Where is the festival?
The festival takes place in Blackburn town centre, in over 20 venues. Some of these are temporary venues like marquees and gazebos, others are shop units, heritage buildings and galleries.
Lots of activity happens around the area of the Town Hall on King William Street and Cathedral Square, so head to either of those locations if you’re not sure where to start!
When is the festival?
The festival is taking place on the 5th & 6th July 2025, between 11am-5pm.
Who is the festival for?
We hope that the festival is for everyone! Whether you’re coming with a family and looking for a fun day out in the North West or you’re an established maker interested in expanding your skillset or meeting other like-minded people. If you’re interested in experiencing exhibitions, eating delicious food, watching spectacular performance, taking part in a workshop, hearing insightful talks, shopping at the markets, watching film screenings or just soaking up the atmosphere, then there’s something for you!
Are there any age restrictions on the activities?
Some activities have age guidance. For example, some of the workshops are not suitable for young people under a certain age and there are also activities specifically for Early Years. This information will be released in our online programme in the weeks leading up to the festival, and will be stated clearly both online and in our print programme – but if you’re not sure on the day, just ask!
Young people under the age of 16 should always be accompanied by an adult. Unfortunately, it is not possible to leave your child in the care of an artist, volunteer or any member of staff, even if they are taking part in a specific activity for young people.
How do I get there?
No matter where you are travelling from, the town centre is easy to find and get to.
There are plenty of buses and trains from local towns and cities and the bus station and railway station are very close to the festival activity. It’s less than an hour from Manchester by train and 1hr 15 mins from Leeds, both on direct services. Plenty of regional locations connect through Preston, which is also a popular connection point for trains coming from further afield.
If you’re nearby, the town centre is easy to find on foot – head towards King William Street or Cathedral Square.
If you’re travelling by car, there’s lots of parking around the town. Click here to read more information on transport and view a list of car park postcodes to put into your satnav.
Disabled Parking
There are 38 disabled parking bays located across the Mall carpark, with spaces in each of Blocks A, B and C.
Electric Charging Points:
Fast (22kW) electric vehicle charge points are available at Feilden Street MSCP, Brown Street and Weir Street car parks.
For more information contact Blackburn Visitor Centre, based in Blackburn Market, for a full range of tourist & travel information. Contact them on 01254 688040 for more details on parking, bus, train and coach travel.
Alternatively, visit www.discoverblackburn.co.uk/explore/how-to-get-here/
Do I have to book a ticket?
You do not need a ticket to visit the Festival. Most of the activities are completely free, including all performances, exhibitions, film screenings and most workshops and talks.
Some workshops have a small charge to cover material costs, and some workshops are only bookable in advance where there are specific timings and limited capacity. Booking links will be available online closer to the Festival.
There are loads of workshops, performances and activities that are drop-in and free so don’t worry if you haven’t booked anything in advance.
There are some markets and street food stands where locally made or handcrafted products can be purchased.
How do I find out what’s on?
You can use our online programme to see the full range of activities going on over the festival weekend. Use the filters along the left hand side to see activities by type.
Over the weekend, you will be able to pick up a printed programme at the festival venues, or from one of our fantastic Festival Volunteers – they will be happy to assist you with finding your way around the festival.
If you would like specific advice, head to our Info Points. These can be found on King William Street and in Cathedral Square in gazebos with big banners saying ‘Info Point’.
Follow us on social media! Our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages are great places to keep up to date.
Can I have more information about venues and access?
The Festival takes over public spaces and venues in and around Blackburn Town Centre. The pedestrianised areas are accessible for pushchairs and people who use a wheelchair.
Some of the activities take place in temporary marquees, gazebos and stretch canvases; all rectangular marquees are located on hard surface ground, however some content in gazebos, stretch canvases and bell tent may take place on grass.
We strive to work towards an accessible programme of events but regret that not all venues are accessible to our whole audience at present. Please find details below of venues that are not fully accessible at this time, or which have alternative access.
