Halfway Through and Still Bursting with Creativity - A Celebration 2026
We’re halfway through Creative Harborough: A Celebration 2026 and, if the first half has shown us anything, it’s just how much creativity is bubbling away across our corner of the world.
Throughout September, artists, musicians, performers, makers, writers, dancers, and community groups have been opening their doors, sharing their work and inviting us to have a go ourselves. It’s been a wonderful reminder that creativity doesn’t come in just one form. Sometimes it hangs in a gallery or shop window; sometimes it takes to the stage. Occasionally, it involves admiring artistic designs on utility boxes.
And we’re only halfway through.
Still plenty to discover
If you haven’t joined in yet, there’s no need to feel you’ve missed the boat. The second half of September is packed with opportunities to watch, listen, make, dance, learn and generally satisfy your creative curiosity.
You can try portraiture and life drawing or a relaxed evening stART session with Left To Draw, discover local history through Heritage Open Days and Harborough Museum, browse Art Windows around Market Harborough, hear live music at Louisa’s Place and the Octagonal Theatre, watch the Market Harborough Drama Society production of Steven Moffat’s comedy The Unfriend, or even bring your teddy along for St Dionysius Church’s fifth Teddy Zipline.
There are open rehearsals, crafting, textile art, tango, ballet and busking too, much of it free or available for just a few pounds.
Two evenings worth putting in the diary
Music lovers have a couple of particularly tempting Saturday nights ahead.
On Saturday 19 September, singer-songwriter and pianist Charlie Wood and the Charlie Wood Band come to the Octagonal Theatre for an evening presented by Harborough Live Events. The all-seated concert runs from 7.30 pm, with a licensed bar, and tickets are £26.25. If an evening of live music sounds like just the thing for an early-autumn Saturday, book your ticket via the link, rather than simply making a mental note.
Then, on Saturday 26 September, Great Bowden Music Fest presents Bridgerton & Beyond by Candlelight at St Peter & St Paul Church, Great Bowden. A string quartet, a beautiful church and candlelight already sound like a rather lovely combination. Add music inspired by the world of Bridgerton and beyond, and it promises to be a wonderfully atmospheric hour. The concert begins at 8 pm, and tickets are £20. Reserve
your seat via the link below.
Books, art and a final flourish
The final weekend also brings the Market Harborough Literary Festival, with author talks, children’s activities, a literary walk, crime fiction, poetry and more, alongside the September Showcase at Wingates Gallery and Aspects of Stitch’s biannual exhibition.
With more than 80 events across this year’s Celebration, nobody was ever going to manage everything. That’s rather the point. Dip in, try something new, return to something you already love or simply notice how much creative activity is happening around us.
There are still two weeks to go. Plenty of time to take part and celebrate.
Download the Celebration brochure via the What's On page. There's lots more to experience: Creative Harborough: A Celebration
Comments