Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Victoria Baths, Manchester

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) is the largest and most prestigious craft fair in the North and one of the leading fairs in the UK. Join us for its 18th annual edition over the weekend of 16-19 October in the stunning historic Victoria Baths in Manchester.

!!! Win £50 to spend at GNCCF - buy your tickets before 30th Sept to be automatically entered into the prize draw!!!

GNCCF brings together 200 of the most talented makers from across the UK, from established artists to new graduate talent, all selected for their excellence by a panel of craft experts. It's an unrivalled opportunity to browse and buy a wide array of high-quality, one-off handmade pieces including ceramics, jewellery and silver, interior and fashion textiles, glass, basketmaking, prints, wood, furniture & more.

Victoria Baths' stunning Edwardian tiled swimming pools, balconies, changing cubicles and Turkish baths are used to great effect as the backdrop for the exhibitors' stands. Visitors will love exploring the venue as much as discovering the wonderful craft on show.

Make a day of it! As well as browsing the craft on sale and meeting the makers, there are maker demos and free drop-in workshops. And when you need a break from shopping, enjoy a delicious snack from our pop-up café.

For further details, a list of exhibitors and information on how to get to the GNCCF: www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk

Opening times

Preview Evening:

Thursday 16 October: 18.00-21.00 ( note GNCCF is NOT open during the day)

Public Openings:

Friday 17 October: 10.00-18.00

Saturday 18 October: 10.00-18.00

Sunday 19 October: 10.00-16.00

Please note, Eventbrite prints the tickets detailing the show opening from Thursday through 'til Sunday - further down it states the day your ticket is valid.

Ticket prices

Advance tickets: £8.50/£7.50 concession (plus booking fee)

On the door: £10/£9 concession

Preview tickets: £16 advance, £18 on the door

See 'Tickets' section for all pricing options

Support us.

GNCCF is a not-for-profit organisation and we plough every penny we make back into our fairs, maker development programmes and community outreach.

But ticket sales only go part of the way. We rely on the generosity of people who are passionate about craft.

Support us by pitching in with a donation, large or small.

You’ll have a chance to do this at checkout. You'll be making a real difference. Thank-you.

Accessibility at the venue

The GNCCF is accessible on the ground floor only, with hand-cranked lifts into the exhibitor stand areas within the pools. Only wheelchairs and small mobility scooters are accessible using these lifts - unfortunately they will not accommodate large motorised scooters.

There is ramped access to the front and rear of the building with parking for Blue Badge holders at the front entrance on Hathersage Road. There are accessible toilets.

A small number of exhibitors and some exhibitions and workshops will be situated upstairs and we regret that there is no disabled access. We will state on the website who is exhibiting upstairs and, if you wish to see their work, we will endeavour to assign you a fair steward who will video their stand(s) and bring any work you wish to look at to you, with no obligation to buy. If this personal service is of interest please email us so we can arrange this for you in advance at ann-marie@greatnorthernevents.co.uk.

If you just turn up on the day, please request this service at the front desk and we will do our best to arrange it during your visit.

Further details on accessibility and the venue are here

Getting to the GNCCF & Parking

The GNCCF takes place at Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester Sat Nav M13 0FE. This is about a 10 min drive out of the city centre, near the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

For directions and public transport to the venue please click here.

There is limited car parking to the rear of the building - take the side road at the left side of the building (Pax Road) to take you to the rear car park via the side gates.

There is also a large multi-storey at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital on Hathersage Road, a five min walk away (Height restriction 2.1m; fees - up to 3 hrs £2.50, 3-6 hrs £5, 6-24hrs £15, weekly permit £20). Otherwise, there is parking on Hathersage Road and elsewhere, subject to normal on-street parking regulations.

Be careful not to park outside of the enclosed rear car park on Pax Road, as this is private land and you may be issued with a parking ticket.

Is the event family-friendly?

We welcome families with children but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 16 get in free if accompanied by an adult. Children coming alone- or in a larger school/college group - will need to buy a concessionary ticket. Please note that the event has many expensive and breakable objects, so children must be kept under a watchful eye as all breakages will need to be paid for.

The GNCCF is a shopping event, but there will be a drop-in pottery workshop running at certain times during the day, which is suitable for children, but they MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Some exhibitors will also be demonstrating their craft.

Code of Conduct

We ask you to join us in creating a positive environment and atmosphere, where everyone is welcomed, accepted and has a fantastic fair experience.

We do not tolerate any discriminatory behaviour, bullying or harassment, including any form of Racism, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Antisemitism and Sexism. Such behaviour may include hostile or abusive comments or intimidating actions.

Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct could result in you being asked to leave the event without a refund.

If you see or hear such behaviour at one of our events, please talk to an organiser.