This guide was researched in spring 2026. Timing below describes when events usually happen, not confirmed dates. For this year's dates, prices and vendor details, see the listed upcoming events or check the organizer's website before you go or apply. How we verify events

Craft Shows & Fairs in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis has one of the most active handmade and craft event scenes in the Midwest.

The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District — three times voted the #1 Arts District in the country by USA Today readers — is home to hundreds of working artists in repurposed warehouses. That concentration of makers fuels a year-round calendar of craft markets, studio tours, and artisan fairs that few cities outside the coasts can match.

Minneapolis's Craft Show Scene

Art-A-Whirl is the anchor event. Organized by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA), this three-day open studio tour on the third weekend of May spreads across 100+ locations and features more than 1,600 member artists, galleries, and businesses — painters, jewelers, ceramicists, printmakers, woodcarvers, fiber artists, and photographers, all in their own studios. NEMAA bills it as the largest open artist studio tour in the country. The Uptown Art Fair returned August 7–9, 2026, with a juried art fair at Lake of the Isles and The Mall featuring artists from 40+ states. Music, food, and family activities accompany the booths. Minneapolis Craft Market runs pop-up events at dozens of venues across the Twin Cities throughout the year, with a retail store at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center. The focus is on handmade work by local makers. Carousel Craft Shows is a Twin Cities promoter of indoor craft shows at area venues; check the organizer for current show dates.

Other notable events:

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Art Fair (May; May 9–10 in 2026) — 180 local and regional artists, live music, food trucks
GeekCraft Expo (April, Minneapolis Convention Center; April 3–4, 2027) — genre-specific handmade market
Indoor craft and vendor shows (March) — spring season kickoff

Country Fairs & County Events Near Minneapolis

Minneapolis is in Hennepin County. The county fair experience for Twin Cities residents flows primarily to the Minnesota State Fair at the State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights — at the Hennepin/Ramsey county line, a short drive from Minneapolis.

The State Fair runs twelve days ending on Labor Day and draws nearly two million visitors (about 1.9 million in recent years). Within it:

West End Market — dozens of artisans, craftspeople, and specialty merchants selling fine handmade, upcycled, and Minnesota-themed wares
Creative Activities — the fair's competition division for handmade entries

For a more traditional county fair, the Anoka County Fair (~20 miles north) and Scott County events in Shakopee offer agricultural fair formats with 4-H and creative arts handmade exhibit competitions.

Best Times to Visit Minneapolis for Craft Events

May is the single best month. Art-A-Whirl (mid-May) and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Art Fair arrive in close succession. The arts community treats May as its major reveal after winter. August is the second peak. The Uptown Art Fair runs early August (August 7–9 in 2026), and the Minnesota State Fair follows from late August through Labor Day — a concentrated month of craft activity. March–April brings indoor shows. Indoor craft and vendor shows bridge winter and the outdoor season. November–December brings holiday craft markets and indoor vendor shows throughout the metro.

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

Minneapolis sits at the center of the Twin Cities metro with craft events accessible in all directions.

St. Paul — 10 miles, American Craft Fest at Union Depot, St. Paul Art Crawl, St. Anthony Park Arts Festival
Stillwater — 25 miles, Rivertown Fall Art Festival, Lumberjack Days, Harvest Fest on the St. Croix
Bloomington — 12 miles, indoor craft shows near Mall of America
Anoka — 20 miles, Anoka County Fair and seasonal craft events

Explore all Minnesota craft shows →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best craft shows in Minneapolis, MN?

Art-A-Whirl in Northeast Minneapolis (May) is the most expansive — 1,600+ member artists, galleries, and businesses across 100+ locations. The Uptown Art Fair (August) is a major outdoor juried show. Minneapolis Craft Market runs year-round pop-up events.

When do craft shows happen in Minneapolis?

Outdoor shows concentrate from May through August. Indoor shows run year-round, including spring events in March and April, and holiday markets in November and December.

Are there country fairs near Minneapolis?

The Minnesota State Fair at Falcon Heights (12 days ending Labor Day) is the primary fair for Minneapolis-area residents, with vetted artisan vendor sections. Anoka County Fair is about 20 miles north; Scott County events in Shakopee are about 17 miles southwest.

Is there a handmade market scene in Minneapolis?

Very strong. Organizations including NEMAA, Northern Clay Center, Textile Center of Minnesota, the Minnesota Jewelry Arts Guild, and the Minnesota Woodworkers Guild support an active and organized craft community year-round. Twin Cities Maker and MN Tool Library provide maker space access in Northeast Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Find Events in Minneapolis

Browse upcoming craft shows, handmade markets, and artisan fairs in Minneapolis on CraftShow Events. Filter by date, event type, and distance to find what's happening this weekend or plan ahead for Art-A-Whirl, the Uptown Art Fair, and the Minneapolis Craft Market calendar.