So far this May, nine Maker Faires have lit up communities around the world, each one showcasing the boundless creativity Maker Faire is known for, always infused with a distinctly local flavor. And the momentum isn’t slowing down: another Faire lands this weekend, with two more closing out the month. Jen Blakeslee has gathered up reports from these Maker Faires spanning the globe.

Also, kudos to all the producers of Maker Faires and the organizations behind the events and the supporters of these events. Makers everywhere should be proud of all of these cultural celebrations of making and makers. What better month than May to recognize makers?

Kicking off the season on May 1st was Maker Faire generate, held inside a hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Produced by MIT spinout MakerHealth, this one-of-a-kind Maker Faire spotlights the ingenuity and problem-solving power of nurses and doctors working in hospital makerspaces. It also asks a powerful question: how do we empower clinicians to innovate and better serve the unique needs of their patients within the highly standardized environments where they work?

In the Instagram reel linked below, lifeguard paramedic Christopher Barkalow explaining his IO training device made in generate.

More on Maker Faire generate

Maker Faire Calgary in Calgary, Canada (May 2–3) is now produced by the education organization Roots2STEM and it puts a strong emphasis on elevating youth makers and local small businesses. It’s one of two Alberta Maker Faires this year, with Maker Faire Edmonton arriving in July as part of the city’s K-Days summer festival. Here’s a local news segment on Maker Faire Calgary.

Maker Faire Syracuse (May 2) staged its biggest event yet this year. The regional 501st Legion, alongside Star Wars droid builders and cosplayers, once again delivered unforgettable eye candy, giving the Faire the energy of a Star Wars cantina crossed with a science fair and a craft expo.

Upstate New York remains a thriving maker stronghold, with three more events on deck this summer and fall: Maker Faire Buffalo on July 18, Electric City Mini Maker Faire in Schenectady on October 4, and Maker Faire Rochester in November, the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Belgium has been a hive of maker activity this month — and we’ve had the chance to take a deeper look at both events there, which highlight not only the technical skill and creative ambition of Belgian makers, but also the strong support from business and government for the arts and innovation sectors.

From May 2–4, Maker Faire Gent delivered the extra-DIY, carnival-like atmosphere for which it has become justly famous, this year in its new and larger home at Het Arsenaal. Produced by Belgian comic and YouTube creator Henk Rijckaert, the event packed in workshops, interactive competitions — especially its wildly popular power-tool drag races — treasure hunts, a dungeon for steampunk and model builders, and plenty of traditional woodworking and metalworking crafts. The first-time producer team from Esplora Science Centre in Malta, which will host its inaugural Maker Faire in Kalkara later this year, attended the event for inspiration and shared their impressions with us.

More about Maker Faire Gent coverage on Makezine.

This weekend, May 23-24, Maker Faire takes over the EU capital, Brussels, expanding into the city’s creative and industrial Canal City district. Once a gritty industrial waterway, the area has transformed into a vibrant cultural corridor filled with renovated factory spaces, museums, green walkways, and contemporary art hubs. The event grows directly out of Brussels’ municipally supported maker ecosystem and FabLabs, which the city has made a civic priority. Maker Faire Brussels leans heavily into fabrication, materials experimentation, and hands-on workshops — there is always something to build, test, or explore.

More about Maker Faire Brussels on Makezine.

Neighboring Maker Faire Delft built on its past success for its biggest event yet at TU Delft. Its theme was “Making a better society.” As producer Lonneke Velds told us following the event, “It was a very successful edition. We are so happy!”

More about Maker Faire Delft on Makezine.

On May 16th, Ukrainian makers had their moment to shine as Maker Faire Kamyanets, in the western part of the country, celebrated the creativity and resilience of the region for the third year running. 

The Centinela School District held its community wide event, Maker Faire Hawthorne, for the sixth year on May 9th. Students in Hawthorne, CA (part of greater Los Angeles) brought the things they’ve been making.

Also there’s a Facebook video.

Rounding out the month are two events in Italy, Maker Faire Sardinia and Maker Faire Caserta next weekend (May 29-31). We look forward to hearing more about these events.

The always fabulous Maker Faire Prague from maker educator took place in May and longtime Maker Faire Bay Area contributor Kristin Berbawy was there. She’s sharing her report with us pretty soon now. Stay tuned!

Here’s a peek at Maker Faire Prague from primary sponsor Prusa:

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend. I hope you get to make something.

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