Walsall MakerFest 2026 came back to Walsall on Saturday 26th September.   Produced by Bostin’ Creative the event was  free to attend, with activities and entertainment inside and outside Walsall Town Hall and The Crossing at St Paul’s.

There was plenty happening throughout the afternoon, with 20+ stalls at The Makers Market, upstairs at The Crossing, free creative workshops and live music, as part of the Town Hall Takeover, and back to back acts performing on the outdoor Street Stage (outside The Crossing), on Darwall Street and outside the Town Hall.

The Makers Market  showcased a fantastic range of local creative talent, with stalls selling everything from jewellery, ceramics, artwork and handmade crafts to clothing, cakes and unique gifts. Makers travelled  from across Walsall and the wider Black Country, giving visitors the chance to discover and support independent creatives.

Inside Walsall Town Hall, visitors could  get hands-on with a packed programme of free workshops. Activities include heritage-inspired crafts, creative writing, giant drawing machines, mask making, textile printing, art and design, sound and vibration experiments, 3D modelling and more. All this to the soundtrack of live music throughout the afternoon curated by the Table who popped  up for the day with coffee and homemade cakes. 

The Town Hall also featured live performances throughout the afternoon, adding to the creative atmosphere and giving visitors even more to see and do.

Outside, the Street Stage brought  music, dance and entertainment to the town centre, with acts taking to the stage throughout the afternoon, including an opening celebration parade at midday.

This years programme included performances from MISFITS Music – Birmingham Drum Battery, Ultimate Bhangra, Impact Samba Collective, Brownhills Musical Theatre Company, Walsall Music Service, Walsall Academy of Dance, Voices of Hope – Fostering Choir, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society, Bhangra Bounce with Sohan Kailey and Bostin’ Creatives Disco with House HQ, alongside other entertainment.

Visitors could  also look out for Brimstone the Dragon from Autin Dance Theatre, who   made  three appearances around The Crossing, Darwall Street and Town Hall during the day.

MakerFest built on previous years’ events and is part of Walsall Council’s work to celebrate the borough’s creative talent, support local makers and bring people into the town centre.

With live performances, creative workshops, a Makers Market, street entertainment and plenty of opportunities to get involved, there was  lots to discover at MakerFest on  Saturday.

Photo - Volunteers Grace Henery and Daniel Sugrue on stage at Walsall Town Hall