Northampton BID

2:22 A Ghost Story
2026-01-17 19:30 (Europe/London) | Royal and Derngate Theatre, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP
Following seven West End seasons, a record-breaking UK and Ireland tour and thirty productions across the globe, the stage phenomenon 2:22 A Ghost Story now returns to Northampton.
Winner of Best New Play at the WhatsOnStage Awards, this supernatural thriller stars James Bye (Eastenders), Natalie Casey (2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps), Gary Lucy (Hollyoaks) and Shvorne Marks (Three Little Birds).
Written by Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcasts Uncanny & The Battersea Poltergeist, 2:22 A Ghost Story comes fresh from record-breaking seasons at five West End theatres with a host of acclaimed star performances. It’s a brilliantly funny and adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge and ghosts may or may not appear… What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth?
“There’s something in our house. I hear it every night, at the same time”
Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they’re going to stay up… until 2:22… and then they’ll know.

Luther Live and Velvet Voices
2026-01-17 19:30 - 21:50 | The Old Savoy – The home of The Deco Theatre, Abington Square, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 4AE
Luther Live & Velvet Voices
Step into a world of soul, romance, and unforgettable grooves with Luther Live & Velvet Voices–the ultimate live theatre experience celebrating the golden era of R’n’B. This electrifying show brings the smooth sounds of Luther Vandross, Alexander O’Neal and many others to life, with powerhouse vocals, a sensational live band, and all the emotion you’d expect from the voices that defined a generation.
But the magic doesn’t stop there. Luther Live & Velvet Voices also pays tribute to a roll call of R’n’B royalty, including Marvin Gaye, Bobby Brown, and George Benson–delivering hit after hit from the 80s and 90s that’ll have audiences dancing in the aisles and singing every word.
Expect to hear ‘Never Too Much’, ‘Shine’, ‘Give Me the Reason’, ‘Dance with My Father’, ‘Criticize’, ‘Saturday Love’, ‘If You Were Here Tonight’, ‘Sexual Healing’, ‘Give Me the Night’ and many many more.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS FANZONE.
2026-01-17 20:00 | Mercure Northampton, Silver Street, Northampton, NN1 2TA
It’s a big weekend of European rugby next weekend and we’re delighted to be hosting a lot of the Welsh fans coming along to support Scarlets as they take on Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup at Franklin’s Gardens.

We’ll be staging our own ‘FanZone’ experience on the night of Saturday, 17 January, with action from other games on the big screen and tunes from some giants of the Llanelli music scene who will be teaming up for one night only to perform as ‘The Travelling Sosbans’.

This event is open to everyone and fans of all clubs are welcome to come along and soak up the atmosphere ahead of Sunday’s big clash.

GRANDE QUATTRO
2026-01-17 20:00 | The Wig And Pen, 19 St Giles' St, northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1JA, United Kingdom
Live music from 8pm.

Candlelight: Ed Sheeran meets Coldplay
2026-01-17 20:30 | Northampton Museum And Art Gallery, 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP, United Kingdom
⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Northampton. Get your tickets now and experience the music of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery under the gentle glow of candlelight.
General Info
📍 Venue: Northampton Museum and Art Gallery
📅 Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
⏳ Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show. No entry once it starts.
👤 Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
♿ Accessibility: this venue is wheelchair accessible
❓ View the FAQs for this event here
🪑 Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
🕯️ If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (+30 people), click here
🎻 Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Northampton
🎁 To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here

Programme
Coldplay – Clocks
Coldplay – Something Just Like This
Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
Coldplay – Adventure of a Lifetime
Coldplay – Fix You
Ed Sheeran – Photograph
Coldplay – The Scientist
Coldplay – Feelslikeimfallinginlove
Ed Sheeran – Shivers
Ed Sheeran – Perfect
Coldplay – Viva la Vida
Ed Sheeran – Give me Love
Coldplay – Sky Full of Stars
Performers
String Quartet – Ensamble M

WENZDAY
2026-01-17 21:00 | The King Billy Music Bar, 2 Commercial Street, Northampton, NN1 1PJ, United Kingdom
Get ready for loud guitars, fast drums, and full-throttle punk rock energy. WEDZDAY delivers a high-energy tribute to Green Day, blasting through the anthems that defined generations — from raw punk classics to stadium-shaking hits.

Teacher, Parent, and Practitioners’ Conference
2026-01-18 09:30 | Royal and Derngate Theatre, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP
Join us for a two-day event 17 and 18 of January at Royal & Derngate for a series of CPD accredited workshops and impactful talks aimed at providing teachers, youth leaders and parents the tools to advise and guide children and young people through the common challenges and risks presented by our increasingly digitalised lives.

