Ceramics fairs & events, UK
Want to peruse pottery or caress ceramics? Visit these ceramics events. Use the buttons to sort by region. For exhibitions click here.
Sheffield Ceramics Festival
Sheffield Ceramics Festival has been showcasing the work of potters and ceramic artists from the Sheffield area and beyond. They are now looking forward to welcoming you to their 11th show.
In 2021 they began showing at their now regular venue, the exhibition hall at the wonderful Kelham Island Industrial Museum in Sheffield. Our thanks are due to the very helpful and supportive staff at the museum.
This year approximately 50 leading and up and coming potters/ceramic artists, largely drawn from the environs of Sheffield but also including guest potters from other areas, will be exhibiting and offering work for sale.
Come and enjoy a day out in a vibrant environment, talking to and seeing the work of fantastic potters and sculptors, visiting the museum and eating out at one of the many cafes in the area. See you there.
York Open Studios
5th & 6th April and 12th & 13th April
10am - 5pm
This year’s event will see over 160 artists from across York opening their studios and welcoming visitors. This annual event gives a rare glimpse into the creative methods of artists and offers an opportunity to buy work directly from the artists themselves.
There are 19 ceramic artists listed on the website including Patricia Qua, Jane Blackman, Emily Stubbs and Ruth King.
MUDFest, Ulverston, Cumbria
MUDFest is a ceramic festival in the heart of South Cumbria.
Located in the town of Ulverston, the festival takes place in mid May each year at Ford Park. The event is brimming with potters and ceramic artists selling their work together with opportunities for the public to have a go themselves or simply watch demonstrations from our talented artisans.
Dovecot Midsummer Ceramics Fair
Back for their third year! Last year around 25 ceramic artists showed their work in the gardens. There were throwing demos where people could get involved. The beautiful gardens and gallery at Dovecot are the perfect setting for this wonderful celebration of pottery and ceramic sculpture.
Free entry!
The Hepworth Wakefield Ceramics Fair
The Hepworth Wakefield Ceramics Fair is the go-to place to buy and explore all things pottery. You’ll find over 60 of the UK’s best independent ceramicists and potters selling traditional and contemporary ceramics, homeware, tableware, jewellery and more. Plus family activities, street food, new exhibitions and discounted gallery entry.
Ceramics Fair, Thoresby Park
A new Ceramics Fair at Thoresby Park, Newark, Nottinghamshire!
May become a yearly event depending on its success this year.
There will be 30 spaces available inside the beautiful Riding Hall and limited outdoor spaces for 3m x 3m gazebos. Deadline for applications: 17th February.
CTM Potters Supplies have very kindly offered a generous £100 voucher for the best stall, voted by fellow potters/ceramicists.
They would like demonstrations and activities throughout the day.
Anyone wanting more information and an application form, please email
tracybppod@gmail.com
Potfest in the Park - Hutton-in-the-Forest
Potfest in the Park takes place under large marquees on parkland in front of this magnificent country house. The potters’ special competition pieces are displayed on the lawns in front of the house, juxtaposing ancient architecture and modern ceramics.
British Ceramics Biennial 2025
British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) is an arts organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent with a vision of making change through clay.
The next edition of the British Ceramics Biennial will run from 6 September to 19 October 2025, bringing together a dynamic programme of free exhibitions, screenings, talks and events that shine a light on Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial heritage and creative edge.
Hot on the heels of Stoke-on-Trent being named a World Craft City, and in the year that the city celebrates its centenary, the 2025 Biennial will spotlight leading contemporary ceramic artists and introduce work by fresh new talent, animating historic buildings and unexpected places with clay.
As well as staging the single largest ceramics event in the UK, British Ceramics Biennial runs an engaging year-round programme of artists’ commissions, learning and community projects in Stoke-on-Trent, with a vision of making change through clay. This feeds into the Biennial programme.
The 2025 British Ceramics Biennial programme will be presented in a range of spaces that draw on Stoke-on-Trent’s rich industrial past. Venue and programme details will be announced in spring 2025.
