Derbyshire Makes Festival 2025 highlights

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

Friday 28 March - Sunday 27 April

Derbyshire Makes Festival unfolded across six local Hubs over five weeks. 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.

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

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?