Midlands biggest makers market to bring more than 100 makers to Melton debut on 25th July
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 20 July 2026
UPDATED: 21 July 2026
The Midlands' largest independent modern makers market, Midlands Makers, will be bringing its popular event to Melton Mowbray for the first time on Saturday 25th July, and it’s set to be its biggest one yet, with workshops, creative wares, DJs, street food and more.
Taking place at the historic Stockyard, the upcoming event is free to attend and marks Midlands Makers’ 24th market to date, following the huge success of previous events across the Midlands in Leicester, Birmingham and Nottingham.
Launched in 2017 by East Midlands creative Nikki Millar, Midlands Makers has garnered a huge following, attracting tens of thousands of visitors over the years. It prides itself on shining a light on the region’s top talent, through a carefully curated roster of inspirational small independent businesses, with a focus on premium quality and creativity, and this weekend’s upcoming event is no exception. Visitors will be able to shop jewellery, house plants, vintage clothing, hand painted art, prints, screen printed clothing, ceramics, contemporary homeware and more, from over 100 makers.
Highlights include Leicester artist Constant Bagel Therapy whose prints, merchandise and tattoo designs have garnered a cult following of almost 500K online followers, and Staffordshire handmade ceramicist Som's Clay, whose eye-catching, vibrant modern pieces have become must-haves for fans across the UK.
The day will also feature live art and painting from a range of artists, offering portraits of visitors, loved ones and pets.
Nikki Millar, founder of Midlands Makers and owner of Leicester brand Silly Girl Club, said:
“I’m really excited to be making our Melton Mowbray debut this weekend. Our Midlands Makers events have been such a hit across Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester and we can’t wait to welcome visitors to our newest location. Melton has a fantastic history of celebrating local talent, whether that’s local growers of premium produce or artisanal foodies, so it felt like the perfect location for our next event.
“The Midlands has so many incredible small independent businesses across the region that are doing some really inspirational work. I’m really passionate about celebrating that by giving local artists and creatives visibility and space to thrive, network and profit, while showing why the Midlands is certainly not a region to be overlooked.”
For those looking to unleash their own creative talent, four interactive workshops will also be taking place throughout the day. These include a workshop from Ellie Lovett who is a Melton Mowbray artist, creative tutor and co-founder of local creative hub, Kick Up the Arts. She’ll be hosting a hands-on expressive florals painting workshop. Whether picking up a paintbrush for the first time, or looking to reconnect with their creative side, she’s encouraging visitors of all ages to join her to explore, create and connect. The session is for adults and children older than 11 years old, with all materials provided.
Meanwhile, Many Hands One Art, a city-wide participatory project in Leicester backed by Arts Council England, is currently working toward a world record attempt for the most people contributing to a single recycled-materials artwork, and is inviting visitors of all age to this weekend’s event to get involved and join them in making history. Attendees will be guided through the Trash to Art process from start to finish, using collected materials such as cardboard, plastic, fabric scraps and bottle caps. They’ll also be able to build their own small sculptural or mixed-media piece to take home.
The final two workshops will see visitors get the chance to try their hand at sgraffito during a one-hour hands-on workshop, where they’ll get to carve their own designs on soft clay tiles which have been pre-prepared with a layer of colour. Or, for a slightly more low-key activity, guests can join Daze Made and illustrate their very own ‘blob face’ to create a collaborative Blob Mural.
Nikki added:
“When we launched Midlands Makers it was created with a determination to showcase incredible talent while also giving visitors an opportunity to unplug, come together, get inspired and get their hands on something truly special to take home, with some pieces they won’t be able to find elsewhere.
“In addition to our fantastic range of sellers, we also wanted to bring something extra special to Melton, so for a Midlands Makers first, we’ll be hosting four interactive workshops for visitors of all ages to get creative and perhaps even make a friend along the way. Whether you’re joining us to get your hands on something special, you fancy getting creative yourself, or you just want to browse and soak up the energy with a tasty street food dish in hand, there’s something for everyone and the chance for all visitors to make their Midlands Makers experience their own.”
Midlands Makers takes place on Saturday 25th July from 11am-4pm at Stockyard, Gate 8, Melton Mowbray Market, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, LE13 0NP
The event is dog friendly, child friendly and wheelchair accessible.
To find out more about Midlands Makers, visit https://www.midlandsmakers.co.uk/
