Things to Do

Looking for things to do locally? You’re in the right place. For more, head over to our events calendar here

09th Jan 2025

What’s on at the Roadmender this January

This month at the Roadmender, From The Jam will play, celebrating the 45th anniversary of their fourth studio album, Setting Sons. This is no tribute event, mind you – From The Jam, as the name suggests, features Bruce Foxton, one-time bassist and songwriter with the stellar music makers. Taking the spot once occupied by Weller is Russell Hastings, who has been a part of From The Jam since inception and has also worked with Weller and other aces including the much-missed Wilko Johnson and Steve Cropper. Setting Sons was the first of the band’s releases to enter the charts stateside and hit the Top 5 over here.This is one night when the public will definitely get what it wants, and then some. “Even the obscure album tracks like Little Boy Soldiers and Thick As Thieves are as popular when we play them live as the hit singles,” Russell said. Ruts..

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09th Jan 2025

What’s on at the theatre this January

Dazzling Diamonds, funny folks and a West End phenomenon... Fed up with pine needles in the carpet and the post Crimbo comedown? You need a night at the theatre! Escape the new year drear with some sun-drenched reggae cheer at the Derngate with Legend – the Music of Bob Marley (Jan 11). When it comes to a set list of solid sounds, Marley delivered, and so this celebration will do the same: Could You Be Loved, Is This Love, One Love, No Woman No Cry, Three Little Birds, Jammin’, Buffalo Soldier, Stir It Up, Get Up Stand Up, Exodus, Waiting in Vain, Satisfy, My Soul, Iron Lion Zion... Over at The Royal on the same night, The Opera Boys return with four-part harmony driven musical medleys delivering music from modern day musicals including Wicked, Mamma Mia and Frozen, while also revisiting classics from Porter, Gershwin and Rodgers & Hammerstein. You..

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09th Jan 2025

Discover Your Dream Wedding at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa

Fawsley Hall invites you to their Wedding Showcase at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa on Sunday, 26th January 2025, from 11am to 2pm. Set in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside, Fawsley Hall provides a stunning and memorable setting for your special day. This showcase is the perfect opportunity to see everything the historic venue has to offer. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Fawsley Hall’s elegant spaces are designed to make your wedding day truly unforgettable. What You Can Expect Guided Venue Tours: Explore the ceremony and reception spaces, luxurious guest rooms, and picturesque gardens. Imagine how your special day could look in this extraordinary setting. Meet Their Wedding Team: Speak with experienced wedding coordinators, who will be on hand to answer your questions and help plan every detail of your celebration. Trusted Suppliers: Meet a selection of recommended suppliers, including florists, photographers, and entertainers, to bring..

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09th Jan 2025

Celebrations planned to mark 350-year anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton

A packed programme of cultural events and celebrations is being lined up to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton. 2025 marks 350 years since flames ripped through the streets of Northampton, destroying 700 of the 850 buildings in the town centre and claiming 11 lives. To observe the anniversary, cultural and historical groups are teaming up with partners including Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), Northampton Town Council and West Northamptonshire Council to put together a series of events to showcase the story of the fire and the rebuild that followed. The celebrations will be launched on Thursday, May 29 with an Oak Apple Day parade and service at All Saints Church – including the annual hanging of a wreath in honour of King Charles II who donated 1,000 tonnes of timber to help rebuild much of the town. Art historian James Miller, who is..

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17th Dec 2024

Where to meet Santa in Northampton this December

Christmas is just around the corner, and Northampton is brimming with festive cheer and magical places to meet Santa. Here’s a guide to the best spots in and around Northampton where families can visit Father Christmas this holiday season. 1. Chester House Estate Step into a winter wonderland at Chester House Estate. Santa will be waiting in his enchanting grotto, ready to hear children’s Christmas wishes. Families can enjoy festive crafts, seasonal treats, and stunning decorations across the estate. Book online at https://chesterhouseestate.org/ 2. Delapré Abbey Delapré Abbey’s historical charm adds a touch of magic to meeting Santa. Children can visit Santa’s grotto, participate in storytelling sessions, and explore the beautifully decorated grounds. Don’t miss the Christmas market for festive shopping and refreshments. 3. Stanwick House Stanwick House transforms into a Christmas haven during the festive season. Santa’s grotto here offers a cosy and personalised experience. Families can also enjoy..

