FESTIVALS AND MUSIC

We’re entering fully-fledged festival season at this point in the year, kicking off the month’s festivities at Oundle Fringe Festival from 26 June to 5 July with a huge range of performers in the pubs, cafes, restaurants and market place of Oundle and nearby village venues and most of the events are completely free (though feel free to buy the odd drink).

Flameproof onesies at the ready! Things are heating up as the F1 British Grand Prix 2025 roars to life at Silverstone Circuit from 2-5 July. Racing cars, obvs, plus all the festival fun and entertainment for a rocking family day out including headline performances from Rag n Bone Man, David Guetta, Richard Ashcroft, Chase and Status and more A-lister celeb spotting than Northants is ready for (actually no, we’re seriously ready for you Kim Kardashian…). Vroom.

All we imagine as light an indian summer leicetser

Also from 1-5 July it’s Leicester‘s flagship An Indian Summer festival bringing a bold and unique programme of contemporary South Asian arts and culture to the city, using theatre, movement, dance, poetry, film, music and conversation to invite audiences and artists to share, imagine and create the stories that feel most vital. Events are taking place at Jubilee Square, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester Cathedral, Phoenix Cinema, Guildhall, LCB Depot and The Big Difference.

On Tue 7 July, sail away with singer songwriter David Gray, who will be performing live at Royal & Derngate as part of his Past & Present tour.

Then it’s Classic Ibiza at Burghley House on Sat 25 July, when you can party the night away to your favourite clubbing anthems under the stars. Perfect for old skool ravers who can no longer justify a weekend partying in the gorgeous Balearic Isle (big sigh!).

Bug Jam is at Santa Pod from 24-26 July with jam packed with entertainment for the whole family. This fun-filled VW-themed festival delivers three days of thrills, with drag racing, an incredible music line-up, VW displays and competitions, stunt shows, comedy, jet cars, a fun fair, kids’ entertainment and more more more.

Then it’s Stowaway at Silverstone from 31 July – 2 August, where you can step into a secret world of ancient woodland and lakes with hidden parties, relaxation, comedy, food, revelry, kids entertainment, music and, of course, Hip Hop Karaoke (no festival is complete without it). Nightmares on Wax and Kokoroko and Say She She top the bill, plus there’s a boutique glamping area nestled among the trees and a glorious outdoor spa.

On 18 July, head to Northampton’s beautiful Dalapré Abbey for Summertime Live, with Tinie Tempah, Sigala, Wilkinson and Ms Dynamite on the bill. Then Five will make you get down at Delparé on Fri 24 July – relive noughties bangers in a show packed with era-defining anthems and crowd favourites, set to the backdrop of one of the region’s most stunning venues.

ON STAGE AND AL FRESCO

Ballet Boyz Still Pointless — BalletBoyz *Still Pointless*

Then on Fri 3 July, with signature irreverence, BalletBoyz bring their brand-new production Still Pointless to Curve, marking the 25th Anniversary of the Company’s critically acclaimed debut, Pointless (no, nothing to do with the TV quiz show), pushing the boundaries of how dance is presented by artists and enjoyed by audiences and featuring excerpts of work from the Company’s history including choreographers Christopher Wheeldon, Iván Perez, Maxine Doyle, Liam Scarlett, Xie Xin, and Javier de Frutos, and composers Scott Walker, Cassie Kinoshi, Keaton Henson, and Max Richter.

Join BAFTA-winning actor, comedian, director, writer and quite possibly the funniest thing on Last One Laughing, Richard Ayoade at Royal & Derngate on 9 July for an evening of reflections as he shares insights from his latest book, Afterthoughts, or Some Pistachios Won’t Open: Wisdom for the Unreflective.

‘Tis the season for outdoor performance (with fizz in hand if you please), and this month we’re kicking off with Romeo and Juliet at University of Leicester Botanic Garden on Wed 8 & Thu 9 July. The Duke’s Theatre Company present a bold reimagining of the iconic tragedy, which is also showing at Deene Park near Corby on Sat 11 July.

The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company bring The (Almost) Complete History of Britain to The Folly Theatre at Winwick Hall, near Northampton on Thu 9 July in a delightfully inventive show that tells the entire story of Britain in under 2 hours. Phew. Featuring live music, audience interaction and wild historical inaccuracy.

