Bells, Boots and Boxing Day: How to Find St Albans Morris Men on 26 December 2026
Boxing Day in St Albans has its own rituals. There are leftovers to finish, dogs to walk, sales to avoid, and perhaps a brisk loop around Verulamium. For a certain slice of Hertfordshire, though, 26 December also means one thing: the sound of bells coming down the street. St Albans Morris Men have been dancing out on Boxing Day for years, and 2026 is no exception. If you’ve never stopped to watch, this is your friendly nudge to do it.
Saturday 26 December 2026 is the date to put in the diary. The side will be out and about, but a Boxing Day dance-out is not a single ticketed show in a warm hall. It’s a moving tour, usually taking in pubs, streets and open spaces around St Albans and nearby villages. That means the exact timings and stops can shift, so check the St Albans Morris Men website and social feeds closer to the day before you set off. Treat the route as a rough guide, not a train timetable.
What actually happens on a Boxing Day dance-out?
The short answer is: a lot of cheerful organised chaos. The side gathers, often in the morning, and moves from spot to spot. At each stop there’ll be a few dances, a bit of chat, maybe a tune or two, and then a shuffle on to the next pub or patch of pavement. You’ll hear the bells before you see the dancers. Then comes the familiar sight of white trousers, bell pads, sticks and hankies, and a musician keeping everyone in time.
Morris dancing is not a silent sport. The bells jingle, the sticks clash, and someone — usually the squire — calls the next dance. Dances are short, often just a few minutes each. You don’t need to know the steps to enjoy it. In fact, half the fun is watching the side work as a team, adjusting to the space, the surface, and whoever has wandered into the set with a pint in hand.
It’s worth saying that this is not a rehearsed theatre performance. A Boxing Day tour is informal by design. Dancers deal with icy pavements, tight pub courtyards, curious dogs and the occasional delivery van. That slightly improvised feel is part of the charm. It’s folk dance doing what folk dance does best: turning up in ordinary places and making them feel a bit more alive.
Where to find the side around St Albans and Hertfordshire
The honest answer is: check the confirmed route. The side will usually publish details of where they’re dancing, and those details are the ones to trust. Beyond that, expect the usual local suspects. City centre pubs, the Cathedral quarter, streets around the market, and a handful of Hertfordshire villages are all the sort of places a Boxing Day side might pop up. Villages such as Wheathampstead, Harpenden, Redbourn, Sandridge and London Colney have all been part of the wider local folk calendar over the years, though not necessarily every Boxing Day.
If you’re out for a walk anyway, keep your ears open. A cluster of people outside a pub, a musician tuning up, and a strange jingling in the distance are all good signs. If you see a morris side, you’ve found the right place. If you see two morris sides, you’ve probably found a pub with a decent beer garden.
One practical tip: don’t try to chase the whole route on foot if you’re new to it. Pick one or two stops, arrive a little early, and enjoy the fact that you’re not herding anyone. Boxing Day is meant to be slow. Let the side come to you.
What to wear (and what not to worry about)
Wear more layers than you think you need. December pavements are cold, and standing still while watching dancers warm up is a quick way to remember that. Waterproof boots, thick socks, a hat and gloves are all sensible. If the forecast is grim, a raincoat beats an umbrella in a crowd. You do not need to dress up, and you certainly don’t need to wear bells. Leave that to the side.
Children are welcome, and so are dogs, but keep both out of the dance area. Bells can be loud up close, so if you have a little one who dislikes sudden noise, stand a few paces back. Dogs on leads are usually fine, but a busy pub courtyard is not the place for a long extendable lead and an enthusiastic spaniel. Think of the dancers’ shins.
Pub etiquette for first-time spectators
A Boxing Day dance-out often happens outside pubs, and those pubs are doing everyone a favour by hosting. If you’re staying for a drink, buy one. If you’re just watching, keep doorways, gangways and bar access clear. Don’t stand in the middle of the set, even if you’re only popping in for a photo. And if you want a close-up video, ask first — most dancers are happy to be filmed, but a bit of courtesy goes a long way.
There may be a collecting box or bucket. Morris sides fund their kit, travel and insurance in all sorts of unglamorous ways, so a bit of loose change is always appreciated. It is not compulsory, and nobody will chase you down the street. But if the side has brightened up your Boxing Day, it’s a nice way to say thanks.
If you’re tempted to join in, don’t launch yourself into the set on the day. Ask about practice nights instead. Most sides are genuinely keen to welcome new dancers and musicians, but Boxing Day is not the moment for a trial run in front of a pub crowd.
Why it’s worth braving the cold
There is something quietly brilliant about a tradition that asks for nothing more than a bit of pavement, a few tunes and an audience. It’s free, it’s local, and it’s a bit eccentric in the best possible way. You might arrive knowing nothing about morris dancing and leave having watched six dances, chatted to a stranger, and promised yourself you’ll come back next year.
For families, it’s a gentle alternative to the sales. For dog-walkers, it’s a reason to loop past the pub. For newcomers to St Albans, it’s a quick lesson in how this city wears its history — not just in the Cathedral, but in the everyday stuff of high streets, courtyards and Saturday mornings.
So on Saturday 26 December 2026, wrap up warm, check the side’s confirmed route, and keep an ear out for bells. You might just find your new Boxing Day ritual.
A quick Boxing Day checklist
- Check the St Albans Morris Men website and social media for confirmed stops and timings.
- Wear warm layers, waterproof boots and gloves.
- Bring cash for a collection, if you’re so inclined.
- Keep children and dogs clear of the dance space.
- Buy a drink if you’re using the pub.
- Ask about practice nights if you fancy having a go in 2027.
- Enjoy the fact that nobody is asking you to do anything except watch and clap.
