NNBN – The Northamptonshire Business Network is supporting Northamptonshire Day 2026 and is calling on businesses, charities, community groups and organisations across the county to get behind this year’s celebration.

Northamptonshire Day 2026 will take place on Sunday 25th October, with Kettering town centre set to become a vibrant celebration of everything that makes Northamptonshire a great place to live, work, visit and do business.

Running from 10am until 5pm, the event is being organised by North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council, with more than 50 organisations already signed up to take part.

NNBN is not only supporting the event but will also be playing an active role by running the Business Zone, which will showcase some of the fantastic businesses and organisations that operate across Northamptonshire.

The Business Zone will provide visitors with an opportunity to discover local businesses, meet the people behind them and learn more about the products, services and experiences available across the county.

NNBN members supporting Northamptonshire Day

A number of NNBN members will be involved in supporting Northamptonshire Day, demonstrating the breadth and diversity of the NNBN membership and the contribution local businesses and organisations make to the county.

Among those supporting the event are Laugh Out Loud Theatre, Nick Wilson – The Disabled Adventurer, and The Chester House Estate, alongside other NNBN members and organisations from across Northamptonshire.

Their involvement reflects the wide range of talent, enterprise, creativity, tourism, culture and community activity taking place across the county.

Watermeadow Park will also be bringing its alpacas to Northamptonshire Day, providing a family-friendly attraction and giving visitors the opportunity to experience a little bit of Northamptonshire’s countryside in the heart of Kettering.

For NNBN, the involvement of its members is an important part of what the day represents.

Simon Cox, Director of NNBN – The Northamptonshire Business Network, said:

“Northamptonshire has an incredible story to tell, and Northamptonshire Day provides a fantastic opportunity for all of us to come together and showcase what makes our county such a great place to live, work, visit and do business.

“At NNBN, we are proud not only to support Northamptonshire Day but to be actively involved in delivering it through the Business Zone, where we will be showcasing some of the fantastic businesses we have here in the county.

“I’m also delighted that so many NNBN members are getting behind the event. Laugh Out Loud Theatre, Nick Wilson – The Disabled Adventurer and The Chester House Estate are just some of the members supporting Northamptonshire Day, and there are many more fantastic organisations involved.

“That diversity really demonstrates what Northamptonshire is all about. We have brilliant businesses, entrepreneurs, performers, attractions, community organisations and people doing extraordinary things across the county.

“And then, of course, we have the alpacas from Watermeadow Park. They are a wonderful example of the variety of experiences and attractions we have here in Northamptonshire and I’m sure they will be a big hit with visitors.

“The NNBN Business Zone is about putting local businesses front and centre and giving them an opportunity to tell their stories. We want people visiting Northamptonshire Day to discover businesses they might not have come across before and to understand just how much talent and enterprise we have on our doorstep.

“I would encourage every business, charity, community group and organisation in Northamptonshire to support the day. You don’t necessarily have to have a stall or be directly involved. You can share the event, bring your team, invite your customers, encourage your family and friends to attend and help us spread the word.

“Northamptonshire Day is about celebrating the whole county. It is about our heritage, our culture, our communities, our businesses, our attractions and, most importantly, our people.

“I hope businesses and organisations right across Northamptonshire will embrace the opportunity and help make Northamptonshire Day 2026 a fantastic celebration of our county.”

Celebrating Northamptonshire’s heritage and culture

The event will feature a series of themed zones across Kettering town centre, including heritage, culture and arts, family activities, community groups, active leisure, food and drink, and local businesses.

The Heritage Zone, centred around Manor House Gardens and Corn Market Hall, will bring the county’s fascinating history to life.

Highlights will include a 17th-century Civil War encampment from The Sealed Knot, alongside archaeology activities, museum exhibits, family games and displays from heritage organisations including the Archaeological Resource Centre, Delapré Abbey, the Northamptonshire Heritage Forum and Northamptonshire Museums and Art Gallery.

The Culture and Family Zones will provide opportunities for visitors to get creative, with artist demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops and hands-on activities. A dedicated quiet, SEN-friendly space will also be available.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy performances at the Alfred East Gallery, which is due to fully reopen to the public on Saturday 24th October, while the Northampton Film Festival and Northamptonshire Film Archive Trust will showcase local films throughout the day.

Food and drink will also play an important part in the celebrations, with local breweries, food producers and street food vendors giving visitors the opportunity to sample some of the county’s fantastic produce.

The Community Zone will showcase the work of charities, community organisations, local groups and emergency services, including emergency service vehicles.

Live music will run throughout the day on the main stage, celebrating local talent and helping create a festival atmosphere in the heart of Kettering.

Beyond the town centre, heritage buses will operate during the day, including services between Northampton and Kettering, while Wicksteed Park will be running its full half-term programme and offering discounted tickets to Northamptonshire Day visitors.

The celebrations will continue into the evening with a special performance of musical theatre, pop, rock and classic hits at the Lighthouse Theatre.

Alongside Northamptonshire Day, the BIG50 Book Festival will also be taking place, with a week-long programme of free reading, storytelling and literary activities across North Northamptonshire.

For NNBN, the Business Zone will be an important part of the wider celebration, providing a platform for local businesses to demonstrate the contribution they make to Northamptonshire.

From established companies and independent businesses to entrepreneurs, creative organisations, tourism businesses and social enterprises, the zone will help visitors discover more about the people behind Northamptonshire’s business community.

NNBN is encouraging organisations to share information about Northamptonshire Day through their own networks and social media channels and to encourage employees, customers, friends and families to attend.

With more than 50 organisations already involved, the event will provide a diverse programme celebrating Northamptonshire’s heritage, culture, communities, businesses, attractions and visitor economy.

From historic attractions and local businesses to charities, performers, community organisations, tourism destinations — and even alpacas — Northamptonshire Day will showcase the remarkable variety of what the county has to offer.

Northamptonshire Day 2026 takes place on Sunday 25th October from 10am to 5pm in Kettering town centre.

The event is sponsored by Wilson Browne Solicitors, London North Eastern Railway and Ace Furniture.