The festival is coming!

Derbyshire Makes launches with a free Festival taking place in six Hub locations over five weeks, starting in Chesterfield on Friday 28th March. The Festival opens with the Derbyshire Makes Creative Heritage Conference and ends in Swadlincote on Sunday 27th April. The conference is followed by two days of free, drop-in activities across the town centre inspired by Chesterfield’s heritage of making, programmed by Junction Arts. Clothes-Wise will be running workshops finding innovative ways to transform old materials, visitors can Meet the Maker and try traditional heritage skills at West Studios, drop into the Artisan Market, and see the unveiling of a new public art commission, Kaleidoscope by Lucie Maycock.

The Festival moves onto Heanor from Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th April and focuses on the power of everyday making in our local communities, celebrating all things handmade, DIY and sharing skills for now and the future. MakeShift is creating a programme of activities that will take place on the Market Place and in nearby high street venues. Drop in to the Community Living Room hosted by mischief makers Maison Foo Theatre to meet local makers, growers, sewers and shedders sharing their skills and stories, and pick up tips and materials to get making.

The Makers’ Marquee hosts ‘Trash to Flash’ workshops with local artists and hands-on making workshops with Swanwick Men’s Shed and more. There will be free family friendly activities at Infinite Wellbeing Community Centre, a relaxed space hosted by Hubbub Theatre and pop-up performances programmed by Furthest From the Sea, all building towards a Big Community Skills Share on the final day - a chance to try something new and learn from your neighbours.

Next stop is Cromford Mills on Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th April with festival activities programmed by The Arkwright Society. Inspired by local folklore and the power of water, visitors will experience live performances led by local storytellers and a range of fun making activities. Listen to fables involving water spirits and mythical creatures, wander the arts and crafts stalls, and explore your creativity, from crafting magical fish to creating musical instruments.

Glossop hosts the Festival midweek on Tuesday 15th – Wednesday 16th April during the Easter school holidays with activities inspired by nature, programmed by High Peak Community Arts. The town, from the railway station to Norfolk Square will turn into a giant playground for families during the day and adults in the evening. Highlights include installations of the lost tales of Glossop with Creeping Toad, immersive audio tapestries from Clare Savory and spectacular puppetry on the miraculous story of the Swift from Fern Bartels and Deb Pitman. There will be a programme of workshops, including archaeologist Tim Campbell Green using  exhibits from local museum and archive collections. Plus, film screenings from the Film Cuts Club, and 3D digital art where you can slip on a VR headset to enter their mind boggling world or make your own creation.

The festival takes over Bolsover’s town centre on Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th April. Activities programmed by Junction Arts celebrate local craftsmanship. Make a buckle with artist Lise Bennett, or a banner with Ursula Rae, or a willow sculpture with Maggie Cooper. There will be a display of the town’s community made lanterns from the Bolsover Lantern Parade, a Teenage Market, a film screening in the library and a display of work and workshops by the Creative Women’s Network at the Parish Rooms.

The festival ends in Swadlincote on Saturday 26th – Sunday 27th April with hands-on activities programmed by People Express. These include free workshops and demonstrations, from pottery and wood turning to letterpress printing, alongside a local Makers’ Market, exhibitions, and the ‘Swad Reet Good Art Trail’ in partnership with Swadlincote Festival of Words. The National Forest brings a special Forest Makers’ Market and artist and shoemaker Sasha Archer hosts ‘Treading Lightly’, a unique workshop exploring how we can reduce our carbon footprint.

For full details, visit the What's On page.