Craft Shows & Fairs in Abingdon, Virginia
Abingdon sits in the far southwestern tip of Virginia, minutes from the Tennessee border and deep in the Appalachian highlands. With a population of just 8,000, it hosts one of Virginia's most celebrated annual craft events and maintains a year-round artisan cooperative that has been operating since 1971. This is one of the places in Virginia where craft culture has deep roots — not as a trend, but as a practiced tradition.
Abingdon's Craft Show Scene
The Virginia Highlands Festival is Abingdon's signature event and one of Southwest Virginia's most important annual gatherings. Running each August for over 70 years, the multi-day festival includes:
- Juried Arts and Crafts Show — voted "Best Art Show in Region" (Virginia Living Magazine, 2025); Top 200 nationally (Sunshine Artist Magazine); free admission
- Juried Antiques & Vintage Show — SWVA Higher Education Center
- Live music and performing arts
- Literary events and historical tours
Holston Mountain Artisans is the permanent artisan presence in Abingdon. Established in 1971 as a non-profit, member-owned cooperative, it represents over 80 artisans from Southwest Virginia and Upper East Tennessee. The cooperative's downtown shop carries traditional and contemporary Appalachian arts and crafts year-round:
- Quilting, weaving, and basketry
- Pottery and woodcarving
- Jewelry and fine art
- Hand-carved wood and dulcimers
Barter Theatre — the State Theatre of Virginia, opened in 1933 as the longest-running professional Equity theatre in the United States — anchors Abingdon's cultural economy. The theatre's performance season brings regional visitors who patronize local shops, including Holston Mountain Artisans.
Country Fairs & County Events Near Abingdon
The Washington County Fair carries the county's agricultural fair tradition each summer, with:
- Livestock competition and 4-H exhibits
- Home arts: quilts, canning, and needlework
- Traditional Appalachian agricultural culture
The Tri-Cities connection matters here. Bristol, 15 miles south on the Virginia-Tennessee state line, shares cultural identity with Abingdon. Holston Mountain Artisans explicitly includes artisans from Upper East Tennessee — Johnson City and Kingsport, 35–40 miles southwest, participate in the same regional craft economy.
Best Times to Visit Abingdon for Craft Events
August — Virginia Highlands Festival is a multi-day event worth planning a full trip around. Abingdon accommodations are limited; early booking matters. September–October — Virginia Creeper Trail's busiest cycling season; Appalachian foliage is dramatic in Washington County; Holston Mountain Artisans and downtown shops see strong visitor traffic from trail users. Holiday season — Barter Theatre runs Christmas productions through December; theater audiences spend time in downtown Abingdon shops and galleries. Year-round — Holston Mountain Artisans is open continuously; no need to wait for a specific season.Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- Roanoke, VA — 120 miles northeast; Craftsmen's Fall Classic at Berglund Center (October); Southwest Virginia's largest city
- Bristol, VA/TN — 15 miles south; shared cultural identity; Virginia-Tennessee border city
- Johnson City, TN — 40 miles southwest; Tri-Cities metro; East Tennessee State University artisan community
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in Abingdon, Virginia?
The Virginia Highlands Festival (August) is the flagship annual event — juried arts and crafts, voted Best Art Show in Region by Virginia Living Magazine, free admission, 70+ year tradition. Holston Mountain Artisans is the year-round destination for authentic Appalachian craft — 80+ member cooperative, open since 1971.
When do craft shows happen in Abingdon?
August is the peak month (Virginia Highlands Festival). Holston Mountain Artisans is open year-round. The Washington County Fair runs in summer. Barter Theatre's performance season (spring through December) drives visitor activity downtown.
Are there country fairs near Abingdon?
The Washington County Fair is the local county fair. The Southwest Virginia and Upper East Tennessee region has an active agricultural fair circuit. Bristol, 15 miles south, participates in the same regional cultural economy.
Is there a handmade market scene in Abingdon?
Abingdon has one of the most authentic year-round handmade markets in Virginia. Holston Mountain Artisans has operated continuously since 1971, representing traditional and contemporary Appalachian craft from 80+ artisans. The Virginia Creeper Trail economy supports artisan retail in downtown Abingdon throughout the cycling season.
Find Events in Abingdon
CraftShow Events tracks the Virginia Highlands Festival, Washington County Fair, and craft activity across Southwest Virginia. Search Abingdon to find what's happening in Appalachian Virginia's most celebrated craft destination.