Countdown to WinterFest begins as new attractions and community events announced | West Northamptonshire Council

For anyone planning a festive outing, Christmas markets in Northampton are about to gain a lively new centrepiece.

WinterFest 2026 will fill Market Square with seasonal shopping, food, performances and attractions throughout the run-up to Christmas.

The celebrations begin with Northampton Town Council’s Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday 21 November, setting the tone for weeks of activity.

Gingerbread-themed huts will give local traders a place to sell gifts, making the square a useful stop for shoppers keen to buy closer to home.

That local focus matters, as a busy town centre can make a real difference to independent businesses during the festive season.

Families looking for festive fairground rides can expect a traditional Ferris wheel and other attractions from local operator John Greatorex.

There will be more to the visit than shopping, with free face painting planned on selected dates and performances spread across the programme.

A light installation from Delapré Abbey will offer a glimpse of its Christmas light trail, adding another reason to linger after dark.

For visitors searching for Christmas light trails, it is worth noting that the Market Square display is a preview, not the full trail.

WinterFest’s strength is the way it brings different corners of the community into one familiar public space.

Young performers take the spotlight at SHINE! on 28 November, while Small Business Saturday brings festive cinema screenings on 5 December.

Carols on the Square returns on 12 December with school pupils, choirs and other local performers contributing to the celebrations.

Student Sessions follow on 13 December, before WinterFest Around the World celebrates community traditions through music, food, dance and storytelling on 19 December.

Organised with support from West Northamptonshire Council and local partners, the programme aims to draw visitors into Northampton’s centre.

For residents, the appeal is simpler: somewhere welcoming to meet, browse and share a little Christmas excitement without leaving town.

Source

Place Midlands — Greyfriars planning applications submitted

Published 2 October 2026.