Bands in the Park 2025
2025-04-06 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-13 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-20 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-27 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-04 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-11 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-18 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-25 14:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) and 7 more dates | Abington Park Bandstand, Abington Park, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, NN3 3HN, United Kingdom
125th Anniversary year
Every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 6th April to 28th September
2 â€“ 5pm
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Enjoy live performances from local bands and musicians at the Abington Park Bandstand, every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from April through to September.*
Bring your own chairs, picnic blankets/rugs and relax within the picturesque surroundings of Abington Park.
This yearâ€™s performances start on 6th April and run through to 28th September.
Please view the full 2025 schedule below.
*There will be no Bands in the Park performance on 21st September, but you can enjoy the Rockinâ€™ Roadrunner Festival instead!
Please note that performances may be shortened or cancelled in the case of inclement weather. Updates will be provided on our social media accounts when possible.

125th Anniversary Celebration Event â€“ Saturday 17th May 11am â€“ 4pm

Marking 125 years of the bandstand in Abington Park with fun for all the family with activities, stalls and musical performances.

MORE INFORMATION: www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/bandsinthepark
Bands in the Park 2025 calendar
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NMPAT Family Band
2025-06-15 14:00 - 17:00 | Abington Park Bandstand, Abington Park, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, NN3 3HN, United Kingdom
Join us from 2.00pm to 5.00pm at Abington Park Bandstand (NN1 5LW) for spontaneous, rehearsal-free music-making…
Just bring your instrument and join the fun!
Register your interest for this free event: https://bit.ly/FamilyBand2025

Week of Words - National Writing Day - Great Fire of Northampton
2025-06-19 10:00 - 17:00 | The Creative Space, Northampton, Market Square
The Week of Words â€“ dedicated to celebrating how words shape art, stories, community and connection â€“ is set to launch at The Creative Place on Northampton Market Square and everyone is invited to participate.
Beginning on National Writing Day, Thursday 19th June, The Creative Place will be issuing free creative writing packs, with prompts inspired by the Great Fire of Northampton, to get people writing. Designed originally for young people, they are now available to all and anyone can request a digital pack or collect a physical one. Once submitted, finished pieces may be included in Northampton Film Festival’s animated film about the Great Fire of Northampton, which will be screened on Northampton Market Square in September.
The Creative Place (TCP), considered one of the world’s smallest arts centres, will host a number of other events during the Week of Words, including:
Friday 20th June:
A gathering of an array of local authors for a meet and greet with the public, including the Northants Authors collective 10am-12pm and author of the Grumpy Rosetta children’s books Juliet Timpson 1pm-5pm.
Saturday 21st June:
1) A variety of free sessions on Reading, Writing and Performance designed for young people, including a session 1pm-2pm with poet, writer, speaker and workshop facilitator Abbi Jinks. Abbi believes we all have a story, we all have a voice and we all have a truth. And when we can really feel safe to share that and be seen and heard, then the magic can really begin! Reading activities will take place 10am – 12pm, then a creative writing session will be run by TCP volunteer and writer Ellen Page 12pm-1pm.
2) A special opportunity 3pm-5pm to become one of 10,000 voices recording on camera the final words of James Baldwin from his debate with William Buckley at the Cambridge Union in 1965 on race and violence, with Northamptonshire social enterprise Undiscovered Country. Script will be provided.
Tuesday 24th June:
A day of Industry talks from local people working in word-related industries, from Film Scripts to Publishing and the Writing East Midlands development agency.
This includes sessions with:

multi award-winning writer, filmmaker and storyteller Tony Klinger at 2pm, whose film career has included working as an Assistant Director on the classic British TV series â€˜The Avengersâ€™ and Director of ‘The Kids Are Alright’ a documentary about British rock band The Who. His books include the novels ‘The Butterfly Boy’, ‘Under God’s Table’ and his most recent publication ‘Who Knows, the Making of a Rock Movie’.
Sophie Campbell of Writing East Midlands (WEM) and Beyond The Spectrum at 4pm. WEM is the literature development agency for the region and Beyond the Spectrum is a creative writing programme by and for autistic writers. Sophie will talk about the agency and programme, and is also happy to share her experience as a freelance writing group facilitator, co-chair of the WEM youth board, a zine maker and library volunteer.

