Craft Shows & Fairs in Northampton, MA

Northampton is the craft fair capital of western Massachusetts.

A city of 30,000 anchored by Smith College and the Pioneer Valley's Five College community, it hosts two of New England's most celebrated juried craft shows every year — plus the oldest continuously operating agricultural fair in the United States. Few cities of its size have this density of major events.

Northampton's Craft Show Scene

• Spring show — Memorial Day Weekend
• Fall show — Columbus Day Weekend

Each features 200+ juried artists and makers selected from national applicant pools — fine craft, fine art, functional objects, jewelry, ceramics, fiber, woodworking, and glass. The fall show has been running for over 25 years and draws serious collectors, creatives, and curious visitors from across New England and beyond. Admission is $16–26 depending on day and pass type.

The Three County Fairgrounds itself is historically significant — the same grounds where artisan shows fill October also host the Three County Fair on Labor Day Weekend, where livestock competitions, 4-H exhibitions, a demolition derby, and agricultural exhibits share the space with community entertainment.

Downtown Northampton's Main Street has a concentration of independent galleries, artisan shops, and jewelry studios — a useful year-round destination for handmade goods. The Valley Arts Newsletter covers local art shows and events across the Pioneer Valley.

Local artisan organizations include:

• Pioneer Valley Weavers — active weaving guild, monthly meetings in Northampton
• Northampton Arts Council — grants and programming for local artists
• Beehive Sewing Studio — communal crafting workspace downtown

Country Fairs & County Events Near Northampton

The Three County Fair is Northampton's own fair — organized by the Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Agricultural Society and operating continuously since 1818. It is the oldest continuously operating agricultural fair in the United States, a distinction earned through the Pioneer Valley's deep agricultural heritage.

The fair runs each Labor Day Weekend at Three County Fairgrounds, combining:

• Livestock and agricultural competitions
• 4-H and FFA exhibitions
• Demolition derby
• Entertainment, food, and vendor activity

Hampshire County's 4-H and FFA programs are well-established, particularly given the Five College community's agricultural and environmental science programs. Franklin County's agricultural tradition is similarly strong.

The Big E (Eastern States Exposition) in West Springfield (~18 miles east of Northampton) is the East Coast's largest agricultural event, held in September — and a reasonable add-on from Northampton during the same general time window.

Best Times to Visit Northampton for Craft Events

If you can only make one, the fall show benefits from New England's peak foliage season — the Three County Fairgrounds setting in October is particularly striking. Fall Saturday night has extended hours (11am–9pm).

Summer has consistent activity in downtown Northampton's galleries and smaller markets. Smaller events and studio events occur through the Pioneer Valley throughout the warm-weather months.

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

• Stockbridge, MA — 50 miles, Stockbridge Summer Arts & Craft Show (August), Berkshires Arts Festival nearby
• Springfield, MA — 18 miles, Pioneer Valley's largest city, regional events
• Amherst, MA — 8 miles, Five College community, periodic artisan events

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best craft shows in Northampton, MA?

Paradise City Arts Festivals — both the Memorial Day Weekend spring show and the Columbus Day Weekend fall show — are consistently cited as among the best juried craft shows in New England. Both take place at Three County Fairgrounds. The Three County Fair on Labor Day Weekend is the city's traditional agricultural fair experience.

When do craft shows happen in Northampton?

The two main windows are Memorial Day Weekend (Paradise City Spring) and Columbus Day Weekend (Paradise City Fall). The Three County Fair runs Labor Day Weekend. Smaller craft and artisan events occur through the summer in downtown Northampton and across the Pioneer Valley.

Are there country fairs near Northampton?

The Three County Fair (Labor Day Weekend, Three County Fairgrounds) is Northampton's own agricultural fair — the oldest continuously operating agricultural fair in the United States, running since 1818. The Big E in West Springfield (~18 miles) is the East Coast's largest agricultural event, held in September.

Is there a handmade market scene in Northampton?

Northampton's handmade and artisan community is one of the strongest in western Massachusetts, supported by the Five College area, Snow Farm craft school, Pioneer Valley Weavers guild, and a downtown gallery and studio ecosystem. The city has earned its reputation as a destination for craft events rather than simply a host city for passing shows.

Find Events in Northampton

CraftShow Events lists craft shows and artisan markets in Northampton and across western Massachusetts.