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 in May spreads across 100+ locations and features more than 1,600 artists — painters, jewelers, ceramicists, printmakers, woodcarvers, fiber artists, and photographers, all in their own studios. It is the largest annual artist open studio tour in the United States. The Uptown Art Fair arrives each August with 350+ exhibiting artists across 12 distinct mediums. In 2026, the event shifted to Bachman's Garden Center due to construction on Hennepin Avenue. Live performances and food accompany the booths. Minneapolis Craft Market runs pop-up events at dozens of venues across the Twin Cities throughout the year, with permanent retail at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center and MSP International Airport. The focus is on handmade work by makers based in Minnesota and the upper Midwest. Carousel Craft Shows — a Twin Cities promoter with nearly 30 years of history — runs multiple indoor shows per year at area venues, typically featuring 100+ vendors with handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, bath and body products, and home décor.Other notable events:
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Art Fair (May) — 170 artist booths, botanical market, live music, food trucks
- GeekCraft Expo (April, Minneapolis Convention Center) — genre-specific handmade market
- Minneapolis Art and Craft Indoor Event (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 over two million visitors. Within it:
- West End Market — fine handmade goods including baskets, jewelry, pottery, glass, soaps, leather, and woodwork
- Crafted Creations — vetted artisan vendors; 3D-printed art, handblown glass, handmade pottery, Minnesota-focused prints
For a more traditional county fair, the Anoka County Fair (~25 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 (May 15–17, 2026) 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, and the Minnesota State Fair begins late August — the two events overlap for a concentrated window of craft activity. March–April brings indoor shows. The Minneapolis Art and Craft Indoor Event and various Carousel Craft 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 — 25 miles, Anoka County Fair and seasonal craft events
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+ artists across 100+ studio locations. The Uptown Art Fair (August) is the largest outdoor juried show. Minneapolis Craft Market runs year-round pop-up events. Carousel Craft Shows brings multiple indoor shows to metro venues each year.
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 25 miles north; Scott County events in Shakopee are about 25 miles south.
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.