Day One will have all delegates together in sessions on online safety with South West Grid for Learning and Healthy Masculinity with Beyond Equality, followed by an evening lecture on online misogyny with award-winning writer and activist Laura Bates.
Day Two will see delegates divide into two groups and alternate between Safeguarding Training with Smart Horizons and a workshop exploring reframing masculinity with researcher, educator and activist Nathaniel Cole, followed by a presentation by Smartphone Free Childhood.
Lunch is also provided across the weekend.

Day One: Saturday 17 January
Welcome with tea and coffee – 9:30am-10am
Online Safety with SWGfL – 10am-1pm
This workshop will equip participants with the knowledge and tools to confidently navigate difficult conversations around the significant digital challenges facing young people today, including ’incel culture’ and online radicalisation, intimate image abuse, and online sexual exploitation via AI. This workshop will help adults understand the online world from the young person’s perspective and their evolving behaviours and provide them with the tools and solutions to enhance their young people’s digital literacy and help them navigate the online world with more confidence and safety.
Healthy Masculinity in the Digital Age with Beyond Equality – 2pm – 5pm
Healthy Masculinity for the Digital Age is a 3-hour CPD-certified training that enables teachers and youth leaders to explore masculine stereotypes and their impact on students led by Beyond Equality. Guided by their experienced facilitators, participants will develop new approaches to working with young men and create action plans to implement them with the young people in their lives.
Networking over Tea and Coffee – 5pm – 6:30pm
The New Age of Sexism: Online Misogyny and Extremism with Laura Bates – 6:30-7:30pm
Activist, speaker and Sunday Times Bestselling author Laura Bates will deliver an impactful lecture about extremist online misogyny. Reflecting on findings from her 2021 book ‘Men Who Hate Women’ and her 2025 book ‘The New Age of Sexism’ Laura will share insights into the ‘manosphere’ and the groups which make up this online subculture, alongside examining the current UK political and media landscape which are acting as barriers to combatting this rising epidemic. The lecture will be followed by a short Q & A.

Day Two: Sunday 18 January
Welcome with tea and coffee – 9:30am-10am
Safeguarding Training with Smart Horizons Child Protection – 10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm
A Full-Day in-person CPD accredited training drawing on comprehensive safeguarding practice in education as well as the specific responsibilities and challenges in arts and theatre, exploring the intersection between safeguarding and creative youth engagement, with practical tools and guidance relevant to both schools and the cultural sector.
Reframing Masculinity for Young People with Nathaniel Cole – 10am-1pm, or 2pm-5pm
What does it mean to ‘be a man’ in the modern day? How can traditional masculinity be limiting, or toxic, especially for young men, and especially in online realms in the context of capitalism? Led by researcher, writer and facilitator Nathaniel Cole, participants will take part in guided conversations that give them the opportunity to reflect and dissect the rigid rules of masculinity. Participants will interrogate where the basis of “how things were” came from and how young people are receiving and understanding these messages, and how they can navigate these conversations with young people to encourage the understanding that there are a multitude of ‘masculinities’ that can embodied, and help young men do better by girls, each other, and themselves.
Networking over tea and coffee – 5pm-6.30pm
The Hidden Impact of Smartphones and Social Media on Children with Smartphone Free Childhood Representative Katie Moore – 6:30pm-8:30pm
An evening presentation for parents, carers, teachers and youth leaders led by Katie Moore exploring the negative impact of smartphones and social media on children and young people’s development, with suggestions on how to counteract them. Speakers and contributions to the presentation will include a broad range of professionals with direct knowledge of the issue from education, technology, paediatrics, mental health and the police (specific speakers to be confirmed closer to the time).

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS
Laura Bates
Laura Bates is a best-selling author, keynote speaker and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project. Her books include Everyday Sexism, Girl Up, Fix the System, Not the Women and The New Age of Sexism: How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny.
Laura writes regularly for the New York Times, the Guardian and others, and is a frequent media commentator and consultant for TV productions tackling issues around gender inequality. She works closely with government, schools, businesses, police forces and bodies from the United Nations to the Council of Europe on sexism and inequality. In recognition of Laura’s work surrounding sexism and gender inequality, she was awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and has been named Woman of the Year by Cosmopolitan, Red Magazine and The Sunday Times Magazine. She is also an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Beyond Equality
Beyond Equality – Having worked with 102,146 young participants, trained nearly 1,500 teachers across the UK, and consulted on the critically acclaimed Netflix show Adolescence, Beyond Equality are one of the country’s leading gender equality organisations.
They help schools, communities and workplaces rethink masculinity and to create a society populated by respectful, positive and equitable relationships. They do this by disrupting expectations and stereotypes and equipping boys and men with new perspectives to kick start the process of community change, personal development and gender equality.

