North Carolina is one of the best states in the country for craft vendors. The combination of a thriving arts community in Asheville, a fast-growing maker scene in Charlotte, strong coastal tourism, and deeply rooted small-town festivals means there's something happening nearly every weekend. Whether you're selling candles, jewelry, pottery, or woodwork, NC has a show for you.
Want to see every North Carolina fair? Browse the full list on our North Carolina craft fairs page.
Winter and Early Spring (January - March)
North Carolina's mild winters mean the craft fair season never truly stops. Indoor markets in Raleigh and Charlotte keep vendors busy through the cold months, while the coast and mountains host art exhibitions and conferences that draw collectors and serious buyers.
Monthly market at the Historic NC State Fairgrounds featuring local makers, vintage sellers, and artisan vendors. The Raleigh Market runs year-round and draws strong crowds from the Triangle area. A solid recurring show for building a local customer base.
An extended art exhibition at Carolina Artist Gallery on the Crystal Coast. Fine art and mixed media from local artists. If you work in painting, sculpture, pottery, or fiber arts, this is a chance to get your work in front of coastal shoppers over several weeks.
Now in its 39th year, this three-day conference and sale at the iconic Grove Park Inn features 125 antiques dealers, book sellers, and craftspeople working in furniture, pottery, tiles, and metalwork in the Arts & Crafts tradition. A prestigious event for traditional artisans.
A popular recurring market in the Charlotte suburb of Matthews. Mash-Up Markets feature a curated mix of handmade goods, vintage finds, and local food vendors. Great for vendors who want a relaxed, community-focused selling environment.
A fine art exhibition on the Outer Banks featuring sculpture, painting, drawing, fiber, pottery, and mixed media from local artists. Named after legendary Outer Banks artist Frank Stick. A great venue for fine art vendors looking to reach the OBX market.
Vendor Tip: The Asheville Advantage
Asheville has earned its reputation as one of the top arts cities in the Southeast. The Grove Park Inn conference alone has been running for 39 years, which tells you something about the buying audience. If you make furniture, ceramics, metalwork, or anything with an artisan/traditional craft angle, Asheville should be on your calendar. The city attracts tourists year-round who come specifically looking for handmade goods. Booth fees tend to be higher here, but so are average sale prices.
Spring Shows (March - April)
Spring is when North Carolina's craft fair calendar really fills up. Charlotte hosts multiple pop-ups and maker markets as the weather warms, the Piedmont region fires up community shows, and the coast starts its festival season. This is prime time to get your show schedule locked in.
Held at the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA, this annual spring show features over 80 vendor tables throughout the gymnasium, plus food trucks. Free entry for shoppers. Held the second Saturday of March every year, so you can plan ahead. A well-attended community show in the heart of the Piedmont.
A coastal festival at Emerald Plantation Shopping Center on the Crystal Coast. Saint Patrick's themed with craft vendors, food, and entertainment. Beach town festivals like this draw tourists who are ready to shop for unique, locally made souvenirs.
A festival of food, movement, music, and the arts that attracts thousands. Features 600 runners who stay for chili and shopping, a chili cook-off, 100 vendor booths, and continuous country and beach entertainment. High foot traffic and a festive crowd make this a strong sales weekend.
A spring vendor event in Charlotte bringing together local makers and small businesses. Charlotte's growing maker scene means strong foot traffic for events like this, especially as spring shopping season kicks off.
A three-day pop-up in Charlotte featuring local makers and small business vendors. Multi-day events give you more chances to connect with repeat shoppers and build your customer base in the Charlotte metro.
Vendor Tip: Charlotte's Growing Maker Scene
Charlotte has exploded as a market for handmade goods in recent years. The city's population growth (it's now the 15th largest city in the US) has brought in young professionals who actively seek out local makers and small businesses. Organizations like Shop Local QC run multiple markets throughout the year, and brewery pop-ups have become a regular thing. If you're a candle or soap maker in the Charlotte area, you could build a full show schedule without ever leaving the metro. Check out Soaply for recipe costing if you're pricing soap products for these markets.
