There are loads of festival shenanigans planned for the county between now and September. Move over Glasters and V - Northamptonshire welcomes festival goers of all types...

Just when you thought Northamptonshire was ‘only’ a capital of culture and cuisine, this summer our idyllic countryside comes to life my Muddy friends. There are a number of festival shenanigans planned for the county between now and September, and judging by the music line-ups  and the fun factor on offer, we think it’s going to be a cracking few months indeed. Move over Glasters and V – Northamptonshire welcomes festival goers of all types…

Althorp Food & Drink Festival, 6-7 May

Oh – now, this really is a Muddy fave with many of the county’s best food & drink producers on display. The Althorp Food and Drink Festival is a weekend that promises something for everyone to taste, see and experience, from veteran food lovers to kids both big and small. Among the many entertainment highlights on the menu will be talks, tastings, demonstrations, masterclasses, and live music to suit every taste. Attendees will be able to learn tips first hand from experts including Garrett Oliver, Chief Brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery, specialist pasta maker and founder of Carmela’s Kitchen, Carmela Sereno Hayes, actress, cook and author of Milly’s Real Food, Nicola Millbank and Hanna Sillitoe, the creator of the hugely inspiring blog My Goodness. Notable local chefs include Joe Buckley from the Tollemache Arms, James Claydon from Shires Cookery School and Nathan Russell, founder of My Health Hut.

Oundle International Festival, Oundle, 7 – 15 Jul

For over 30 years, the Oundle International Festival has been providing Northamptonshire with entertaining and enriching music concerts, theatrical performances and community events which includes folk, jazz, classical and choral music, complimented by family theatre, an outdoor cinema screening, an encore screening of an opera and the annual Bach Walk (phew).  This year the open opening weekend celebrates the area’s wealth of amateur music making activity and Oundle open gardens (9th July only). The full programme will be announced at Easter but meanwhile the Festival will finish, on Saturday 15th July, with the Party at the Wharf, featuring Absolute Bowie, Lincolnshire Rockabillies, The Houndogs, Oundle group Disarray and other local bands.

Oundle Music Trust, 4 New Street, Oundle Northamptonshire PE8 4ED

The Music Barn Festival, Kettering, 17 Jul

This festival is set in rural Northamptonshire across three big fields (make sure you bring your wellies) however they aim to have the event in line with the longest day of the year so this means that hopefully it won’t rain (I have no scientific rationale for this argument).  This festival also celebrates the local talent in the area and gives a great community feel. There are a variety of genres across three buildings which means you”ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to what to watch and they have acts from all over the country as well; from Leeds to London there is massive diversity (and we know they organisors and they’re lovely).

Music Barn

Northampton Town Festival – 10.30am-23.00pm, 1-2 Jul

Think giant  funfairs, impressive hot air balloon displays, live music & entertainment, fireworks and a huge dollop of community spirit – and you have the recipe for the HUGE Northampton town festival. Whether you are a local resident, a local trader, a member of a local community group, or part of the thriving entertainment scene…this event is not to be missed. The Old Town Show started in 1909 and give or take a World War, it’s been a consistent feature for the town. It’s FREE to attend. Pets are welcome to come along during the day but must be well behaved and kept on a leash at all times.

Northampton Town Festival, The Racecourse, Kettering Rd, Northampton NN1 4LG

Northampton Music Festival,  18 June

The festival is run for free so you don’t have to pay a penny. It is held right in the middle of the town centre which means it is easily accessible to all who want to go, also due to the central location you can pop in and out without an issue. The festival is really keen to promote the artists and groups that are based within the community and tries to raise the profile of the artists and the town as well. Hear, hear, Muddy approves.

Northampton Music Festival

Thurning Feast, 5pm – 12.00am, 25 Jul

This is a spectacular festival, which takes place on…whichever day the 25th of July falls on! This vibrant village feast brings the local community together in aid of raising funds for the upkeep of Thurning Village Hall and the Church of St James. Thurning receives help from residents of surrounding villages and in turn raises funds to support their villages and chosen charities. Alongside great live music, a funfair and children’s entertainment, Thurning Feast also offers a variety of multi-national foods and a fabulous selection of locally made cakes and teas for a quintessentially English experience. TICKETS: Advance: Adult £5, Accompanied Under 15 – FREE. £6 on the door on the night. Advance tickets available online and through Oundle box Office

Thurning Feast, Hall Close, Clopton Road, Thurning, Peterborough, PE8 5RE

Northampton Balloon Festival, Billing Aquadrome – Friday 18 to 20 Aug

The 2017 Northampton Balloon Festival has always created a spectacular event over our skies – in fact the festival has been going for 28 years and seems to get more spectacular every year. Whilst ballooning is a weather dependant activity the balloonists want to fly, so if the conditions allow, the balloons will be flying at both 6am and 6pm on each of the three days of the event. At 9.00pm on Saturday evening, they will also be having a “Balloon Glow”. Come and watch the balloons turn into giant lanterns tethered to the ground, pulsating to the music – its magical! The event is FREE to all holiday makers at Billing Aquadrome (minimum 3 night stay applies) and owners. Public day pass subject to admission fees as follows: Car: £5, Adult: £5, Child under 16: Free

Northampton Balloon Festival, Billing Aquadrome, Crow Lane, NN3 9DA

Shambala, Secret Country Estate, 27 August

This is a mahoosive festival based in Northamptonshire that spans over four days in August and displays over 200 diverse musical acts on 12 different stages and also boasts world class cabaret, as well as nationally acclaimed poetry. Acts in the past have included 47 soul and Alfresco Disco and the festival also plays host to a multitude of other events such as stand-up comedy shows, a wide array of motivational speeches as well as a series of acrobatic performances (hmmmm, maybe that’s how I’ll sneak in). I’ve heard great things about Shambala, haven’t managed to get a ticket thus far but I think 2017 will be the year.

Illusive Festival, Corby, 8 – 10 Sep

This festival was born and bred in the underground clubs and fields of the UK so is a very raw and thrilling experience (ooooooooh). The people who run the event also state on their website that they try “to bring as much enjoyment to the people as possible for the smallest of costs” which means you wont be having any fights with your bank account here. There are 6 stages that you can go to over the weekend and they are host to artists such as General Levy!

Buckfest, Bucken St Neots, 15 July

This is a festival a bit further away than the others but it is definitely worth a look. There are three stages along with well over 20 acts to keep you occupied for the weekend. It’s another goodie that can accommodate the whole family with a kids sections and this festival is also linked with a lot of charities to help raise money for charities such as Little Miracles and the Eloise Keeling asthma trust.