To celebrate 80 glorious years, a special week of events will take place in September including the return of the fantastic Dambusters Ball on Friday 28 September.

The Public Halls have teamed up with Bob Golding to bring you an evening of vintage fun and frivolity. Put on your glad rags and party like it’s 1938 with a delicious two course wartime meal, a complimentary glass of bubbly, the 78 RPM Big Band, The Andrews Sisters and George Formby, vintage vehicles, cocktails, a casino and a host of very special guests. A raffle will also be held in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The history of Harpenden Public Halls

Opened in 1938, The Public Halls was built on land that was once part of the garden belonging to Harpenden Hall, and replaced the old Public Hall (Now Park Hall) in Leyton Road, which was used for public events since the 1890s.

In the 1980s the main hall and foyer were refurbished as a memorial to local legend Eric Morecambe, with the main auditorium being renamed Eric Morecambe Hall.

Up to the 1960s the Public Halls hosted a variety of events including variety shows, dancing and wrestling and has played host to the Harpenden Gang Show and Light Operatic Society among others almost since it was first built.

The mid-Sixties blues boom saw many touring bands visit the Halls including John Mayall, Chris Farlowe, Alan Bown, Them (featuring Van Morrison) and Shotgun Express (featuring Rod Stewart). Since then, the Public Halls has welcomed some of the very best in live music and comedy: The Kilkennys, From The Jam, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Jason Donovan, Dodgy, John Cooper Clarke, Jon Culshaw, Jenny Éclair, Danny Baker, Dave Spikey, Jon Richardson and many more, as well as regular classes and community clubs, films, a regular record fair and the annual Christmas Pantomime.

Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 1TE Details: 01582 767525, harpendenpublichalls.co.uk