Published Thursday 16 October 2025 at 13:57
The British Textile Biennial returns to celebrate a lineage of invention that has shaped how we live, dress, move, and imagine.
BTB25 is a free, month-long festival celebrating creativity, craft, and community across Blackburn and Darwen. From 2nd October – 2nd November 2025, the town comes alive with exhibitions, workshops, performances, and hands-on activities – there’s something for everyone, no matter your age or experience.
The Biennial isn’t just for art lovers. You can try weaving, explore natural dyeing, join family-friendly performances, or see immersive art installations. It’s a chance to get involved, learn a new skill, or simply enjoy the creativity happening all around the town.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
It always impresses me the way the artists manage to blend tradition and innovation in textiles. I always enjoy visiting Biennial events as it’s a true celebration of Lancashire’s textile heritage and its future.
The Biennial brilliantly showcases the legacy and innovation of Lancashire textiles. Every piece tells a story, and it’s great to see the community coming together to experience these extraordinary creations.
More than just a festival, the British Textile Biennial is part of a year-round programme of research, residencies and education that connects artists with local communities. Together, they keep Lancashire’s textile legacy alive – not as nostalgia, but as a living, evolving story about creativity, care, and change.
Here are just a few highlights not to miss this autumn:
- Lucy + Jorge Orta – Homo Mondialis
- 2 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 | Blackburn Cathedral Crypt
- Dhaqan Collective – The Aqal (House of Weaving Songs)
- 2 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 | Blakey Moor, Blackburn
- Step Into the Future of Fashion – with Sairo
- 29–30 Oct 2025 | Prism Contemporary, Blackburn
- Cherry Chung – Willow & Basket Weaving Workshops
- 25 Oct 2025 | Darwen Market
- Culturapedia – Patch Works: A Sensory Puppet Play
- 27 Oct – 1 Nov 2025 | Darwen & Blackburn Markets
All events are free and local – a perfect way to explore creativity in Blackburn and Darwen.
For a full list of events, workshops, and performances, visit:britishtextilebiennial.co.uk/whats-on/
Filed under : British Textile Biennial | BTB