The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2026 at Victoria Baths
Tom Grieve, Contributing WriterBook now
Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.
A curated collection of the UK’s finest designer-makers gather for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Victoria Baths this autumn.
A visit to the Edwardian, Grade II listed swimming baths, with its magnificent stained glass and jewel-box glazed tiled interior, is an event in itself – and the building once again provides a spectacular backdrop for the 200-plus hand-picked makers who transform the space into a shopping and cultural experience unlike any other in Manchester.
Over four days this October, visitors can discover ceramics, jewellery, textiles, furniture, glass, wood, metal, printmaking, sculpture, fine art and more from some of the country’s top craftspeople, each selected by an independent panel of experts for their quality, originality and craftsmanship. Whether you’re shopping for a small handmade gift for that special someone or you are an experienced collector interested in discovering the best the UK has to offer, the GNCCF has something to suit buyers at every budget.
In addition to shopping for the best of British crafts, there are also chances to enjoy live demonstrations from a variety of makers across the weekend, while Yellowhammer Ceramics Studio are inviting everybody to get involved with free drop-in pottery workshops. Of course, Victoria Baths also plays host to a fully licensed café providing a range of treats and beverages which can only enhance any retail therapy.
Entering its 19th year, the GNCCF routinely attracts thousands of new and returning visitors and organisers are always diligently searching for the best new talent. For 2026, there are over 70 exhibitors making their debut at the event including Welsh woodworker John Egan of Making Little, Northern Irish maker Caitlin Murphy, whose practice blurs the line between textile and sculpture with her woven metal vessels, and Yorkshire-based Saima Kaur, who makes intricate embroideries inspired by Indian folk art.
This commitment to highlighting beautiful craft from the next generation also extends to the returning Green Grads, a forward-looking scheme showcasing emerging graduates producing work at the cutting edge of sustainable design. It’s this kind of thoughtful curation, combined with the chance to discover new talent, meet the makers and experience it all within the spectacular surroundings of Victoria Baths, that makes the GNCCF such a special event in Manchester’s cultural calendar.