Wednesday 25th June:
A Mother Tongue Poetry day, in celebration of the many languages used in Northamptonshire, including Urdu from TCP volunteer Zanobia Ilyas-Turton and English by Alliouagana Pearl whose poetry is inspired by Caribbean life with more to be announced.
To request a creative writing pack or express an interest in any of the above, please email nncreativeplace@gmail.com or pop into The Creative Place on Northampton Market Square Tue-Sat 10am-5pm.
You can sign up to each event here to receive details as the schedule for each day is announced Events Schedule | Northampton Film Festival and The Creative Place
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Week of Words - Local Author Day
2025-06-20 10:00 - 17:00 | The Creative Space, Northampton, Market Square
The Week of Words â€“ dedicated to celebrating how words shape art, stories, community and connection â€“ is set to launch at The Creative Place on Northampton Market Square and everyone is invited to participate.
Beginning on National Writing Day, Thursday 19th June, The Creative Place will be issuing free creative writing packs, with prompts inspired by the Great Fire of Northampton, to get people writing. Designed originally for young people, they are now available to all and anyone can request a digital pack or collect a physical one. Once submitted, finished pieces may be included in Northampton Film Festival’s animated film about the Great Fire of Northampton, which will be screened on Northampton Market Square in September.
The Creative Place (TCP), considered one of the world’s smallest arts centres, will host a number of other events during the Week of Words, including:
Friday 20th June:
A gathering of an array of local authors for a meet and greet with the public, including the Northants Authors collective 10am-12pm and author of the Grumpy Rosetta children’s books Juliet Timpson 1pm-5pm.
Saturday 21st June:
1) A variety of free sessions on Reading, Writing and Performance designed for young people, including a session 1pm-2pm with poet, writer, speaker and workshop facilitator Abbi Jinks. Abbi believes we all have a story, we all have a voice and we all have a truth. And when we can really feel safe to share that and be seen and heard, then the magic can really begin! Reading activities will take place 10am – 12pm, then a creative writing session will be run by TCP volunteer and writer Ellen Page 12pm-1pm.
2) A special opportunity 3pm-5pm to become one of 10,000 voices recording on camera the final words of James Baldwin from his debate with William Buckley at the Cambridge Union in 1965 on race and violence, with Northamptonshire social enterprise Undiscovered Country. Script will be provided.
Tuesday 24th June:
A day of Industry talks from local people working in word-related industries, from Film Scripts to Publishing and the Writing East Midlands development agency.
This includes sessions with:

multi award-winning writer, filmmaker and storyteller Tony Klinger at 2pm, whose film career has included working as an Assistant Director on the classic British TV series â€˜The Avengersâ€™ and Director of ‘The Kids Are Alright’ a documentary about British rock band The Who. His books include the novels ‘The Butterfly Boy’, ‘Under God’s Table’ and his most recent publication ‘Who Knows, the Making of a Rock Movie’.
Sophie Campbell of Writing East Midlands (WEM) and Beyond The Spectrum at 4pm. WEM is the literature development agency for the region and Beyond the Spectrum is a creative writing programme by and for autistic writers. Sophie will talk about the agency and programme, and is also happy to share her experience as a freelance writing group facilitator, co-chair of the WEM youth board, a zine maker and library volunteer.

Wednesday 25th June:
A Mother Tongue Poetry day, in celebration of the many languages used in Northamptonshire, including Urdu from TCP volunteer Zanobia Ilyas-Turton and English by Alliouagana Pearl whose poetry is inspired by Caribbean life with more to be announced.
To request a creative writing pack or express an interest in any of the above, please email nncreativeplace@gmail.com or pop into The Creative Place on Northampton Market Square Tue-Sat 10am-5pm.
You can sign up to each event here to receive details as the schedule for each day is announced Events Schedule | Northampton Film Festival and The Creative Place

Unity in Faith Walk
2025-06-21 11:30 - 13:30 | Northampton Town Centre
Northampton’s Annual Interfaith Walk, themed around this year’s commemorations of the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675. A chance to walk through some historic parts of our town with members & friends of Northampton Interfaith Forum.
Starts at All Saints’ Church, George Row, NN1 1DF Saturday 21 June 2025 at 11.30am. Concludes with refreshments st at the Gurdwara on St James Mill Road at around 1.30pm.

Chamber Concert
2025-06-21 18:00 | St Benedict's Church, Hunsbury Hill Road, Northampton,, NN4 9UG, United Kingdom
Celebrating the work of our Chamber Ensembles featuring County Clarinet Choir and County Flute Choir.
Click here for tickets via our ParentPay Shop.

Week of Words - Industry Day
2025-06-24 10:00 - 17:00 | The Creative Space, Northampton, Market Square

Week of Words - Mother Tongue Poetry Reading
2025-06-25 10:00 - 17:00 | The Creative Space, Northampton, Market Square

Pre-tour Concert
2025-06-28 18:00 | Cripps Hall Theatre, Old School House, 201 Billing Road, Northampton,, NN1 5RT, United Kingdom
The final UK concert performance for County Youth Brass Band and County Youth Concert Band. Further details will be shared closer to the date, and tickets will be available from the ParentPay Shop.