Image above: Mad In Stoke by Carrie Reichardt, British Ceramics Biennial 2023. Credit Jenny Harper
Only Clay, Sheffield
Only Clay is a ceramics fair in the heart of Sheffield’s industrial past.
Cromford Ceramics Fair, Derbyshire
The Northern Potters Association is delighted to be holding its Autumn Ceramics Fair at this wonderful and historic heritage site.
York Ceramics Fair 2025
The Craft Potters Association always curates a strong line up and this year is no exception with 61 exhibitors confirmed, from Cornwall to Scotland.
Venue: For the third time, York Ceramics Fair 2025 will return to the iconic York Racecourse. This bright and open venue ensures ease of access and on-site parking and has been popular with guests and exhibitors.
Ticketing: To aid with distancing, tickets are issued for before 1pm and after 1pm. Once inside, you may stay as long as you like.
Access: York Racecourse is a fully accessible venue. There will be Blue Badge parking just near the entrance through the Houghton Building where there is a ramp down to the main entrance.
As always, under 16s do not need a ticket.
Manchester Ceramics Fair 2025
Manchester Ceramics Fair is coming to the Whitworth 15-16 March 2025. Hosting 28 stall holders, the fair showcases a curated selection of the best independent makers, with an emphasis on ceramicists based in the North.
This year they will taking over the beautiful South Gallery, overlooking the park, and the fair will run for a full weekend. All information is available in the information pack on their website, along with the application.
The website is out of date but there are lots of posts on the Instagram account so go there for the most up to date info.
Seven Limes Pottery Winter Open Studio, Manchester
6th December, 5.30pm-8pm and 7th December, 10am-4pm.
Coinciding with a move to a new larger premises, a short walk from Manchester's city centre, Seven Limes Pottery is holding their annual open studio. It'll be a first look at their new space, and is the perfect stop to enjoy a glass of mulled wine while perusing handmade ceramics: from functional pots for daily use to sculptural ceramic art works. There'll be a mix of samples, seconds and old stock at a reduced price and it's also a good opportunity to find out about the studio’s excellent pottery workshops.
York Potters Fair November
A ceramic fair from Northern Potters Association that celebrates and brings together the region’s potters and ceramic artists.
Yorkshire Artspace Open Studios 2024
Persistence Works, S1 2BS (Photo by Mark Howe)
The annual Open Studios weekend at Yorkshire Artspace, when over 100 artists and makers open their doors. This is your chance to get a glimpse behind the scenes at their two city-centre buildings and see where the magic happens!
There are 2 venues:
Persistence Works: 21 Brown Street, Sheffield S1 2BS
(Near Site Gallery, Showroom Cinema, Rutland Arms)
Find on Google Maps ⟶
Find parking ⟶
Exchange Place: Exchange Street, Sheffield S2 5TR
(Near Victoria Quays, Castlegate)
Find on Google Maps ⟶
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Both buildings are located within convenient distance of Sheffield Railway Station, just a 5-10 minute walk.
Potfest in the Pens - Penrith Autumn
The original Potters' market in the UK, Est 1994. The same set up as the Spring event but with a different set of exhibitors and just in time for your Christmas shopping! Held under cover to save us from the inclement Cumbrian weather at Skirsgill Auction Mart, Penrith.
Wardlow Mires Pottery & Food Festival, Derbyshire
A Celebration of the Table - a bustling festival of pots and food in the Peak District - back for 2024 with 80 potters.
York Potters Fair July
A ceramic fair from Northern Potters Association that celebrates and brings together the region’s potters and ceramic artists.
Dovecot Gallery Mid-Summer Ceramic Fair
The Dovecot Gallery is hosting it's second midsummer ceramics festival featuring approximately 25 ceramic artists. Some well known ceramic artists and some newcomers. The beautiful gardens and gallery at Dovecot are the perfect setting for this wonderful celebration of pottery and ceramic sculpture.
Potfest in the Pens - Penrith
The original Potters' market in the UK is back but this time running from Saturday to the Bank Holiday Monday. See the work of the up and coming alongside the well established. Demonstrations and hands on activities throughout the three days.
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