Christmas in north Northamptonshire – here’s a round up of the festive things happening in the local area

The Christmas season is fast approaching, and north Northamptonshire is slowly getting into the festive spirit.

December is just a few days away, with local businesses, organisations and charities holding events in towns all over, from craft fairs to lights switch-ons.

It can be hard to keep track, so we’ve gathered up plenty of activities and events to keep the family entertained in the run-up to Christmas.

If you’re holding an event in north Northamptonshire, let us know by sending details to [email protected].

Christmas Lights Switch-On Events in North Northamptonshire

All over the county, towns and villages are preparing to drape the streets with festive decorations, with the turning on of the lights being one of the biggest events in the calendar wherever you choose to attend.

Irthlingborough

Irthlingborough will wait until December 3 to turn on the town’s lights, with a Christmas market taking place beforehand on Parson’s Green from 2pm.

At 5.30pm, the lights will decorate the town, and during the day there will be music from a brass band, festive stalls on the market, gifts, toys, cheese, preserves and fruit and veg available to purchase.

Oundle

Oundle Town Council has opted to host its lights switch-on in December, too, with the event set to take place on December 2.

A market at Queen Victoria Hall and Market Place will also take place between 10am and 5pm, with gifts, food and drink, 90+ stalls, fairground attractions, and Santa’s grotto all featuring on the day.

Other Christmas Events Happening in Kettering, Corby, Rushden, Wellingborough, and More

Kettering

For the next few weeks, a Christmas market can be found in Kettering’s Market Square on Saturday to help people to get their gift shopping done early.

The Overstone Arms in Pytchley is inviting people to enjoy a mulled wine, minced pies, and hot chocolate while its Christmas lights are turned on this Friday, December 1 from 5.30pm.

In the Orangery at Barton Hall Hotel & Spa, a Christmas Artisan Market will take place on Sunday, December 10 for one day only from 10am until 4pm.

A spokesman from Barton Hall Hotel & Spa said: “All stalls are quality handpicked small businesses from around Northants, we have a huge variety from art, illustrations, print making to ceramics, glass, wood work, candles and wax melts to jewellery and cake! There’s definitely something for everyone.”

The event will be free to attend.

Corby

Corby Town Council will hold its first ever Christmas market event which will take place on Friday, December 8 at James Ashworth VC Square.

It’s a free event which will occur between 3pm and 8pm, will feature local traders for ‘those unique ideal Christmas presents.’

Cllr Mark Pengelly, leader of Corby Town Council said: "It’s important that we celebrate Christmas by putting a tree up in James Ashworth VC Square and having an evening of carol singing along with the market, and we hope as many people can either get stalls or come along at the appropriate time.”

Oakley Vale Community Centre will host a pair of Christmas events on December 2 and 15 respectively.

The first will be its very first ‘Christmas Fayre’, which will include more than 35 stalls of local crafters selling unique, handcrafted Christmas gifts.

Christmas carols around the tree will take place on Friday, December 15, which will also feature a light switch-on which will be done by the, courtesy of mayor of Corby, Cllr Leanne Buckingham.

Oakley Vale Community Centre chairman, Peter Moden said: “This was absolutely awesome last year, and this year will be even more special.”

Also on December 8, a Christmas market at the Cube will kick-start a plethora of festive events and activities happening in Corby’s centre this holiday season, followed by an event on December 9 which includes the chance to grab a photo in a giant snowglobe, try out a snowboarding simulator and enjoy a few fairground games.

Then, Santa’s Grotto will be open on the weekends of December 9 and 10, 16 and 17, and 23 and 24 December from 11am to 4pm.

The town centre will also play host to free Christmas craft walk-in workshops on Sunday, December 10 and Sunday, December 17, where children can decorate a gingerbread man and make a tree decoration.

Wellingborough

Wellingborough Library is planning to host a Christmas Fair of its own on December 2, featuring pocket money games, a tombola, independent craft stalls, face painting, live music and a raffle from 10am until 2pm.

Completing a trifecta of chances to shop local this festive season, St Mark’s Church will once again hold its annual event, this Saturday, starting at 2pm.

