October in Northamptonshire means pumpkin patches, the first real chill in the evenings and a packed half term from 24 October. Northampton has the Diwali Festival of Lights on the Market Square and The Choir Of Man at Royal & Derngate, Kettering has Halloween at Wicksteed Park and Boughton House, Corby has Rockingham Castle’s pumpkin trail, and Wellingborough’s Santa Pod signs off the season with Flame & Thunder. There’s rugby, historic racing at Silverstone, big-name comedy and plenty for the kids.
We’ve pulled together the 25 best events happening in Northamptonshire this October so you can fill half term and your weekends without the guesswork.
Every event here comes from a verified listing on the organiser’s or venue’s own site, but plans do change, so check with the venue before you set off.
Friday 2 October - The Phantoms starring Lee Mead
Venue: The Castle Theatre, Parkwood Theatres
Location: Castle Way, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA
West End star Lee Mead leads The Phantoms in a concert of musical theatre favourites. A separate meet and greet runs at 6pm.
More info: https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/castle-theatre/whats-on/the-phantoms-starring-lee-mead
Saturday 3 - Saturday 31 October - Pumpkin Patch at Overstone Grange Farm
Venue: Overstone Grange Farm
Location: Off the A43 between Moulton and Holcot, Overstone
Pick-your-own pumpkins across 30 acres with around 90 varieties, plus a free play patch. Open weekends through October and daily from 24 to 31 October, with torchlit Pumpkin Nights on 9, 16 and 23 October and an SEN-friendly session on 4 October. Booking is recommended.
More info: https://www.overstonegrangefarm.co.uk/copy-of-summer-fun-2023
Tuesday 6 - Saturday 10 October - The Choir Of Man
Venue: Royal & Derngate
Location: 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP
The Olivier-nominated West End hit arrives on its first UK tour. Nine performers turn the Derngate stage into a working pub, with live versions of songs by Queen, Adele, Paul Simon and more, and a real bar on stage.
More info: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/the-choir-of-man/
Friday 9 October - Anglia Comedy Allstars
Venue: The Old Savoy (Deco Theatre)
Location: Abington Square, Northampton, NN1 4AE
A comedy line-up at the Deco Theatre featuring Sara Pascoe, Sarah Keyworth, Mark Watson and Felicity Ward.
More info: https://www.theoldsavoy.co.uk/event/anglia-comedy-allstars-october-2026/
Saturday 10 - Saturday 31 October - Pumpkin Farm Spooktacular
Venue: Wappenham Farm
Location: Rectory Farm, Wappenham, Towcester, NN12 8SQ
Wappenham Farm’s Halloween season opens on 10 October with pumpkin picking, a 3D spooky trail and maize maze, marshmallow toasting and the Tipi Cafe. Twilight visits run on selected dates. Dogs on leads are welcome and pre-booking is recommended.
More info: https://www.wappenhamfarm.co.uk/daytimevisit
Saturday 10 October - Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby
Venue: cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton Saints
Location: Weedon Road, Northampton, NN5 5BG
Saints host Bath in the Gallagher PREM at Franklin’s Gardens.
More info: https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/fixture/list/
Sunday 11 October - JapShow Finale
Venue: Santa Pod Raceway
Location: Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, NN29 7XA
The end-of-season Japanese performance car show at Santa Pod, with Run What Ya Brung drag racing, drifting, show and shine, drift taxi rides and the Fireforce 5 jet dragster. There is an extra Run What Ya Brung day on Saturday 10 October and free camping for weekend ticket holders.
More info: https://japshowfinale.co.uk/
Tuesday 13 - Saturday 17 October - Othello
Venue: Royal & Derngate
Location: 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP
A new production of Shakespeare’s tragedy directed by Anthony Almeida, co-produced by Northern Stage, HOME Manchester and Citizens Theatre in association with Royal & Derngate. Content warnings apply, including domestic violence and themes relating to racism.
More info: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/othello/
Thursday 15 - Saturday 31 October - Dr Fright’s Halloween Nights: Terror Trials
Venue: Whites Nurseries, Dr Fright’s Halloween Nights
Location: Whites Nurseries, Earls Barton, NN6 0EP
The long-running scare attraction returns with Terror Trials, seven live-action horror mazes housed in marquees, plus a Horror Bar and food area. Timed entry slots sell out, and there are Scream Pass, Fast-Track and No-Scare tickets.
More info: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/drfrightshalloweennights/2257763
Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 October - Motor Racing Legends
Venue: Silverstone Circuit
Location: Towcester, NN12 8TN
A historic racing weekend with pre-war sports cars, the RAC Woodcote Trophy, the Stirling Moss Trophy and historic touring cars, plus family activities.
More info: https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/motor-racing-legends
Saturday 17 October - Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live!
Venue: The Old Savoy (Deco Theatre)
Location: Abington Square, Northampton, NN1 4AE
The Natural History Museum’s family stage show about dinosaurs comes to the Deco Theatre.
More info: https://www.theoldsavoy.co.uk/event/natural-history-museum-presents-dinosaurs-live/
Sunday 18 October - Northampton Saints v Cardiff Rugby (Champions Cup)
Venue: cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton Saints
Location: Weedon Road, Northampton, NN5 5BG
Saints open their Investec Champions Cup pool campaign at home to Cardiff.