Head to Rutland Open Air Theatre at Tolethorpe Hall for Animal Farm on 7, 13 & 14 July – Orwell’s classic exploration of the seductive allure of privilege, and the corrupting nature of political power. Hmmm, sound familiar?

Then Treasure Island comes to Lamport Hall on Sat 11 July, packed full of action, drama, sword fights and sea shanties, this thrilling new adaptation will have you on the edge of your seat as Jim manfully tries to outwit the pirates and get to the treasure first.

Brace yourself for excellent facial hair, adventure, comedy and daring swordplay as Illyria bring The Three Musketeers to life in a spectacular outdoor performance at National Trust Canons Ashby on Sat 18 July. Also showing at Bradgate Park, Newton Linford on Fri 24 July.

Want more outdoor theatre? Our summer guide is here.

Tamzin Outhwaite stars as one of the most iconic characters in British theatre – the unforgettable Beverley in Mike Leigh’s ferocious black comedy of suburban life in the 1970s, Abigail’s Party, on at Leicester Curve from Mon 13 to Sat 18 July. Mike Leigh’s  razor-sharp portrait of social class, materialism and sexual tension is an unmissable modern classic.  Carrie Hope Fisher is also on stage this month at Curve, starring in The Waitress, on from Mon 20 to Sat 25 July.

KIDS

Keep your tiddlers entertained with the beloved story of Rapunzel at Leicester Curve on Sat 4 July in a bold and funny stage adaptation of the much-loved book Bethan Woollvin, brimming full of music, magic and madcap schemes – and not a prince in sight.

Tweens will love the hilarious Dog Man: The Musical on at Leicester Curve from Thu 16 to Sun 19 July, based on the worldwide bestselling book series from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club. And Tales From Acorn Wood is also on stage at Curve from Tue 21 to Sat 25 July, packed full of toe-tapping songs, puppetry, it’s perfect treat for little ones.

Grab your gossamer wings and flutter over to Rockingham Castle for Fairy Day on Sun 26 July. It’s an enchanted day filled with magical adventure in the Wild Garden. Find the Fairy Doors, meet the Rockingham Woodland Fairies, complete the Toadstool Trail and dress in your fanciest fairy outfit.

Then butterfly wings back on and fly over to beautiful Kelmarsh Hall on 29 & 30 July for their annual Fairy Picnic on the Woods. Set in the mystical woodland, surrounded by fairy friends, visitors can dress-up as a fairy, elf, lost boy or any character you like. Bring a chair, blanket and your picnic and come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Looking for our kids’ summer holiday guide? It’s heading your way very soon – watch this space.

FAMILY EVENTS

250th Independence Day Celebrations will be in full swing at Sulgrave Manor on 4 July. The ancestral home of George Washington, there’s nowhere better to celebrate the good old US of A (and they need it now more than ever), with tours of the manor, face painting and a display of American cars, and a pop-up tea room serving American themed food, from jellybean cakes and milkshakes to hot dogs.

It’s Market Harborough Classic Car Show on 5 July, with over 350 vehicles expected to line the streets in Market Harborough Town Centre and it’s open to all types of vehicles, from lorries to Lambrettas, Ferraris to fire engines. More Classic Car s on show at Chester House on 11 July, where vintage engines are set to roar to life and every vehicle tells a story of craftsmanship, innovation, and the golden era of motoring. Expect classic cars and bikes, live music and street food. The even more classic motors at Cars at the Furnace, taking place from 6-9pm on 14 July, a lovely way to spend a summer’s evening, with all sorts of cars on display from Model T Fords to the latest race-spec MacLaren. There’s no need to BYO vehicle, you can just come and have a look and enjoy the food, bar and ice cream to make it a great night out for the whole family.

The 2026 Flower and Garden Show, taking place in the breathtaking grounds of Belvoir Castle on 11 & 12 July 2025, is shaping up to be an absolute corker of a weekend, perfect for garden enthusiasts, families, and anyone seeking a magical day out in nature, this unmissable event is packed with inspiration, beauty, and fun for all ages and expert Insights from David Domoney, co-presenter of Love Your Garden; BBC’s Adam Frost, award-winning garden designer and presenter on Gardeners’ World; Paula Routledge—respected horticulturist, floral designer, and RHS Floral Judge; and Karen Gimson—experienced garden designer, horticultural speaker, and writer.

FESTIVALS AND MUSIC

ON STAGE AND AL FRESCO

KIDS

FAMILY EVENTS

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