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17th Dec 2024

Popular Northamptonshire venues to host double whammy Christmas comedy shows on same night

A host of comedians are bringing their best gags to two restaurants in Wellingborough and Northampton this Christmas for a double whammy comedy night. No 13 bar, at Wellingborough’s Nene Court, and Four Pears pub, in Little Houghton, are hosting four exciting comedians, who will flit between venues across the county, all on the same evening. The energetic night will take place on Thursday, December 19 to help promote an up-and-coming comedy scene in the area and spread all important Christmas cheer across the county. Restaurant owner, James Peck, said: “We’ve hosted Hats Funny Comedy before and we’re always impressed with how they raise the roof of our venues with laughter. “The comedy nights taking place at both of our venues promise a wholesome evening of fun for our audience who also have the added option to book a table with us and dine before the show to really get..

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25th Nov 2024

Santa’s Grotto Opens at Grosvenor Centre

Santa took his seat in “the best value grotto for miles around” on Saturday, delighting families with a winter wonderland featuring animatronic penguins and polar bears. This year’s grotto at the Grosvenor Centre was delivered by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) in collaboration with Northampton Town Council, Northampton College, Royal & Derngate and Rockin’ Roadmender, alongside the charity #brightspaceNN. The attraction, located opposite Charlie Brown’s menswear on the Upper Mall, opened on Saturday, 23 November, and will welcome visitors from 10.30am to 4pm every weekend until Christmas, with a final session on Monday, 23 December. Tickets cost just £1, with all proceeds donated to charity. Mark Mullen, operations manager at Northampton BID, said: “The grotto is our gift to the people of Northampton this Christmas. The support from our partners has been overwhelming, and to create something on this scale while keeping tickets at just £1 is an..

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19th Nov 2024

Experience the magic of Christmas at Boughton House

Boughton House, the Northamptonshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch, is inviting visitors to create a magical holiday season with a delightful array of Christmas events. From the much-loved Christmas Trees for sale and two festive Christmas Fairs to Santa’s Grotto and the opening of the enchanting Gardens, the experience promises to be unforgettable. Starting on November 23rd, Boughton will open its doors for the sale of premium British-grown Nordmann Fir Christmas trees, alongside handmade wreaths, tree stands, decorations, and unique gifts from the historic 18th-century Stableyard. Visitors can choose from a variety of the trees, known for their needle retention, from 4ft to 9ft, as well as smaller, charming potted options. On Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December, Boughton has invited British Info Group to hold a special Christmas Craft Fair in the historic Gardens, Coach House, Tapestry Suite and Tearoom, with a whole host of local stall..

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17th Nov 2024

The Christmas countdown is on: Northampton’s Lights Switch-On returns to Market Square...

*This event has now been rescheduled to Saturday 30th November due to weather conditions* It’s that time of year again—the nights are getting longer, the air crisper, and Northampton’s Christmas Lights Switch-On is just around the corner. Mark your calendars because next Saturday, 23rd November, the Market Square will transform into a festive wonderland from 12–6pm, kicking off the Christmas festivities in style. Hosted by Northampton Town Council, the event is jam-packed with yuletide cheer for all ages. Expect live stage performances, local produce and gift stalls, creative workshops, a festive bar (yes, mulled wine enthusiasts, this one’s for you), and a family-friendly Silent Disco. It’s the perfect chance to soak up the Christmas vibes, enjoy some seasonal treats, and maybe even tick a few items off your gift list. Entertainment to Get You in the Spirit From midday, BBC Radio Northampton’s Bernie Keith will keep the festive energy flowing..

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15th Nov 2024

Christmas market at Wicksteed Park aims to raise thousands for charity in memory of local runner

Thousands of people are expected to attend a Christmas Craft and Gift Market organised to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and The Air Ambulance Service. The event, at Wicksteed Park, this Saturday and Sunday, is the brainchild of Miranda Hetzel, her family and the team at Ivy Cottage Events. Her husband Andy Simms suffered a heart attack whilst taking part in a parkrun at the park in 2018 and died seven weeks later. Miranda and her family have used the annual event to raise £22,000 for the British Heart Foundation and The Air Ambulance Service in Andy’s memory. Miranda also invites up to eight other local charities to set up tables for free at the event, so they can raise money for their good causes too. More than 75 stalls selling Christmas crafts, gifts and artisan food will be on offer in the park’s Pavilion from 10:30am -..

