Whether you're a vendor looking for your next show or a shopper hunting for unique handmade goods, finding craft fairs in your area can be surprisingly tricky. Events pop up on Facebook, get listed on random websites, and spread by word of mouth. Here are the 8 best ways to find craft fairs near you in 2026 — so you never miss a great event.
1. Use a Craft Fair Aggregator (Like TheCraftMap)
The fastest way to find craft fairs near you is to use a dedicated craft fair search tool. TheCraftMap aggregates thousands of craft fairs across all 50 states into one searchable, filterable database.
- Filter by state and city to find events near you
- Filter by date to see what's coming up this weekend or next month
- Filter by type — juried shows, indoor, outdoor, or budget-friendly events
- Save favorites and track application deadlines
- Compare fairs side-by-side to pick the best ones
The advantage of an aggregator is that it pulls events from many sources into one place, saving you hours of searching across multiple websites and Facebook groups.
2. Search Facebook Events and Groups
Facebook is still one of the biggest sources for craft fair listings, but you have to know where to look:
- Facebook Events: Search "craft fair" + your city or state. Filter by upcoming dates.
- Local vendor groups: Search for "[Your City] Vendors" or "[Your State] Craft Fair Vendors." These groups share event opportunities constantly.
- Organizer pages: Follow local event organizers — they post their shows on their business pages.
- Community groups: Your town's community group often shares local events.
Downside: Facebook's search is unreliable, events are scattered across dozens of groups, and there's no way to filter by booth fee, type, or deadline. It works, but it's time-consuming.
3. Check Your Local Chamber of Commerce
Chambers of Commerce organize and promote many of the biggest craft fairs and festivals in their communities. Most chambers have an events calendar on their website.
- Google "[Your City] Chamber of Commerce events"
- Sign up for their email newsletter
- Call and ask about upcoming vendor events — they often know about events months in advance
- Ask if they maintain a vendor mailing list
Chamber-organized events tend to be well-promoted and well-attended, making them solid choices for vendors.
4. Visit FestivalNet and Similar Directories
Several websites maintain directories of craft shows and festivals:
- FestivalNet: One of the oldest and largest directories
- Eventeny: Popular platform where many fairs accept applications
- ZAPP (Zapplication): Used by juried art and craft shows
- Craftmaster News: Regional listings, especially Southeast
Note: Many of these charge subscription fees for full access. TheCraftMap provides free browsing of thousands of events without a subscription wall.
5. Ask Other Vendors
The craft vendor community is surprisingly generous with information. If you're already doing fairs, talk to your booth neighbors:
- "What are your favorite shows in this area?"
- "Any events coming up that I should apply to?"
- "Which organizers run the best fairs around here?"
Vendors who've been in the circuit for years know which fairs are worth the booth fee and which ones to avoid. This insider knowledge is invaluable and can't be found on any website.
6. Follow Local Event Organizers
Most areas have a handful of companies or individuals who organize multiple craft fairs throughout the year. Once you identify them:
- Follow them on social media
- Sign up for their email lists
- Bookmark their websites
- Set Google Alerts for their organization name
You'll get early access to applications and first notice when new events are announced.
7. Check Community Calendars and Local News
Don't overlook traditional local sources:
- Local newspaper event calendars (most have online versions)
- City/county websites often list community events
- Eventbrite and Meetup sometimes list craft markets
- Local TV station websites often have "things to do this weekend" sections
- Visitor bureaus and tourism boards promote festivals and fairs
These sources are especially good for finding smaller, community-focused events that may not appear on the big directories.
8. Google It (With the Right Search Terms)
A simple Google search can work, but use specific terms for better results:
- "craft fairs near [your city] 2026"
- "artisan markets [your state] spring 2026"
- "vendor events [your county]"
- "handmade market [your city]"
- "craft show applications [your state]"
Add the year to your search to filter out outdated results. And try different terms — "craft fair," "artisan market," "maker market," "craft show," and "handmade market" all return different results.
How to Choose the Right Craft Fairs
Finding fairs is one thing — picking the right ones is another. Here's what to evaluate:
For Vendors
- Booth fee vs. expected attendance: A $200 booth fee is fine if 5,000 people show up. It's terrible if 200 do.
- Event history: How many years has it been running? Established fairs are less risky.
- Marketing effort: Does the organizer promote the event? Check their social media and advertising.
- Vendor mix: Too many vendors selling similar products means more competition.
- Location: High foot traffic areas (downtowns, parks, shopping centers) outperform remote locations.
- Reviews from past vendors: Ask in vendor groups or check for reviews online.
For Shoppers
- Juried vs. open: Juried shows tend to have higher-quality vendors.
- Size: Larger fairs offer more variety; smaller ones feel more intimate.
- Timing: Arrive early for the best selection; go later for potential deals.
- Bring cash: Some vendors don't accept cards (though most do now).
Stay Organized: Track Your Craft Fair Calendar
Once you start finding fairs, you'll quickly have dozens of events to track. Stay organized:
- Use TheCraftMap's favorites to save fairs you're interested in
- Track application deadlines on our Deadlines page
- Create a spreadsheet with dates, locations, booth fees, and application status
- Set calendar reminders for application deadlines (typically 1-3 months before the event)
- Note which fairs you've done and your results — this builds your personal database over time
Start Searching Now
The best craft fairs fill up months in advance. If you're looking for spring and summer 2026 events, many application deadlines are happening right now.
Browse craft fairs on TheCraftMap to find events in your state, check dates and details, and start building your show schedule. With nearly 5,000 fairs in our database across all 50 states, you're sure to find great events near you.
Happy fair hunting! 🎪