Country Fairs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has one of the deepest fair traditions on the East Coast, dating to the 18th century. Nearly every one of the state's 67 counties holds an annual agricultural fair, and the Kutztown Folk Festival — running since 1950 — is the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America, drawing crowds to the Kutztown Fairgrounds each July for nine days of folk art, quilts, and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage.
While Pennsylvania does not have a single official state fair, the Great Allentown Fair is among the largest traditional fairs in the state, and the Pennsylvania State Farm Show in Harrisburg each January is one of the largest indoor agricultural events in the country. The county fair circuit runs from spring through fall, with peak activity in July and August when dozens of fairs operate simultaneously across the state.
Top Country Fair Events in Pennsylvania
- Kutztown Folk Festival — Kutztown Fairgrounds, July 4-12, 2026. Nine days of folk art, 200+ juried folk artists, 2,500+ quilts on display. The oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America, celebrating Pennsylvania Dutch heritage.
- Pennsylvania State Farm Show — Harrisburg, January. One of the largest indoor agricultural events in the country, featuring livestock competitions, home arts exhibits, and agricultural displays from across the state.
- Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts — State College, July. A top-ranked juried show featuring fine art and craft alongside the town's agricultural heritage.
- Heart of Lancaster Arts and Crafts Show — Lancaster County, Labor Day weekend. 200 artists in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, combining fine craft with the region's deep agricultural roots.
What to Expect
Pennsylvania county fairs feature traditional agricultural programming — livestock shows, 4-H and FFA exhibits, home arts competitions including quilting, canning, and baking — alongside carnival rides, food vendors, and craft vendor areas. The state's Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish heritage adds a distinctive craft dimension: quilts, hex signs, fraktur art, pottery, and woodcarving are part of a living tradition that shows up at fairs across Lancaster, Berks, and Lehigh counties.
The Kutztown Folk Festival is in a class of its own — nine days of folk art demonstrations, quilt auctions, traditional food, and 200+ juried folk artists working in craft traditions that date back centuries. Smaller county fairs in south-central PA (Harrisburg, Gettysburg, York) emphasize agriculture and community gathering. The Lehigh Valley corridor produces multiple large fairs. Most county fairs charge general admission ranging from free to modest entry fees.
Popular Cities for Country Fairs in Pennsylvania
- Lancaster — Heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country with Amish craft traditions and the Heart of Lancaster Arts and Crafts Show
- Allentown — Great Allentown Fair and Lehigh Valley Fiber Festival anchor the Lehigh Valley fair circuit
- Harrisburg — Pennsylvania State Farm Show and Harrisburg Artsfest at Riverfront Park
- Philadelphia — Southeastern PA county fair traditions and proximity to the Kutztown Folk Festival
For a full overview of craft events across the state, visit our Pennsylvania craft shows page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pennsylvania have a state fair?
Pennsylvania does not have a single official state fair in the traditional sense. The Pennsylvania State Farm Show in Harrisburg each January serves as the state's largest agricultural exposition. The Great Allentown Fair is among the largest traditional county fairs. Nearly all 67 counties operate their own annual agricultural fairs.
What is the Kutztown Folk Festival?
The Kutztown Folk Festival has run since 1950 at the Kutztown Fairgrounds, making it the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America. It runs nine days around July 4th with 200+ juried folk artists, 2,500+ quilts, traditional food, and demonstrations of Pennsylvania Dutch crafts including hex signs, fraktur, pottery, and woodcarving.
When is county fair season in Pennsylvania?
County fairs in Pennsylvania generally run from late spring through fall, with peak activity in July and August. The Kutztown Folk Festival runs in early July. The Great Allentown Fair is typically in late August or early September. Harvest fairs and fall festivals continue through October.