All right, makers. You’ve built up some inventory. Maybe you’ve dipped a toe into selling online. And now you’re typing “vendor fairs near me” into Google at 10pm, wondering where on earth people actually find these shows.
Good news: the shows are out there. They’re just scattered across a dozen different places, and nobody hands you the map. So let’s make one together. Below you’ll find where to look for craft fairs and vendor shows near you, what booth fees really run, how to get accepted, and answers to the questions I hear most.
I always suggest giving the craft fair circuit a go, even just to confirm you don’t want to do it. However, you might just find that you love it!
– Pamela Grice, the Crochetpreneur
Is selling at craft fairs right for your crochet business?
Maybe you planned to stay home and stick to online sales, and that’s totally okay. But I always recommend trying at least one show. Even if you find out it’s not for you, now you know for sure.
And you might love it. There’s nothing quite like the moment the doors open and people start oohing and aahing over your work, then handing you cash for it.
Not every fair will be a blockbuster. Finding your best shows takes some trial and error, a little detective work, and a bit of networking. If you want to know whether a show actually paid off once the dust settles, I walk through that math in Craft Fair Profits: How to Know You’re Making Money. And if fairs turn out not to be your thing, there are plenty of other places to sell crochet in person.
Where to find craft fairs and vendor shows near you
1. Craft fair and festival directories
FestivalNet is one of the biggest festival directories out there, covering the US and Canada. The free membership gives you basic event info and show ratings, which is plenty when you’re starting out. The paid Pro level adds advanced search, full contact details and application tracking, so it’s worth a look once you’re doing several shows a season.
FairsAndFestivals.net is another big, filterable directory with events, vendor listings and articles. It’s easy to fall down a browsing rabbit hole here, so keep your mission in mind.
Eventbrite is a surprisingly rich source for local markets, fairs and pop-ups. Search your city plus “craft fair,” “makers market” or “vendor show” and see what comes up.
[INSERT: Craft Fair Tracker opt-in box — keep the existing “Get your free craft fair tracker” block and link: https://montgomery-grice-enterprises-inc.kit.com/c6f232c8d6]
2. Facebook groups and event pages
Many organizers lean on Facebook because it’s free. Search “[your city] craft fair,” “[your county] vendor events” or “[your town] vendors wanted” and you’ll often find vendor groups, event pages, and even applications posted right there.
Facebook is also handy once you learn a show’s name from a directory. Plenty of shows keep their most current dates and applications on their own Facebook page.
3. Your local event calendars
Don’t overlook your own town. Chamber of Commerce sites, parks and recreation departments, local news outlets and library or community calendars are full of events that never make the national directories. A quick search for “[your city] event calendar” can turn up a goldmine.
4. Etsy Teams and local Etsy sellers
Etsy Teams lets you filter for location-based teams. Join one in your area and look for threads about upcoming local shows. If there isn’t one, ask the moderator if you can start it.
Etsy’s local shop search shows handmade sellers near you. It won’t list events, but it will show you who’s selling locally. Those are exactly the people to ask, “Which shows are worth it around here?”
5. Craigslist
Yes, really. Search the Community and Events sections for “vendors,” “craft fair” and “craft show.” Smaller community events still post here.
6. The makers who are already doing it
The best leads often come from people, not websites. Chat with vendors when you shop a fair, ask at your local yarn shop, and keep an ear out in maker groups. A vendor who’s done a show for five years can tell you more about it than any listing can.
How to get into craft fairs (application tips)
Finding a show is step one. Getting accepted is step two, especially for juried shows where organizers pick vendors. Here’s what tends to make the difference:
- Apply early. Big holiday shows can fill months, sometimes a year, ahead. Put application dates in your tracker the moment you find them.
- Send clear, current photos. Organizers judge your products and your booth from a few pictures. Good light, a plain background and a photo of your full table go a long way.
- Show a cohesive line. A juried show wants a booth that looks like one shop, not a little of everything. If you’re not sure what that looks like, start with how to plan your craft fair inventory.
- Read the rules twice. Many shows are handmade-only, cap how many vendors sell the same category, or require insurance or a sales tax permit. Know before you pay.
- Look like a real business. A name, a simple logo, labels on your products and a consistent look tell organizers you’ll show up ready. Your brand is part of your application whether you mean it to be or not.
Didn’t get in? That happens to everyone. Smaller shows can be wonderfully profitable, and each one helps you build the photos and experience that get you into the bigger ones.
What do craft fair booth fees cost?
Booth fees vary a lot depending on the size of the show, the location and what’s included. As a rough guide, TheCraftMap’s booth fee guide puts typical ranges at:
| Type of show | Typical booth fee |
|---|---|
| Small community fair | $25–$75 |
| Mid-size regional fair | $75–$200 |
| Holiday market | $100–$400 |
| Large juried show | $200–$500+ |
| Multi-day festival | $300–$1,000+ |
Watch for extras, too. Juried shows may charge a separate application or jury fee, electricity is often an add-on, and some events take a percentage of your sales on top of the booth fee. Always ask what’s included before you commit.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: the booth fee isn’t really the question. The question is how many items you need to sell to cover it, plus your travel, your time and your materials. That comes down to pricing your crochet so it actually pays you.
track all your market details like a pro
Free Tracker for Your Upcoming Markets
With this form, you can compile all of the important information for possible fairs including craft fair details, contact information, payment information and more! You’ll never miss out on important opportunities when you track your details like the most profitable professionals.
Craft Fair FAQs
Start with a directory like FestivalNet or FairsAndFestivals.net, then search Facebook and Eventbrite for “[your city] craft fair” or “vendors wanted.” Check your city’s event calendar and ask other local makers which shows they’d recommend. Track every lead in one place so you don’t miss a deadline.
There’s no single hot item that sells everywhere. What sells best is usually something giftable, practical or seasonal, at a price that’s easy to say yes to. The real winner is the item that fits your customers and your show. I dig into how to figure that out in How to Create Crochet Items & Patterns That Actually Sell.
At fairs, shoppers tend to grab things they can use, give or wear right away. Think hats and accessories, small home goods, giftable amigurumi and seasonal pieces. Over on Made with a Twist I’ve shared my own best-selling market makes, amigurumi that sell at craft fairs and crowd-pleasing craft fair patterns. Planning ahead? Here’s what sells at spring craft fairs and how to prep for the holiday season.
For big or juried holiday shows, start looking six to twelve months out. Smaller community events often take applications a month or two ahead. When in doubt, apply as soon as you find a show you want.
More resources for craft fair sellers
Once you’ve found your shows, these will help you make the most of them:
- How to Sell at Craft Fairs: Four Types of Customers
- Craft Fair Items to Sell: How Much Inventory Do You Really Need?
- Craft Fair Profits: How to Know You’re Making Money
- Best Places to Sell Crochet Items Offline and In-Person
- How to Increase Profits When You Add Labels to Crochet Items
- Mastering Craft Fairs Course [CONFIRM: sales page currently says doors are closed]
A quick word of encouragement
Some big fairs fill up fast, sometimes a year in advance. Don’t stress about it. Smaller shows can be incredibly profitable, and every fair you do helps you learn, grow and get ready for bigger ones.
You’ve got this. Your perfect craft fair is out there, and now you know exactly where to start looking.
Cheering you on, Pam
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