Events in Northampton

Empowering Safe Mobility Across Our Communities Every year, thousands of individuals and families across the UK are impacted by preventable road crashes. Organized by the national road safety charity Brake, the Huddersfield Community Road Safety Workshop brings together local residents, educators, community leaders, and transport professionals for a day of education, collaboration, and practical action. Taking place on Sunday, 15 November 2026, to launch National Road Safety Week, this essential event focuses on empowering individuals to advocate for safer streets and reduced road risk across West Yorkshire. By focusing on responsible road use, infrastructure improvements, and effective community outreach, the workshop aims to foster a culture of shared responsibility where everyone can move around safely and healthily. Understanding the Safe System Approach At the heart of Brake’s mission is the belief that no death or serious injury on our roads is acceptable or inevitable. During the morning sessions, expert facilitators will introduce participants to the Safe System approach to road safety, emphasizing how safer speeds, safe road design, safe vehicles, and safe road use work together to prevent harm. Attendees will examine local traffic statistics, identify high-risk areas in and around Huddersfield, and discuss actionable methods to mitigate risks for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. This framework provides participants with a clear, structured understanding of modern road safety strategies and how local intervention can make a measurable difference. Supporting Victims and Campaigning for Change Brake is dedicated not only to preventing road crashes but also to providing comprehensive support to individuals and families suffering from the trauma of road deaths and life-changing injuries. A dedicated portion of the workshop will highlight the vital work of Brake's National Road Victim Service, providing guidance on how communities can support victimized families. Participants will hear powerful personal stories and learn how campaigning efforts can drive meaningful policy changes at both local council and national government levels. This segment provides essential insights for those wishing to turn grief into positive, life-saving community initiatives. Actionable Strategies for Schools and Businesses Whether you represent an educational institution, a corporate fleet, or a neighborhood group, this event provides practical toolkits tailored to your specific environment. Representatives from local schools will gain access to lesson plans, interactive resources, and assembly guides designed to teach children vital road awareness. Meanwhile, local business owners and transport managers will receive guidance on managing work-related road risk, driver training protocols, and workplace safety policies. These tailored breakout sessions ensure that every attendee leaves equipped with actionable steps to improve safety standards within their respective organizations. Collaborative Networking and Local Fundraising Creating lasting change requires a unified community effort. Throughout the afternoon, attendees will have numerous opportunities to network with local emergency service personnel, council officers, active travel groups, and fellow community advocates. The workshop will showcase successful fundraising campaigns, demonstrating how local charity events help sustain Brake’s free helpline and education programs. Representatives will share practical tips on organizing community walks, bake sales, and sponsored challenges, allowing local groups to support Brake’s ongoing work while promoting safety in Huddersfield. Join the Movement for Safe Streets in Huddersfield Attending the Huddersfield Community Road Safety Workshop is a powerful step toward making our local roads safer for everyone. By coming together on 15 November 2026, local residents and organizations can gain the knowledge, resources, and connections needed to champion safe mobility. Registration is free, but space is limited to ensure an interactive and impactful experience for all attendees. Secure your place today and join the movement to ensure that everyone in our community can travel safely, every single day.

