The World Of Glass

27/08/2026

25/08/2026

International Festival of Glass 2026 | St Helens | This bank holiday weekend!

From 28–31 August, St Helens becomes a meeting place for the international glass community as the International Festival of Glass, presented by the Glass Art Society, arrives in our town.

With exhibitions, installations, demonstrations and events taking place across St Helens, the festival connects our remarkable glassmaking heritage with the very best of contemporary glass art.

Live glassmaking – including Elliot Walker’s sheet glassmaking demonstration, exploring a process historically used at our heritage site at The World of Glass.

Art made together – help internationally renowned mosaic artist Carrie Strope create a permanent artwork for The World of Glass.

World-class exhibitions – including the British Glass Biennale, International Bead & Jewellery Biennale and The International GAS Member Exhibition.

Artist talks & presentations – hear from leading international glass artists about their work and creative processes.

Heritage & innovation – discover St Helens’ glassmaking story alongside the future of the industry through organisations including Pilkington and Glass Futures.

Glass on screen at Lucem House – enjoy films celebrating glass and the artists behind it, including selections from the GAS Film Festival receiving their UK premiere.

And there’s plenty more to discover, from hands-on workshops to creative encounters with artists.

28–31 August 2026
📍 Across St Helens

Many events are free, with selected activities requiring advance booking.

Explore the full festival programme:https://www.glassart.org/ifog/ifog-2026-event-calendar/

Made possible with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

24/08/2026

THIS WEEK!This is our last week of Summer Explorers sessions 'Creative Artists' and what an amazing summer we've had with you all- its not over yet!

WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST – MAKE & DISCOVER:
CREATE YOUR OWN COASTER

Create and decorate your own coaster to take home! Paint, personalise and add your own creative touch to make a unique keepsake from the summer holidays.

11am | 1pm | 2:30pm
£5.50 per artist | 40 minutes | 15 places per session
Book here: https://www.worldofglass.com/

THURSDAY 27 AUGUST – CREATE & EXPLORE:
DOODLE WITH ME

Help us create the biggest drawing of St Helens ever! Draw, colour and doodle your favourite landmarks, people, places and things as we work together to make one giant piece of community artwork.

Drop in between 12pm and 2:30pm
£3.50 per person | Drop-in session | No booking required

The Summer Explorers family programme is made possible with support from
The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

24/08/2026

Glass Demonstrations Update

There will be no demonstrations on Wednesday 26th or Thursday 27th August as we prepare for The International Festival of Glass this Bank Holiday weekend brought to us by Glass Art Society

From Friday through to Monday, we’ll be welcoming world-renowned glass artists for a fantastic programme of live demonstrations.

Come along and watch these incredible artists at work throughout the Bank Holiday weekend!

To find out more view here: https://www.glassart.org/ifog/

Image 1: Xiaozhe Huang (), Italy, Particles of Freedom, 2005, lampworked and lost-wax cast Murano glass and sterling silver, 4 x 3 x 2 cm.
(Detail) Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
Image 2: Cascade, Helen Restorick Photo: Agata Pec
Image 3: Jeanne-Sophie Aas (.glass), Norway, Origin,
Entities I & II, 2023, Hot-shaped, ground, polished, and sandblasted glass, Each: 9 x 15 x 17cm. (Detail) Photo: Courtesy of the artist.

20/08/2026

What an amazing day we’ve had today! ✨

We’ve loved seeing all your beautiful glass designs appearing on our windows — you’ve been so creative!

And the fun doesn’t stop there… we still have lots happening at The World of Glass this week!

🌞 SUMMER ART TRAIL | WEDNESDAY–SUNDAY
Explore the museum and Tank House, complete the trail and enter our prize draw for the chance to win a family ticket to a live glassblowing demonstration!

🎟️ £2.50 | Collect your trail from reception

🔍 FRIDAY 21 AUGUST – HANDS ON!
Get up close to fascinating glass objects and discover more about the tools and objects used by workers at Pilkington Glass over the years.

🕚 11am–12pm | FREE

🧸 FRIDAY 21 AUGUST – STAY, PLAY & CHAT
Enjoy a free pop-up Stay & Play session and have a chat with our engagement team about the future of family activities at The World of Glass.

🕐 1pm–3pm | FREE

🎨 SATURDAY 22 AUGUST – SUMMER CRAFTERNOONS
Design and create your very own stained-glass-style window suncatcher!

🕛 12pm–2:30pm | £2.50 | Drop-in

🌳 EVERY SATURDAY
Don’t forget our Magic Faraway Tree Family Trail, created as part of .

There’s so much to discover, create and enjoy — we’d love to see you! 💛

The Summer Explorers family programme is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

18/08/2026

JOIN US FROM WEDNESDAY for our GLASS MAKERS WEEK! hands-on glass crafts, fascinating objects and family fun!

SUMMER ART TRAIL | WEDNESDAY–SUNDAY
Explore the museum and Tank House, complete the trail and enter our prize draw to win a family ticket to a live glassblowing demonstration!
£2.50 | Collect at reception

[SOLD OUT] WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST – GLASS TEALIGHT HOLDER DECORATING
Create your own glass tealight holder! Have a go at glass engraving, paint your own design and take your finished piece home with a tealight candle.

11am | 1pm | 2:30pm
£5 per person | 40 minutes | 15 places per session

THURSDAY 20 AUGUST – ART ON THE WINDOWS
Help us transform our museum windows with your own artwork! Get creative and decorate the glass ready for The International Festival of Glass celebrations.

12pm–2:30pm | £3.50 | Drop-in

FRIDAY 21 AUGUST – HANDS ON!
Get up close to some fascinating glass objects and discover more about the tools and objects used by workers at Pilkington Glass over the years.

11am–12pm | FREE

FRIDAY 21 AUGUST – STAY, PLAY & CHAT
Enjoy a free pop-up Stay & Play session and chat with our engagement team about the future of family activities at The World of Glass.

1pm–3pm | FREE

SATURDAY 22 AUGUST – SUMMER CRAFTERNOONS
Design and create your own stained-glass-style window suncatcher!

12pm–2:30pm | £2.50 | Drop-in

Book your place and find out more about our Summer Explorers programme at www.worldofglass.com

EVERY SATURDAY
Don’t forget our Magic Faraway Tree Family Trail, created as part of

The Summer Explorers family programme is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

13/08/2026

Final call ….

If you make, design or source ethically your products and you are looking for retail space you have until August 31st to apply to join our Team of incredible creatives ✨✨

Please send a mail to [email protected] with details of your brand ✨

If you have already reached out we are currently working through our inbox 💛

Applications will re-open in January 2027

13/08/2026

Join artist Olivier Jamin on August 30 at 11 am as he leads a BSL tour of the 2026 International Festival of Glass exhibitions. A BSL interpreter will be in attendance for voice–over translation.

Jamin will lead a walking tour around the festival, where you can find out more about the artists, techniques, and stories behind some of the 150 works of art on display in the exhibitions.

Accessible to D/deaf and hearing audiences.

Nearest station: St Helens Central. Located just a 5 to 10 minute walk (approx 400 meters) from The World of Glass.

Free, but booking advised. Sign up here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/british-sign-language-tour-international-festival-of-glass-exhibitions-tickets-1994927146798?aff=oddtdtcreator