St Helens transformed as International Festival of Glass draws crowds to World of Glass

Festival brings international artists and busy galleries to St Helens

St Helens has been put squarely on the map for contemporary glassmaking this weekend as the International Festival of Glass opened at the World of Glass. The town played host to artists, collectors, students and enthusiasts, with galleries busy and events running throughout the day.

The festival, held in St Helens for the first time, packed the museum from early on, with queues for artist talks and steady footfall around major exhibitions. The event pairs historic craft with contemporary practice under the theme Local Innovation | Global Inspiration, turning the town centre venue into a showcase for the best of glass art.

• Main venue: World of Glass (St Helens)
• Key exhibitions: British Glass Biennale, International Bead & Jewellery Biennale, International GAS Member Exhibition
• Offerings: artist talks, live demonstrations, presentations, workshops and community activity

By lunchtime on opening day the atmosphere was lively. Visitors moved between galleries, stopping to study exhibits, attend demonstrations and speak with makers. The venue’s new cafe, repositioned at the front of the museum, was described as buzzing — a small but vivid sign of the festival’s immediate effect on the venue.

Festival organisers and exhibitors say events like this create valuable professional and educational links. Students and early career artists, in particular, were visible in the crowds — using the chance to meet established makers and to look for work and experience within the sector.

"We’re so excited to bring the Festival to St Helens in 2026. The event is a great opportunity to bring together glass artists from around the world, art enthusiasts, the general public, and the local community," said Brandi Clark, executive director of the Glass Art Society.

The festival draws a range of activity beyond static displays. Live demonstrations allow visitors to see techniques at work, while talks and presentations explore contemporary practice and the historical context of glassmaking. For St Helens, a place with deep links to the industry, the festival underlines a living connection between past and present.

Local businesses and services around the World of Glass reported increased activity. The event has attracted accents and visitors from across Britain and beyond, with many attendees combining exhibition visits with other town-centre stops. That wider footfall matters to local traders and helps illustrate the role cultural events can play in town-centre revival.

What the festival means for the town

Hosting an international festival brings practical and reputational benefits. On the practical side it drives visitors into the museum and town centre and stimulates spending in cafes, shops and nearby venues. Reputationally it refreshes St Helens’ identity as a place with authentic industrial heritage and contemporary creative relevance.

For the World of Glass, acting as the festival hub is an opportunity to put its collections and programmes in front of an international audience, while also providing local residents with access to world-class contemporary glass. The mixture of biennales, member exhibitions and specialist showcases offers something for collectors and curious members of the public alike.

As the weekend continues, organisers expect strong numbers to persist. The festival’s mix of exhibitions and interactive events aims to keep visitors engaged for longer stays, and to encourage repeat visits during the run of the programme.

For St Helens, the arrival of the International Festival of Glass is more than a one-off cultural moment. It is a statement that the town can host international events that draw audiences, celebrate local craft roots and connect makers to global markets. If the opening day is anything to go by, the town’s glass story is very much alive and on display.