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 has run since 1964 — over 60 years of juried fine arts and fine crafts in shade-filled South Park.

The City of Lawrence runs three separate Artisan Fairs each year. In November 2025, the Lawrence Times documented more than 20 upcoming holiday markets in Lawrence alone. For a community of 100,000 people, 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.

2026 is the sixth year as a two-day event — a sign of its growth. Expect:

• 130+ juried artists in fine art and fine craft
• 20,000+ visitors expected
• 15 live musical groups 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 runs a parallel track of three Artisan Fairs annually:

• Spring Artisan Fair — Holcom Park Recreation Center gymnasium; Saturday, May 2, 2026, 9 AM–4 PM; indoor; jewelry, paintings, textiles, pottery, home décor
• Fall Artisan Fair — South Park; Sunday, October 4, 2026, 11 AM–5 PM; the only City-sponsored outdoor show of the year; same artisan mix as spring
• Holiday Extravaganza Artisan Fair — December; holiday gift focus; local artisans

The Lawrence Art Guild also organizes a seasonal Holiday Art Fair at Cider Gallery in East Lawrence — Saturday 10 AM–5 PM, Sunday 10 AM–4 PM — with handcrafted goods by guild member artists.

For holiday shopping: Lawrence's market landscape is unusually dense in November and December. The 20+ markets documented by Lawrence Times in November 2025 ranged 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 each September.

The Mulvane Art Fair at Washburn University in Topeka (early 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 (20+ markets); City Holiday Extravaganza; Art Guild Cider Gallery show

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, 32nd annual 2026); Cider Days (September, Northeast Kansas's largest arts and crafts festival)
• Manhattan — ~55 miles northwest; Pumpkin Patch Arts and Craft Show (September, 150 vendors from 6 states); Riley County Fair (late July)
• 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, running since 1964. The City of Lawrence Artisan Fairs (Spring at Holcom Park, Fall at South Park, Holiday Extravaganza in December) 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 Spring Artisan Fair runs the first Saturday of May. The Fall Artisan Fair runs the first Sunday of October. The Holiday Extravaganza is December. November and December have 20+ 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 each 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. The Lawrence Art Guild has organized events since 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.