Art Jam Fest at Delapré Abbey: A Creative Family Day Out in Northampton

If you’ve got little ones who love getting messy with paint and glitter, this one’s for you.

Art Jam Fest is heading back to the Walled Garden at Delapré Abbey on Saturday 5th September, bringing a full day of creative activities, live art and craft stalls to Northampton. Fresh from winning “Best Event” at the Northamptonshire Heritage Forum Awards, the team behind Art Jam are back with another day packed full of colour and creativity for all ages.

Run in collaboration with Delapré Abbey, this is one of those lovely low-pressure days out where you can turn up, grab a canvas and let the kids (and let’s be honest, yourself) get stuck into something creative in the beautiful setting of the Abbey grounds.

What’s on at Art Jam Fest

There’s a genuinely varied programme running throughout the day in the Walled Garden, including:

• Creative activities for all ages
• Live art demonstrations
• Live music
• Craft stalls
• Workshop taster sessions
• Featured local artist displays

It’s the kind of event where you don’t need to be “arty” to join in — the whole idea is that everyone has some creativity in them, and this is your excuse to tap into it for the day, kids included.

Dates, times and tickets

• Date: Saturday 5th September 2026
• Time: 11am – 8pm
• Location: The Walled Garden, Delapré Abbey, Northampton
• Tickets: £5 Adults | £2 Children | Under-2s free

You can book your tickets directly via TicketSource here.

Good to know before you go

Delapré Abbey’s Walled Garden is a gorgeous spot for a day like this, but as with any outdoor event, it’s worth keeping an eye on the weather forecast and dressing accordingly — layers are always a safe bet for a September day out. I’d also recommend packing a change of clothes for the little ones, given the creative nature of the day (glitter and paint have a way of finding their way onto everyone).

If you fancy making a full day of it, Delapré Abbey also has plenty of grounds to explore, so you could easily combine your visit with a wander through the wider gardens. If you’re regulars at the Abbey, you might already know about ParkPlay at Delapré Abbey — a lovely free weekly event that’s worth adding to your list too.

Looking for more ideas for days out like this? My guide to things to do in Northamptonshire for families is a good place to start, and if you’d rather have events like this land straight in your inbox, you can sign up to my weekly what’s on newsletter here.