SWGfL – South-West Grid for Learning
SWGfL (South-West Grid for Learning) is a not-for-profit charity ensuring everyone can benefit from technology free from harm.
Forming 1/3 of the UK Safer Internet Centre, their experts advise schools, public bodies, and industry on appropriate actions to take in regard to safeguarding and advancing positive online safety policies. SWGfL has been at the forefront of online safety for the past two decades, delivering engaging presentations and training to a wide variety of audiences nationally and internationally.

Smart Horizons Child Protection
Smart Horizons Child Protection has been providing certifiable, high quality and accessible online and face-to-face training courses for over 15 years across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, social work, and law enforcement.

Nathaniel Cole
Nathaniel Cole is a writer, researcher and workshop facilitator working across masculinity, mental wellbeing, relationships & sex education, as well as the co-founder of the community swimming group, Swim Dem Crew. His TEDX Talk Why We Need to Change the Way Young Men Think About Consent has had over 60,000 views.

Smartphone Free Childhood
Smartphone Free Childhood is a grassroots parent-led movement who believe childhood is too short to be spent on a smartphone.
They work to bring parents and educational leaders together to start new and positive conversations about the problems of smartphones and social media in childhood, to empower parents to delay giving their children smartphones to at least the end of Year 9 via their regional Parent Pact, and to demonstrate to both government and tech companies that parents and educational leaders are demanding change. Katie Moore is a Mum of 3, and an ambassador for Delay Smartphones as well as a regional leader of Smartphone Free Childhood.

A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects
2026-01-18 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-20 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-21 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-22 10:00 - 17:00 | Northampton Museum And Art Gallery, 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP, United Kingdom
Journey through 150 million years of Northamptonshire’s past. From prehistoric treasures to modern marvels, 100 remarkable objects reveal the people, events, and industries that shaped the county, each telling a unique story of its cultural, social, and economic heritage. Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Saturday 20 September – Sunday 22 February 2026 This exhibition has been shaped by an extraordinary network of 51 guest curators from across the county, each bringing their own expertise and local knowledge to the project. These dedicated individuals, from historians and collectors to community groups, have worked alongside the museum team to select objects and craft narratives. Their collaborative efforts ensure this exhibition truly reflects the breadth of Northamptonshire’s heritage, guided by those who know their communities best.

From the Collection: Women Artists
2026-01-18 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-20 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-21 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-22 10:00 - 17:00 | Northampton Museum And Art Gallery, 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP, United Kingdom
An exhibition of artworks from NMAG’s collection celebrates the variety of genres, methods and media used by women artists, from the eighteenth to the twenty-first century. Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Saturday 11 November – Sunday 12 April 2026 Throughout history, both men and women have created art, yet only a select few have been remembered within Western art history. Art by men was historically valued more highly than art by women, reflecting broader beliefs that only men could possess artistic or creative genius. Certain genres and mediums were also considered more prestigious, while work made in the domestic sphere was dismissed as craft or decoration rather than recognised as fine art. Women were barred from studying nude figures a crucial part of classical art training until the late 1800s. Second-wave feminism in the twentieth century, and wider social changes in the twenty-first, have challenged these hierarchies. Today, women are at the forefront of artistic production, with artists such as Tracey Emin, Maggi Hambling, Rachel Whiteread and Jasleen Kaur recognised as leading voices in contemporary art.

Lifelines: The work of Sculptor Nicolas Moreton
2026-01-18 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-20 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-21 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-22 10:00 - 17:00 | Northampton Museum And Art Gallery, 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP, United Kingdom
Northampton Museum and Art Gallery presents a solo exhibition of the stone carving of sculptor Nicolas Moreton to the public.
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

Saturday 17 January – Sunday 22 March 2026

The artist has been described as ‘a modern master of the medium of stone carving’ and his works are collected worldwide. The exhibition has two strands celebrating human life and the force of water.
Visitor Advisory: This exhibition includes sculptures featuring the nude human form and parental discretion is advised.

Northampton Saints vs Scarlets
2026-01-18 15:15 | Franklin’s Gardens, Weedon Rd, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN5 5BG, United Kingdom

STONE THE CROWS
2026-01-18 16:00 | The Wig And Pen, 19 St Giles' St, northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1JA, United Kingdom
Music from 4pm.

