Best Craft Fairs in Maine 2026: Top Shows for Vendors & Shoppers
Maine is a craft vendor's dream. Between the bustling art scene in Portland, charming coastal towns that draw summer tourists by the thousands, and tight-knit communities that genuinely support handmade goods, it's one of the best states in New England for selling your work. Whether you pour candles, throw pottery, or knit scarves from local wool, Maine has a show for you.
The craft fair season in Maine runs roughly from April through October, with peak activity in summer when tourists flood the coast. That seasonal surge means higher foot traffic but also more competition for booth spots. Planning ahead is essential.
We pulled together the top craft fairs happening across Maine in 2026, covering everything from weekend festivals to artwalks. Every event listed here is real and sourced from our database of thousands of fairs. You can always search all Maine craft fairs on TheCraftMap for the latest listings.
Spring Fairs: Getting the Season Started
Maine winters are long, which makes spring fairs feel like a celebration. Vendors who get in early can build a local following before the tourist rush hits.
Yarn, fiber, buttons, woven items, ready-made alpaca items, wooden tools, Russian needle punch, clasps and more. A niche but dedicated crowd for fiber artists.
Arts and crafts show held on the Gorham Campus of USM. The spacious facility gives each vendor plenty of room, and the college community brings solid foot traffic.
Spring shows in Maine can still get chilly, so if you're doing outdoor events, plan for temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Layered booth setups with windbreaks help both you and your customers stay comfortable.
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Portland & Southern Maine
Portland is Maine's cultural hub, with a thriving art and food scene that draws both locals and visitors year-round. The southern coast from Kittery to Portland is packed with events once the weather turns.
Over 50 dealers across 180 tables with mineral specimens, fossils, gems, beads, jewelry, crafting supplies, healing crystals, and more. Great for jewelry makers and crystal vendors.
A combined arts and music festival that pulls a big crowd. The $280 booth fee is reasonable for the Portland market, and live music keeps shoppers around longer.
A celebration of local art, culture, and food that builds community in a fun neighborhood atmosphere. Right on the New Hampshire border, so you pull from both states.
Portland vendors: if you make candles, soaps, or body care products, tools like Soaply can help you dial in your recipes before the selling season kicks off.
Coastal Festivals & Art Shows
Maine's coastline is the state's biggest draw for tourists, and craft fairs along the coast benefit from that traffic. Bar Harbor, Brunswick, and Saco all host shows that vendors travel hours to attend.
Over 75 artists display artwork, photography, and sculpture in historic downtown Saco while over a thousand attendees browse, eat, and explore the local shops.
Painters, photographers, and print-makers display and sell original work on the Village Green in Bar Harbor. Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm, rain or shine. The low booth fee makes this incredibly accessible.
The streets and shops of downtown Brunswick come alive with artists, musicians, and entertainers. Artists display on sidewalks and in galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Tips for Vending in Maine
Maine has a few quirks that set it apart from other New England states:
- Weather preparedness is non-negotiable. Coastal fog, sudden rain, and wind are part of life here. Invest in quality tent weights (not stakes, since many venues are on pavement or rock) and waterproof covers for your products.
- Tourists buy differently than locals. Summer visitors want souvenirs and gifts. Think smaller, packable items with a "Made in Maine" feel. Locals shop for quality year-round.
- The "Made in Maine" brand carries weight. If you source local ingredients or materials, say so. Maine residents take pride in supporting local makers, and tourists actively seek out Maine-made products.
- Don't ignore northern Maine. While the coast gets the most attention, communities in Aroostook County and the Lakes Region host fairs with loyal local followings and less vendor competition.
Summer Festivals & Community Events
Once summer hits, Maine is packed with community festivals that welcome craft vendors. These tend to draw big crowds because they combine food, music, and shopping into full-day events.
A yearly tradition with entertainment, food, artisans, and strawberry shortcakes. Around 20,000 visitors attend, making it one of the highest-traffic single-day events in southern Maine.
A four-day festival over Independence Day weekend with music, food, a carnival, and Maine's largest 4th of July Parade. Four days means four chances to sell.
Outdoor event on grass or parking lot. Rain or shine, so bring weights, anchors, and covers. The affordable booth fee and Moosehead Lake tourist traffic make this worth the trip north.
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Fiber & Textile Events
Maine has a strong fiber arts tradition, thanks to its sheep farms and long history of textile crafts. If you work with yarn, wool, or handwoven goods, these events are built for you.
Two days of vendors, workshops, sheep dog demos, live music, and educational demonstrations. The $20 booth fee is one of the lowest you'll find anywhere.
Fiber events attract a very specific buyer who knows quality and is willing to pay for it. If you sell handspun yarn, hand-dyed fiber, or knitted accessories, these shows often outperform general craft fairs for ROI.
Finding More Maine Craft Fairs
This list covers some of the top events, but Maine has dozens more throughout the year. Our database is growing daily as we add new fairs from across the state. Head over to TheCraftMap's Maine craft fair search to browse every listing, filter by date, and save your favorites.
Planning your booth setup or pricing strategy? Check out our guide on how to apply to your first craft fair if you're just getting started.
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