Exciting Arts for all Passions

Join us for our annual 10 day Festival of Arts set within the historic market town of Wirksworth in Derbyshire.

11th to 21st OF SEPTEMBER 2025

Arts and Architecture Weekend Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September 10.00am to 5.00pm Still only £10.00 adult wristband entry

Come and enjoy a great family weekend, £10.00 adult wristband entry with free Trail Guide. Plenty edge of Town parking with free shuttle buses running continually both days. Around 140 Artists in 70 Venues around the Town, Food Stalls, Street Music and Performance.

Fantastic News from Liane Laing our 2021/2 Artist in Residence.

Festival Artist in Residence Liane Laing has been elected an Academician at the Royal Academy of Arts

When Liane called to tell us the news she said.

‘My time at the Festival was so important in the development of my work, so thank you so much!’

Congratulations Liane.

The Festival

11th – 21st SEPTEMBER 2025

Wirksworth invites you to join us for a 10 day celebration of the arts with a mix of music, performance and visual arts.

The Art Trail 2025

The town transforms into a huge gallery for the weekend of the 13th & 14th Sept 2025

Homes, gardens & public spaces across the town are thrown open for over a hundred and forty artists to exhibit their work.

Events

Events for all the family

A programme of live music, drama and film presented in venues across the town.

Artist In Residence

Wirksworth offers an artist time and space to think and create

A cottage and workspace in Wirksworth are provided for an artist to create a new body of work to exhibit at the Festival..

Join In

Ways that you can take part in the festival.

Host An Artist

Open your home to an artist

The Art Trail is always looking for new hosts so if you have a room or a garden you could offer as a venue we’d love to hear from you…

Exhibit Your Art

Show your work on The Art Trail

The Festival welcomes applications from local, regional and national contemporary artists and makers. Work is selected on quality and suitability for our non-gallery spaces…

Volunteer

We rely on our army of local volunteers

The Festival couldn’t exist without our fabulous band of volunteers. We’re always looking for new recruits and you don’t have to work every day – just do what you can…

News

Welcome to Ellen Burroughs our 2025/6 Artist in Residence.

Project Summary: My practice explores human behaviour, development and our relationship to the places we inhabit. I draw ideas from social anthropology, psychology and folklore. I primarily work in printmaking, bringing photography and drawing into traditional...

Condolences from the Wirksworth Festival Trustees

The Trustees of the Wirksworth Festival were shocked and saddened to hear the news of the death of Tracey Meek this week in a car accident. Tracey was a regular exhibitor at the Festival, with her bright abstract work. She was a delight to work with over the Trail...