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13th Nov 2024

Nominate your school for a free immersive dinosaur experience

Northamptonshire primary schools have just 10 days left to enter an exciting competition for pupils to win a free interactive dinosaur experience. Giant Journeys, which provides educational immersive workshops for children, has opened a public vote on social media in which local primary schools can put themselves forward to meet Reggie – a five-metre-long animatronic T-Rex – in a special session. The prize has already generated a lot of interest with more than 1000 votes for more than 80 different schools. Giant Journeys was established in September 2024 by founder Darren Smith, who has a passion for creative education and a more than two decades of experience providing innovative experiences for children. The entrepreneur wants to transform how youngsters engage with learning. Darren said: “Our mission is to inspire and educate young minds by bringing history, science, and more to life using cutting-edge technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual..

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07th Nov 2024

Northamptonshire Mind Marks 60 Years of Mental Health Support with Winter Ball Fundraiser

Northamptonshire Mind is celebrating a monumental milestone this year, its 60th anniversary of providing vital mental health support to the local community. To mark this significant occasion, the charity will host a Winter Ball Fundraiser on Saturday 23rd November at the Mercure Hotel in Northampton. The Winter Ball promises an unforgettable evening of entertainment and fundraising to help secure the future of mental health services in Northamptonshire. Tickets for the Winter Ball are now available to purchase: 60th Anniversary Winter Ball Tickets, Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite. Northamptonshire Mind was founded in 1964 with the mandate to reduce stigma and improve mental health support across Northamptonshire and has been a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of individuals struggling with mental health challenges. As the charity celebrates six decades of providing mental health support, the Winter Ball will raise much-needed funds to continue its work in an increasingly demanding environment. Every year,..

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07th Nov 2024

Remembrance Sunday to be marked in Northampton with military parade and service

Remembrance Day will be marked in Northampton with a large military parade and church service in the town centre this Sunday, 10th November. The parade, organised by Northampton Town Council and the Royal British Legion, is set to start on Derngate at 9.30am, following a route along St Giles’ Square, onto Wood Hill and Mercers’ Row, then pausing at George Row for the Service of Remembrance at All Saints’ Church, between 10 and 10.45am. Following the service, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at 10.45am in the Town and County War Memorial garden behind the church on Wood Hill, with the playing of the Last Post and a two-minute silence observed at 11am. The memorial garden will remain open for the public to lay wreaths and pay their respects. At 11.45am the parade will re-assemble on Wood Hill and march anti-clockwise around All Saints’ Church, passing the Guildhall to salute..

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07th Nov 2024

Town centre launches ‘cracker’ of a Christmas campaign

Shoppers are being urged to ‘Win Your Christmas’ by taking part in a Northampton town centre Golden Ticket giveaway. Four lucky winners will each win £500 of vouchers as part of the £2,000 prize fund, simply by hand-posting an entry ticket into one of 10 special post boxes found in shops and businesses in the town centre in the build-up to Christmas. Tickets can be posted at the following locations: 78 Derngate (Derngate) Abington FX (Abington Street) Esquires Coffee (Dychurch Lane) Grosvenor Shopping Northampton Market Square News (Mercers Row) Northamptonshire Central Library (Abington Street) O’Neill’s Northampton (Drapery) Singh & Smile (St Peter’s Walk) The Ladz (Bridge Street) Vintage Guru (St Giles Street) All entries must be entered before midnight on Sunday, 15 December. Tickets are available now from more than 30 retailers around the town and can also be downloaded from the BID’s website. The Golden Ticket campaign, organised by..

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05th Nov 2024

Thoughts of Christmas begin at Lamport Hall

The year seems to have raced by in a flurry of events and thousands of visitors enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Lamport Hall. As we approach our Christmas events, we are really looking forward to welcoming more of you during the most wonderful time of the year. On Saturday 23rd November we welcome Beckis Cooper for a performance of Unversed – a one-woman Stratford-commissioned solo Shakespeare show. Unversed was commissioned and created for the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio for Keats House in Hampstead where it premiered to great reviews and has since toured to Doctor Johnson’s House in Fleet Street, John Clare Cottage and The Painted Room in Oxford and will go to Stratford in 2025. Beckis will be performing both a matinee and evening performance at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Adult tickets are £20 with student and child tickets also available. On Tuesdays from the 5th November to..

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