Holiday craft fairs fill the weekends between Halloween and Christmas at churches, community centers, schools, and function halls all across New England. Offering food (for snacking and giving), handmade gift items, and a healthy dose of holiday cheer, they are often one of the earliest signs of the approaching holiday season. Here are our picks for just some of the biggest and best holiday craft fairs in New England, with selections for each state. The list of potential holiday fairs taking place each year is massive, so let us know if we missed your favorite — they just might make the list for next year!!
Best New England Holiday Craft Fairs ***Dates have been updated for 2019***
Best Holiday Craft Fairs in New England
Best Holiday Craft Fair in Connecticut
November 9-10, 2019
CraftWestport | Westport
This annual juried crafts bonanza (the longest-running indoor fine craft event in the state) features 175 metal, fiber, wood, paper, and clay artisans, with all admissions net profits to benefit local charities. Gourmet goodies and a Kid Zone, featuring a bounce house, face painting, and demonstrations, round out the fun. Counting your pennies? A pop-up marketplace of local artists also includes some fun, budget-friendly items. www.artrider.com
Best Holiday Craft Fair in Maine
December 7-8, 2019
United Maine Craftsmen Holiday Arts & Crafts Show | Portland
Some 100 local artisans in varied media: fiber, silver, sea glass, and clay, (there’s food, too) at this annual event. unitedmainecraftsmen.com
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Best Holiday Craft Fairs in Massachusetts
November 16-17, 2019
Annual New England Craft and Specialty Food Fair | Topsfield
This annual show, started in 1995, takes a something-for-everyone approach, with 250 artisans in categories from angels to wreaths to gourmet foods, including dip and bread mixes. castleberryfairs.com
November 16-17, 2019
Old Deerfield Christmas Sampler Craft Fair | West Springfield
Nearly 250 booths feature local, regional, and national artists. This show offers a wide selection of traditional crafts, with plenty of holiday decorations–carved Santas, ornaments, wreaths, and so on–on hand. There’s live music and visits with Santa, too. Don’t miss the circa-1897 miniature Christmas village. deerfield-craft.org
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December 7-8, 2019
Castleberry Faire New England Holiday Craft Spectacular | Hanover
This craft “spectacular” features over 150 of the region’s finest artisans specializing in jewelry, glass, candles, sports-themed gifts, art, photography, food, and more. castleberryfairs.com
Celebrating more than three decades of festive fun, this holiday fair (now at St. Paul’s Church Hall) lures tourists and locals alike throughout the month of December. Inside: an underground bazaar of “beautiful, original, and affordable” gifts, a riot of Indian textiles, painted silk, fused glass, and pottery, among some 40 stalls. harvardsquareholidayfair.com
December 13-15, 2019
CraftBoston Holiday | Boston
The Society of Arts & Crafts was founded in 1897, the first American organization of its kind, which in turn organized the first formal crafts exhibition on these shores. Now, more than 100 years later, it’s still running our region’s granddaddy holiday event, with 175 artists, a craft book seller, and informational booths promoting non-profit craft organizations and schools. Such prestige means high quality and generally higher prices, though SAC does highlight items under $100. societyofcrafts.com
Best Holiday Craft Fair in New Hampshire
November 9, 2019
Holiday Fine Arts & Crafts Show | Portsmouth
The New Hampshire seacoast’s annual show will feature dozens of vendors selling jewelry, art pieces, pottery, and more. Refreshments will be sold. facebook.com/seacoast.artisans
Best Holiday Craft Fair in Rhode Island
December 5-8, 13-15, 2019
Foundry Artists Association Holiday Show | Pawtucket
For three decades, this show has selected wares from an impressive roster of artisans. Handmade items for sale include paintings, photos, jewelry, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, clothing, and accessories. Of course, it helps to have all those RISD grads in your backyard. Includes a silent auction. foundryshow.com
Best Holiday Craft Fairs in Vermont
November 22-24, 2019
Craft Vermont | Burlington
Celebrating more than 60 years, this annual show of more than 100 vendors is put on by the oldest and largest juried craft organization in the state of Vermont. Items for sale include fine art, pottery, jewelry, textiles, gourmet food, and more. vermonthandcrafters.com
November 29-30, & December 1, 2019
Putney Craft Tour
An open-studios southeastern Vermont event since 1978, with 25 noteworthy artisans to visit. Printable map available online.putneycrafts.com
Where are your picks for the best holiday craft fairs in New England?
This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.
