Makers, creators, and innovators of all ages from across the globe are invited to gather at Makers Central 2026, the UK’s premier event for hands-on creativity, craftsmanship and maker culture, taking place on 16th and 17th May 2026 at the NEC Birmingham.
Families and schools are being encouraged to take part in a celebration of design and technology learning, creativity, and problem-solving with opportunities to meet top industry professionals, social media influencers, and innovators from across the world.
Designed to inspire makers of all experience levels through real-world making, the event brings science, technology, engineering, and maths to life. Live demonstrations will take place with leading global personalities at the helm. Interactive exhibits will display inventions, robots, cosplay, epic builds, and cutting-edge kit.
Jordana Johnson Organiser of Makers Central said: “The show offers attendees the chance to dive into the creative process themselves, with workshops where they can craft items to take home. We want families to leave Makers Central feeling inspired. It is a place where curiosity is encouraged, questions are welcomed, and learning happens through doing whether you are five or fifty.”
One of the highlights of this year's event are the hands-on workshop sessions suitable for makers of all ages and experience levels, from beginners to established creators. These include Drone Building
with Extreme Fliers where participants build drones. Electronics With MadLab, a beginner-friendly electronics workshop will be great for tinkering with circuits and tech. Jewellery making is also available, as well as leathercraft amongst many other exciting opportunities to make.
Attendees can see the stars of Robot Wars up close, as well as have a hand at driving a robot for themselves in the ‘Robot Warriors’ arena. The UK Droidbuilders will showcase their expertise in building droids from unconventional materials, offering insights into