July brings the summer holidays, long light evenings and a packed calendar across Northamptonshire. From open-air concerts at Delapre Abbey and drag racing at Santa Pod to Pride, Highland games and a run of food festivals, towns including Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Corby, Daventry and Oundle all have something to offer this month.
UNTIL SUNDAY 5 JULY 2026 – OUNDLE FRINGE FESTIVAL
Venue: Oundle Fringe – various pubs, hotels, cafes and streets
Location: Various venues across Oundle town centre, PE8
Oundle’s community fringe festival fills the town’s pubs, cafes and streets with more than 50 mostly free events. The programme spans tribute bands, jazz, blues, folk, rock, bluegrass, classical, poetry, comedy, dance and art exhibitions. The final weekend runs into early July.
More info: https://www.oundlefringe.org/
THURSDAY 2 – SUNDAY 5 JULY 2026 – KETTERING CONTINENTAL STREET MARKET
Venue: Kettering Market Place
Location: Market Place, Sheep Street, Kettering, NN15 0AJ
A free international street market brings continental cuisine, hot street food and handmade craft goods to Kettering town centre. Traders from across Europe set up along Sheep Street and the Market Place. Open 10am to 6pm Thursday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
More info: https://www.ketteringtowncouncil.gov.uk/whatson
FRIDAY 3 – SUNDAY 5 JULY 2026 – BITE STREET NN
Venue: Delapre Abbey (South Lawn)
Location: Delapre Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW
Northampton’s popular pop-up street food event returns to the South Lawn at Delapre Abbey, with covered seating for more than 600 under a large stretch tent. The line-up features independent traders including The Flavour Trailer, Baja Cantina, Tapas Zampa and The Pork Shack, plus bars. Friday 5.30pm to 10pm, Saturday 1pm to 10pm and Sunday noon to 4.30pm, with free parking and under-10s free.
More info: https://delapreabbey.org/events/bite-street-nn-july26/
SATURDAY 4 – SUNDAY 5 JULY 2026 – WELLINGBOROUGH CARNIVAL AND PARTY IN THE PARK
Venue: Town centre procession and Croyland Park
Location: Town centre (Sat) and Croyland Park, Wellingborough (Sun)
Wellingborough’s flagship free weekend opens with a colourful Carnival procession of floats, marching bands and dance troupes through the town centre on Saturday. Sunday brings Party in the Park with live music, food stalls and family activities. A staple of the town’s summer calendar.
More info: https://www.wellingboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/party-weekend-2026/
SATURDAY 11 JULY 2026 – NORTHAMPTON PRIDE 2026
Venue: Market Square
Location: Market Square, Northampton, NN1 2DL
Now in its ninth year, Northampton Pride is a free celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in the Market Square. The day features the Pride Parade, live performances, walkabout entertainers and food and drink stalls. More than 50 community and business stalls line the square.
More info: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/events-and-activities/northampton-pride
SATURDAY 11 JULY 2026 – CLASSIC CAR AND BIKE SHOW
Venue: Chester House Estate
Location: Chester House Estate, Higham Road, Little Irchester, Wellingborough, NN8 2DH
Vintage cars and motorcycles fill the historic Chester House Estate for this annual show organised by Hatton Rotary Club. There is a live broadcast from Beat Route Radio, hot food and the Farmhouse Cafe. Adult tickets are around £8, with reduced prices for young people; card payment only.
More info: https://northantsfamilies.co.uk/classic-car-bike-show-2026-is-coming-to-chester-house-estate/
SATURDAY 11 – SUNDAY 12 JULY 2026 – CORBY HIGHLAND GATHERING (55TH)
Venue: Charter Field
Location: Charter Field, Old Village, Corby, NN17 1QB
England’s most Scottish town celebrates its roots at the 55th Highland Gathering. The programme includes the All England Highland Dancing Championships, pipe band competitions, the World Porridge Eating Competition and a strongman contest, plus birds of prey, Vikings, food and stalls. Weekend adult tickets are around £5, concessions £2.50 and under-16s free.
