Best Craft Fairs in New Hampshire 2026: Top Shows for Vendors & Shoppers
New Hampshire punches well above its weight when it comes to craft fairs. For a state with just 1.4 million people, there's a surprisingly deep calendar of artisan markets, seasonal shows, and community craft events running from late winter through fall. The Granite State's mix of charming small towns, tourist-heavy lakes and seacoast regions, and a strong "buy local" culture makes it a genuinely rewarding market for craft vendors. Shoppers here are used to paying fair prices for handmade goods, and many events draw visitors from Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont too.
We compiled the top craft fairs happening across New Hampshire in 2026, using real data from our database of 59 New Hampshire craft fairs on TheCraftMap. Whether you're a vendor scouting new territory or a shopper looking for your next weekend outing, here's what's on the calendar.
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Late Winter and Early Spring Shows
New Hampshire's craft fair season kicks off earlier than you might expect. While the snow is still on the ground, indoor shows start popping up across the southern part of the state. These early-season events are great for vendors looking to build momentum before the busy summer months.
A curated art and craft show in New Hampshire's second-largest city. Nashua draws shoppers from across southern NH and the northern Massachusetts border towns.
Manchester is the state's biggest city, and this craft and artisan show takes advantage of the foot traffic. A solid early-season option for vendors testing the NH market.
This festival pairs specialty food vendors with craft artisans along the seacoast. Hampton is a tourist magnet, and even in early March the seacoast crowd turns out for quality handmade goods and local foods.
If you're a candle maker, soap maker, or jewelry vendor, these early shows are worth the effort. Shoppers in February and March are often looking for gifts and home goods after the holiday lull. Tools like Soaply can help soap vendors dial in their recipes and pricing before the season heats up.
Spring Craft Fairs
Spring is when the New Hampshire craft scene really opens up. As the weather warms, outdoor and indoor-outdoor events start filling the calendar. March and April are packed with shows across the southern tier of the state, from the Merrimack Valley up to the Lakes Region.
Concord's capital city festival draws vendors and shoppers from across central New Hampshire. The state capital has a walkable downtown with good foot traffic and a community that supports local makers.
School-hosted craft fairs are a New Hampshire staple. Winnacunnet draws the Hampton and seacoast community, and booth fees tend to be lower than commercial shows. Great for newer vendors building their customer base.
Nashua's second major craft event of the spring. The expo format brings together a wide range of vendors in a high-traffic setting. Nashua sits right on the Massachusetts border, pulling shoppers from both states.
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Tips for Vendors in New Hampshire
A few things worth knowing if you're vending in New Hampshire for the first time:
- No sales tax. This is a big deal. New Hampshire has no state sales tax, which means your pricing is what customers actually pay. Shoppers from neighboring states (especially Massachusetts, where sales tax is 6.25%) love this. Use it in your signage if you want.
- Southern NH is your best bet for foot traffic. Nashua, Manchester, and the seacoast towns (Hampton, Exeter, Portsmouth) have the densest population and the most events. The Lakes Region and White Mountains are seasonal but draw heavy tourist traffic in summer and fall.
- Weather is a factor. If you're doing an outdoor spring show, pack layers and have a rain plan. NH weather in April can swing from 65 degrees to sleet in the same week.
- The "Made in NH" label carries weight. If you're a New Hampshire maker, lean into that. The state has a strong locavore culture and shoppers actively seek out NH-made products.
April and May Shows
By mid-April, the craft fair calendar fills up fast. This is peak application season for many of the state's bigger summer events, so get your submissions in early.
A recurring artisan series in Concord that highlights handmade and original artwork. The rotating format keeps the vendor mix fresh and gives shoppers a reason to come back each season.
One of the state's marquee events for local makers. The Made in NH Expo features exclusively New Hampshire-based artisans and producers. If you're an NH vendor, this is a must-apply show.
Running for 14 years, this Windham craft fair has a loyal following. The juried format from previous years means quality is consistently high, and repeat shoppers know to expect good finds.
Craft market meets winery. The Labelle Winery setting in Derry gives this event a unique vibe, and the wine-tasting crowd tends to be in a spending mood. A fun venue for artisan vendors.
Perfectly timed for the gift-buying rush before Mother's Day. Hampton Falls is in the heart of the seacoast, and this festival draws strong crowds looking for unique handmade gifts.
Summer and Fall Preview
The biggest craft fair season in New Hampshire runs from June through October. The Lakes Region (Laconia, Gilford, Meredith) and White Mountains fill with tourists, and craft fairs capitalize on the traffic. Here are a couple to watch:
The psychic-and-craft combo might sound niche, but this Laconia event has been running for 15 years for a reason. The Lakes Region summer crowd is big, and the mixed format pulls in curious shoppers who might not attend a traditional craft fair.
Gilford sits right on Lake Winnipesaukee, the crown jewel of the Lakes Region. Summer weekends here are packed with vacationers, and an artisan market in this setting can be extremely productive for vendors.
Planning Your New Hampshire Season
New Hampshire is a compact state, which works in your favor as a vendor. You can hit a Nashua show in the morning and make it to a Hampton event the same day if you plan right. The major craft fair corridors run along I-93 (Manchester to Concord to the Lakes Region) and Route 101 (Manchester to the seacoast). Most of the state's population and tourist traffic clusters in these two corridors.
For vendors coming from out of state, the lack of sales tax is a real competitive advantage worth mentioning in your booth setup. And if you're tracking your recipe costs and pricing, tools like WickSuite (for candle makers) can help you stay on top of margins when you're juggling multiple shows.
Browse all 59 New Hampshire craft fairs on TheCraftMap to find the perfect fit for your products and schedule.
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