Northampton BID

IN EXTREMIS: Landscape Reimagined
2025-07-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-16 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-17 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-18 10:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | 78 Derngate, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1UH
We are very pleased to be hosting this exhibition across all our galleries here at 78 Derngate. Simon James is a multi-disciplinary artist who explores themes of nature and the urban environment in mostly abstract or semi-abstract forms and takes inspiration from his surroundings in the cities of Asia and Europe or, more recently, the English countryside. James trained in Fine Art and Printmaking at London’s Royal Academy and Royal College of Art and he now works across the spectrum from painting and drawing to video and photographic works, having adopted the expressive potential of digital media while working as a designer and independent artist in Asia. Having held solo shows in London, Berlin, Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo, whilst also designing for TV, publishing and the music industry, Simon was also a university lecturer in multimedia and photography.

www.simonjames.com

Endangered and Extinct by creative recycling artist Val Hunt
2025-07-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-16 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-17 10:00 - 17:00 | Northampton Museum And Art Gallery, 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP, United Kingdom
With inspiration, ingenuity, humour and skill, creative recycling artist Val Hunt has created a fascinating selection of large and small sculptural pieces which are both appealing and informative
Saturday 28 June â€“ Sunday 10 August 2025
Animals, exotic birds, fish, dinosaurs and species of flora, all on the edge or now extinct, have been made from a selection of throwaway material especially Val’s favourite medium, drinks can metal.
This exhibition presents a subtle message about recycling and preservation, raising awareness of why the creatures on show are endangered or extinct. Find out why species are disappearing from this planet at an alarming rate.

Anime & Manga Club
2025-07-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Northampton Central Library, Abington Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 2BA, United Kingdom
Are you interested in manga, anime or Japan? Join us at the Northamptonshire Central Library on Tuesdays from 4pm to 5pm. For ages 11-18.To find out more information please email Northampton.LibraryPlus@westnorthants.gov.uk.

Kingsthorpe College presents UNITE
2025-07-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Royal and Derngate Theatre, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP
Kingsthorpe College Performing Arts department is so excited to perform the KC Summer show at the Old Savoy.
Students have been given the theme of Unite as they come together to showcase their talents. Students from Dance, Drama and Music have been working hard since Easter on a huge variety of pieces. We are sure you will have an entertaining evening, closing off the year with a bang!

Philosophy Club
2025-07-15 19:00 - 21:00 | V and B, 10 St Giles' Square,, Northampton, NN1 1DA, United Kingdom
Discuss a different philosopher/concept, paired with a particular wine. Hosted by Rin. 7-9pm. All welcome. Free entry.

Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell
2025-07-15 19:30, 2025-07-16 19:30, 2025-07-17 19:30 | Royal and Derngate Theatre, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP
Matthew Bourne’s award-winning The Midnight Bell comes to Northampton for the first time in 2025.
In 1930s London ordinary people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in the pubs and fog-bound streets of Soho and Fitzrovia. Step inside The Midnight Bell, a tavern where one particular lonely-hearts club gather to play out their lovelorn affairs of the heart; bitter comedies of longing, frustration, betrayal and redemption.
Inspired by the great English novelist Patrick Hamilton (Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky, Hangover Square) who created some of the most authentic fiction of his era; stories borne out of years of social interactions with the working man and woman at his favourite location – the London Pub.
Hailed by The Observer as ‘the undisputed king of dance theatre’, master storyteller Bourne has produced some of the most successful dance theatre productions of the last 30 years including Swan Lake, Cinderella, The Red Shoes and Edward Scissorhands.

In Conversation with Matthew Bourne
Join us after the performance on Tue 15 July 7:30pm for a fully BSL interpreted chat with Matthew Bourne himself for a unique opportunity to discover the insights of creating this show. This event is free with a ticket to the performance that evening.

MICROSCOPY
2025-07-15 19:30 - 21:30 | Northamptonshire Natural History Society, The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1LD, United Kingdom
SPECIALISED INSECT BODY PARTS â€“ SESSION 2 by Kevin Rowley. Kevin will be showing us other marvels of evolution within the insect kingdom using specimens, fresh samples and slides from the society’s collection.

Table top game night
2025-07-15 20:00 - 23:00 | Mail Coach, 8 Derngate, northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1UB, United Kingdom
Come join us for a thrilling Board Game Night at Mail Coach Northampton in Northampton! Whether youâ€™re a seasoned strategist or just looking for a fun night out, this event is perfect for all board game enthusiasts.
Bring your friends, family, or come solo â€“ we have a variety of games available, but feel free to bring your own favorites. Reserve a table and let us take care of the rest while you enjoy an evening filled with laughter, competition, and camaraderie.
Donâ€™t miss out on this opportunity to showcase your skills, discover new games, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable Board Game Night at Mail Coach Northampton!

The Giant, Immersive Murder Mystery Game
2025-07-16 00:00, 2025-07-17 00:00, 2025-07-18 00:00 | Northampton Museum And Art Gallery, 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP, United Kingdom
June – 7 September 2025
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
£25 per team
Step into the role of a detective and solve a series of curious and whimsical mysteries in your local museum. Using our companion app, youâ€™ll explore the museum to uncover hidden clues and encounter life-sized cardboard characters—each one a possible suspect, witness, or victim.
Work together to connect the dots, follow the twists in each story, and put your problem-solving skills to the test. It’s the perfect activity for families, friends, or anyone with a curious mind looking for a fun and unique experience.
What to Expect
A Unique Blend of Games
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure that combines elements of a murder mystery, escape room, scavenger hunt, and even a touch of Where’s Wally. Team up and see if you can crack the case.

An Immersive Museum Adventure
Watch the museum transform into a crime-solving playground. Track down cardboard clues, solve puzzles, and interact with quirky characters—surprises await around every corner.