MONDAY 13 – SATURDAY 18 JULY 2026 – OPERATION MINCEMEAT: A NEW MUSICAL
Venue: Royal and Derngate
Location: 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP
The Olivier Award winning Best New Musical arrives in Northampton on its landmark world tour. The comic musical tells the wildly improbable true story of the WWII deception operation that helped turn the war. A week-long run of evening and matinee performances.
More info: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/
FRIDAY 17 JULY 2026 – MADE IN THE 80S – LIVE AT THE ABBEY
Venue: Delapre Abbey
Location: Delapre Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW
An open-air 1980s night in the grounds of Delapre Abbey, co-headlined by Wet Wet Wet and ABC with Marc Almond and Johnny Hates Jazz. Part of the venue’s summer Live at the Abbey season. General admission is around £49.50, with VIP, child and family tickets available.
More info: https://delapreabbey.org/events/made-in-the-80s-delapre-abbey/
FRIDAY 17 – SUNDAY 19 JULY 2026 – LAMPORT HALL QUILTING AND SEWING SHOW
Venue: Lamport Hall
Location: Lamport Hall, Lamport, Northamptonshire, NN6 9HD
A major textile and craft show returns to Lamport Hall over three days. Expect quilting and sewing displays, workshops, demonstrations and stalls selling fabrics and haberdashery. Set in the historic hall and grounds near Northampton.
More info: https://www.lamporthall.co.uk/events/lamport-hall-quilting-and-sewing-show/
SATURDAY 18 JULY 2026 – SUMMERTIME LIVE NORTHAMPTON 2026
Venue: Delapre Abbey
Location: Delapre Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW
A large outdoor dance and garage festival across four stages at Delapre Abbey, headlined by Tinie Tempah and Wilkinson. The line-up includes Sigala, Ms Dynamite, Artful Dodger, Majestic and Flava D. New for 2026 is a silent disco, plus a street food village, bars, fairground rides and festival stalls; gates open at 2pm.
More info: https://www.summertimelive.co.uk/northampton
SATURDAY 18 JULY 2026 – COMEDY CRATE FESTIVAL – SUMMER ALL-DAYER
Venue: The Charles Bradlaugh, The Lamplighter and The Black Prince
Location: Various town-centre venues, Northampton, NN1
A single wristband gives access to 15 rotating stand-up acts hopping between three town-centre pubs across the day. Part of the wider Comedy Crate Festival programme. Tickets are around £25.
More info: https://www.thecomedycrate.com/northamptontickets
SATURDAY 18 JULY 2026 – SUMMER ART AND CRAFT FAIR
Venue: Northampton Museum and Art Gallery
Location: Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, 5-6 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP
Local artists and makers gather at the museum to sell handmade crafts, art and gifts. A free browsing event running from 11am to 4pm. A chance to support Northamptonshire creatives.
More info: https://www.northamptonmuseums.com/whats-on/events/
SUNDAY 19 JULY 2026 – THE FORD SHOW
Venue: Santa Pod Raceway
Location: Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, NN29 7XA
A one-day celebration of all things Ford at Santa Pod Raceway. Every Ford model is welcome, with Run What Ya Brung down the famous quarter-mile and a Show and Shine competition. Adult tickets are around £33 and children (5-15) £6.
More info: https://santapodtickets.com/p/thefordshow
TUESDAY 21 – SATURDAY 25 JULY 2026 – DERREN BROWN: ONLY HUMAN
Venue: Royal and Derngate
Location: 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP
The master of psychological illusion returns with his brand-new stage show Only Human for a multi-night run in Northampton. Expect the mind-reading, misdirection and surprises that have made Derren Brown one of the country’s most acclaimed live performers. Evening performances across the week.
More info: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/
THURSDAY 23 – SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026 – NORTHANTS ROCKS 2026
Venue: Finedon
Location: Finedon, near Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
A multi-stage rock and metal festival returns to Finedon, headlined by Breed 77, Hacktivist and Viking Skull. The bill also features the Northants Metal 2 the Masses winners and many other acts. Day tickets from around £20, weekend £60 and camping available.