The Mystery Tours - 'The Great Fire of Northampton'
2025-06-29 17:00 | Northamptonshire
The Mystery Tours â€“ â€˜The Great Fire of Northamptonâ€™

Sunday 29th June at 5pm, Sunday 31st August at 5.30pm and Saturday 20th September at 5.30pm.
Step Into the Flames of History!

Join us for an immersive journey back to September 20th, 1675, when a single spark ignited a catastrophic fire that reduced much of Northampton to ashes. Guided by our enigmatic Time Traveller, you’ll witness the unfolding disaster, hear the tales of survival, and see how the town rose from the ashes.
Tour Highlights
St. Mary’s Street
Stand at the very spot where the fire began and discover how a single flame in a thatched house led to devastation.
Market Square
Hear the dramatic accounts of desperate townsfolk, the crumbling of historic buildings, and the narrow escapes from the inferno.
All Saints’ Church
See how this iconic landmark rose from the ashes, thanks to King Charles II’s donation of timber.
Sessions House
Marvel at one of the first buildings to be rebuilt, symbolizing the town’s determination to recover.
Meeting Point: St. Peter’s Church, Northampton (Outside main gate)
End Point: Top of Abington Street
Duration: 90 minutes (approximately)
Suitable for: Adults & children over 10
Tickets: £15 (including booking fee)
Important Information
This is a walking tour—please wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
Book Your Spot Now!
Suitability: Adults and children over the age of ten. Lasts approx 1hr. Tickets: £15 inc booking fee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mystery.tours/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themysterytours
To book, click the link.

Summer Jazz
2025-06-30 19:00 | The Picturedrome, 222 Kettering Rd, Northampton, Northants, NN1 4BN, United Kingdom
Featuring Northamptonshire County Youth Big Band and Jazz Matters.
Click here for tickets via our ParentPay Shop.

Great Fire Symposium
2025-07-04 10:00 - 16:00 | University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, University Dr, northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 5PH, United Kingdom
The University of Northampton is delighted to host a symposium commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton on Friday 4 July from 10am-4pm. The symposium will bring together individuals from across the country with an interest in the Great Fire and will be held in a hybrid format to allow individuals from across the globe to learn more about an event which shaped Northampton and its architecture.
The following topics will be explored as part of the symposium:

Pre-fire Streetscapes of Northampton with reference to the survey of the St Andrew’s Estate by Pierce – Speaker: Bill Franklin
From the Drapery to the Peacock, from Corn Row to the Bell : exploring the pre-1675 Marketplace – Speaker: Steve Holder
Housing in Northampton before the Fire – Speaker: Deborah Hayter
The Course of the Fire – Speaker: Tom Welsh
The results of the Museum of London Archaeology survey of the St Mary’s Court House – Speaker: Mark Holmes
Reconstructing the lost Church of All Saints – Speaker: Steve Holder

Other contributors have been invited to join the symposium to include topics including responses to the fire and the emotional impact and legacy.
Booking essential – book your place here: https://bit.ly/4493JT5

Summer Choral Festival
2025-07-05 18:00 | Christ Church, 3 Christchurch Road,, NN1 5LL
Featuring County Youth Choir, Senior Chamber Choir, Guys & Dolls and NMPAT Community Choir.
Click here for tickets via our ParentPay Shop.

Summer Festival of Music: New Generation
2025-07-06 12:00 | Royal and Derngate Theatre, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP
The end of year showcase for our junior ensembles, the new generation of county music students. Tickets will be available via the Derngate box office.
Featuring performances from County Junior Orchestra, NMPAT Singers, County Junior Brass Ensemble, Jazz 3, County Junior Strings and County Junior Wind Orchestra.
Click here for tickets, available via the Derngate box office.

Summer Festival of Music: Second Generation
2025-07-06 18:00 | Royal and Derngate Theatre, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP
The end of year showcase for our training ensembles, the second generation of county music students.
Featuring performances from County Training Wind Orchestra, Guitarlactica, County Training Brass Band, Jazz 2 and County Training Orchestra.
Click here for tickets, available via the Derngate box office.

End of Year Concert
2025-07-13 18:00 | Spinney Theatre, Northampton School for Girls, Spinney Hill Road, Northampton,, NN3 6DG, United Kingdom
The final concert of the academic year, featuring the County Youth Orchestra.
Click here for tickets via our ParentPay Shop.
