Craft Shows & Fairs in Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence has been hosting craft shows and art fairs since before most Kansas cities had organized arts communities. The Lawrence Art Guild's Art in the Park is a tradition dating back to 1964 — juried fine arts and fine crafts in shade-filled South Park.

The City of Lawrence has run separate Spring, Fall and Holiday Artisan Fairs, and November and December bring a dense run of holiday markets. For a community of its size, this is a city that punches significantly above its weight in craft and artisan event density.

Lawrence's Craft Show Scene

Art in the Park is the cornerstone. The Lawrence Art Guild organizes this juried fine arts and fine crafts event in South Park (12th & Massachusetts), on the south end of downtown Lawrence.

It now runs as a two-day event — 2026 is its sixth year in that format (September 19–20, 2026). Expect:

• 130+ juried artists in fine art and fine craft
• 20,000+ visitors expected
• Live music across both days
• Food and craft beverage vendors throughout
• Free admission

Artists are screened through a jurying process. This isn't a general vendor fair — the work here is genuine fine art and craft.

The City of Lawrence has run a parallel track of Artisan Fairs (check the city for current dates):

• Spring Artisan Fair — Holcom Park Recreation Center gymnasium; spring; indoor; jewelry, paintings, textiles, pottery, home décor
• Fall Artisan Fair — South Park; fall; outdoor; same artisan mix as spring
• Holiday Extravaganza Artisan Fair — holiday season; holiday gift focus; local artisans

The Lawrence Art Guild also organizes a seasonal Holiday Art Fair at Cider Gallery (810 Pennsylvania Street) in East Lawrence — December 12–13 in 2026 — with handcrafted holiday gifts.

For holiday shopping: Lawrence's market landscape is unusually dense in November and December, from neighborhood pop-ups to larger community events.

Country Fairs & County Events Near Lawrence

Douglas County holds its fair at the Douglas County Fairgrounds with traditional 4-H and FFA livestock exhibits and home arts competitions. The University of Kansas's presence gives Douglas County an arts-engaged population that shows in the quality of work exhibited in the craft and home arts categories.

The Topeka metro's Shawnee County Fair is 26 miles west. The Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson is the state's major agricultural fair — about 135 miles southwest, attended by Lawrence residents who make it a planned day trip in September.

The Mulvane Art Fair at Washburn University in Topeka (first weekend of June, 26 miles west) functions as a natural companion event for Lawrence art fair visitors wanting a second juried show in the same season.

Best Times to Visit Lawrence for Craft Events

The other key windows:

• May — City Spring Artisan Fair (Holcom Park gymnasium)
• October — City Fall Artisan Fair (South Park, outdoor)
• November–December — Lawrence's richest holiday market period; City Holiday Extravaganza; Art Guild Cider Gallery show (December)

Summer is quieter for structured craft shows. The KU semester rhythm means late August and early September bring an influx of students and family visitors who overlap with Art in the Park weekend.

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

• Topeka — ~26 miles west; Mulvane Art Fair (June, juried); Cider Days (September; billed as the largest fall festival in Northeast Kansas)
• Manhattan — ~75 miles west; Pumpkin Patch Arts and Craft Show; Riley County Fair (summer)
• Kansas City, MO — ~40 miles east; Art Garden KC markets; Crossroads Arts District; major metro craft scene

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best craft shows in Lawrence, Kansas?

Art in the Park at South Park (12th & Massachusetts) is the premier event — juried, free, 130+ artists, 20,000+ visitors expected, a tradition dating back to 1964. The City of Lawrence Artisan Fairs (Spring at Holcom Park, Fall at South Park, and a Holiday Extravaganza) are accessible community events. The Lawrence Art Guild Holiday Art Fair at Cider Gallery in East Lawrence is a more intimate guild-member show.

When do craft shows happen in Lawrence?

September is the peak — Art in the Park fills South Park for a two-day weekend. The City's Spring, Fall and Holiday Artisan Fairs follow in spring, fall and the holiday season. November and December bring many markets citywide. The Douglas County Fair runs in summer.

Are there country fairs near Lawrence?

The Douglas County Fair serves Lawrence's home county with 4-H, livestock, and home arts programming. The Shawnee County Fair is 26 miles west in Topeka. The Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson runs 10 days in September — about 135 miles southwest, but it draws Lawrence-area visitors who want the full state fair experience.

Is there a handmade market scene in Lawrence?

Lawrence has one of the strongest handmade scenes per capita in Kansas. Art in the Park, the Lawrence Art Guild's premier event, dates back to 1964. The University of Kansas fine arts programs generate working artists who participate in local markets. Cider Gallery and the East Lawrence Warehouse Arts District anchor the city's independent artisan presence year-round.

Find Events in Lawrence

CraftShow Events covers craft shows, artisan fairs, and market listings in Lawrence and across Kansas. Search by date and event type — Art in the Park, City Artisan Fairs, holiday markets — to find what's coming up.