Hatfield House is closed for the season and the gardens shut on 27 September. What is on in the park from October to Christmas 2026, with dates and prices.
Hatfield House itself is now closed for the season, and the gardens close from Sunday 27 September 2026. The free Stable Yard with its shops and the Coach House Kitchen stay open; outside the season, Hatfield Park says the park itself opens on selected weekends and for its events. Hatfield Park has published four dates for the rest of the year so far: Witches and Wizards Week at October half term, a Christmas Candlelight Concert on Saturday 5 December, and Christmas Party Nights on 12 and 18 December. Last year it also ran a winter market, a Christmas tree pop-up, woodland Christmas walks, a Santa experience and a carol service. None of those has a 2026 date yet.
The quick answer
- House closed for the season; gardens close from Sunday 27 September 2026 (Hatfield Park, opening times and prices)
- Christmas Candlelight Concert: Saturday 5 December 2026, 6.30pm, in the Great Hall of the Old Palace, from £25 adult and £15 child (Hatfield Park)
- Santa, Christmas walks, carols and the winter market are not yet announced for 2026. Every date listed for last year’s Santa experience sold out
What is confirmed for 2026
| Event | When | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hatfield House Music Festival: Celebrations | Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 October | Per concert, on the festival page |
| Witches and Wizards Week | Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, 10.30am to 4pm | Adult £16, child £8; hat workshop only £12 |
| Live music at the Coach House Kitchen | Friday 4 December, 6.30pm to 9pm | See listing |
| Christmas Candlelight Concert | Saturday 5 December, concert 6.30pm | Platinum £50/£40, Gold £40/£30, Silver £30/£20, Bronze £25/£15 (adult/child) |
| Christmas Party Nights | Saturday 12 and Friday 18 December | £75 a head booked before 30 September, then £80, plus booking fees |
Witches and Wizards Week is the October half term event: a Haunted Forest trail through the Woodland Walks, with creatures made from recycled materials by Sarah Ruggeri of the park’s gardens team, and a hat-decorating workshop in the Riding School run by Splodgers. The paths are grassy and can be muddy. More half term options are on our October half term page.
The Candlelight Concert is played by the London String Trio and Quartet in the Great Hall of the Old Palace, where Elizabeth I spent her childhood. It mixes carols with seasonal favourites, is billed as suitable for all ages, and has limited seats.
The Christmas Party Nights are a shared party in the Old Palace: a welcome drink, three-course dinner, mince pies and a DJ. Only two nights are on sale.
What ran last Christmas, and may come back
These are Hatfield Park’s own listings for 2025. We will update each one when its 2026 date is published.
- Winter Market, Saturday 15 November 2025, 10.30am to 4pm, in the Riding School, in aid of Isabel Hospice. £2.50 on the door, under-15s free with an adult (Hatfield Park, Winter Market 2025).
- Hatfield Christmas Trees, a pop-up in George’s Car Park from Saturday 22 November to Christmas Eve 2025, potted and cut Spruce and Nordmann from 3ft to 20ft, with free local delivery in the Hatfield area and free tree recycling after Christmas (Hatfield Park, Christmas trees 2025).
- Winter Walks and Workshops, 29 November to 23 December 2025, 11am to 4pm: a woodland trail of festive figures made from recycled materials and a wooden reindeer and snowman workshop in the Motor House. Adults £16, children 3 to 17 £8 (Hatfield Park, Winter Walks 2025).
- A Palace Visit with Santa, 29 November to 23 December 2025: a fairy-lit tractor trailer ride and story, then Santa in the Upper Solar Room of the Old Palace. Every listed date from 13 December onwards sold out. Details on our Santa’s grotto page.
- Christmas Carols at Hatfield Park, Thursday 11 December 2025, 6.30pm: a carol service, open to all, hosted by Lord and Lady Salisbury on the North Front, with the Welwyn Garden City Brass Band (Hatfield Park, carols 2025).
Visiting in winter
- Park and Stable Yard. Entry to the Stable Yard and parking are free. Season tickets cover park opening on “selected weekends pre and post-season” as well as the half terms (Hatfield Park FAQs). Drive in through George’s Gate, AL9 5HX; on foot, use the gate opposite Hatfield station (Hatfield Park).
- Closed days. The park is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (Hatfield Park FAQs).
- Cards not accepted. Historic Houses, National Trust, English Heritage and RHS cards do not get you in.
- 2026 prices, for next season: garden, park and woodland walks £17 adult, £8.50 child; house, garden and park £27 adult, £13.50 child; Old Palace tour £8.50. Dogs are allowed in the park but not the gardens.
What is still to be confirmed
- Santa, Winter Walks, the winter market, the Christmas tree pop-up and the carol service for 2026. We will check Hatfield Park’s listings again in mid October.
- The 2027 season opening date for the house, which Hatfield Park has not yet announced.
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