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Halloween weekend in St Albans: music, museums and the first fireworks
What is on in St Albans from 30 October to 1 November, from The Zombies' Begin Here Festival to free museum exhibitions and the first fireworks, with a link to every organiser.
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and St Albans has a big music weekend on top of the usual ghost stories. Here is what we could confirm, with a link to the organiser for every item so you can check times and book. Details were checked on 29 October 2026, so please look at the organiser's page before you set off.
The Zombies' Begin Here Festival (30 October to 1 November)
Photo: St. Albans Dusk by Greg Knapp, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.
The band's hometown festival runs all weekend, with a candlelit acoustic concert by Colin Blunstone at St Albans Cathedral, a 1960s dance party, a record signing, a group photo on the Cathedral Green, question-and-answer sessions with original band members, and a Sunday-evening jam at The Boot to finish. Most main events need a festival pass, so check the schedule for what is open to everyone.
Free and family-friendly at the museums
Photo: St Albans Museum and Gallery by David Howard, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.
St Albans Museums have a half-term programme running to Friday 30 October, including Archaeology for Families at Verulamium Museum (no pre-booking needed). Several exhibitions are free to see: Still Lives (to 11 April), Accessories: Wearing Your Story (to 31 January) and the Honouring Our Communities mural (to 1 December). A Day in the Life of Verulamium is included with museum entry.
The first fireworks
Photo: Lewes Bonfire Night 2013 South Street fireworks display by Editor5807, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9. Illustration only: Bonfire Night in Lewes, East Sussex.
- Samuel Ryder Academy PTA fireworks, Friday 6 November. Gates open at 4.30pm and the display starts at 6.30pm, with live music from the school and food and drink stalls. There is no parking on site. Tickets on Ticket Tailor.
- St Albans Fireworks Spectacular, Saturday 7 November. The city council lists it on its Verulamium Park events page, but a Look Up Together campaign says this year's display is a doorstep aerial display and not the usual ticketed park event. Check with St Albans Cathedral before you plan your evening.
Know of something we missed?
Pubs, schools and clubs run plenty of their own Halloween nights. If you are organising one, tell us in your local group on The Social Martini and we will add it.
Cover photo: Scary Pumpkin, public domain (US National Park Service), via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.