Best Craft Fairs in South Carolina 2026: Top Shows for Vendors & Shoppers
South Carolina punches above its weight when it comes to craft fairs. Between the tourism-heavy Lowcountry coast, the college towns of the Midlands, and the Upstate's growing arts scene, vendors here have options year-round. Charleston alone draws millions of visitors annually, and many of them are actively looking for locally made, one-of-a-kind goods to bring home.
What makes South Carolina special for craft vendors? The outdoor event season stretches from early spring all the way through late fall thanks to the mild climate. Coastal towns host festivals that blend food, music, and artisan shopping into events that pull huge crowds. And the "Made in SC" label carries real weight with shoppers here. People want to support local makers, and they're willing to pay fair prices for quality handmade goods.
Below you'll find our picks for the best craft fairs happening across South Carolina in 2026. All data comes straight from our database, so dates and details are real. For the full, searchable list, check out TheCraftMap's South Carolina search.
Charleston & Lowcountry Markets
Charleston is the crown jewel of South Carolina's craft scene. The city's walkable downtown, thriving tourism industry, and deep appreciation for local artisans make it one of the best places in the Southeast to sell handmade goods. From pop-up night markets to long-running cultural celebrations, there's always something happening in the Lowcountry.
One of Charleston's signature events, SEWE takes over 8 venues in the historic district and draws wildlife art collectors, outdoor enthusiasts, and shoppers from across the Southeast. If your work has a nature or outdoors theme, this is a can't-miss show.
A month-long celebration of Gullah culture featuring vendor opportunities across multiple events and venues on Hilton Head Island. Great exposure to tourists and locals alike, with a focus on cultural and artisan goods.
A vibrant community marketplace inside Citadel Mall. Pop-up style with a rotating vendor lineup. Good for testing the Charleston market without committing to a high-cost outdoor festival booth.
Charleston's self-described 'most funkadelic flea' brings together 100+ vintage dealers and artisans selling furniture, art, housewares, and collectibles. If you make anything with a vintage or eclectic vibe, this crowd will find you.
Hundreds of artists and craftsmen gather to demonstrate and sell their work at this beloved holiday shopping event. Three full days of serious gift-buying shoppers. One of the strongest holiday shows in the Southeast.
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Columbia & the Midlands
Columbia, as the state capital and home to the University of South Carolina, has a growing craft fair scene that's more affordable for vendors than the coast. Booth fees tend to be lower, and the Midlands population supports a solid base of repeat shoppers. The SC State Farmers Market in West Columbia is a hub for artisan events, and the Fairgrounds host some of the state's largest indoor shows.
Three days at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds with juried artisans from across the region. A Gilmore Shows production, which means professional organization, strong marketing, and built-in foot traffic. One of the bigger indoor shows in the Midlands.
Held at the South Carolina State Farmers Market, this two-day spring event pairs craft vendors with the market's regular food and produce shoppers. You get the built-in traffic of the farmers market plus dedicated craft fair promotion.
Held at Saluda Shoals Park, this festival celebrates South Carolina's beloved pimento cheese with cooking competitions, live music, and a vendor marketplace. Food-focused festivals like this draw big crowds, and shoppers stay for hours.
Vendor tip: The Midlands are a smart place to build your vendor resume if you're newer to the craft fair circuit. Booth fees are generally more affordable than Charleston shows, and the competition for spots is less intense. Once you have strong photos and reviews from Midlands events, you'll be in a better position to apply to the bigger coastal shows. If you make candles or soap, tools like Soaply can help you dial in your recipes before show season.
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Upstate & Community Shows
The Greenville-Spartanburg corridor is one of the fastest-growing regions in the Southeast, and the craft fair scene is growing with it. Smaller towns like Greer and Clover host community festivals where vendors report strong, loyal customer bases. The Upstate's mix of Southern charm and new transplants creates a market that appreciates both traditional crafts and modern handmade goods.
Shop under a tree canopy in walkable downtown Greer. Live music, food, kids' activities, and classes run alongside the vendor marketplace. Year-round operation with monthly winter markets and weekly shows in the warmer months. Their mission is specifically to support local farmers, bakers, and handmade businesses.
Clover's annual St. Patrick's Day Festival runs from Clover Town Square down S. Main Street with live music, a kids zone, dog show, beer garden, and vendor spots. Free admission means strong foot traffic. A fun, family-friendly community event with local vendor applications available online.
A curated shopping market featuring unique finds, local food vendors, and a laid-back community atmosphere. These pop-up style markets are great for testing new products and connecting with a local customer base.
A true small-town South Carolina festival with a parade, games, live entertainment, and plenty of vendor spots. The draw? Their famous collard greens and barbecue plates bring the whole community out. Clean, family-friendly, and a great example of the kind of community event where vendors can do really well.
Beach Town & Coastal Festivals
South Carolina's coast isn't just Charleston. Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Beaufort all host festivals that tap into the steady stream of tourists flowing through the state. Coastal events tend to have higher foot traffic but also more competition. If your products photograph well and have a beachy or Southern aesthetic, these shows can be very profitable.
Running for over 50 years, this festival welcomes northern vacationers with beach games, community activities, and vendor opportunities across 10 days. The crowd is a mix of Canadian snowbirds and spring break tourists, which means high volume and shoppers in vacation-spending mode.
A full day of music, crafts, food, and kids' activities following a parade down Main Street that draws thousands of spectators. The festival runs from 11 AM to 4 PM with strong foot traffic from both locals and tourists.
Fresh produce, handmade goods, and community vibes on Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head's affluent visitor base means shoppers here are used to paying premium prices for quality handmade products.
Tips for Selling at South Carolina Craft Fairs
South Carolina has its own vendor culture and shopper expectations. Here's what works well in this market:
- Lean into the Southern and coastal aesthetic. Products with a Lowcountry vibe, palmetto motifs, or Southern charm sell well across the state. Tourists especially love taking home something that feels uniquely South Carolina.
- Prepare for heat and humidity. Most of the outdoor event season overlaps with South Carolina's warmest months. Invest in a good canopy, bring plenty of water, and consider how heat affects your products. Candles and chocolate, for example, need shade and sometimes coolers.
- Target tourist seasons strategically. Charleston and the coast see peak tourism from March through October. Myrtle Beach has a huge spring break and summer crowd. Time your coastal shows accordingly.
- Don't overlook the Upstate. Greenville and Spartanburg are booming. The population is growing fast, the arts scene is expanding, and booth fees are much lower than Charleston. It's a great region for building a consistent local customer base.
- Sales tax matters. South Carolina charges sales tax on most goods, and event organizers often require proof of a retail license. Get your SC retail license before applying to shows. It's free and takes about a week online.
- Track your deadlines. Popular South Carolina shows, especially Charleston events, fill up well in advance. Use TheCraftMap's deadline tracker to stay on top of application windows.
Find More South Carolina Craft Fairs
This list covers some of the highlights, but South Carolina has plenty more happening throughout the year. Summer and fall bring outdoor festivals, holiday markets ramp up in November and December, and the coast stays active nearly year-round. Browse the full, searchable list of South Carolina craft fairs on TheCraftMap to find events that fit your schedule, budget, and product type.
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