Middlesbrough Mela returns to Albert Park as one of the North East’s largest, most anticipated, and longest-running multicultural festivals. Organized by Middlesbrough Borough Council in partnership with community event specialists, this grand two-day celebration brings together tens of thousands of visitors from across Teesside, Yorkshire, and the wider UK. Rooted in unity, artistic expression, and community inclusion, the festival offers a rich tapestry of music, dance, visual arts, and international street food. The word "Mela" means gathering, and true to its name, this weekend creates an open, welcoming, and uplifting space for people of all backgrounds, ages, and walks of life to celebrate shared human connections. World-Class Live Music and Main Stage Performances The heart of the festival revolves around the iconic Main Stage, delivering dynamic live music and dance performances throughout Saturday and Sunday. Audiences can experience a stellar lineup featuring international headline acts, acclaimed UK urban and South Asian fusion singers, traditional Bhangra ensembles, and energetic tribute showcases. Complementing headline performers are regional community groups, emerging youth talent, and traditional folk troupes representing Caribbean, African, Far Eastern, and Eastern European heritage. Broadcast live in partnership with the BBC Asian Network, the main stage delivers non-stop, electrifying entertainment that keeps crowds dancing from afternoon to evening. Global Street Food Market and Cultural Bazaar An essential highlight of Middlesbrough Mela is the sprawling global market setup across the green lawns of Albert Park. Visitors are invited to take a culinary journey through dozens of artisan food stalls serving freshly cooked street food from around the globe. From authentic South Asian curries, kebabs, and samosas to Caribbean jerk dishes, sweet churros, and refreshing icy drinks, there are choices to satisfy every palate. Adjacent to the food village, the colorful bazaar features traders selling traditional textiles, embroidered garments, handmade jewelry, Henna body art, home décor, and unique handcrafted souvenirs created by independent regional makers. Interactive Family Activities and Community Engagement Middlesbrough Mela is designed with families and children in mind, offering an extensive range of free interactive activities, games, and creative creative zones. Children can participate in artist-led workshops covering clay modeling, banner making, and lantern creation, while enjoying walkabout street performers, face painting stations, and storytelling corners. A bustling funfair with rides for all ages adds to the celebratory carnival atmosphere. Local community organizations, health charities, and educational groups also host interactive stalls, providing valuable resources and promoting health, wellness, and civic participation across the local borough. Exploring Historic Albert Park Facilities Set in the iconic, award-winning greenery of Albert Park in central Middlesbrough, the event makes full use of the park’s heritage surroundings. Attendees can stroll around the lake, visit the historic bandstand, relax on open grass spaces, and enjoy the park’s natural beauty between musical acts. Middlesbrough Borough Council ensures the festival is fully accessible, providing designated quiet zones, accessible toilets, medical support, and information hubs throughout the grounds to ensure every visitor experiences a safe, comfortable, and thoroughly enjoyable day. Plan Your Visit and Transport Information Middlesbrough Mela is completely free to enter, requiring no tickets in advance. The festival runs from 12:00 PM to 07:00 PM on both days, making it an ideal weekend day out for groups of friends and whole families. Situated conveniently near Middlesbrough town centre on Linthorpe Road, the park is easily reached via local bus routes, train services to Middlesbrough Station, or nearby town centre car parks. Gather your family and friends to experience the warmth, rhythm, and festive spirit of Middlesbrough’s signature cultural event.

Sandown Park is arguably the flagship event for BP Fairs, boasting an incredible 500 stalls. Located in Esher, just a short distance from London, it attracts a massive crowd ranging from serious investors to curious tourists. The sheer volume of merchandise is breathtaking. Walking through the aisles, you are surrounded by walls of boxed toys, rare lead figures, and intricately detailed model ships. This specific fair is well-known for its diversity. While trains and cars are staples, Sandown often features a wider array of traditional antiques, including vintage dolls, teddy bears, and early 20th-century board games. The professional organization ensures that the hall is easy to navigate despite the crowd. For those traveling by car, the venue offers free parking for thousands of vehicles, while the nearby train station makes it accessible for those coming from central London. It is more than just a market; it is a celebration of design and history, showcasing how playthings have evolved over the last century.

Doncaster Racecourse transforms into a toy lover’s paradise during this massive BP Fairs event. Known as the largest toy fair in the North of England, it utilizes the expansive Exhibition Centre to house over 350 stalls. The scale of this event means that the variety is unparalleled, attracting international visitors and high-end dealers. From the moment the doors open, the hall is filled with the hum of enthusiasts hunting for that elusive missing piece for their shelves. The fair covers every imaginable niche in the toy world. You will find massive layouts of Hornby trains, glass cabinets filled with gold-standard die-cast models, and tables overflowing with modern collectibles like Funko Pops and Pokémon cards. The venue itself is world-class, offering ample parking and excellent catering services. It is a full-day experience where one can trade, buy, and even sell their own old toys to dealers. The sense of nostalgia is palpable as visitors rediscover the toys of their childhood, making it a truly magical experience for older generations and a voyage of discovery for the younger ones.

The Coventry Toy and Model Collectors Fair is a staple event in the Midlands calendar. Held at the spacious Connexion Leisure Club, the event is perfectly situated for easy access from across the UK. This fair is particularly noted for its high-quality selection of model railways and die-cast vehicles. Traders from all over the country descend on Coventry to showcase rare items that are seldom seen on the high street or online. For the dedicated collector, the "Early Bird" entry at 8:00 AM provides a golden opportunity to secure the best items before the general public arrives. The sheer variety is staggering; you might find a mint-condition Dinky car sitting alongside a 1980s Transformers figure or a rare first-edition comic book. Beyond the buying and selling, the fair acts as a social hub where people share their passion for history and craftsmanship. With affordable admission and plenty of on-site facilities, it remains one of the most popular hobbyist gatherings in the region.