Vendor Tip: Coastal Festivals
North Carolina's coast from the Outer Banks down to Emerald Isle and Wilmington is packed with seasonal festivals. Tourist shoppers are some of the best customers you'll find because they're on vacation, in a good mood, and looking for unique souvenirs. The trade-off is that many coastal events are weather-dependent and can be a longer drive for inland vendors. But if you can make the trip, beach town craft fairs often produce above-average sales days.
Summer and Fall Events (May - October)
Summer brings outdoor festivals and community events across the state. Fall is when the holiday shopping season starts to build, with shows like Christmas Made in the South drawing serious buyers who are ready to check off gift lists.
A kid-friendly festival with multiple stages of live music, overnight camping, yoga sessions, a petting zoo, local artisans, and unique vendors. The laid-back, community-focused vibe attracts shoppers who value handmade and one-of-a-kind goods. Great fit for bohemian, natural, and wellness products.
A community festival on Main Street in the hometown of Richard Petty. Features food, arts and crafts, music, car shows, a dinosaur expo, and three stages of bands. Most proceeds support local nonprofits. A small-town festival with big energy and loyal crowds.
A three-day juried show focused on keeping fine artisans and craftspeople vibrant. Exhibitors demonstrate and sell handcrafted works across all three days. Part of the Made in the South series, which is well-known across the Southeast for quality handmade goods. Holiday shoppers come ready to buy.
Tips for Selling at North Carolina Craft Fairs
NC's Three Regions
Think of North Carolina as three distinct markets. The Mountains (Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock) attract tourists and art collectors who will pay premium prices for quality craftsmanship. The Piedmont (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham) is where you'll find the biggest populations and the most frequent markets. The Coast (Outer Banks, Wilmington, Crystal Coast) is seasonal but lucrative during tourist months.
Experienced NC vendors build a calendar that hits all three regions at the right times: mountains in summer and fall, Piedmont year-round, coast in spring and summer.
The Triangle vs. Charlotte
North Carolina's two biggest metro areas have different vibes. The Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) skews more academic and foodie. Markets there tend to lean toward artisan foods, plants, and curated handmade goods. Charlotte is bigger, faster-growing, and has a broader shopping audience. Both are great markets, but your product mix might perform differently in each. Test both and track your numbers.
North Carolina Sales Tax
NC's state sales tax rate is 4.75%, plus county taxes that bring the total to 6.75-7.5% depending on where you're selling. You'll need to register with the NC Department of Revenue for a sales tax certificate. Some show organizers will ask for this before accepting your application. Build tax into your pricing from day one. If you're a candle vendor, tools like WickSuite can help you calculate margins with tax factored in.
Weather Considerations
NC's weather is generally vendor-friendly, but summer heat and humidity in the Piedmont can be brutal. For outdoor shows from June through September, bring plenty of water, a fan, and consider how heat affects your products (chocolate, candles, and anything wax-based can soften in 90+ degree weather). Hurricane season (June-November) can occasionally disrupt coastal events, so always have a backup plan for shore shows.
Plan Your North Carolina Craft Fair Season
Ready to build your 2026 NC show schedule? Here's how to get started:
- Browse all North Carolina craft fairs on TheCraftMap
- Check application deadlines for juried shows
- Pick 4-5 shows across different regions and seasons
- Apply to juried shows like Christmas Made in the South early
- Build relationships with recurring market organizers (Shop Local QC, The Raleigh Market) for regular spots
North Carolina's craft fair scene has real depth. From the 39-year legacy of the Grove Park Inn conference to Charlotte's booming pop-up culture, there are opportunities for every type of vendor at every price point. The state actively supports its maker community, and shoppers here genuinely value handmade. Get your applications in and make 2026 a strong year. 🌲
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