Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming days

1 Northampton Balloon Festival, The Racecourse, Northampton, Saturday August 15 to Monday August 17

The much-loved festival returns, filling the skies with balloons once again. Visitors can enjoy the spectacle of the colourful balloons and the grace of skilled balloonists, as well as live arena entertainment, a vibrant funfair for all ages and a circus workshop. There are also trade stalls, plus a diverse range of festival food and drinks, with dazzling fireworks at the end of the day. Balloon flights are dependent on the weather. Visit thenorthamptonballoonfestival.co.uk for details.

2 Roseshire Festival, Chester House Estate, Irchester, Saturday August 29 and Sunday August 30

The new event promises two days of live music, entertainment and a festival atmosphere with a line-up packed with big names. Saturday delivers classic indie and alternative sounds from the likes of The Charlatans, Embrace, Cast and The Bluetones, while Sunday celebrates feel-good pop and 90s nostalgia from acts including Eternal, The Hoosiers and The South, with county talent celebrated too in the form of Maddox Jones and Northants Sings Out. There are also tributes to Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, plus K-Pop hits galore. Visit roseshirefestival.com to book or for more information.

3 Greenbelt, Boughton House, Thursday August 27 to Sunday August 30

Artistry, activism and ideas will be celebrated at Boughton House when the Greenbelt Festival returns this summer. For the last time, the annual event will be held at the venue near Kettering, with the festival moving to a new home next year. Greenbelt, which was founded in 1974 as a Christian event, boasts an array of music, comedy, speakers and more. Among the headline acts are hip hop trailblazers Arrested Development, known for being outspoken about their faith and social conscience. Also headlining are The Proclaimers, who first performed at Greenbelt in 1988, and promise a singalong set featuring hits including I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), Letter from America and Sunshine on Leith. Grace Petrie, one of the UK’s foremost folk protest singer-songwriters of the modern era, is another headliner.

Its programme of speakers is is topped by Charlotte Church, the multi-million selling musical artist. She will be in conversation about her life, work and passions, and will also lead a singing circle. Another speaker is Jordan Stephens, who is not only a successful musician and performer with the resurgent Rizzle Kicks, but a thinker, writer and speaker on issues around mental health and masculinity. Joining them on the bill is multi-award-winning broadcaster and writer Cathy Newman, who was Channel 4 News’s first female anchor and spent 20 years with the programme before moving to Sky News this April. Cathy will be in conversation with journalist Andrew Graystone about the changing relationship between politics, news and truth, as well as the role of journalism in changing times, misogyny in and out of the industry and her views on the church.

Among the comic talent will be internationally renowned musician, comedian, writer and actor Reggie Watts and Ria Lina, who has been named by The Evening Standard as one of the ‘Hottest Comedians You Should Be Watching Now’ and earned praise for her dry wit and social commentary.

Visit greenbelt.org.uk to book.

4 Dirty Dancing, Milton Keynes Theatre, Tuesday August 25 to Saturday August 29

Seen by millions across the globe, this smash-hit show tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Based on the classic film, the iconic story features the songs Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book.

5 The Prat Pack’s Back - Preview Shows, Milton Keynes Theatre, Sunday August 30 and Monday August 31

Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley, Joe Pasquale and Shane Richie are teaming up for a night promising classic variety, sharp wit and big-band swing. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book.

6 Electric Paradise, The National Bowl, Milton Keynes, Saturday August 8

Grace Jones, Candi Staton, UB40 and more are heading to Milton Keynes to play at the first Electric Paradise festival. The era-spanning blend of disco, funk, soul and house plays out across multiple stages at the National Bowl. The festival will also welcomes the likes of Cameo, Earth Wind & Fire By Al McKay, Armand Van Helden, Dimitri From Paris, Roger Sanchez, Graeme Park, Alison Limerick and many more.

The Main Stage brings together globally influential live artists including the style and music icon Grace Jones – whose hits include Private Life, Pull Up to the Bumper and Slave to the Rhythm – Candi Staton, UB40, Kool & The Gang and Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge. The Big Love Stage continues the feel-good energy with Cameo, Earth, Wind & Fire (by Al McKay), Shalamar, Jocelyn Brown and Heather Small among others.

The Data Transmission and Disco Infiltrators stage will feature the varied sounds of Ron Mexico, Hobbs, Carlos Van D, Slick Pete Flash, Oh! L’Amour, The Goddess Music and Lizzie Curious.

Visit electric-paradise.co.uk/tickets to book.

7 Diaspora Calling, The National Bowl, Milton Keynes, Friday August 7

One of the most influential and acclaimed singers and songwriters of her generation is coming to Milton Keynes to headline a new open-air event. Lauryn Hill tops the bill in what is currently her only confirmed UK performance for 2026. She will be joined by Wyclef Jean, YG Marley and Zion Marley, with further artists across the two stages to be announced in the coming months.

Hill is a Grammy-winning singer, rapper and songwriter whose vast influence spans hip-hop, soul and R&B. She first rose to prominence in the mid-1990s as part of the groundbreaking Fugees, whose hits included Killing Me Softly with His Song, Ready or Not and Killing Me Softly with His Song before releasing her landmark solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which earned five Grammy Awards and included the hits Doo Wop (That Thing), Ex-Factor and Everything Is Everything. Hill is celebrated for her lyrical depth and genre-blending sound, and her work continues to focus on identity, spirituality and social consciousness.

Supporting her is Wyclef Jean, a fellow Grammy-winning artist, producer and founding member of the Fugees whose sound blends hip-hop with Caribbean, soul and global influences. Also on the bill is the Grammy-winning Erykah Badu, who found fame in the late 1990s when her debut studio album Baduizm placed her at the forefront of the ‘neo soul’ movement.

Visit diasporacalling.com to book or for more information.

8 Shambala, Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens, Thursday August 27 to Sunday August 30

With its biggest and boldest programme to date, Shambala promises a weekend of music, ideas and collective joy. This year’s line-up spans over 500 artists, from politically charged punk from Bob Vylan, sun-drenched reggae from Hollie Cook, psychedelic chaos courtesy of Goat, legendary Senegalese sounds from Orchestra Baobab and late-night electronic excursions from Paranoid London, Luke Vibert and Om Unit. Beyond the music, festival-goers can expect thought-provoking talks from figures including Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Led By Donkeys, immersive science sessions from the CERN Festival Programme and “collective fun and chaos” galore. Visit www.shambalafestival.org to book.

9 Legends of the '60s Show, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Tuesday August 18

Enjoy tributes to greats like Elvis, The Beatles, The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, Tom Jones, Cliff Richard, The Beach Boys and the Drifters in a show featuring more than 40 hits. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.

10 Fireman Sam, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, Thursday August 20

Norman Price is determined to win the Pontypandy Treasure Hunt, but when he discovers clues to a real pirate treasure, he goes exploring deep into the caves. It’s up to Fireman Sam, Elvis and Ellie to save the day and find the treasure. Expect clues, pirate songs and plenty of swashbuckling adventure. Visit lighthousetheatre.co.uk or call 01536 414141 to book.