slight chill in the air, people may think that Watford will begin winding down, however there is still plenty to do. There's gigs-a-plenty with the Pumphouse Jazz Club every Thursday, Watford Open Mic also at the Pumphouse every Tuesday, then with the Horns reopened and hosting live music most weekends, Sams bar located on Queens Road up and running with a new stage venue and Watford Philharmonic holding an evening of choral music at St Mary's on...

The summer holidays are here and Watford has some amazing events for all ages to take part in. The Big Screen returns to Watford Town centre from Monday 3 August to Sunday 9 August 2026 and then it heads to Woodside from Monday 10 August to Sunday 16 August. Watford Carnival returns on Saturday 8 August to Radlett Road Playing Fields. A vibrant celebration organized by Mojo Fusion Ltd CIC, dedicated to promoting sociocultural interaction, supporting local businesses, and fostering unity...

Share Your Story – Become Part of Watford's History As part of Rifco's 25th Anniversary celebrations, we're creating Fifteen Years of Rifco: Watford's Stories – a unique audio documentary in partnership with Watford Borough Council. For the past 15 years, Rifco has proudly called Watford home, bringing unforgettable stories, music and theatre to audiences across the town and beyond. Now we'd love to hear your story. Have you attended a Rifco show? Have you laughed, cried, celebrated or made...

Just over a month until the Watford Fringe returns for it's 10th year! A decade of local, national and international comedy, drama, art and all sorts of fun things have been entertaining our town for the Watford Fringe Festival. The festival will kick off on Saturday 4 July 2026 at Pondside event space on The Parade with support from Watford Town Centre, Watford Borough Council and Watford Pumphouse Theatre & Arts Centre. A free day event from 3pm to 9pm showcasing a range of performances...

On Saturday 18 April 2026 from 12pm The Sound of Watford will ring out around venues across the town. The returning music festival will feature live original bands from the local area and some from further a field. The day is all about showing off the sounds of Watford and the venues it has to offer. It is a free event held in a number of venues, mostly in the town centre. The event is made possible by Watford Borough Council in partnership with Watford Town Centre, West Herts College and...

Today it has been announced that Watford is getting its very own version of the world’s most famous board game. PASS GO, collect £200 - and advance to Watford. And, if along the way you fancy purchasing the town’s ‘crown jewels’ well, you can, for just MONOPOLY Money! Today it has been announced that Watford is getting its very own version of the world’s most famous board game. The new game will see the town’s leading landmarks replacing the likes of Mayfair and Park Lane from the original...

Watford has once again been named in the top three of the UK’s 100 largest urban areas in the 2026 UK Vitality Index, marking the fourth year running the town has achieved this distinction. The annual index, compiled by property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), assesses the health and vitality of the UK’s largest towns and cities outside London. It highlights places that offer strong quality of life, robust economic performance and long-term potential for growth. Since first entering...

Cassiobury Park has been voted for by the public within the top 10 parks in the whole of Britain at the Green Flag People’s Choice Awards! Earlier this year, Keep Britain Tidy awarded a record-breaking 2,250 Green Flag Awards to the nation’s best-managed parks and green spaces, with Watford Borough Council and Veolia receiving 17 awards in total, a record number in Hertfordshire. However, to find the best of the best, the environmental charity asked the public to vote for their favourite....