Barry Roberts: Glimpses through the Archive
78 Derngate Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1UHPhotography from around the world; including a prize drawer to win a framed print of your choice! Ends May
15 events found.
Events for May 23, 2026
The Creative Place local maker takeovers
The Creative Place Northampton Market SquareEvery weekend until 6th June we have Northants makers and artists taking over our arts space The Creative Place on Northampton Market Square. Come say hi and see what they offer. 8th and 9th May SaltLightLuxe - clothing15th and 16th May Mary McGarry - ceramics and paintings22nd and 23rd May Artistic Escape - jewellery, keyrings and art29th and 30th May It's All A Bit Wooly - knitting and crochet5th and 6th June Sneaker Social - clothing
Architectural Heads/Flower Heads
78 Derngate Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1UHWe are delighted to host two much-travelled contemporary artists, Piero Serra & Simington who will be displaying their work in the Barwell Room from Tuesday March 10 th to the end of May. With very different styles and techniques, the two friends chose to collaborate on this exhibition entitled ‘Architectural Heads/Flower Heads’. Serra, who trained as an architect, was born in Northampton. He shows us his extraordinary drawings which were partially inspired by architectural forms soon after he moved to Berlin, where he still lives. Serra who trained as an architect, was born in Northampton. Simington’s work shows us constructed composite images, which can be made up of multiple layers, to create worlds which take on a life of their own. Liam was born in Scotland, has lived in both Japan and Egypt and now resides in Northamptonshire. House and Galleries are open Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 4.30pm. A small entrance fee applies for visits to the heritage house but entry to all exhibitions is free.
Carboniferous Monsters: 100 million years before the Dinosaurs
Northampton Museum And Art Gallery 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, NorthamptonStep back to the Carboniferous period, 100 million years before the dinosaurs. Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Saturday 21 February - Sunday 7 June 2026 Visit tropical forests and swamps teeming with bizarre and ferocious ancient monsters, some of which had larger teeth than T. rex. Meet the dinosaurs' distant ancestors, the very first reptiles, the largest creepy-crawlies ever to live, and prehistoric animals unlike anything you've ever seen before! A must-see for prehistoric monster fans of all ages!
From the Collection: Drawings
Northampton Museum And Art Gallery 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, NorthamptonAn exhibition of drawings from the Northampton Museums & Art Gallery collection. This exhibition explores drawing as a fundamental artistic language, presenting preparatory sketches and finished works that reveal how ideas take shape on paper. Through the delicate studies of Henry Moore, the atmospheric sketches of Walter Sickert, the imaginative designs of Sir Edward Burne Jones, and the expressive drawings of Clare Abbatt, amongst others, visitors are invited to consider drawing not merely as a preliminary step but as an art form in its own right. The works on display highlight how artists across different periods and practices use line, tone, and observation to experiment, problem solve, and refine their vision. Together, they celebrate drawing’s enduring role as a tool for exploration, invention, and creative thinking.
Art and Comics Unwrapped: Exploring the Line Between Comics and Fine Art
Northampton Museum And Art Gallery 4-6 Guildhall Rd,, NorthamptonThis Exhibition explores the similarities between fine art and comics and how they are produced. It will explain the process of how comics are created and examine the common elements from fine art; the drawing, the painting and the poetry. It will also exhibit a story of epic proportions without superheroes, just ordinary people.
Rose Finn Kelcey: House Rules
NN Contemporary Vulcan Works, northamptonArts Collective launches its new gallery programme with an exhibition revisiting the pioneering work of British conceptual artist Rose Finn-Kelcey, curated by Emer Grant. This marks the first presentation of the artist’s work in her hometown of Northampton. Featuring photographic, installation and video works loaned from national collections and archives, the exhibition recontextualises Finn-Kelcey’s groundbreaking practice through architectural space and coded forms. It considers how formal systems and power structures shape experience through architecture, language, ritual and atmosphere. Exhibited publicly for the first time since its original installation, Bar Doors (1991) captures architectural thresholds, foregrounding moments of passage between spaces. The photographic documentation of Finn-Kelcey’s site-specific installation—seven saloon-style doors installed in a Houston city park—invites viewers to reconsider familiar architectural features as markers of access and permission. The exhibition also explores Finn-Kelcey’s fascination with spirituality and its connections to the commercial and domestic structures of contemporary life, featuring works such as It Pays to Pray (1990), God Kennel – A Tabernacle (1992) and Jolly God (1997). Her iconic flag works are also presented, including documentation of Power for the People (1972), in which a collective political declaration was placed directly onto the monumental architecture of Battersea Power Station while it remained operational. Throughout the exhibition, architecture, movement and attention shape...
