Craft Shows & Fairs in Ithaca, New York

Ithaca's cooperative community values and buy-local culture have made it one of the most craft-friendly small cities in upstate New York. The Ithaca Farmers Market — a more than 50-year-old institution at Cass Park — enforces a 30-mile vendor radius that keeps the focus on regional makers, farmers, and artisans. The result is an event that feels genuinely local in a way that larger metro markets rarely achieve.

Ithaca's Craft Show Scene

The Ithaca Farmers Market runs Saturdays and Sundays from May through November at its permanent pavilion on the Cayuga Lake waterfront at Cass Park. More than 85 vendor stalls fill the space, all based within 30 miles of the market. The craft selection includes:

Ceramics and pottery
Handmade jewelry
Fiber work and textiles
Woodturning and carved items
Candles and personal care products

Peak summer weekends draw crowds well beyond the pavilion into the adjacent green space.

The Ithaca Artists Market, organized by the Community Arts Partnership (artspartner.org), is a juried show with 88 booths filled by 80+ artists, local arts organizations, and food, wine, and beer vendors. It provides a curated selection of regional fine and functional art.

The Ithaca Festival, running since 1977, takes place in late May or early June with 70+ live performances and a Spring Craft Fair featuring roughly 100 local and regional vendors. One of the longest-running community festivals in Central New York.

A Winter Artisan Market — Tompkins County 4-H's first-ever Holiday Craft Bazaar, launched December 2025 — signals growing interest in extending Ithaca's craft market season into colder months.

County Fair Connection

Tompkins County does not operate a full-scale traditional county fair. Nearest county fair options:

Schuyler County (near Watkins Glen, ~28 miles west)
Chemung County Fair — Elmira (~35 miles south)
Cortland County (~25 miles north)

The Trumansburg Farmers Market in northern Tompkins County (~15 miles from Ithaca) runs seasonally with craft vendors.

Best Times to Visit Ithaca for Craft Events

May (late) / June (early): Ithaca Festival with Spring Craft Fair. Ithaca Farmers Market resumes weekend schedule. July-August: Peak market season. Cass Park pavilion at full vendor capacity. Gorge tourism traffic adds visitors who also shop the market. Fall: Ithaca Artists Market (check Community Arts Partnership calendar for specific date). December: Growing holiday bazaar programming; watch for Tompkins County 4-H events.

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

Watkins Glen, NY — ~28 miles west; Schuyler County; Finger Lakes wine trail; seasonal artisan market activity
Cortland, NY — ~25 miles north; Cortland County; community craft shows
Corning, NY — ~55 miles southwest; Corning Museum of Glass; Market Street arts district; Finger Lakes glass craft heritage

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best craft shows in Ithaca, NY?

The Ithaca Farmers Market at Cass Park is the most consistent and accessible option, running Saturday and Sunday from May through November with 85+ vendors. The Ithaca Artists Market, a juried show organized by the Community Arts Partnership, is the best event for curated fine and functional craft.

When do craft shows happen in Ithaca?

The Ithaca Farmers Market runs May through November (Saturday and Sunday). The Ithaca Festival with its Spring Craft Fair is late May/early June. The Ithaca Artists Market is in the fall. Holiday bazaar programming is in December, growing year over year.

Are there country fairs near Ithaca?

Tompkins County does not have a dedicated county fair. The nearest options are in Schuyler County (~28 miles west near Watkins Glen), Chemung County (Elmira, ~35 miles south), and Cortland County (~25 miles north). All run in late July or August.

Is there a handmade market scene in Ithaca?

Ithaca has a strong handmade market culture driven by its cooperative community values. The Ithaca Farmers Market's 30-mile radius rule creates an unusually local vendor mix. GreenStar Food Co-op carries locally made goods year-round. The city's buy-local ethic means locally made goods are well-represented across shops, markets, and cafes throughout Ithaca.

Find Events in Ithaca

Search CraftShow Events for current craft shows, artisan markets, and events in Ithaca, NY and the Finger Lakes region. Check the Ithaca Farmers Market seasonal schedule and look for Ithaca Artists Market dates from the Community Arts Partnership.