NORTHERN DESIGN FESTIVAL 2026
13-15TH MAY
KANTEENA, LANCASTER
Head on up to Kanteena for three full days of talks, workshops and networking events (and lots of good vibes). Everyone with a curiosity for creativity is welcome!
Our amazing lineup includes the likes of Claire Blyth, Emma Barratt, Bryan Edmonson, Sana Iqbal, Dan Mather and many many more!
This year's theme is HERITAGE.
Heritage is about where we come from and how that shapes what we create. It encompasses the skills, stories, and traditions passed down through generations, as well as the cultures and experiences that make each of us unique. Our backgrounds and journeys influence how we think, make, and share ideas, shaping who we are as creatives today. By keeping these connections alive, learning from the past while creating for the future, we celebrate what makes creativity truly our own.
What To Expect
TICKETS ARE LIVE! Join us for three days packed with inspiring panels, hands-on workshops, and unbeatable networking opportunities—all completely free!
Get your free festival ticket! →
The Festival in Your Words
“As a self taught designer, struggling to find community was a big barrier - NDF provided a non judgmental space to both meet other visiting designers and hear their perspective, whilst also providing space to experiment and learn about the craft itself”
- Anonymous
"This was a fantastic initiative by these young folk and just the right sort of energy we need up here in the North. As a Preston based creative studio we often travel to Manchester and London for larger events so having another creative pull to add to our pot here in Lancashire is surly a good thing."
- Andy Walmsley - Founder & Creative Director, Wash Studio
"Being a post-grad from a London-based uni, I didn’t know other designers who lived up north and related to the struggles creatives face here. Also, I wanted to work on more collaborative live projects. 5 months later, I have achieved tenfold my original goals by having a stronger sense of community and working on fun stuff collaboratively thanks to NDF."
- Anonymous