Aim High Festival 2026: Free community festival set to transform Higham Ferrers
A festival built by the community, for the community.
A Northamptonshire charity is preparing to bring one of the biggest free community events the town has seen in years to Higham Ferrers this September.
Aim High Festival 2026, organised by Ailsa's Aim, will take place on Saturday 19th September 2026 from 12pm until 8pm at Saffron Road Park, Higham Ferrers, offering an entire day of free activities, entertainment and family fun.
The festival has been created to tackle social isolation, bring communities together and provide an affordable day out at a time when many families continue to feel the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.
What makes the event unique is that almost everything will be completely free.
Visitors can enjoy unlimited fairground rides, a soft play bus, gaming bus, dinosaur experiences, circus skills, parkour sessions, face painting, glitter tattoos, giant bubbles, yoga and mindfulness sessions, live music, dance performances, community groups, hobby horse championships and much more without paying a penny.
Among the organisations already confirmed to attend is the Northampton Saints Foundation, whose team will be bringing fun, interactive activities to the festival. Their involvement adds to an already impressive line-up of community organisations committed to promoting health, wellbeing, inclusion and opportunities for young people across Northamptonshire.
A dedicated SEND and Chill Zone will provide a quieter sensory-friendly space for children and adults who may need a calmer environment during the day, helping to ensure the festival is accessible and welcoming to everyone.
The festival is expected to attract around 1,500 visitors from Higham Ferrers and the surrounding areas.
Whilst all activities organised by Ailsa's Aim will be free, visitors will have the option to purchase food and drinks from local vendors and browse products from independent craft stalls. Optional fundraising activities will also be available for those wishing to support the charity. Entry is free, parking is free and all entertainment and activities funded by Ailsa's Aim are free.
The event is being delivered by Ailsa's Aim, a Northamptonshire charity which provides free care packs, RADAR keys, wellbeing support, yoga sessions and respite opportunities to cancer patients and neonatal families across the UK. Last year alone, the charity delivered more than 17,000 free care packs to patients and families facing some of the most difficult times in their lives.
The festival also carries a deeply personal meaning for the family behind the charity.
Ailsa's Aim was founded by Sara and Dr. Niven Whatley following Sara's ovarian cancer diagnosis whilst pregnant with their daughter, Ailsa. Today, whilst continuing to run the charity and support thousands of beneficiaries nationwide, Niven is undergoing active treatment for bowel cancer at Northampton General Hospital.
Despite balancing chemotherapy and radiotherapy appointments, Niven has remained heavily involved in the planning of the festival, helping secure sponsors, coordinate activities and build partnerships with local organisations.
The charity is quick to stress that Aim High Festival is a true community effort. Alongside Sara and Niven, a dedicated team has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the event to life. Stuart Frankish, Heidi Sanderson and Sapphire Matthewman have each played a significant role in shaping the festival, helping to coordinate volunteers, entertainment, logistics, fundraising and community engagement. Their passion, commitment and belief in the project have been instrumental in turning an ambitious idea into a reality.
Sara Whatley, CEO and Co-Founder of Ailsa's Aim, said: "Aim High Festival is everything Ailsa's Aim stands for. It is about bringing people together, reducing isolation, creating opportunities and making sure nobody is excluded because they cannot afford to take part.
"The response from the community has been absolutely incredible. Local businesses, volunteers and community groups have rallied around us and helped turn an idea into something far bigger than we ever imagined.
"Niven and I have always dreamed of creating a free community festival. To see him still dedicating so much time and energy to making this happen whilst undergoing cancer treatment has been inspiring. We have also been incredibly fortunate to have people like Stuart, Heidi and Sapphire supporting us every step of the way. This festival belongs to the whole community and is only possible because so many people have come together with a shared vision.
"This festival is our way of giving something back to the communities that have supported our family and our charity through the toughest times."
The festival has been made possible thanks to the generosity of local businesses and sponsors who have stepped forward to fund attractions, entertainment and activities. Their support means families will be able to enjoy a full day out without worrying about the cost.
Visitors can expect live entertainment throughout the day, performances from local groups, opportunities to meet community organisations, interactive activities for children and adults, and a welcoming atmosphere designed to celebrate everything that makes the local area special.
With more sponsors, volunteers and supporters joining the project every week, the festival is already exceeding expectations months before the gates open.
As well as providing a memorable day out, Aim High Festival will raise awareness of the work carried out by Ailsa's Aim and help ensure more local families know where they can find support when they need it most.
Anyone wishing to support the festival can donate via: https://www.justgiving.com/page/aimhigh2026
Every pound raised helps keep activities free for local families.
For more information about Aim High Festival 2026, sponsorship opportunities, volunteering or the work of Ailsa's Aim, please contact [email protected].
Aim High Festival 2026 Saturday 19th September 2026 12pm – 8pm Saffron Road Park, Higham Ferrers
Free Entry. Free Activities. Community Led. Community Funded. Community Focused.
A festival built by the community, for the community.