Blackburn town centre will once again host the National Festival of Making on 4 and 5 July, with a packed weekend of exhibitions, live performances, hands-on workshops, film screenings, makers markets and street food.
Planning a night out? See the live What’s On in Blackburn calendar.
The festival is free to attend and open to all, and organisers say it will bring together artists, industry, makers and communities across the town centre.
This year’s programme includes talks from TV star and ceramicist Johnny Vegas and Blackburn-born, BAFTA-winning film director Michael Winterbottom, alongside den building with 200 pallets, virtual reality adventures and art exhibitions.
More than 300 artists and makers will take part in over 100 workshops, exhibitions, performances and markets.
One of the festival’s key strands, Art in Manufacturing, is back for its eighth season. It pairs artists with manufacturers and making communities, with new work shown across Blackburn during the festival.
Among those involved are Matter at hand, the design practice of Lewis Jones, which is continuing a two-year residency with new installation work created with Darwen Terracotta as part of a partnership between the National Festival of Making and The Super Slow Way.
Also joining the line-up are multidisciplinary artist, painter and baker Abigail Hampsey, visual artist and filmmaker Alina Akbar, and installation artist Penelope Payne.
The film programme will take place at Reel Cinema and includes screenings and panel discussions with Johnny Vegas, Michael Winterbottom and BAFTA-nominated photographer and director Elaine Considine.
Screenings include Rave Culture, described as an electrifying journey into the heart of the rave revolution with roots in 80’s Blackburn, and Mera Lyari, a new Pakistani feature about two girls striving to become professional footballers. Director Abu Aleeha will introduce the film and is travelling from Islamabad to attend the festival.
There will also be work from Hetain Patel, who returns with a new commission spanning moving image, painting and performance, alongside performances of his work Mathroo Basha.
Other activities include VOLO: Dreams of Flight, where visitors can climb aboard a playground swing, put on a VR headset and take flight in one of four virtual flying machines; the return of Tinkertown for children; Studio TIP’s Circular Free Play workshop; Corn Dolly making with Vic Jay; and sustainable festival merch making with Gay Bennett of Lived in Repairs.
Music and performance across the weekend will feature Punjabi Roots, Millicent Chapanda, Rang Qawwal Group and Blackburn People’s Choir. Patrick Grant, judge on The Great British Sewing Bee, will also host meet and greets at his Community Clothing pop-up shop.
Venues listed include Blackburn Cathedral, Cathedral Square, King William Street, Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, The Mall and The Bureau Centre for the Arts, along with other pop-up spaces. More than 50 listings are already live on the festival website.
Lauren Zawadzki, Co-Director of the National Festival of Making, said: “The National Festival of Making is proud to be a landmark cultural event for Lancashire and the UK, taking place at venues and across the public realm in Blackburn town centre.
“Visitors can expect to get hands-on with workshops aimed at all ages from early years to adults, visit groundbreaking exhibitions, watch live music and theatre performances, and, new for 2026, a much expanded film programme featuring screenings and talks by award-winning artists and filmmakers from around the world.
“Free to attend and open to all, the festival is delivered through the support of our funders, sponsors and partners, whose collaboration helps make this ambitious programme possible.”
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We are immensely proud to host the National Festival of Making right here in Blackburn and to be dedicated sponsors too – helping the festival become the huge success it is today while remaining free and accessible to all.
“Every year, the festival organisers absolutely blow us away with the incredible programme they bring together – filling the town centre with exhibitions, live performances, hands-on making activities, markets, street food and so much more in a wonderful celebration of creativity.
“This is an event of truly national significance and of the highest standard. It also plays a huge role in putting our borough on the UK’s cultural map, which is fantastic because we have so much to celebrate here – from our much-loved museum and The Making Rooms to the Cotton Exchange, our libraries, and the major investment currently transforming King George’s Hall and soon Darwen Library Theatre too.
“Tens of thousands of people attend every year and it is always an absolute triumph – it’s not to be missed. I’d encourage everyone to take a look at the new National Festival of Making website and to start planning their weekend to make the most of everything there is to see and do – also tell your family and friends too.”
The festival is supported by Arts Council England, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Brian Mercer Trust, Blackburn BID, the Granada Foundation and Blackburn College.