Three Curious Cases to Solve
Your adventure lasts between 1 to 2 hours and includes three entertaining cases, from a vandalized moustache to a victim flattened by an ancient sarcophagus.
Ready to solve the mystery? Gather your team and start your investigation.
Perfect for friends, families, and curious minds – this is not your typical museum visit. It’s an adventure where YOU become the detective!
Just £25 per team
Timed slots
Only one phone needed to play

Gladiators of Britain
2025-07-16 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-17 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-18 10:00 - 17:00 | Northampton Museum And Art Gallery, 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP, United Kingdom
Explore the history of gladiatorial fights in Britain.

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The events of the amphitheatre – its wild beasts and enslaved fighters – are one of the most enduring aspects of Roman culture that still capture the public imagination today.
This touring exhibition brings together some of the countryâ€™s most important objects to tell the story of Britainâ€™s entertainment venues and the people who died to the roar of the crowd. It will reveal the violence of the arena, and the importance of spectacle within Roman culture.
Highlights include the Colchester Vase loaned by Colchester Museums, which records an actual battle between two real gladiators, and the Hawkedon Helmet, the only confirmed piece of gladiatorial armour from Roman Britain. These iconic loans will be supported by a selection of other items that reveal the popularity of gladiators throughout Roman society.
This tour is in partnership with Colchester and Ipswich Museums and is inspired by the recent exhibition at Colchester Castle, Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games which featured British Museum loans. It will explore Roman spectacle in the local region, following in the footsteps of the gladiators who fought in the amphitheatres of Britain.

From the Collection: Landscapes
2025-07-16 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-17 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-18 10:00 - 17:00 | Northampton Museum And Art Gallery, 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP, United Kingdom
For centuries, landscape was considered an unworthy subject for serious artistic exploration.
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Until Sunday 4 October
When landscape did appear in paintings, it was often relegated to the background—merely a setting for religious or historical scenes.
This perception began to shift in the 17th century with the work of Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain. These pioneering artists crafted idealised rural vistas to illustrate the myths of Ancient Greece and Rome, imbuing natural elements with metaphorical meaning. Through their romantic and structured visions of the countryside, landscape painting began to gain recognition as a meaningful art form.
It was not until the 19th century, however, that landscape truly came into its own. Artists such as J.M.W. Turner and John Constable redefined the genre, capturing the drama, emotion, and grandeur of the natural world. Their work affirmed landscape as a powerful subject in its own right—one that continues to inspire artists to this day.
Drawing from the museum collections, this exhibition explores the evolution of landscape painting, where nature takes centre stage.
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Silhouette Youth Theatre
2025-07-16 18:30 - 20:00 | The Old Savoy â€“ The home of The Deco Theatre, Abington Square, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 4AE
The Nene Valley Partnership and Silhouette Youth are proud to present William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
This work has come from sessions that were held in every school where young people were immersed in the story.
They each then took a part of the play and used drama and dance to explore the narrative and the characters.
Every young person will be on stage, every young person will be taking a part and we are very excited to share our work.
So come along, sit back and be prepared to be impressed!

Rhymetime at Northamptonshire Central Library
2025-07-17 10:30 - 11:00 | Northampton Central Library, Abington Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 2BA, United Kingdom
Bring your under 5â€™s to clap, sing and wave our way through our favourite nursery rhymes and songs. Singing nursery rhymes and doing the actions are great for interaction, communication skills and motor skills â€“ and most of all, itâ€™s fun!
Please note that the Rhymetime sessions will be run on a first-come, first-serve basis on the day and it will not be possible to book in advance.
Parents and Carers can collect a ticket from the front desk on the Thursday morning at 10am.

GEOLOGY
2025-07-17 14:30 - 16:30 | Northamptonshire Natural History Society, The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1LD, United Kingdom
BUILDING STONES WALK : THE GEOLOGY OF NORTHAMPTON’S MARKET SQUARE. Bob Purser will lead a walk around the historic square. We will find the oldest and the youngest rocks, lots of varieties of Mid-Jurassic geology, identify some fossils and depositional structures and a some examples of exotic rocks. We will meet at the Humfrey Rooms and finish with a cup of tea.

Masterclass: French Fizz.
2025-07-17 19:00 - 21:00 | V and B, 10 St Giles' Square,, Northampton, NN1 1DA, United Kingdom
Ages 18+

A lesson in fizz â€“ à la française.
Move over Prosecco. See you around Cava! This one’s for the frenchies. For this masterclass, we’ll be exploring French sparkling wine. From Champagne to Vouvray, and everything in between. If it’s French and fizzy â€“ we’ll give it a try!

Sharon Wanjohi & Matt Rouse - Previews
2025-07-17 20:00 | Coconut Paradise, 9 Gold Street Mews, Northampton, northamptonshire, NN1 1RA, United Kingdom
Venue: Coconut Paradise, 9 Gold Street Mews, Northampton NN1 1RA
Date: Thursday 17th July
Times: Doors 7:00pm Show 8:00pm
Price: £8 a ticket plus £1 booking fee.
Featuring: Sharon Wanjohi & Matt Rouse â€“ Work in progress shows

KARAOKE NIGHT PARTY
2025-07-17 20:00 - 23:00 | The Optimist, 23-25 St. Giles Street, Northampton,, NN1 1JA
Come and sing your favourite songs with your friends or family, Students come and enjoy your Student deal drinks, cheaper then anywhere in town! Make a night of it Live At The Optimist!
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With not only multiple screens, but a HUGE TV wall next to the bar for you to enjoy a great selection of beers on tap and some Champions League winning food. With Happy Hour, cocktail and shot deals too, what more could you want?
