The Great Chesterfield Make Off
The Great Chesterfield Make Off headlines free town centre festival for Derbyshire Makes
A spectacular live art event, The Great Chesterfield Make Off, will take centre stage as part of Derbyshire Makes in Chesterfield 2026, a free, family-friendly festival transforming Chesterfield town centre into a vibrant hub of creativity on Saturday 18 April.
For one day only, 40 of Chesterfield’s most talented artists and makers will gather in the town’s New Square in the Market Place to create original artworks live in front of visitors. Running from 10 am to 4 pm, the event promises an immersive and energetic celebration of local creativity, offering the public a rare chance to watch artists at work, interact with them, and experience the creative process up close.
From painters and potters to writers, actors, textile artists and designers, The Great Chesterfield Make Off brings together a diverse mix of creatives — all united by their connection to Chesterfield. The event will transform the New Square into a buzzing, open-air studio, showcasing the skill, imagination and vibrancy of the town’s creative community.
Organised by Junctions Arts as part of the wider Derbyshire Makes programme, the Make Off is a highlight of a packed day of free activities taking place across the town centre.
Local visual artist, Lucie Maycock (pictured) who will be taking part, said:
“This event is an idea that came from consultation with the creative sector as part of Derbyshire Makes. It’s amazing to be involved, and we hope this will be the first of many events that help raise the profile of the vibrant creative community here in Chesterfield.”
Rachel Pedley, Project and Events Coordinator at Junctions Arts, added:
“This exciting event will give people the chance to see the creative process, celebrate local talent, and be inspired. This is more than an event — it’s a celebration of creativity you’ll want to say you were part of. We hope it will spark collaboration and inspire the next generation of artists and makers in Chesterfield.”
Derbyshire Makes in Chesterfield is a free festival taking place across the town centre, celebrating creativity in all its forms. Alongside The Great Chesterfield Make Off, visitors can enjoy: hands-on creative workshops at Sorbo Lounge, and live street performances from internationally renowned performer Matt Pang presenting Thingamabob, in the Market Place. They can also participate in the immersive VR experience, MakeLand, by multi-award-winning digital participation artist John Whall and visit a powerful photographic exhibition, both at The Pavements Shopping Centre.
Part of a county-wide programme, Derbyshire Makes shines a spotlight on Derbyshire’s rich heritage of making, while celebrating its thriving contemporary creative industries.
The festival has been made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England, and the county council, with additional heritage activity funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of Derbyshire Makes History.
Event details: Chesterfield Town Centre (New Square in the Market Place and surrounding venues), Saturday 18 April, 2026. 10am – 4pm.
For more information, visit: www.derbyshiremakes.co.uk/chesterfield