Derbyshire Makes Returns to Chesterfield & Bolsover
Derbyshire Makes Returns to Chesterfield & Bolsover
Local people are once again invited to get creative and feel inspired as Derbyshire Makes returns with free festivals in Chesterfield and Bolsover this spring.
Now in its second year, Derbyshire Makes is Derbyshire County Council’s flagship programme of cultural events across the county. The free Derbyshire Makes Festival is an annual event taking place across six distinct local Hubs from 11th April – 16th May 2026.
Local arts charity Junction Arts, who are leading the activity in Chesterfield and Bolsover, will work with artists, makers and communities to transform public spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity. The festival aims to shine a spotlight on Derbyshire’s extraordinary making heritage and its thriving creative and cultural industries — past, present and future.
Derbyshire Makes Chesterfield takes place on Saturday, 18 April, offering a lively celebration of creativity that showcases the town’s rich artistic talent and heritage.
Headlining the festival is The Great Chesterfield Make Off, where 40 local artists will create brand-new work live in Chesterfield Market. The market will become a buzzing creative hub, giving visitors the chance to experience artists at work, discover new talent and see the imagination and skill that defines Chesterfield’s arts scene.
Visitors can also get hands-on in creative workshops and enjoy live street performances in the town centre from internationally renowned artist Matt Pang. The festival will also explore the endangered local heritage craft of lacemaking, highlighting the people working to preserve it, alongside a photographic exhibition celebrating today’s cultural leaders.
In Bolsover, the festival takes place on Saturday 16 May, bringing the town centre to life with a packed day of art, making and performance. The programme includes live music, film, dance, spoken word and poetry, alongside floristry, lantern-making and hands-on heritage activities. The much-loved Teenage Market will showcase the incredible young makers and creators of Bolsover.
A spectacular highlight in Bolsover is Parade – The Giant Wheel — a powerful moving performance travelling from the cenotaph to Bolsover Castle. The parade features a 12-foot Giant Wheel, live music, street artists and a large community cast of local performers, including Bolsover’s own Samba band.
Alongside Derbyshire Makes, Bolsover Festival of the Arts will also take place at Bolsover Castle, with a packed programme of live music, spoken word, dance, art installations and artisan markets.
Junction Arts Project Manager Kylie North said:
“We can’t wait to bring Derbyshire Makes back to Chesterfield and Bolsover — two days celebrating creativity and making in all its forms. Both towns have a strong heritage of making, and we’re excited to celebrate that while also showcasing the incredible creative talent shaping the future. There will be creativity on every corner and lots of opportunities to get involved — everyone is invited to join this vibrant celebration of community, talent and imagination.”
The Derbyshire Makes Festival will also take place in other locations across the county, each hosting a full day of free, family-friendly activity:
- Cromford Mills – Saturday 11 April
- Chesterfield – Saturday 18 April
- Swadlincote – Saturday 25 April
- Heanor – Saturday 2 May
- Glossop – Saturday 9 May
- Bolsover – Saturday 16 May
For more information and details on how to get involved, visit www.derbyshiremakes.co.uk and sign up to the mailing list.
Derbyshire Makes is made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.