Craft Shows & Fairs in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is the Lehigh Valley's largest city, and its craft and fair calendar reflects the region's mix of industrial working-class heritage and active artisan community. The Allentown Fairgrounds anchor many of the area's biggest events, and September brings both the oldest and newest traditions together.
Allentown's Craft Show Scene
Great Allentown Fair- Established: 1852
- Timing: Labor Day weekend (annually)
- Location: Allentown Fairgrounds
- One of the oldest and largest traditional fairs in Pennsylvania
- Agricultural exhibits, entertainment, carnival rides, craft/vendor section
- Timing: September (annually)
- Location: Allentown Fairgrounds AGRI-Plex
- 75+ artisan vendors
- Demonstrations: weaving, spinning, needle felting, knitting, crochet
- The Lehigh Valley's primary fiber arts showcase
- Lehigh Christian Academy Annual Craft Show
- Saint Thomas More School Craft Show
- Church bazaars and community vendor fairs across Lehigh County suburbs
- Location: AGRI-Plex, Allentown Fairgrounds
- Timing: Spring
- Local businesses including craft and home décor vendors
County Fairs Near Allentown
- Lehigh County Fair — runs at the Allentown Fairgrounds; precedes the Great Allentown Fair; livestock, 4-H, home arts competition
- Northampton County Fair — Bethlehem/Easton area; adjacent county; accessible from Allentown
Both run July–August. Home arts judging includes quilts, needlework, and baked goods.
Best Times to Visit Allentown for Craft Events
Late August – September is peak season:- Lehigh County Fair → Great Allentown Fair (Labor Day) → Lehigh Valley Fiber Festival (September)
- Three consecutive events at or near the Allentown Fairgrounds
For Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem (8 miles east) — the region's premier handmade holiday market — the November–December window is when the Lehigh Valley becomes a craft shopping destination.
Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- Bethlehem, PA — ~8 miles east; Christkindlmarkt (November–December, 150+ artisans at SteelStacks); Musikfest artisan vendors (August)
- Kutztown, PA — ~20 miles south; Kutztown Folk Festival (July 4–12, 200+ juried folk artists, 2,500+ quilts)
- Reading, PA — ~35 miles southwest; Reading-Berks Guild festivals; Berks County Fair (July)
- Philadelphia, PA — ~55 miles southeast; PMA Craft Show (November), Rittenhouse Square show (May)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in Allentown, Pennsylvania?
The Allentown Fairgrounds (AGRI-Plex) hosts the most events: Great Allentown Fair (Labor Day), Lehigh Valley Fiber Festival (September), and Eastern PA Spring Home Show. For fine craft and handmade shopping, Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem (8 miles east) and Kutztown Folk Festival (20 miles south) are the regional standouts.
When do craft shows happen in Allentown?
The core season is August–September (Lehigh County Fair, Great Allentown Fair, Lehigh Valley Fiber Festival). Community and school craft shows run fall and December. Spring Home Show brings vendor activity in March–April.
Are there country fairs near Allentown?
The Lehigh County Fair runs at the Allentown Fairgrounds ahead of the Great Allentown Fair. The Northampton County Fair (Bethlehem area) is the adjacent county option.
Is there a handmade market scene in Allentown?
The fiber arts community is the strongest organized maker group in the Lehigh Valley — the Lehigh Valley Fiber Festival is their annual showcase. School and church craft shows provide year-round community-level maker markets.
Find Events in Allentown
Search CraftShow Events to browse craft shows, county fairs, and artisan markets in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.