More info: https://www.skiddle.com/festivals/northants-rocks/
FRIDAY 24 JULY 2026 – FIVE – LIVE AT THE ABBEY
Venue: Delapre Abbey
Location: Delapre Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW
90s pop group Five headline an outdoor evening concert at Delapre Abbey, part of the venue’s summer Live at the Abbey open-air season. Gates open from around 5pm. Bring the family for a nostalgic night of chart hits.
More info: https://tickets.songkick.com/concerts/43047883-five-at-delapre-abbey
FRIDAY 24 – SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026 – BUG JAM 39
Venue: Santa Pod Raceway
Location: Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, NN29 7XA
Santa Pod’s long-running family-friendly VW and campervan festival returns for its 39th year. Highlights include drag racing, Run What Ya Brung, live music, a Show and Shine, kids’ zone, comedy, stunt displays, a funfair and trade village. A weekend camping festival for car enthusiasts and families alike.
More info: https://bugjam.co.uk/
SATURDAY 25 JULY 2026 – DAVFEST 2026
Venue: Daventry Rugby Football Club
Location: Daventry RFC, Willoughby, near Daventry, Northamptonshire
A day-long music festival at Daventry Rugby Club with a full line-up of live bands, including Whiskey Flame taking the stage in the afternoon. A relaxed community festival with bars and food. Music from 2pm.
More info: https://allevents.in/daventry/whiskey-flame-davfest-2026/200029533705511
SATURDAY 25 – SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026 – ROMAN FEST 2026
Venue: Chester House Estate
Location: Chester House Estate, Higham Road, Little Irchester, Wellingborough, NN8 2DH
A free family celebration of the region’s Roman heritage at Chester House Estate. The weekend features Roman army displays, crafts, archaeology stalls, excavation tours and a University of Leicester pop-up lab. Free to attend but ticket booking is required.
SATURDAY 25 – SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026 – GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL
Venue: Holdenby House
Location: Holdenby House, Holdenby Road, Northampton, NN6 8DJ
A two-day food festival in the grounds of the historic Holdenby House. The weekend brings a street food and artisan market, live chef demos, beat the chef challenges, foraging walks, a kids’ zone and live music. Tickets from around £15 adult and £7 child, with entry to the house and gardens included; dog friendly.
More info: https://www.holdenby.com/events/events-diary/great-british-food-festival
SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026 – BRACKLEY SUMMER FESTIVAL
Venue: Brackley
Location: Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13
The town’s summer festival, formerly the Brackley Beer Festival, returns with real ales, live music, food and family entertainment. Advance tickets are around £10 with children free. A relaxed afternoon and evening for the whole community.
More info: https://www.brackleynorthants-tc.gov.uk/events-listings/
SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026 – FAIRY DAY AT ROCKINGHAM CASTLE
Venue: Rockingham Castle
Location: Rockingham Castle, Rockingham, near Corby, LE16 8TH
A magical family day at Rockingham Castle with a Wild Garden fairy-door trail, Woodland Fairies and an indoor Toadstool Trail. Fancy dress is encouraged. House and gardens admission around £16.85 adult, £10.05 child, with a family ticket available.
More info: https://northantsfamilies.co.uk/fairy-day-at-rockingham-castle-2026-a-magical-summer-day-out/
WEDNESDAY 29 JULY – FRIDAY 14 AUGUST 2026 – THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE TRAIL
Venue: Lamport Hall
Location: Lamport Hall, Lamport, Northamptonshire, NN6 9HD
An Enid Blyton themed family trail winds through the gardens at Lamport Hall for the summer holidays. Follow the story through the grounds and meet characters from the Magic Faraway Tree. Open Wednesday to Friday from 29 July into mid-August.
More info: https://www.lamporthall.co.uk/events/the-magic-faraway-tree-trail/
THURSDAY 30 JULY 2026 – FAIRY PICNIC IN THE ENCHANTED WOODLAND
Venue: Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens
Location: Kelmarsh Hall, Kelmarsh, Northampton, NN6 9LY
A woodland fairy-themed family day at Kelmarsh Hall with a Fairy Walk through the Enchanted Woodland, a Wishing Tree, games and storytelling with Nicky Rafferty. Tickets are around £15 per car including admission for up to five people. Bring a blanket and a picnic.
More info: https://kelmarsh.com/whats-on/fairy-picnic-in-the-woods/
