Northamptonshire Day is coming to Kettering!
Each year, Northamptonshire Day celebrates the county’s culture and history and for 2026, it’s a double celebration. As we continue the opening weekend of Alfred East Gallery, join us for FREE live music, exhibitions, and fun for all the family.
From 10am until 4pm, this special Sunday opening of Kettering’s historic art gallery is not to be missed.
LIVE MUSIC – Epigone Jazz Ensemble
Kettering’s premier jazz band performs live in Alfred East Gallery for the very first time.
- The perfect Sunday vibe, with laidback grooves by Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard and lots more.
- Immerse yourself in art and enjoy Epigone’s chilled tunes.
- West Gallery
- 11am – 4pm
Walk-In Painting
Step into the art, with a life-size recreation of artwork from Kettering’s art collection
- Actors from Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company return to AEG to recreate James Fitton’s January Pantomime.
- Missed it at KettFest? Experience one of Kettering’s artworks in a new, anarchic way.
- Grab a selfie and embrace the weird…
- Manor House Gardens, directly outside the AEG doors.
- 10am – 4pm
Arty Party!
Drop-in Creative Stations for all ages inside the Gallery’s new space – the Kate Pierce Studio. Inspired by artworks in our opening exhibitions, join us for FREE art activities and sensory objects for a range of ages.
- Colour and collage Kettering’s art collection.
- Hands-on printmaking and jointed Paper Doll Crafts
- Build a mini cardboard wacky town.
- Move between art stations as we create together and celebrate all the things we love about the Gallery!
- Kate Pierce Studio
- 10am – 4pm
A major exhibition of Kettering’s art collection.
- See Golden Youth, a stunningly restored oil painting by Thomas Cooper Gotch, exhibited in Kettering for the first time.
- Trace the history of Kettering through its art, discover the internationally important artists that came from your hometown.
- East and West Galleries
- 10am – 4pm
Two community projects, two exhibitions.
- In Tag-a-Tile, see the decorated slates that now form part of Kettering Library’s roof
- Heartwarming messages of support alongside innovative, original art
- In KettFest, see how the community embraced art from the collection in a new and exciting way
- See the inspiration behind KettFest, with original WW2-era artwork displayed alongside the community’s completed mini-canvasses
- North Gallery
- 10am – 4pm
And lots more…
- Our new Family Trail begins – find us at one of the external information points and embark on a trail through the Gallery’s opening exhibitions.
- Friends of Kettering Art Gallery and Museum will join the Gallery team, ready to chat about Kettering’s incredible art collection and how you can help support their vital work.
- Kettering Library will be transformed into a creative space full of stalls and activities from artists around the county, alongside events and activities in Sheep Street and Manor House Gardens.