Greenbelt Festival

Greenbelt Festival 2026

Greenbelt Festival 2026 takes place from 27-30 August at the historic Boughton House estate near Kettering, Northamptonshire. Set in beautiful countryside, this annual event blends live music, art, theatre, and meaningful conversations in an inclusive, vibrant atmosphere.

Music and Entertainment

Experience soulful indie music, comedy acts, surprise theatre performances, drum circles, and late-night choirs, creating a lively and inspiring atmosphere throughout the festival.

Workshops and Talks

Engage with workshops and speakers covering creativity, social justice, faith, and the environment, alongside spaces for meditation, poetry, and gentle reflection.

Community and Atmosphere

Greenbelt fosters connection and conversation in open fields, woodland glades, and around campfires, welcoming visitors of all ages to share stories, activism, and new friendships.

Food and Craft

• Home-cooked food from shepherd’s pie to vegetarian curry, wood-fired pizza, and crepes
• Locally brewed ales and craft stalls offering art, vintage treasures, and artisan goods
• A vibrant festival village with food trucks and markets under strings of lights

Kettering is well connected by public transport. Kettering Station on the Midland Main Line offers frequent trains to London St Pancras (about one hour) and direct services to the East Midlands and beyond. The station has a modern bus interchange and taxi stand for easy onward travel. Stagecoach buses run routes from Kettering to nearby towns like Northampton, Peterborough and Corby, making travel around the region straightforward.

By car, Kettering lies just off major highways. The A14 skirts the town, linking to the M1 and M6. From London or the south, follow the M1 north to Junction 8 and then take the A14 west toward Kettering. If you’re coming from the east or west, use the A14 directly. The A43 also connects Kettering south to Northampton. During busy festival weekends, traffic on these routes can be heavy, so it’s wise to allow extra time. Parking is available in Kettering town centre and at the festival site (with a parking pass), and local roads are clearly signposted.

For air travelers, the nearest major airports are London Luton (approximately 45 minutes’ drive) and East Midlands Airport (about 45 minutes away). London Stansted (roughly 1 hour by car) and Birmingham Airport (about 90 minutes) are also options. Many visitors fly into Heathrow or Gatwick and then transfer to a train at London, or rent a car for the journey north. It’s often easiest to take a train from one of the London airports via King’s Cross or St Pancras, then ride direct to Kettering.

Kettering and the surrounding area offer a range of accommodations. In town you’ll find hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses to suit different budgets. Nearby countryside villages have charming bed-and-breakfasts and rental cottages. During popular events, rooms and campsites can fill up fast, so it’s best to book early. Many festival-goers also camp on site in tents or campervans (when permitted), or try glamping options if available. If you prefer city comforts, larger towns like Northampton or Leicester are a short drive away and offer additional hotel choices.