More info: https://www.epcrugby.com/champions-cup/clubs/northampton-saints/fixtures-results
Tuesday 20 October - Lenny Henry: Still At Large
Venue: Royal & Derngate
Location: 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP
Lenny Henry’s new live show mixes stand-up, storytelling and conversation as he looks back over five decades on stage and screen, from The Lenny Henry Show and Chef! to his dramatic roles.
More info: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/lenny-henry/
Thursday 22 October - Sunday 1 November - Halloween Circus: Circus Cortex BizZzaR
Venue: Duston Mill, Circus Cortex
Location: Duston Mill Lane, Northampton, NN5 5FP
A family Halloween circus under the Big Top at Duston Mill, close to Upton and Sixfields. It is billed as spooky but not scary and runs across half term.
Thursday 22 October - Steeleye Span
Venue: The Core at Corby Cube
Location: George Street, Corby, NN17 1QG
The folk-rock pioneers, together for 57 years, play The Core’s main theatre.
More info: https://thecorecorby.com/whats-on/steeleye-span/
Saturday 24 October - Sunday 1 November - Halloween Spooktacular at Evenley Wood Garden
Venue: Evenley Wood Garden
Location: Evenley, Brackley, NN13 5SL
A Halloween event through the half term week at Evenley Wood Garden near Brackley, with frights, costumes and seasonal fun in the woodland garden.
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/halloween-spooktacular-2026-tickets-1999870546640
Saturday 24 October - Sunday 1 November - Halloween Half Term at Wicksteed Park
Venue: Wicksteed Park
Location: Barton Road, Kettering, NN15 6NJ
Rides open across half term, including the Astroslide, Clown Coaster and Wicksteed Railway. Wristbands include unlimited rides plus one entry each to the Halloween Haunt walkthroughs and a Zoolab spooky potions show, and there is an outdoor mystery trail.
More info: https://wicksteedpark.org/events/halloween-half-term/
Saturday 24 - Saturday 31 October - Halloween at Boughton
Venue: Boughton House, Boughton House and Estate
Location: Boughton Estate, Geddington, Kettering, NN14 1BJ
An outdoor Halloween trail at Boughton House inspired by the estate’s history and legends, with games, challenges, storytelling and a pumpkin patch. Sessions run 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, parking is free and ticket prices include a token towards a pumpkin.
More info: https://www.boughtonhouse.co.uk/halloween-events-northants/
Wednesday 28 - Saturday 31 October - Halloween Fun at Rockingham Castle
Venue: Rockingham Castle
Location: Rockingham, Corby, LE16 8TH
A carved pumpkin trail through the castle with a creepy crossword to solve, pumpkin rolling, games and a spooky garden trail. Children get a goody bag. Last entry 3pm, pre-booking recommended.
More info: https://rockinghamcastle.com/event/halloween-fun/
Wednesday 28 October - Hocus Pocus Halloween Outdoor Cinema
Venue: Delapre Abbey, Outdoor cinema promoter via Eventbrite
Location: London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW
An early-evening outdoor screening of the Halloween favourite Hocus Pocus in the grounds of Delapre Abbey, during half term. Wrap up warm.
Thursday 29 October - Sunday 1 November - The Gruffalo
Venue: Royal & Derngate
Location: 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP
Tall Stories’ musical adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture book returns for its 25th anniversary. Aimed at children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups, it lands right in the October half term.
More info: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/the-gruffalo/
Friday 30 October - Sunday 1 November - GamesWorld: Interactive Video Gaming Experience
Venue: Royal & Derngate
Location: 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP
A half term gaming event in the Underground with around 100 consoles and games from Atari to Xbox, plus virtual reality. Friday opens from 6pm; Saturday and Sunday run 10am to 5pm with booked start times.
More info: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/gamesworld/
Saturday 31 October - Flame & Thunder
Venue: Santa Pod Raceway
Location: Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, NN29 7XA
Santa Pod’s Halloween finale with jet cars, monster trucks Podzilla and Swamp Thing, stunt driving from Terry Grant, drifting displays, kids’ activities and a fireworks display followed by a night show. Tickets are online only, with early pricing ending 16 October.
More info: https://santapod.co.uk/events/flame-thunder/
Saturday 31 October - Diwali Winter Festival of Lights
Venue: Market Square, Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation with Northampton Town Council
Location: Northampton, NN1 2DL
Northampton’s Diwali festival marks its 26th year with a free day on the Market Square. Expect cultural food and drink, community stalls, live stage entertainment, henna painting, saree dressing, arts and crafts, and an evening lantern procession and parade with giant illuminated puppets.
More info: https://www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/diwali
Saturday 31 October - Ice Age Adventure Live
Venue: The Core at Corby Cube
Location: George Street, Corby, NN17 1QG
A family stage show set in the frozen world of the Ice Age films, on the last Saturday of half term.
More info: https://thecorecorby.com/whats-on/ice-age-adventure-live/
Want the lot? See every event in Northamptonshire this October in our full events calendar.