The Bolton Stadium Toy and Collectable Fair stands as a premier destination for hobbyists across the North West. Hosted within the modern facilities of the Bolton Stadium Hotel, this event brings together a diverse community of traders and enthusiasts. Whether you are a seasoned investor in vintage memorabilia or a parent looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, the fair offers something for everyone. Visitors can expect to browse through thousands of items, ranging from 1950s tin-plate toys to the latest modern-day releases. The hall is typically packed with specialized stalls featuring model railways, Scalextric, LEGO, and action figures. The atmosphere is vibrant, fueled by the excitement of discovering a long-lost piece for a personal collection. Experts are often on hand to offer advice or valuations, making it an educational experience as much as a shopping trip. The venue provides excellent accessibility and amenities, ensuring a comfortable day out for all ages.

The Innovation in Sustainable Technology Seminar is an elite gathering of academics, industry engineers, and environmental advocates held at the University of Northampton's Creative Hub. This seminar addresses one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to leverage technological advancement while maintaining environmental integrity. The University of Northampton has long been a leader in social and environmental responsibility, and this seminar brings that focus to the engineering and IT sectors. The 2026 seminar will specifically examine the role of AI in optimizing energy grids and the development of sustainable materials in the manufacturing process. Key speakers include lead researchers from the Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, alongside guest engineers from local Northamptonshire automotive and logistics firms. The day is structured into three distinct blocks: "Green Software Engineering," "Circular Manufacturing," and "The Future of Sustainable Logistics." Each block consists of a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute interactive Q&A session. This format ensures that the technical depth of the presentations is accessible to both professional engineers and university students. The Creative Hub’s open-plan architecture facilitates an environment of collaboration, encouraging attendees to stay for the networking drinks following the final session. This seminar is particularly relevant for the "Industrial Engineering" and "Environment" categories. It highlights Northampton's role within the "Oxford-Cambridge Arc" as a center for high-tech innovation. By participating, attendees will gain insights into the latest regulatory changes in the UK regarding carbon reporting and discover how local innovations are having a global impact on sustainability.

As the academic year approaches its conclusion, the University of Northampton hosts its premier recruitment event: the Graduate Talent & Recruitment Fair. This event is a critical component of the University’s "Employment Promise," designed to connect final-year students and recent alumni with top-tier employers from across the UK and the local Northamptonshire business community. The fair is hosted within the Learning Hub, the heart of the Waterside Campus. It serves as a massive networking hub where students from diverse faculties—Business and Law, Health and Society, and Arts, Science and Technology—can meet hiring managers face-to-face. Unlike digital job boards, this event allows for immediate rapport building, elevator pitches, and on-the-spot informal interviews. Participating companies range from Fortune 500 multinationals to innovative local startups, all looking to tap into the University's pool of skilled graduates. In addition to the exhibition stalls, the fair includes a "Career Readiness" zone. Here, the UON Changemaker Hub team provides rapid CV reviews, LinkedIn profile photography, and mini-workshops on interview techniques. The focus is on empowering students to transition from the classroom to the boardroom with confidence. For businesses, the fair offers a streamlined way to meet hundreds of potential candidates in a single day, reducing recruitment costs and fostering long-term partnerships with the university. The event is classified under "Business" and "Jobs," reflecting its primary goal of stimulating the local economy and ensuring student success. It is an essential date in the calendar for any student graduating in 2026 or any employer seeking fresh talent with a "Changemaker" mindset.

The Northants Firefighter Challenge 2026 is an exhilarating public event hosted by the University of Northampton that showcases the incredible physical and mental fortitude required of modern emergency services. This event brings together firefighters from across the United Kingdom to compete in a series of grueling physical tasks designed to simulate real-life rescue scenarios. While the core of the event is a competition for the firefighters, it serves a much larger purpose as a community engagement and recruitment drive. The University of Northampton, known for its strong Public Services and Paramedic Science courses, provides the perfect backdrop for this display of professionalism and fitness. The "Cliftonville" area of the campus will be transformed into a high-octane arena where spectators can watch competitors navigate stair climbs, hose drags, and "victim" rescues under timed conditions. For the public, the event offers a family-friendly atmosphere with various stalls, food vendors, and interactive zones. Children and prospective students can get an up-to-date look at modern firefighting equipment and meet local heroes. The university also uses this platform to showcase its research into occupational health and human performance, with academic staff often on hand to explain the science behind the firefighters' physical training. This is an "Miscellaneous" category event that touches on health, security, and education. It promotes the University’s commitment to community safety and its partnerships with the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast, a fan of competitive sports, or a family looking for an inspiring weekend activity, the Firefighter Challenge offers a unique blend of entertainment and education.

