Two days celebrating the skills, stories and people keeping traditional and specialist crafts alive.
6–7 November 2026 | Sandgate Town Hall
Heritage Hands Festival brings traditional and specialist skills out of the workshop and into the heart of the community.
Across two days, meet extraordinary Artisan Makers, watch remarkable skills in action, take part in hands-on workshops, explore the Heritage Makers Market and join conversations about the knowledge and practices we want to carry forward.
From traditional craftsmanship and restoration to contemporary creative practices, the festival celebrates the people who continue to make, repair, create and teach by hand.
Made by hand. Made to last.
Friday brings together hands-on workshops, a dedicated youth program and a relaxed evening of making and movies at Sandgate Town Hall.
Explore traditional and contemporary craft techniques, discover new skills and connect with fellow makers. Alongside the public workshops, the Future Makers Lab brings secondary students and Artisan Makers together for a dedicated day of creative learning.
The day concludes with Make ’n’ Movie, featuring a screening of Practical Magic (1998).
Explore Friday’s program below.
9.00am–2.30pm
A dedicated schools program delivered with Young Change Agents.
12.30–2.00pm
A hands-on floral workshop with Wallflower.
2.30–4.30pm
Learn traditional coiling techniques with Monique Ross.
6.00–8.00pm
Bring your craft project for a relaxed evening of making and movies.
Saturday is the heart of the Heritage Hands Festival, bringing together Artisan Makers, traditional and specialist crafts, hands-on experiences, exhibitions and conversations about the skills and knowledge we carry forward.
Explore the curated Heritage Makers Market, meet the people behind the work, watch live demonstrations and discover the craftsmanship, creativity and knowledge that connect generations.
Throughout the day, visitors can take part in workshops, experience the Heritage Hands exhibition and connect with makers working across traditional and contemporary practices.
The program continues into the afternoon and evening with What Do We Carry Forward?, a panel discussion exploring the future of specialist skills, followed by PechaKucha: Made to Last, an evening of visual storytelling celebrating the people, places, practices and ideas worth preserving.
With free entry to the Makers Market and exhibition, and a mix of free and ticketed activities, there’s something for everyone.
Explore Saturday’s program below.
9.00am–3.30pm
Meet Artisan Makers, discover traditional skills and explore the exhibition. Free entry.
10.00am–12.00pm
A hands-on botanical printmaking workshop with Dr Renata Buziak.
4.00–5.00pm
A free panel discussion on specialist skills, knowledge and their future.
6.30–8.00pm
Heritage Hands brings together Artisan Makers working across traditional, specialist and evolving practices.
Meet the people behind the work, see their processes up close and discover the knowledge, patience and years of practice held in their hands.
Participating Artisan Makers and Heritage Makers Market stallholders will be announced progressively in the lead-up to the festival.
Sandgate Town Hall is easy to reach by public transport, bike, on foot or by car. Find information on trains, buses, active transport, parking and accessibility.
Make a day of it and discover Sandgate’s local cafés, restaurants, pubs and food businesses while you’re here.
Explore Sandgate’s village, foreshore, heritage, local businesses and neighbouring bayside communities – and turn your festival visit into a day or weekend by the bay.
Heritage Hands Festival: Sandgate is made possible through the support of organisations, businesses and community partners helping bring the inaugural festival to life.
I’d have a small selection of key partner logos here, rather than every logo you eventually accumulate.
MEET OUR PARTNERS…
Heritage Hands is built on collaboration.
The support of individuals, businesses, organisations and community partners helps us bring makers and audiences together, create opportunities for young people, document specialist knowledge and make Heritage Hands experiences accessible to the wider community.
Whether you make a donation, support a program, contribute expertise or resources, or partner with Heritage Hands, your support helps us preserve valuable skills and create opportunities for them to be shared with future generations.
We work with businesses, organisations and institutions who share our commitment to skills, knowledge, creativity and community.
Our Heritage Hands Investment & Partnership Prospectus introduces the broader vision for Heritage Hands and opportunities to be part of its development.
