Full programme announced for creative festival which turns Walsall into centre of making, movement and imagination

Walsall MakerFest returns on Saturday, September 13 to transform Walsall town centre into a free festival of making, movement and imagination. 

With performances and experiences spanning music, dance, installations, storytelling, digital innovation and workshops, the day promises something for everyone and even features some special guests from television.

The Walsall Town Hall takeover will see Urban Hax CIC take over the Town Hall with a full day of hands-on experiences. 

Running between 11am and 5pm, there will be an opportunity to meet Sir Killalot and Matilda from the classic TV series Robot Wars, as well as a chance to build a robot, design and create jewellery, learn about film special effects makeup, and a range of other activities.

The music stage on Gallery Square runs between 12pm and 3.30pm and will feature local talent spanning Northern Soul classics from the 2Ds, BBC’s All Together Now judge Dayton Grey, the vocal powerhouse Sass Brown who brings to life the energy of legendary Tina Turner, as well as Bhangra Smash Up, who will bring their unique blend of traditional Indian dhol drumming and Western sounds.

For those wanting something a bit different, there will be a chance to step inside the rarely open Walsall Memorial Garden and into the world of the Mad Hatter.

The memorial garden, which is next to St Matthew’s Church, will be open between 12pm and 2pm and will give visitors a chance to meet the Mad Hatter in the secret walled garden, make a hat and join us for a tea party.

Walsall Society of Artists are celebrating 75 years of inspiring and empowering artists to thrive and during MakerFest, they will take over The Crossing at St Paul’s with artists and makers exhibiting, demonstrating and selling their creations  between 11am and 5pm.

Minecraft fanatics will be welcomed at the eGaming Zone at the Digital Skills Hub on George Street, where they can learn to explore Minecraft as a creative platform, solving challenges and learning storytelling, coding and digital design fundamentals through play at sessions throughout the day.

In addition, visitors can explore the Makers’ Market on Park Street, filled with more than 50 stalls of artisan goods and global street food, be inspired by the five-hour dance programme outside the Crossing at St Paul’s and let creativity flow in the Story Village with poetry workshops and drop-in crafts.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader at Walsall Council, said: “I’m looking forward to welcoming audiences to our second MakerFest. 

"The festival celebrates our proud heritage as the ‘Town of 100 Trades’ while showcasing the creativity, innovation, and community spirit that continues to make Walsall vibrant and forward-looking. 

"As part of our We Are Walsall 2040 vision, we are committed to making Walsall a place where everyone is proud to live, and where all neighbourhoods share in opportunity and aspiration. 

"Walsall MakerFest is one of many steps towards that future.”

The full festival programme can be viewed at the Walsall MakerFest website, with physical brochures available across the Black Country and at all festival venues.

Walsall MakerFest is delivered by Walsall Council in partnership with local non-profit Urban Hax CIC, The New Art Gallery Walsall and Walsall Cultural Compact. 

It has been supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)’s Cultural Development Fund: Round Three through Arts Council England.