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. A small town, it hosts the long-running Virginia Highlands Festival and maintains a downtown artisan cooperative, Holston Mountain Artisans. 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. Held since 1949 and now running from late July into early August (July 23–August 1 in 2027), the multi-day festival includes:

• Juried Arts and Crafts Show — on the lawns of the Barter Theatre and The Martha Washington Inn
• Juried Antiques & Vintage Show — SWVA Higher Education Center
• Live music and performing arts
• Literary events and historical tours

Holston Mountain Artisans is the long-standing artisan presence in Abingdon. The cooperative's downtown shop has carried traditional and contemporary Appalachian arts and crafts:

• Quilting, weaving, and basketry
• Pottery and woodcarving
• Jewelry and fine art
• Hand-carved wood and dulcimers

Barter Theatre — the State Theatre of Virginia — 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, typically 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. Johnson City and Kingsport, Tennessee, 35–40 miles southwest, are part of the same regional economy.

Best Times to Visit Abingdon for Craft Events

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 (late July into early August) is the flagship annual event — a juried arts and crafts show and a tradition since 1949. Holston Mountain Artisans, a craft cooperative, is the downtown destination for Appalachian craft.

When do craft shows happen in Abingdon?

Late July and early August are the peak (Virginia Highlands Festival). Holston Mountain Artisans' downtown shop is a draw outside festival season. 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, a cooperative shop downtown, carries traditional and contemporary Appalachian craft. 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.