Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming days
From a band who start fires to a man who stops them, there’s plenty to enjoy
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 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.
7 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.
8 Warrior’s Dance, National Bowl, Milton Keynes, Saturday August 22
The Prodigy are returning to the National Bowl for a day of heavyweight beats and celebratory vibes. The electronic music legends last played at the National Bowl in July 2010, for their original Warrior’s Dance Festival, which marked the band’s 20th anniversary. The sold-out show attracted 65,000 fans and featured support acts like Pendulum and Enter Shikari. Now they are bringing Warrior’s Dance back, with new staging and a line-up of big names. The bill includes the legendary DJ Carl Cox, the ‘king of drum & bass’ Andy C and the renowned reggae authority David ‘Ram Jam’ Rodigan bringing the opening vibes at all four shows. There will also be riotous sets from the best of the underground with Japanese DJ/Producer Yousuke Yukimatsu and the UK’s own ‘trap metal’ pioneer Scarlxrd.
The Prodigy are one of the most successful and acclaimed acts in the history of electronic music. The band emerged during the underground rave scene and achieved early success in 1991 with their debut singles Charly and Everybody in the Place, which reached the UK top five. After their 1992 debut album Experience, the band incorporated techno and breakbeat influences on their follow-up in 1994, Music for the Jilted Generation.
They reached a new level of commercial success and critical acclaim in 1996 as they embraced influences from rock and punk with the number one singles Firestarter and Breathe. Both tracks appeared on their third studio album, The Fat of the Land, released in 1997.
Joint frontman Keith Flint, whose distinctive vocal style and aggression powered Firestarter and Breathe, died in 2019. Their live show now features two original members, founder and songwriter Liam Howlett and vocalist and MC Maxim, plus an array of other musicians who help create the band’s formidable sound.
The band enjoyed a stellar 2025, which saw them headline festivals across the world from Summersonic in Japan to Coachella in the US, and an era-defining headline performance at Glastonbury.
Visit theprodigy.com to book.
9 I Grew Up 80s, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, until October 10
Explore the cultural landscape of 1980’s Britain through the eyes of a child – revisiting the colourful vibrancy and innovation that defined the decade, from Betamax to BMX, Dirty Dancing to Donkey Kong and the Thompson Twins to Transformers. Visit northamptonmuseums.com or call 01604 526322 for details.
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.