The day will include a tombola, raffle, homemade cakes and preserves, toys, crafts, handmade gifts, refreshments, and more.

Children go free, and adults’ admission is £1.

Rushden

Rushden Historical Transport Society has plans to host plenty of activities and events leading up to Christmas, including a ‘Santa Special’ diesel train ride on December 2, 3, 16, and 17, as well as a Christmas afternoon tea in the Gresley Buffet Carriage on December 10 at 3pm.

More about the things put on by the Rushden Historical Transport Society can be found here.

At Hall Park, Rushden Hall will host a festive mosaic workshop on Friday, December 22, tasking local children with creating holiday-themed designs such as Christmas trees, snowmen or Father Christmas, with sessions running from 10am until 3.30pm.

A spokesman for Rushden Town Council said: “A Christmas mosaic workshop is a fun and interactive activity where children can create their own mosaic designs using colourful tiles.

"The workshop offers a fun and engaging activity for children to enjoy while promoting artistic expression and holiday spirit.”

Rushden Town Council is also holding a creative workshop on November 30 at 7pm to teach attendees how to effectively decorate a Christmas table.

Refreshments and materials are included in the £20 fee, and the session will be led by Jan's Floral Boutiques.

On this, a town council spokesperson added: “Learn how to create a festive centrepiece that will impress your guests. Discover insider tips and tricks that will make your table truly stand out.”

Rushden Lakes

Just a few minutes down the A45, Rushden Lakes will be the site of a handful of festive activities happening over the next few weeks.

December 2 at Nene Wetlands will bring ‘a day of live music, sustainable Christmas shopping and natural festive crafts’ to help raise vital funds to allow the charity to continue its work. From 10.30am until 4pm, the drop in event will feature live music outside the visitor centre as well as stalls from local suppliers.

Drop-in Christmas craft activities in the visitor centre include decorating willow wreaths, making festive treats for garden birds, and creating simple natural Christmas decorations.

A Christmas wreath making event in support of Encompass will take place at Rushden Lakes one day later on December 3 from 10.30am for two hours, promising minced pies, prosecco and a raffle.

On December 2, 3, 9, and 10, a handmade and vintage fair which promises to be ‘a treasure trove of cherry-picked and individually invited exhibitors, showcasing only the most original, high quality and affordable handmade and vintage collectables’ will be at the central boulevard throughout the day.

More about what’s happening at Rushden lakes this Christmas can be found here.

Stanwick Lakes

A ~2-hour wreath making workshop will be held from November 29 until December 3 at Stanwick Lakes, with morning and afternoon sessions on offer, and all materials provided. It promises to be ‘a delightful way to spend a couple of hours with friends or family.’

Tickets can be booked here.

Earls Barton

Like Corby, The Square in Earls Barton will host its very first Christmas Market in the car park on December 3.

A spokesperson for Earls Barton Parish Council said: "The market will essentially provide all your Christmas shopping needs without the need to venture into ‘town’.

“We are very lucky that the parish council are open to, and encouraging toward, supporting any events and initiatives that contribute toward the local economy and general good community spirit.”

The market will take place from 3pm until 7pm, and include hot BBQ food from local business Lee’s Butchers, Glebe Farm will be present to showcase their seasonal fruit and veg, late night shopping at Daisy and Dot will be available and Jeyes will be open for mulled wine and mince pies.

Chester House Estate

The Chester House Estate is no stranger to hosting family-friendly events and activities, having celebrated its two-year anniversary with an array of Halloween attractions, and this Christmas it’s continuing the trend.

The attraction will host a ‘santa paws and woofmas market’ on December 9 and 10 between 10am-4pm.

More than 30 artisan market stalls will sell local produce and Christmas treats for dogs. There are Christmas crafts available and food and drink can be purchased on the day.

Chester House promises free entry and free parking, and more information about things happening can be found here.

Great Doddington

Great Doddington Preschool is holding its first ever ‘Christmas Fayre’ on Saturday, December 16, designed specifically to be child-friendly.

At the Great Doddington Club from 11am until 2pm, there will be activity stalls for all children to use that are token based, as well as a raffle, refreshments, a kids disco, and other themed activities.