Bite Street – May 22-24 in Northampton – NN’s hottest street food event
Delapre AbbeyNorthampton's hottest street food pop-up rocks the late May Bank Holiday at Delapré Abbey. Fabulous eats. Liquid treats. Cool beats. Dates and times: Friday 22 May - 5.30pm to 10pm. Saturday 23 May - 1pm to 10pm. Sunday 24 May- noon to 4.30pm. Last orders for drinks 30 mins before closing. Kitchens close at 9pm on Friday, 9pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.
Birmingham Royal Ballet: BRB2
Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DPCarlos Acosta’s Ballet Celebration BRB2, Birmingham Royal Ballet‘s second company, embarks on its fourth UK tour in May 2026. Described as “pinsharp and personality laden” by The Daily Telegraph, BRB2 brings together some of the world’s very best young dancers, the international stars of the future, to share their incredible talent. Carlos Acosta created this brand-new gala production for BRB2 in 2025, featuring highlights from the repertory of Serge Diaghilev’s troupe of rebel dancers, musicians and designers who fled Russia to set a new standard in creativity that inspires and resonates across the world of dance to this day. Repertory includes The Firebird, Spectre de la Rose, Les Sylphides and Scheherazade.
MEZCAL VS TEQUILA
It’s Tequila Time!! Despite all Tequila being Mezcal, not all Mezcal is Tequila. Confusing, right? It doesn't have to be! Join Lox for a masterclass in both, who will expertly explain the key differences, and the defining features of both. Through a taste journey, come and be acquainted with these two marvellous spirits!
Darren Walsh: Do You Like Puns?
Puns? ʞɔǝɥ ←flippin’ heck! Witness a pun Goliath in person, as Darren Walsh brings his 8ft frame and award winning act on the road. From appearing on Comic Relief to his ‘Jokes on the street’ series on social media, he’s been racking up millions of views, but live is where he thrives. Combining sound effects, videos, one-liners and improvised jokes based off audience suggestions, prepare for a comedy show like no other, bar pun. Book now, li is two short. ★★★★ – The Sunday Express WINNER – Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe
Northampton Opera Group: Madama Butterfly
Northampton Opera Group is thrilled to return to the historic stage of the Royal Theatre once again, to sing a full concert performance of Puccini’s lyric masterpiece, Madama Butterfly. This tragic story of a young Japanese geisha’s doomed love for an American lieutenant contains some of the most beautiful and moving music in all of opera, including the unforgettable aria ‘One Fine Day’, as well as the gorgeous Humming Chorus. A cast of international soloists joins the local singers of the NOG Chorus under the baton of renowned conductor Phillip Thomas for this unique performance which will be sung in the original Italian with English surtitles. Whether you know the opera well, or this is your first time, Madama Butterfly will both break your heart and lift your soul.
Country Superstars
Country Superstars Theatre Tour – Dolly Parton and Friends Tribute Show The World’s Biggest Country Music Tribute Show is rolling into town with an award-winning cast! Seen in London’s West End and honoured at the Grand Ole Opry, this internationally acclaimed production is a must-see for all country music fans. The show features lead impressionists Sarah Jayne and Andy Crust, who have been personally endorsed by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Hosted by Sarah Jayne as Dolly, it includes 12 award-winning impersonations of legends like Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Shania Twain, and Luke Combs, all backed by the Country Superstars Band. Every detail is thoughtfully crafted, from vocal accuracy and authentic costumes to stunning video backdrops. The show even features a special message from Dolly herself. Sing along to timeless classics like 9 to 5, The Gambler, Islands in the Stream and more. It’s a great night out for any fan!
Live music this bank holiday weekend at O’Neill’s Northampton
O'Neill's Northampton 23-25 St Giles' St, NorthamptonFriday Ruth Chomik 8pm - 10pm DJ Steve 10pm - Close Saturday Farrell Crowson 8pm - 10pm DJ Steve 10pm - Close
PUMPED UP POLICE
Get ready for a night packed with absolute bangers as Pumped Up Police hit the Billy with a setlist that never quits. Think: Nirvana Green Day AC/DC Duran Duran The Strokes Supergrass …and of course, The Police A full-throttle mash of rock, punk, indie, and iconic sing-alongs that’ll keep you moving from the first chord to the last. Bring your mates. Bring your voice. This one’s going off.