Craft Shows & Fairs in Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield is the seat of Litchfield County and the center of the Litchfield Hills, one of Connecticut's most established artisan and gallery regions. The Litchfield Marketplace Arts & Crafts Fair is a juried event held on the historic Litchfield Green — one of the finest town greens in New England — the day before the Litchfield Hills Road Race each June. The Bethlehem Fair, 10 miles south, is a classic Litchfield County agricultural fair. The Litchfield Arts Council and Arts NW CT support a growing community of galleries, artists, and craftspeople across the broader Litchfield Hills corridor that extends through Kent, Salisbury, and Cornwall. For craft shows in Connecticut's northwest corner, Litchfield is the natural hub.
Litchfield's Craft Show Scene
The Litchfield Marketplace Arts & Crafts Fair is the town's signature event. Held on the Litchfield Green in June, the day before the Litchfield Hills Road Race, this juried fair brings artisans to one of Connecticut's most photographed town greens. The combination of a juried craft fair and a major road race weekend draws visitors from across the state and the broader New England region.
The Litchfield Green itself is a centerpiece of the town's identity — a broad, tree-lined common surrounded by historic buildings that has served as a gathering place since the colonial era. Events on the Green carry a civic weight that distinguishes them from shows held in parking lots or expo halls.
The Litchfield Arts Council supports local and regional arts programming, including exhibitions, workshops, and community events. Arts NW CT (artsnwct.org) serves as the broader regional arts organization for northwest Connecticut, coordinating artisan events and gallery programming across the Litchfield Hills.
Holiday markets appear in the Litchfield Hills during November and December. Area galleries participate in seasonal exhibitions and open-studio events during the holiday season. The Litchfield Hills corridor — Kent, Litchfield, Salisbury, Cornwall, and surrounding towns — functions as a cohesive artisan region where visitors move between galleries, craft fairs, and farm-based events.
Country Fairs Near Litchfield
The Bethlehem Fair, approximately 10 miles south, is the nearest and most traditional agricultural fair in the region. Held each September, it features oxen, crafts, and fair foods in a classic Litchfield County setting. The Bethlehem Fair draws families and craft-fair visitors who also attend events on the Litchfield Green.
The Goshen Fair, also in Litchfield County, adds another agricultural fair option for the region. For the state's largest fair experience, the Durham Fair in Middlesex County is approximately 35 miles southeast, running four days each September with 100,000+ attendees.
Best Times to Visit Litchfield for Craft Events
June is the anchor month. The Litchfield Marketplace Arts & Crafts Fair on the Litchfield Green, timed to the Litchfield Hills Road Race weekend, is the town's primary craft event. Summer gallery exhibitions and artisan events run through August.
September brings the Bethlehem Fair and the broader agricultural fair season in Litchfield County. October delivers fall foliage that draws visitors to the Litchfield Hills — a strong period for gallery visits, antique shops, and artisan browsing throughout the corridor.
The holiday season adds seasonal gallery events and community markets in November and December. Winter is quieter, with galleries maintaining regular hours but limited scheduled outdoor events.
Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- Kent — ~20 miles west; fine art galleries; Litchfield Hills artisan corridor
- Hartford — ~35 miles east; Celebrate! West Hartford (160+ vendors); Old Wethersfield fair
- New Haven — ~40 miles southeast; Yale arts community; shoreline craft corridor
- Guilford — ~50 miles southeast; Guilford Art Center's Craft Expo (170+ juried makers)
- Mystic — ~80 miles east; Mystic Outdoor Arts Festival (67th annual)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main craft show in Litchfield, Connecticut?
The Litchfield Marketplace Arts & Crafts Fair is the town's signature event — a juried craft fair held on the historic Litchfield Green in June, the day before the Litchfield Hills Road Race. The combination of juried artisan vendors and Road Race weekend visitors makes it the Litchfield Hills' most attended craft event.
When do craft shows happen in Litchfield?
June is the primary month, with the Litchfield Marketplace Arts & Crafts Fair on the Litchfield Green. Summer gallery exhibitions run through August. September brings the Bethlehem Fair, 10 miles south. October draws fall foliage visitors to the gallery and artisan circuit. Holiday markets and gallery events fill November and December.
Are there country fairs near Litchfield?
The Bethlehem Fair, 10 miles south, is the nearest traditional agricultural fair — held each September with oxen, crafts, and fair foods in a classic Litchfield County setting. The Goshen Fair also serves the region. The Durham Fair, Connecticut's largest agricultural fair, is approximately 35 miles southeast.
What is the Litchfield Hills artisan corridor?
The Litchfield Hills is a region of northwest Connecticut spanning Kent, Litchfield, Salisbury, Cornwall, and surrounding towns. Shaped by decades of gallery and estate culture, it supports a concentrated community of fine art galleries, artisan shops, and seasonal craft events. Arts NW CT and the Litchfield Arts Council coordinate regional programming. The area draws comparisons to the Berkshires and Hudson Valley for its combination of rural scenery and refined arts culture.
Find Events in Litchfield
CraftShow Events covers craft shows, artisan fairs, and market listings in Litchfield and across Connecticut. Search by date and location to find the Litchfield Marketplace fair, Bethlehem Fair, holiday markets, and gallery events across the Litchfield Hills.