Best Craft Fairs in Alabama 2026: Top Shows for Vendors & Shoppers
Alabama might fly under the radar compared to neighboring Georgia or Tennessee, but the craft fair scene here is quietly thriving. Birmingham has become a real hub for maker culture, the Gulf Coast pulls in tourist dollars year-round, and small-town festivals across the state draw loyal local crowds who genuinely want to support handmade businesses.
What works in Alabama? Warm weather means outdoor events run from early spring well into November. Booth fees tend to be lower than in bigger markets like Atlanta or Nashville, which makes Alabama a smart place to build your vendor resume without breaking the bank. And the "shop local" mentality runs deep here, especially in smaller communities where a handmade candle or piece of jewelry is a genuine find, not just another option.
Below you'll find our picks for the best craft fairs happening across Alabama in 2026. All data comes straight from our database, so dates and details are real. For the full, searchable list, check out TheCraftMap's Alabama search.
Birmingham & Central Alabama
Birmingham is the state's largest city and the beating heart of Alabama's craft scene. The city has gone through a genuine renaissance over the past decade, with a food and arts culture that keeps growing. For vendors, that translates to pop-up markets, maker events, and community festivals with real foot traffic and buyers who appreciate handmade goods.
A three-day indoor pop-up bringing together local makers and food vendors. Indoor markets like this are great for weather-proof selling during the cooler months. Birmingham's growing maker community means strong vendor variety and shoppers who come specifically to find local goods.
A curated lineup of local creators and crafters offering handmade goods, art, gifts, and specialty items. These smaller, curated events can be excellent for building a loyal customer base in the Birmingham area without the overhead of a major festival.
A three-day community market bringing together local vendors of all types. The multi-day format gives you time to connect with repeat shoppers. Birmingham's population base means consistent foot traffic, especially on weekends.
One of Birmingham's bigger indoor craft shows, with over 500 booths featuring spring merchandise. This is the first major show of the season where vendors debut their new spring lines. Children's and women's clothing, home decor, and handmade goods all perform well here.
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Gulf Coast & Beach Festivals
Alabama's Gulf Coast may be small compared to Florida's, but Orange Beach and Gulf Shores pack a serious punch when it comes to festivals. These beach towns draw millions of tourists annually, and the art and craft festival scene takes full advantage. Vendors selling coastal-themed goods, fine art, and handmade gifts can do exceptionally well down here. Expect higher foot traffic and shoppers in vacation spending mode.
More than 15,000 people attend this annual festival that features food, 100 artists from across the South, live music on two stages, a Kids' Zone, and a car show. It's also a major fundraiser for local schools, so the community turns out in force. If you can get a spot among the 100 artist booths, this is a high-volume day.
A juried fine art exhibition and sale at the Coastal Arts Center, set among stately oaks on Wolf Bay. Limited to just 85 artists, which keeps the quality high and the crowds engaged. Over 15,000 visitors, live glass blowing demos, a bayfront music stage, and a 10,000 sq. ft. waterfront gallery. One of the most prestigious shows on the Gulf Coast.
A juried fine arts festival with $6,000 in artist prizes, cultural performances by the Poarch Creek Indians, and a fiddle/banjo competition with $4,000 in prize money. Fine art, fine crafts, live music, children's activities, and food vendors. If you're looking for a well-organized coastal show with prize potential, this is it.
Vendor tip: Gulf Coast shows tend to attract a mix of local Alabamians and tourists from across the Southeast. Products with a coastal or Southern theme sell especially well. If you make candles or soap, consider having beach-inspired scents in your lineup. Tools like Soaply can help you calculate recipes before investing in new scent lines.
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Small-Town Festivals & Community Shows
Some of the best craft fair experiences in Alabama happen at small-town festivals. Lower booth fees, genuinely enthusiastic crowds, and a community atmosphere that makes selling feel less transactional and more like a neighborhood gathering. Don't overlook these smaller events. Many vendors report that their per-hour earnings at a good small-town show rival or beat big-city markets.
The 46th annual Heritage Festival at Anniston Museums and Gardens celebrates Black History Month with an oration competition, live music, local vendors, food trucks, and museum tours. A well-established community event with strong local turnout and reasonable booth fees.
A true arts and crafts show with over 90 vendors and zero food vendors, so all the attention stays on the makers. Door prizes keep shoppers engaged. This is a juried show, so read the vendor information page carefully before applying. If your work is genuinely handmade, this is the kind of focused, craft-only event where you can really shine.
Evergreen was officially recognized by the Alabama State Legislature as the Collard Green Capital of Alabama. This 10th annual festival runs 9 AM to 5 PM with events for all ages. Quirky, fun, and exactly the kind of community gathering where handmade vendors get loyal repeat customers.
Village Green Park and Main Street come alive for Millbrook's Mardi Gras celebration. Parades draw big crowds, and festival-goers stick around to shop. A solid early-season event near Montgomery.
A multi-day commemoration in historic Selma with cultural events, activities, and vendor opportunities. The event draws visitors from across the country and carries real historical significance. Four days means multiple chances to connect with the crowds.
Experience life on a Wiregrass farm in the 1890s with horse and mule plowing, spring planting demonstrations, pottery, textile work, and traditional arts and crafts. A unique venue that attracts families and history enthusiasts. If your craft has a heritage or traditional angle, this is your crowd.
Tips for Selling at Alabama Craft Fairs
Alabama has its own rhythm when it comes to craft fairs. Here's what you should know before you apply:
- Start in Birmingham. The city has the most events, the most variety, and lower stakes than the competitive Gulf Coast shows. Build your portfolio and reviews here first, then expand.
- Gulf Coast shows are worth the trip. If you can get into the Orange Beach Festival of Art or the Ballyhoo Festival, the tourist traffic and spending power can make for an excellent weekend. Just plan ahead because these shows fill up fast.
- Weather is your friend (mostly). Alabama's mild winters mean you can do outdoor events from February through November. But summer heat is real. June through August shows require shade, water, and heat-resistant products. Candle vendors, plan accordingly.
- Sales tax is required. Alabama has a state sales tax plus local municipal taxes that vary by city. Get your Alabama sales tax number before your first show. Some event organizers will ask for it on the application.
- Community festivals punch above their weight. Don't skip a show just because you haven't heard of the town. Events like the Collard Green Festival in Evergreen or the Heritage Festival in Anniston draw dedicated local crowds who come ready to buy.
- Track your deadlines. Popular Alabama shows fill up months in advance, especially Gulf Coast events during spring break season. Use TheCraftMap's deadline tracker to stay on top of application windows.
Find More Alabama Craft Fairs
This list covers the highlights, but Alabama has plenty more happening throughout the year. Spring brings outdoor festivals statewide, fall is packed with harvest celebrations, and the holiday market season from October through December offers some of the best selling opportunities of the year. Browse the full, searchable list of Alabama craft fairs on TheCraftMap to find events that fit your schedule, budget, and product type.
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