Derbyshire Makes Festival – Get creative this Spring
Derbyshire Makes is a new programme of cultural events across the county.
Derbyshire Makes is Made in Derbyshire, and encourages people across the county to get stuck in. It launches this spring with the FREE Derbyshire Makes Festival, an annual event taking place across six local hubs.
So wherever you are this spring get involved and unleash your inner maker.
Chesterfield - 28 to 30 March 2025
The 3 day Festival pays homage to the town’s formidable making heritage through a series of free events. Meet the experts and creatives as they share their knowledge and ideas at the Derbyshire Creative Heritage Conference in the Town Hall. Meet the Maker and try some traditional skills at West Studios, or find innovative ways to transform old materials in a series of workshops. You can also see Kaleidoscope, a new piece of public art and take part in a fun workshop inspired by the installation.
Heanor – 5 & 6 April 2025
A celebration of all things handmade, Heanor has a weekend of free, family friendly activities, workshops and pop-up performances celebrating all things handmade. Whether you’re an experienced maker or want to have a go at something new, come along and get stuck in.
Cromford – 12 & 13 April 2025
Inspired by water and local folklore there will be a series of events at Cromford Mills, from live performances led by local storytellers, to a range of fun making activities. Listen to fables involving water spirits and mythical creatures, wander the arts and craft stalls, and explore your own creativity – from crafting magical fish to creating musical instruments.
Glossop – 15 & 16 April 2025
Surprise live performances at Glossop station will lead commuters down to Norfolk Square as the Derbyshire Makes festivities come to the town. The square itself is set to be transformed into a giant playground - hosting free, family activities during the day and making activities for adults in the evening. Elsewhere, there is puppetry, an immersive sound tapestry, story making and giant pop-up scenes as well as digital art film screenings, and the Glossop Hub Trail that connects everything together.
Bolsover – 19 & 20 April 2025
Celebrating local craftmanship, Visitors can make a buckle or a mini banner or even work together to make a brand new willow sculpture in Old Bolsover Yard. There will be a display of lanterns from the Bolsover Lantern Parade to showcase the talent of local people and a Teenage Market, giving young people the opportunity to make and sell their work. Drop in for a film screening in the library or walk to the Parish Rooms to see a display of work and workshops by the Creative Women’s Network.
Swadlincote – 26 & 27 April 2025
A celebration of community and making you will be able to enjoy hands-on, fun and accessible free workshops and demos, from pottery and wood turning to letterpress printing and more, alongside a local Makers’ Market, exhibitions, and ‘Swad’s Reet Good Art Trail’. There will be a special Forest Makers’ Market and a ‘Treading Lightly,’ workshop, exploring how we can reduce our carbon footprint.
Beyond the festival, there is a countywide programme of activities – with Women Who Make, MAKE Room and a mass making project Dare to Dream. Find The Makory - a mobile workshop and gallery - at the Hub locations during the festival and hop aboard to be inspired by local heritage stories and celebrate where you live.
And remember all events are FREE and everyone is welcome – we hope to see you there.
All details can be found online at derbyshiremakes.co.uk
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