The National Festival of Making will return to Blackburn on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th 2026. This joyous celebration of creativity regularly attracts crowds of over 40,000 across the weekend for a vibrant programme of art, science, digital and craft experiences, attracting significant national media attention.
Once again, the Makers Market will be key feature of the Festival with a wide range of stalls showing and selling work by fabulous artists, designers and makers.
This year’s marketplace will take place on Saturday 4th July 2026 at Blackburn Cathedral.
The Makers Market is a collaboration between Festival producers, Festival of Making CIC and guest curators, Hopeful and Glorious to celebrate and spotlight art, craft and design from across the region. Hopeful and Glorious will curate a showcase of around 50 artists, makers and designers who have been selected for the quality and originality of their work.
The Makers Market will provide a platform for creatives to exhibit and sell. It’s an opportunity for makers to share and shout about their creativity and industry. Please note the Marketplace is on the Saturday 4th only allowing you a full day to look around and engage in the wider festival.
There will not be any food stalls within the Makers Market as all food products will have a designated area elsewhere in the town centre. If you are a food producer, please contact info@festivalofmaking.co.uk
National Festival of Making is supported by the Arts Council England, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Brian Mercer Trust and Foundations and Partners. This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.