Best Craft Fairs in Kansas 2026: Top Shows for Vendors & Shoppers
Kansas might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of craft fairs, but that's exactly why it's worth your attention. The Sunflower State has a strong community festival culture, with events scattered from the KC metro all the way out to the western plains. Booth fees tend to be lower than coastal states, foot traffic at local events is loyal, and the vendor community is tight-knit. Whether you sell candles, jewelry, pottery, or soap, Kansas has shows worth your time.
We pulled together the top craft fairs happening across Kansas in 2026, using real data from our database of 75 Kansas craft fairs on TheCraftMap. Here are the ones that stand out for vendors and shoppers alike.
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Spring Craft Fairs in Kansas
Spring is when the Kansas craft fair season really kicks off. After a quiet winter, vendors and shoppers are ready to get out, and organizers know it. Expect everything from juried shows in the KC suburbs to community festivals in smaller towns.
One of the biggest outdoor shopping events in the KC metro. Hosts 100-150 vendors with up to 6,000 guests per event. All booths are tented, with food trucks and a kids area. Features handmade goods and local KC boutiques.
The Spring Chick Event is a big deal in the Leawood/Overland Park area. If you're a vendor in the KC metro, this should be on your calendar. The $100-$150 booth fee is reasonable given the foot traffic, and the event has been running since 2014 with a solid reputation.
A city-run juried show focused on handcrafted products. Great for spring shopping with items for Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, and summer holidays.
A smaller juried show focused on variety. Handmade and handcrafted products across multiple categories including home decor, jewelry, and more. Run by Lawrence Parks & Recreation.
Lawrence is a college town with strong support for local artisans. The university crowd and the downtown arts district mean shoppers here tend to appreciate handmade goods and are willing to pay for quality. If you make anything with a creative or artistic edge, Lawrence events are worth targeting.
Community Festivals with Vendor Markets
Kansas is a state where community festivals still matter. Towns big and small put on annual events that draw crowds from surrounding counties. These aren't always dedicated craft fairs, but the vendor opportunities can be just as good. Lower booth fees, less competition, and an audience that comes ready to spend.
Downtown festival with live entertainment, festival food, vendor fair, Poker Run, BBQ cook-off, Glow Run, and vintage car show. A mix of craft vendors and community fun.
A celebration of Caldwell's Old West heritage on the historic Chisholm Trail. Features gunfight reenactments, a cattle drive on Main Street, live music, and vendor booths. A unique setting that draws visitors from across the region.
The Chisholm Trail Festival is the kind of event where your booth becomes part of the story. The Old West theme means rustic, handmade, and heritage-style products do especially well here. Think leather goods, hand-poured candles, rustic home decor, and handcrafted jewelry. If your products have that artisan feel, Caldwell is your crowd.
Annual family festival at Great Overland Station featuring the Topeka Easter Parade, vendor market inside and outside, food trucks, live music, kids games, and health fair. Free admission.
Free-admission festivals like EasterFest are goldmines for vendors. When there's no entry fee for shoppers, foot traffic goes up. The downside is that some visitors are just there for the free activities, but the sheer volume makes up for it. The indoor/outdoor vendor space at Great Overland Station is a solid setup.
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Specialty Shows and Niche Markets
Kansas has some interesting niche events that are worth knowing about, especially if your products fit a specific category. These shows attract buyers who are looking for something particular, which means higher conversion rates even if the overall crowd is smaller.
Juried jewelry-only show. Artists sell original, handcrafted jewelry with no imported or manufactured pieces accepted. Perfect for Valentine's Day shopping or a day out with friends.
At $42 for a booth, the Cupid's Gems show is one of the most affordable juried events you'll find anywhere. It's jewelry-only, so the audience is targeted and ready to buy. If you make handcrafted jewelry, this is a low-risk way to test the KC metro market.
Annual show at the Larned Community Center with exhibitors from a three-state region selling antiques, vintage items, and collectibles. Organized by the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce.
Full Renaissance fair experience with jousting, blacksmiths, fire breathers, pirates, and fairies. Artisan vendor booths fit the medieval and fantasy theme. Great opportunity for themed handmade goods.
Renaissance fairs are a world of their own. If you make leather goods, metalwork, handmade soaps, beeswax candles, or anything with a rustic/medieval vibe, ren faires can be incredibly profitable. The Great Plains Ren Fest in Wichita draws dedicated crowds who come ready to buy.
Flea Markets and Outdoor Shows
Kansas has a strong flea market tradition, especially in rural areas. These events blend antiques, vintage finds, and handmade crafts into multi-day shopping destinations. They're less formal than juried craft fairs, but the buying energy is real.
A four-day indoor/outdoor market with 16 food vendors serving everything from barbecue to Mexican and German fare. Free admission. Vendors sell antiques, collectibles, and handmade goods.
One of the oldest flea markets in northeast Kansas. A multi-day event that has been drawing vendors and patrons for decades.
Multi-day flea markets like Sparks and White Cloud are great for vendors who want sustained sales rather than a single-day sprint. You'll sell across four days instead of cramming everything into one, which means you can bring more inventory and build momentum as word spreads through the weekend.
Small-Town Gems
Some of the best vendor experiences in Kansas happen in towns you might not have heard of. These events are community-driven, with loyal local followings and lower overhead costs. They're especially good for newer vendors who want to build experience without the pressure of a big-city juried show.
A combined home show, trade show, craft show, and festival in western Kansas. Special entertainment throughout the weekend. A regional draw for the surrounding area.
A growing craft show in northwest Kansas featuring home-based businesses and handmade crafts. Hourly prize drawings, kids activities, and homemade food including pies. Held annually the last Saturday in April.
Events like Girls Day Out in Oakley show what makes Kansas craft fairs special. The organizers describe it as "quickly becoming the top craft show in northwest Kansas," and that kind of growth means opportunity. Getting in early on a rising show is one of the smartest moves a vendor can make.
Tips for Vendors at Kansas Craft Fairs
Kansas has some unique characteristics that affect how you should approach vending here. Keep these in mind as you plan your 2026 season:
- Plan for wind. Kansas is windy. Period. If you're doing an outdoor show, invest in heavy-duty tent weights (not stakes alone). Secure your signage, tablecloths, and lightweight items. Experienced Kansas vendors use at least 25 pounds of weight per tent leg.
- The KC metro is your bread and butter. Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, and Lawrence are where the spending power concentrates. If you can only do a few shows, focus here first.
- Don't sleep on small towns. Events in places like Oakley, Ulysses, and Caldwell may draw smaller crowds, but those crowds are there specifically to shop. Lower booth fees mean your margins are better even with fewer sales.
- Western Kansas is a different market. If you travel west of Salina, you're in ranch and farm country. Products that appeal to rural lifestyles do well: home decor, practical handmade goods, rustic items, and comfort food products.
- Track your recipes and inventory. If you're a soap maker, check out Soaply for recipe management. Candle makers can use WickSuite to keep their production organized.
- Apply early for juried shows. The KC-area shows like Spring Chick fill up fast. Applications typically open in the fall for spring events, so mark your calendar.
Find More Kansas Craft Fairs
This list covers the highlights, but there are 75 craft fairs listed in Kansas on TheCraftMap and we're adding more every week. Create a free account to save your favorites and get notified when new Kansas events are added.
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