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.

Each year the festival attracts over 40,000 visitors from the local area and nationally; hosts 150+ independent artists and makers across 25+ venues and delivers 100+ workshops, public realm installations, exhibitions and performances across one weekend. A Friday industry conference for design, architecture, placemaking and manufacturing sector professionals shines a light on Lancashire as the home of UK manufacturing and innovation.

10th Anniversary Edition: 26th – 27th June 2027, Blackburn Town Centre, Lancashire.

The National Festival of Making will return to Blackburn town centre on Saturday 26th – Sunday 27th June 2027 to celebrate ten years of the National Festival of Making, Art in Manufacturing and the CIC’s year round work. We will be announcing what’s on in early 2027 – sign up to our newsletter by clicking the link in our footer.

A large crowd gathers inside a grand hall with tall arched windows, ornate ceiling, and a large cardboard art installation at the centre. Sunlight streams in, illuminating the people and the artwork.

Programme Strands

Workshops

Workshops are really important to us, they make up a large proportion of the festival programme. We work closely with some of the most skilled, exciting and contemporary artists and makers locally and nationally to create a varied, artist-led workshop programme for audiences to enjoy.

Learn more

Exhibitions & Experiences

Each year sees the remarkable outcomes of our headline commissioning programme, Art in Manufacturing, which pairs artists with some of the UK’s leading manufacturers. To date, over 40 artists have created exceptional artworks in collaboration with manufacturing workforces. Alongside this, installations designed to inspire and delight emerge for the weekend.

Learn more

Music And Performance

Our performance programme celebrates making music, making noise and the joyful act of experiencing a live event together. Bringing together a diverse collection of artists and acts, we fill the streets of Blackburn with street theatre, music and dance from touring work to regional performers. Local community bands are a highlight feature, and are always guaranteed to bring a crowd.

Talks

Our talks programme is developed in collaboration with Creative Lancashire and begins on the Friday of festival week with a selection of industry-led panel talks. Throughout the festival weekend, informal artist talks take place within exhibition spaces, and pop-up panels often feature across the programme.

Learn more

Markets & Food 

Across the Festival weekend, you’ll find opportunities to browse a selection of handmade, custom and unique products; from our Makers Market curated by Hopeful & Glorious to the Taste Lancashire Market in partnership with Marketing Lancashire. We also work with Not Only A CIC, who developed street party-style marketplaces featuring emerging makers.

Volunteer

It wouldn’t be possible to run the National Festival of Making’s annual festival without the support of our fantastic volunteers. Every single volunteer helps make these events what they are by getting involved and supporting our work.

Register your interest to be the first to know about new volunteer opportunities, or read more at the link below.

Learn more

FAQs

From travel tips to toilets, tickets and food and drink, we’ve got all your frequently asked festival questions covered here.

Read FAQs

A woman on a bicycle entertains children by holding a puppet on a stick. Kids watch and play on animal sculptures outdoors, with colourful flags and a modern building in the background.

Donate Now: Help Keep Making Free for Everyone

Donate

A person uses a stylus to emboss a decorative gold metal sheet with a blue centre, creating intricate patterns. Various tools and materials are visible on a white surface nearby.

Accessibility

It’s our aim to deliver a welcoming experience for everyone. In the lead up to the festival, we will share specific details to help you plan and navigate your experience.

We also have some quick guidance on what you can expect over the weekend that is available to view all year round.

Learn more

One town is celebrating our production prowess.

BBC Radio 4 World at One

The festival is so unique and introduces the audience to so much making in a joyful, stimulating and accessible way. I am so proud to have been part of it. 

Festival Artist