Derbyshire Makes Festival returns in 2026

A free festival across Derbyshire, celebrating making in all its forms.

11 April - 16 May 2026

Following the huge success of the first event in spring 2025, we’re thrilled to announce that Derbyshire Makes Festival will be back next spring - bigger, bolder, and bursting with even more opportunities to get creative.

Spanning six weeks and bringing activity to every corner of the county, the 2026 festival will feature a dedicated day in each of our vibrant Hub towns:

Cromford - 11th April
Chesterfield - 18th April (events will be industry-focused)
Swadlincote - 25th April
Heanor - 2nd May
Glossop - 9th May
Bolsover - 16th May

The full programme will be released in early 2026, but you can look forward to hands-on making, talks, creative walks, exhibitions, performances, music, food, and plenty more.

Side view of a large bus parked on cobbles in front of a red brick building. A man is walking past the bus. The bus is yellow gold with the words Derbyshire Makes in red at the front and icons in different colours including a blue bobbin, red square shape and a green bottle bank — The Makory. Photo Richard Tymon

Overhead shot of a wooden table with handmade wooden boats, string, and a white sheet of paper with the words Cromford Mills written in a circle — Photo Richard Tymon

Young girl with long dark hair stands in a town square in front of a large wooden sign that reads, MAKE, and white marquees. She is holding a wooden bird box. — Photo Richard Tymon

Boy making a cardboard building leans down to apply a tool to the surface — The Makory. Photo Richard Tymon

2025 Festival highlights

Derbyshire Makes Festival unfolded across six local Hubs over five weeks from Friday 28 March to Sunday 27 April 2025. In Chesterfield, Heanor, Cromford, Glossop, Bolsover and Swadlincote, there were artist talks, craft-based demonstrations and making opportunities, as well as exhibitions, performances and more.

Glossop’s central square was transformed into a giant playground, Heanor encouraged neighbours to share their knowledge in the Big Community Skills Swap in Heanor. Each Hub location was programmed by local cultural partners, with activities informed by the stories and history unique to the area. And threading its way between these locations was the mobile workshop and gallery The Makory.

Making continues across the county

If you've been inspired by attending our first Derbyshire Makes Festival or just reading about it and want to find out more about how you can get involved, why not get involved in creating your own Dare to Dream banner?