Packed schedule of events planned for town

Town councillors have unveiled their schedule of events for Kettering this year, with a range of different activities and events aimed at all ages and groups.

The activity programme kicked off at Easter with an egg hunt around the shops in the town centre.

Next on the calendar, at the end of April, will be the first in a series of Summer Saturday events, which bring a mixture of food and drink stalls, crafts and local busin­ess stands, live music and entertainment and games to the town Market Place.

The popular Bands in the Park programme returns to Rockingham Road Pleasure Park bandstand his summer – with an extended programme including two additional Bands in the Town dates the Market Place in June and September.

Food lovers will enjoy the Kettering Food and Drink Fe­­stival on Saturday 13 May in Market Place and High Street, showcasing local food and produce from across the county.

Returning to the Market Place in June is the Vegan Market, featuring a handpicked selection of street food, artisan bakes, craft cheeses, handmade cosmetics, ethical clothing and jewellery, arts and crafts and charity stalls.

A Go Skate Day is planned for Sunday 18 June at the Ise Lodge Skate Park, with prizes to be won in competitions throughout the day plus a skills workshops with a qualified coach.

New for 2023 is the Midsummer Market – an event on the evening of the Summer Solstice – with stalls just for charities and community groups to help them showcase their work and fundraising efforts. The event will be supported with music and traditional entertainment on the longest day of the year.

Further ahead in September people are being invited to boogie the evening away at two Friday Night Discos in the Market Place – run by local DJs Bill Burton and Dave Bellamy.

There will also be an event celebrating the best of Kettering's food scene, with Love Food on Sunday 3 September in Wicksteed Park.

Concluding the year at Christmas the town council will also be staging this year's Christmas lights switch on in November and festive markets throughout December.

Cllr Craig Skinner, Chair of the Markets and Events Committee, said: "We hope there is something for everyone in Kettering this year and that these events will bring people into the town. There is so much that Kettering has to offer, this is a fantastic chance to get together and celebrate everything that is good about our town."

Check out the What's On pages for the full programme of events.