Are you passionate about creativity, culture, and community? Do you have ideas and insights to help shape the future of the National Festival of Making?
Creative and community organisations are leading a bid for Blackburn to become the UK’s first ever Town of Culture.
Join us to showcase the best food and drink to over 30,000 visitors in Blackburn at the National Festival of Making this July.
Curated by Hopeful & Glorious, the Makers Market is a vibrant celebration of art, craft, and design from across the region. Want to become a 2026 stall holder? Apply now!
Radical Pairings is a new publication celebrating the work of five exceptional women artists who exhibited new work created during residencies with manufacturers in the North in 2022.
The National Festival of Making is a unique celebration of UK making, from the kitchen table to the factory floor.
Presenting a programme of work that combines art, manufacturing, making and communities, we commission international and national artists to create world-class works and year-round projects, all culminating in a participatory free family festival for all to enjoy.
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The National Festival of Making will return on 5th & 6th July 2025 across Blackburn town centre, Lancashire
The National Festival of Making is a unique celebration of making, from the kitchen table to the factory floor.
Presenting a programme of work that combines Art, Manufacturing, Making and Communities, we commission international and national artists to create world class works, a year round programme and a participatory FREE FAMILY festival for all to enjoy.
In 2024 the festival weekend returned to Blackburn with over 50 exhibitions, performances, workshops, talks and markets across 24 locations in the town centre. To get a taste of the programme, click here.
We also work year round to deliver projects and commissions, bringing cultural experiences to our audiences throughout the year. Read more about the extended programme on the Project Pages and in News Items featured on the website.
With backstrap weaving, you, as the weaver, are the driving force that makes the whole loom come together. It relies on your movement to open up the shed sticks and grow the piece. The whole loom relies on the weaver resting the “backstrap” on their waist which is connected to the front and back beams, which in turn are connected to a sturdy surface (be it a table, a tree or your bed).
In this bookable 2 hour workshop, you’ll learn about the structure of the backstrap loom and how it works; how to set up your loom from scratch for tapestry weaving; understanding the mechanics of the loom and how it works with the movement of your body; basic stitch and weft interlocking; finishing techniques for when the piece is taken off the loom.
All levels are welcome, even if you’ve never tried weaving before!
Dates: The festival is scheduled for 5th & 6th July 2025.
Location: It takes place across Blackburn town centre, utilising over 20 venues, including temporary marquees, shop units, heritage buildings, and galleries. Key areas include King William Street near the Town Hall and Cathedral Square.
Yes, it is.
Yes, there are.
Depends on the event.