Bands in the Park 2026: Free Live Music Every Sunday at Abington Park, Northampton

If you’re looking for a brilliant free day out this spring and summer, this one is well worth knowing about. Bands in the Park at Abington Park is a Northampton institution – it’s been running for 126 years – and this year’s programme looks like a cracking afternoon out for the whole family. Pack a picnic blanket, grab some snacks, and settle in for some live music without spending a penny.

Bands in the Park tune up from April at Abington Park

The ever popular Bands in the Park programme begins on Easter Sunday, 5th April, with a packed schedule of free live performances from local bands and musicians every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until 27th September at Abington Park.

The performances, organised by Northampton Town Council, take place between 2pm and 5pm on the park’s historic bandstand. The Park Cafe in Abington Park is kindly providing the Bank Holiday tribute acts, kicking off with Tom Jones on Easter Monday, followed by Buddy Holly then Elvis in May and Neil Diamond at the end of August.

This year’s programme features a varied selection of performances, including traditional brass, silver, concert and wind bands, singers, choirs, party bands and musicians, many hailing from Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas.

Cllr Keith Holland-Delamere, Chair of the Community Services Committee at Northampton Town Council, said: “Our Bands in the Park programme is now in its 126th year, offering enjoyable weekend entertainment throughout the spring and summer months, in the picturesque surroundings of Abington Park.

“We have a fantastic line-up arranged, with traditional brass band performances alongside contemporary acts including the Friday Night Konspiracy Band, The Accrington Stanley covers band and long standing ’70s favourites, Fynnius Fogg.

“We are very grateful to the Park Cafe for their ongoing support and hope that visitors enjoy this year’s performances – bring your own chairs or picnic blankets and relax with family and friends.”

The Northampton Ukulele Group is first up on Sunday, 5th April, then performances continue every Sunday until 27th September, with the exception of Sunday, 24th May, when the Rockin’ Roadrunner Festival takes place at the park. The free festival, open to everyone, is organised by and for adults with a range of disabilities.

Please visit the town council’s website for the full programme, or follow its social media channels for regular updates.

www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/bandsinthepark

This is the kind of free, low-effort afternoon out that sounds like a winner to me – little ones can run around on the grass while you sit and enjoy the music, and there’s nothing to book or pay for. It’s the sort of thing that’s easy to build a lovely Sunday around. If you’re on the lookout for more free and affordable ideas to fill the weekends and school holidays, I’ve also put together a rainy day ideas pack for when the British weather has other plans. And to make sure you never miss out on things like this happening right on your doorstep, sign up for my weekly what’s on newsletter – I round up the best local events so you don’t have to go looking for them.

The events listed in this guide are run by third-party organisers, and all details were correct at the time of publication, based on information from their official websites. However, changes or cancellations can happen at short notice. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend double-checking the event information on the official websites before making plans.