Mark Wright & The Internationals
2026-01-18 18:00 | The King Billy Music Bar, 2 Commercial Street, Northampton, NN1 1PJ, United Kingdom
Get ready to twist, jive, and rock all night!Mark Wright & The Internationals bring the golden age of rock ’n’ roll to life — blasting out the greatest hits of the 1950s and 60s.

CURATION
2026-01-19 11:00 - 13:00 | Northamptonshire Natural History Society, The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1LD, United Kingdom
EXPLORING THE SOCIETY’S COLLECTIONS. The society has important collections including butterflies, shells, eggs, sands, microscope slides, rocks, minerals and Northamptonshire fossils. This is a great opportunity to look at our extensive collections, to draw, study them or just appreciate their beauty. Also, if you wish to assist us conserving or documenting you would be welcome.

The Mailcoach Pub Quiz
2026-01-19 19:00 | Mail Coach, 8 Derngate, northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1UB, United Kingdom
Get ready for an electrifying night of brain-teasing fun at Mail Coach Northampton in Northampton! Join us for an exciting Quiz event hosted by the one and only Adam the Greek. Put your knowledge to the test and compete with friends for fantastic prizes.
Don’t miss out on the chance to showcase your trivia skills and enjoy a lively atmosphere with great company. Whether you’re a seasoned quizzer or just looking for a good time, this event is perfect for everyone. Grab your team and head to Mail Coach Northampton for a night of laughter, friendly competition, and unforgettable memories!

Quieter Hour at Northamptonshire Central Library
2026-01-20 09:00 - 10:00 | Northampton Central Library, Abington Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 2BA, United Kingdom
Tuesday between 9am and 10am will be our quieter hour to enable our customers with sensory needs and their families to enjoy Northamptonshire Central Library. We appreciate our customers’ support in minimising noise during our quieter hour.

For more information please visit our website – Accessibility, health and wellbeing in our libraries | West Northamptonshire Council

Shen Yun
2026-01-20 19:00 | Royal and Derngate Theatre, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP
Experience China Before Communism
The moment the curtain opens, you enter a wondrous dream.
Shen Yun takes you on an extraordinary journey through China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture. Exquisite beauty from the heavens, profound wisdom from dynasties past, timeless legends, and ethnic traditions all spring to life through classical Chinese dance, enchanting live orchestral music, authentic costumes, and patented interactive backdrops. Revisit a time when scholars and artists sought harmony with the Tao, or the “Way” of the universe, and when divine beings walked upon the earth to inspire humanity.
Join us for a night filled with beauty, wisdom, courage, and hope. Witness Heaven’s beauty on stage and experience the magic of Shen Yun—live. It’s an experience of a lifetime!

MICROSCOPY
2026-01-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Northamptonshire Natural History Society, The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1LD, United Kingdom
MAKING SLIDES OF EVERYDAY MATERIALS Different materials often need slightly different treatment. We shall look at various everyday items and decide how best to make a preparation of the item or substance for studying under the microscope.

Quiz Night
2026-01-20 20:00 | Penny Loafer, 10-12 Market Sq, Northampton, Northampton, northamptonshire, NN1 2DL, United Kingdom
Think you’ve got the brains (or just love a good guess)? Grab your mates, order a drink, and put your knowledge to the test. Bragging rights are on the line!

PHOTOGRAPHY
2026-01-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Northamptonshire Natural History Society, The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1LD, United Kingdom
PRINT COMPETITION – COLOUR AND MONO This year, as agreed at the AGM, the competition will consist of a colour and a mono competition. Up to 4 entries per member per round for each of the competitions. Round 2 of 3.

20 Tips in 20 Minutes!
2026-01-22 12:00 - 12:30 | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Rd, northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Overview

Join us for ‘20 Tips in 20 Minutes,’ a fast-paced webinar designed to help applicants confidently complete their awards entry, make the most

“20 Tips in 20 Minutes” is a fast-paced, value-packed webinar designed to help entrants of the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards 2026 submit a standout entry, make the most of finalist recognition, and better understand how the awards process works from start to finish.
Curated and hosted by Emma Speirs — leading awards writer at Ballyhoo and a specialist in crafting winning submissions — this session distills years of experience into insider tips and practical advice you can apply immediately.
In just 20 minutes, Emma will guide you through how to complete your entry with confidence, maximise exposure and opportunity as a finalist, and gain clarity around awards, judging, and timelines specific to the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards.
The webinar will be followed by an open Q&A session, giving you the chance to ask Emma your specific questions and tap into her expert insight.
Whether you’re a first-time entrant or a returning participant, this webinar will leave you better prepared, more strategic, and ready to put your best foot forward for the 2026 awards.
