What to do at Wicksteed Park this May 2026
If you are wondering what to do for your next day out as we head into May 2026, Wicksteed Park has a range of events and activities for you to check out.
From family thrills and finding a bargain, to model boats and learning new creative skills, there is fun for everyone. Here’s what you can do at Wicksteed Park this May:
May Half-Term
Join us from the 23rd to the 31st May 2026, from 10:30am until 5pm each day, for an action-packed adventure that the whole family can enjoy.
Our wristbands start from just £22, giving you unlimited access to experience up to 25 rides and attractions. There are also family tickets available starting from just £56 for a family of 3!
Children under 0.9m get to experience the joy of Wicksteed Park for FREE with an accompanying paying adult.
Don’t miss out on this a-MAY-zing day of family thrills at Wicksteed Park, book online here!
The Great Wicksteed Car Boot Sale
CAR BOOT SALES are returning to Wicksteed Park!
Join us on selected Sundays for the Great Wicksteed Car Boot Sale from 12pm* until 4pm.
Dates include:
Sunday 17th May 2026; Sunday 21st June 2026; Sunday 19th July 2026; Sunday 9th August 2026; Sunday 13th September 2026
Find out more and book your seller spot here!
VE Day Tea Dance
Join us on the 8th of May 2026 from 6pm – 9pm, for an evening of tea dancing as we commemorate VE Day and celebrate community.
Enjoy a light supper of sandwiches, savouries and sweet treats before taking to the floor to dance along to classic ballroom favourites. The evening will also include the vintage charm of a live cabaret performance, as well as ballroom line dancing to keep you on your toes.
A charity raffle will also be available to take part in on the night.
Don’t miss out on our VE Day tea dancing evening, book your tickets online here!
Woof Wag Festival
Join us at the Woof Wag Festival on the 16th of May from 10am until 4pm!
Are you ready for a fantastic day out with your four-legged friend? This Woof Wag Festival is a dog event with a difference: it’s a celebration of the unique bond we have with our canine companions, exploring the world from both ends of the lead.At the Woof Wag Festival there is something for all age groups and you will be able to take part in a wide range of activities.
Whether you are a dog or a human, we promise to bring you some magnificent experiences and surprises on the day.
Entrance to the Woof Wag Festival is free*, making it the perfect opportunity to try something new, meet friends, explore the canine world, and create happy memories. Pop over to WoofWagFestival.uk for more information.
Model Boat Mayhem
Join the Wicksteed Model Boat Club for scale-model sailing at Model Boat Mayhem, the UK’s ultimate weekend for marine modelling enthusiasts!
Hosted at our beautiful model boating lake at Wicksteed Park, this spectacular annual rally brings together one of the largest collection of model boats in the country. The event gathers enthusiasts from across the country to showcase, operate, and engage around the world of model boating.
There will be tall ships and yachts, warships and submarines, lifeboats and tugs, steam boats and superyachts, the action on the lake never stops.
Entry is free, making it the perfect family day out. Come run your own boat, try our have-a-go radio control boats and watch the experts show off their superb creations.
Midlands Festival of Nature
Join Kettering Nature Group at Wicksteed Park from 30th until 31st May 2026 for the Midlands Festival of Nature.
At the heart of the festival is a field of conservation stalls, each run by organisations working locally to support wildlife. These are active, hands-on spaces where you might be identifying species, exploring habitats, handling natural materials, or simply having a conversation that leads somewhere meaningful.
Across the weekend there will be live music, storytelling, and informal talks on the main stage, creating shared moments throughout the day. Alongside this, you’ll find a small selection of ethical traders, craft stalls, and local food, all chosen to complement the feel of the festival rather than dominate it. You’re welcome to bring a blanket, settle in, and enjoy the atmosphere.
This year’s featured conservation group is the Northamptonshire Badger Group, with a main stage talk and an exhibition about badgers created by local children.
The festival is also a chance to meet the people already working to support nature locally, ask questions, and discover simple ways to take part in your own space. The weekend culminates in a screening of the National Emergency Briefing, exploring the nature and climate crisis and, importantly, what can be done at a local level.
Find out more information here!
Other News
Wicksteed Charitable Trust success at Northamptonshire Heritage Forum Awards 2025
Last week the Northamptonshire Heritage Forum Awards 2025 took place at the park and Wicksteed Charitable Trust came away very successful!
Help Make Christmas Special with Mother Christmas
Spread the joy of Christmas this year by helping Mother Christmas ensure all of Northamptonshire’s children have a gift to open.
Rare black poplar trees planted at Wicksteed Park
As a part of National Tree Week last month, running from November 25th until December 3rd, Wicksteed Park planted 13 rare black poplar trees on the estate's South Meadow. This is apart of a local couple's efforts to reintroduce the species to Northamptonshire.