Big Beach

The Big Beach returns to The Parade by the pond this summer. Grab your bucket and spade and bring along your family and friends for two weeks of free fun for all the family. You can join in the daily schedule of free activities or just kick back and relax in the sunshine. There is no need to book, just turn up and enjoy! Each day shells will be hidden in the sand and for every shell found a prize will be given.

The Parade, Watford, Saturday, August 4, to Sunday, August 19, 10am to 10pm. Details: watfordbigevents.co.uk

Watford Short Film Festival

Open to an audience of avid film fans and film-makers alike, Watford Short Film Festival celebrates the best drama, factual and animated content. An expert judging panel will award the best film from each category with an award at the end of the festival, audience members will also have an opportunity to award their favourite film from each category by voting for the 'Audience Award'.

Pump House Theatre, 5 Local Board Road, Watford, Saturday, August 4, from 12.30pm. Details: 01923 467269 pumphouse.info

Cassiobury Farm Open Day

Come and visit the rare breeds farm, with Hungrian Steppe cows, Soay sheep, Gloucester Old Spot pigs, pygmy goats, red deer, fallow deer, miniature horses and donkeys, turkeys, pheasants and so much more. Enjoy the farm’s private collection of exotics, including flamingos, meerkats, marmosets, wallabies, crested cranes, pelicans, arctic foxes, civets, squirrel monkeys, reindeer, capybara, tortoises and more. Visit the kitchen garden and buy local produce at the farm shop. There will be lots of fun for the kids with a bouncy castle, face painting, fishing, crazy golf, mini-tractor rides and animal encounters.

Cassiobury Farm, Rousebarn Lane, Watford, Saturday, August 4, 10am to 5pm. Details: 01923 802657 cassioburyfarm.co.uk

Grimsdyke Brass Band

Grimsdyke Brass is Harrow's premier brass band, well known for its engaging and entertaining concert performances. Enjoy its broad repertoire including film music, jazz, big band standards and, of course, the best brass band classics!

Bandstand, Cassiobury Park, Watford, Sunday, August 5, 2pm to 4pm. Details: 01923 226400

Fire Brigade Museum Open Day

Come and visit the only fire-related museum in Hertfordshire and see and feel the history of fire-fighting from the early days. The museum has two 19th century hand manual pumps, a 1896 horse-drawn steam fire pump, a 1937 Leyland pump-escape fire engine that served at St Albans, and a 1942 Dennis trailer pump used during the Second World War. There are fire-fighter's uniforms that can be tried on and fire-fighting equipment that can be handled (including early breathing apparatus sets).

Fire Station, Lower High Street, Watford, Saturday, August 4, 1pm to 4pm. Details: r-middleton@outlook.com

Isabelle Demers

Internationally acclaimed virtuoso organist Isabelle Demers gives an organ recital on the Cathedral’s renowned Harrison & Harrison organ. Isabelle has performed throughout the world, including a live broadcast from the Royal Festival Hall and concerts in Disney Hall, Melbourne Town Hall and throughout Europe and the Far East. She is known for her spell-binding playing, – performing from memory – and her highly imaginative programming. A native of Québec, Demers is a graduate of the Julliard School in New York City and a prominent recording artist. Her recital at the Cathedral includes works by Widor, JS Bach, Louis Vierne and the Variations on a theme of Paganini – an extraordinary work by Thalben-Ball featuring virtuosic pedal-playing.

St Albans Cathedral, Sunday, August 5, 3pm. Details: stalbanscathedral.org

Northwood Craft Market

Beautiful handmade crafts to browse and buy. Crafts include jewellery, embroidery, crochet, fabric bags and purses, watercolours, wedding bouquets, crocheted toys, children's clothing and much more. Hands-on crafts for children to make something to take home. There will also be a plant stall.

Methodist Church Hall, Oaklands Gate, Northwood, Saturday, August 4, 10am to 2pm. Details: 07780601842 northwoodcraftmarket@hotmail.co.uk

Rural Life

Come along for this event where you will learn about rural life and discover a range of traditional crafts. Visit the newly refurbished bodging area and learn about this tradition. See the saw pit and pole lathe in action and learn about the charcoal kiln. Watch basket weaving demonstrations and purchase your own handmade basket. Learn about the uses of lavender and make your own lavender sachet. Visit the costumed re-enactors who will be demonstrating historic cooking. Listen to traditional and modern folk music. Meet the horses and find out more about their care from their handlers. The Museum also has a working historic farm with livestock including cows, sheep, chickens and kid goats which you can explore.

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Saturday, August 4, and Sunday, August 5. Details: 01494 871117 coam.org.uk

Rock at the Castle

This well-established free music festival takes place in the grounds of Hertford Castle. Three music stages surround the Castle where live bands, musicians and acoustic acts play to the public. From rock to folk, indie to pop, this music festival has something for everyone. This year acts include Lip Service, Bombshell, Tom Lumley, Lizzie Malessy, Real McKoys, and many more. Food stalls and pop-up bar available for refreshments.

Hertford Castle, Hertford, Sunday, August 5, from 12.30pm. Details: hertford.gov.uk