The Northamptonshire Schools' Inclusion Conference 2026 is a vital collaborative initiative between the University of Northampton, North Northamptonshire Council, and West Northamptonshire Council. This prestigious event is dedicated to the advancement of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support within the UK school system, focusing specifically on the theme of "Mental Health & Wellbeing" as a catalyst for inclusion. The conference is headlined by Professor Jonathan Glazzard, a world-renowned expert in social justice and education. His keynote address, titled "Ways Forward to a Flourishing SEND System," will challenge existing paradigms and offer practical, research-led strategies for creating educational environments where every child can thrive. This sets the stage for a day of deep dive learning and professional development. Participants will be able to customize their experience by choosing from ten specialist workshops. These sessions are led by a mix of University of Northampton researchers and local SEND specialists, covering topics such as neurodiversity in the classroom, trauma-informed teaching practices, and the integration of digital tools to support diverse learning needs. The event is not just theoretical; it is designed to provide practitioners with "take-home" strategies that can be implemented immediately in their respective schools. The day concludes with a high-level Panel Q&A featuring representatives from Ofsted (HMI), local authority leaders, and experienced Headteachers. This provides a rare platform for delegates to voice concerns and ask direct questions about the future of SEND policy and funding in Northamptonshire. For any professional committed to equity in education, this conference represents the most significant local gathering of the year.

The Teachers and Advisers Conference 2026 is a cornerstone event for the University of Northampton, specifically designed to bridge the gap between higher education institutions and the educators guiding the next generation of students. Taking place at the state-of-the-art Waterside Campus, this full-day event provides post-16 teachers, careers advisers, and heads of sixth form with the essential tools and knowledge to support their students' transition into university life. The 2026 edition features a comprehensive agenda tailored to the evolving landscape of UK education. Attendees will engage in a series of sessions led by prominent internal experts and external stakeholders, including representatives from UCAS, UniTasterDays, and the Student Loans Company. These sessions will cover critical updates on the UCAS application process, changes to student finance, and the latest trends in graduate employability. Beyond technical updates, the conference emphasizes the importance of mental health and wellbeing for students moving into higher education, offering workshops on how to provide robust pastoral support. Networking is a primary focus of the day. Delegates will have numerous opportunities to connect with the University’s schools’ liaison team, academic staff from various faculties, and fellow professionals from across the region. A catered lunch in the Learning Hub provides a relaxed environment for sharing best practices and discussing the common challenges faced by those in the post-16 sector. By the end of the conference, participants will leave with a clear understanding of the University of Northampton’s unique "Social Impact" mission and how it benefits students through community-focused learning and employment promises.

"Breaking Frontiers: The Future of MND Research" is an evening guest lecture designed to bring the complex world of laboratory science into the public domain. Hosted at the University of Northampton’s state-of-the-art Waterside Campus, this event features presentations from prominent researchers currently funded by the MND Association. The goal is to provide a transparent and inspiring update on the progress being made toward effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for Motor Neurone Disease. The lecture will cover several key areas of current investigation, including the latest findings from large-scale genetic studies and the progress of major clinical trial platforms like MND-SMART. Our guest speakers will explain how new drug repurposing strategies are accelerating the timeline for potential treatments to reach patients. The session is designed to be accessible to a non-scientific audience while maintaining the depth required for medical professionals and students, utilizing clear visual aids and lay-friendly terminology to explain complex biological processes. A significant portion of the evening is dedicated to an interactive Q&A session. This allows members of the public and those living with the disease to ask direct questions of the scientists on the front lines. This dialogue is crucial, as it ensures that research remains focused on the outcomes that matter most to patients, such as maintaining speech and mobility. Following the formal lecture, there will be a networking reception in the atrium, where attendees can continue discussions over light refreshments. This event highlights the strong link between the MND Association’s headquarters in Northampton and the academic excellence of the local university. It is a must-attend for anyone interested in the intersection of genetics, neurology, and patient advocacy. While the event is free to attend, registration is required due to the high demand for seating in the lecture theatre.