Unfortunately, Tony’s Ball Room is on the upper floor with no lift access. The room capacity is limited to 50 people at one time and so there may be a small queue at the venue entrance. There is single step access to Prism Contemporary. Downstairs at The Exchange is accessed via some steps leading down from the street.
The Making Rooms has alternative level access through the side entrance on Museum Street. The Bureau Centre for the Arts has alternative level access to the rear of the building (entrance via a side street off Museum Street).
If you require any assistance or information, you can reach our team by speaking to one of the Event Staff who are wearing purple reflective vests/hi-vis. Alternatively, you can head to the Festival Info Points on King William Street and Cathedral Square or email info@festivalofmaking.co.uk (Note: it may take us longer to respond to emails over the festival weekend).
Are there breastfeeding spaces and baby changing facilities?
Blackburn with Darwen is a breastfeeding-friendly borough. Many of the town centre cafes and businesses welcome breastfeeding, you can read more here.
Baby changing facilities can be found at:
Where will I find toilets?
Toilets can be found across the town centre including in the following locations:
Are there any quiet spaces?
Whilst the Festival weekend can get very busy, Blackburn Library can direct you to a designated quiet space for anyone in need of a quiet room or a private area throughout the festival weekend. No need to book, just turn up and ask at the front desk. This facility is currently available 10am – 4pm.
Are you familiar with Access Cards?
Our team of festival staff and volunteers are aware that some members of the public may have Access Cards which indicate the type of reasonable adjustment a person may need in accessing the services at the festival.
We will do our best to support anyone who presents us with an Access Card. If you feel comfortable doing so, when presenting your card please share with volunteers/staff members what the symbols on your card indicate or what specific barriers we might be able to remove for you to enjoy the festival to its full potential.
Unfortunately, we may not always be able to remove all barriers due to the busy festival environment and crowds, however if you would like to contact us before the festival with any questions or to hear more about how the festival works, please contact us at info@festivalofmaking.co.uk
Will photographs/filming be taking place?
We have official photographers at the event taking photographs and film. These photographers will be identified by a lanyard.
These photographers capture content which we use to promote our work online, and in print and digital formats. We may also distribute content to collaborators including: artists, contributors and venues who participate in our programmes, funders who have supported our programmes and across our networks as well as the networks of our partner organisations. To comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, we have signage displayed at all events acknowledging that photos and video will be taken. If you do not wish to have your image or the image of the child in your care captured, please speak to the photographer at the event or contact us.
You have the right to request that your image be deleted by contacting:
Marketing Coordinator: Emma Colbert: emma@decopublique.co.uk
Marketing and Audience Development Manager: simon@festivalofmaking.co.uk
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are allowed in the outdoor areas in Blackburn Town Centre. The Festival weekend can get very busy so you may not feel that it is not the right environment for your dog. Assistance dogs are welcome in the indoor venues and marquees.
Are there vegan, gluten free and halal food options?
Over the festival weekend, we have a number of different food vendors and producers. We advise street food vendors that it is a requirement for them to sell at least one vegetarian or vegan option and we aim to ensure this as much as possible. Some of the food vendors will be offering halal food options. Please speak to the traders for full information on ingredients.
There are also plenty of local cafes and eateries in the town centre, including Blackburn Market which is open on Saturdays. To find out more head to DiscoverBWD
Is there any important health and safety information?
If you become unwell during the event or need to receive first aid, a medical team is onsite to provide these services. Notify any member of event staff or security in hi-vis or wearing all black and the medical team will be radioed to attend.
In the event of an emergency, also call 999 immediately.
In the event that a child becomes lost during the festival, please notify a member of event staff in purple high-vis or security in hi-vis or wearing all black.
Young people under the age of 16 should always be accompanied by an adult. Unfortunately, it is not possible to leave your child in the care of an artist, volunteer or any member of staff, even if they are taking part in a specific activity for young people.
