Craft Shows & Fairs in the Amana Colonies, Iowa

The seven villages of the Amana Colonies — Amana, East Amana, West Amana, High Amana, Middle Amana, South Amana, and Homestead — form a National Historic Landmark where handmade craft is not a weekend hobby but a living tradition. The Amana Woolen Mill, Iowa's only working woolen mill, has been producing blankets, throws, and yarn since 1857. The Amana Arts Guild operates under the motto "Everything Handmade in Amana." Schanz Furniture & Refinishing crafts furniture and wooden goods by hand. Fern Hill Gifts and Quilts sells handmade Iowa quilts alongside antique textiles. Drawing roughly 500,000 visitors annually, the Colonies are one of Iowa's top heritage tourism destinations — and the craft tradition is the reason people come.

Amana Colonies Craft Show Scene

The Amana Festival of the Arts is the signature juried event. Held under the historic Amana barn complex, it features 30+ vendors selling only handmade items, with craft demonstrations and children's activities. Artisans are encouraged to demonstrate their process, giving the show a working-studio feel that most craft fairs cannot replicate.

The Iowa Renaissance Festival & Gathering O' Celts (May 2026, Amana Colonies fairgrounds) brings a different audience. With 55+ merchants from across the US, the festival features handmade and artisan crafts including crystals, jewelry, weapons, woodworking, leather, fur, bone, and bath and body products. It is one of the larger themed craft markets in the state.

Christmas in the Colonies is the peak of the annual calendar. Running through November and December, this is one of Iowa's most popular holiday tourism events. Artisan shops across all seven villages operate at full capacity, offering handmade gifts, woolen goods, quilts, furniture, and food items. Holiday shoppers travel from Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and beyond.

Year-round, Main Amana village — the largest of the seven — has the highest concentration of artisan shops. The Amana Art Haus sells fine art and handmade works. Multiple shops along the main street carry locally made furniture, food, wine, and crafts. The amanacolonies.com website maintains a Local Craftsmen page listing active working artisans in woodworking, textiles, and ceramics.

Ackermann Winery and Millstream Brewing complement the artisan shopping experience, giving visitors a full day-trip itinerary that pairs craft browsing with local food and drink.

Country Fairs & County Events Near the Amana Colonies

The Iowa County Fair in Marengo (~15 miles south) is the nearest county fair. Marengo is the Iowa County seat, and the fair serves the surrounding agricultural community with traditional 4-H and FFA programming. The Johnson County Fair (Iowa City area, ~20 miles east) is another close option with strong community arts participation.

The agricultural heritage of the Colonies — rooted in the communal farming system that operated from 1855 to 1932 — intersects naturally with Iowa's county fair culture, even though the Colonies themselves are primarily a tourism and artisan destination today.

Best Times to Visit the Amana Colonies for Craft Events

The Colonies' artisan shops are open year-round, making this a destination in every season. May brings the Iowa Renaissance Festival. Summer features the Festival of the Arts alongside peak general tourism. October draws large crowds for the Amana Colonies Oktoberfest celebration. November and December are the busiest period — Christmas in the Colonies fills the villages with holiday shoppers. The Amana Woolen Mill, Fern Hill Gifts and Quilts, Schanz Furniture, and the Art Haus are open most days throughout the year.

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

Iowa City — ~20 miles east; Holiday Thieves Market (December, 50+ year tradition); Summer of the Arts; University of Iowa arts community
Cedar Rapids — ~25 miles northeast; Sturgis Falls Festival (Memorial Day, 80+ artisans); NewBo City Market; Downtown Farmers' Market
Des Moines — ~90 miles west; Iowa State Fairgrounds year-round craft shows; Made In Iowa Markets
Dubuque — ~85 miles northeast; DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival (August); Historic Millwork District

Frequently Asked Questions

What handmade crafts can I find in the Amana Colonies?

The Amana Woolen Mill produces blankets, throws, and yarn — Iowa's only working woolen mill, operating since 1857. Schanz Furniture & Refinishing crafts handmade furniture, wooden gifts, brooms, and baskets. Fern Hill Gifts and Quilts sells handmade Iowa quilts and antique textiles. The Amana Art Haus features fine art and heritage crafts. Multiple shops in Main Amana carry locally made furniture, food, wine, and artisan goods.

When are the best craft events in the Amana Colonies?

The Iowa Renaissance Festival runs in May with 55+ merchants. The Amana Festival of the Arts is the signature juried craft event in summer. Oktoberfest draws large crowds in October. Christmas in the Colonies (November-December) is the peak season for artisan shopping. The Amana Arts Guild and village shops are open year-round, so there is no off-season for craft shopping.

Are the Amana Colonies a good day trip for craft shopping?

The Colonies draw roughly 500,000 visitors annually, many on day trips from Iowa City (~20 miles), Cedar Rapids (~25 miles), and Des Moines (~90 miles). Seven villages with artisan shops, the Amana Woolen Mill, Ackermann Winery, and Millstream Brewing make a full day of browsing. The amanacolonies.com website lists active craftsmen and shop hours to help plan your visit.

Find Events in the Amana Colonies

CraftShow Events covers craft shows, artisan fairs, and market listings in the Amana Colonies and across Eastern Iowa. Search by date and event type to find the Festival of the Arts, Renaissance Festival, Christmas in the Colonies, and everything in between.