Craft Shows & Fairs in Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha's craft show scene runs nearly year-round, from school gymnasiums packed with 125 vendors in spring to the Rockbrook Village Art Fair drawing 40,000 visitors each September. As Nebraska's largest city with a metro population approaching one million, Omaha supports a craft calendar that includes nationally rated indoor expos, juried outdoor art fairs, weekly winter markets, and a school-based craft fair circuit that is distinctive to the metro area. The Old Market district, Benson neighborhood, and Rockbrook Village anchor a maker community with deep roots in the city.

Omaha's Craft Show Scene

The Rockbrook Village Art Fair is the city's premier outdoor juried show. Held in September at Rockbrook Village in west Omaha, the fair features 120 juried artists exhibiting painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photography, and mixed media. Attendance reaches 40,000 over the weekend, with free admission and free parking. The show draws artists and visitors from across the Midwest.

The Spring Festival at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Ralston is the major indoor event. Running three days in April (April 10–12, 2026), it brings hundreds of artists and crafters under one roof and has been voted a top-100 show by Sunshine Artist Magazine. Admission is $10 for adults and $9 for seniors. The arena's size allows for a scale that smaller venues cannot match.

The Spring Flight Market takes a different approach — an outdoor market on 39th Street between Farnam and Dodge each April with live music, food vendors, and children's activities. Admission is free, and the neighborhood setting gives it a community-market feel distinct from the arena-scale Spring Festival.

School-based craft fairs are a significant part of the Omaha metro craft economy. Elkhorn High School's Spring Craft Fair (April 18, 2026) fills the school with 125 vendors, food trucks, and raffles. The Burke Spring Boutique at Burke High School (12200 Burke Blvd) runs in late March. The Gretna East High School Post Prom Craft Fair brings 150 vendors. The Millard South Fall Craft Fair in November rounds out the school circuit. These events are organized as fundraisers, but their vendor counts rival many standalone craft shows.

The Omaha Winter Market at Fowling Warehouse runs every Sunday from November through March, 11 AM to 3 PM. It fills the indoor-market gap during Nebraska's cold months, offering a weekly routine for shoppers looking for handmade goods through winter.

County Fairs and Agricultural Events Near Omaha

The Douglas County Fair is held at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Ralston, serving Omaha's home county with agricultural exhibits, livestock, 4-H and FFA programming, and open class entries that include handmade crafts, arts, photography, and foods. The neighboring Sarpy County Fair in Papillion also draws Omaha metro attendees with a similar mix of agricultural and home arts programming.

The Nebraska State Fair at Fonner Park in Grand Island — about 150 miles west on I-80 — is the state's largest fair event, running 11 days through Labor Day with hundreds of craft and commercial vendors.

Best Times to Visit Omaha for Craft Events

April is the spring anchor. The Spring Festival at Liberty First Credit Union Arena, the Spring Flight Market on 39th Street, the Elkhorn High School Spring Craft Fair, the Burke Spring Boutique, and the Gretna East craft fair all cluster within a few weeks, making April the densest month for craft show activity in the metro.

November through March is indoor market season. The Omaha Winter Market runs weekly Sundays, and holiday-season craft fairs at schools and community venues add to the November–December calendar. The Millard South Fall Craft Fair runs the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

Omaha's position in eastern Nebraska, directly across the Missouri River from Council Bluffs, Iowa, means craft show visitors often combine trips across the metro area.

• Lincoln — ~55 miles southwest; Haymarket Farmers' Market (Saturdays May–October, 200+ vendors); Lincoln Arts Festival (September)
• Grand Island — ~150 miles west; Nebraska State Fair at Fonner Park (11 days through Labor Day); Hall County Fair
• Kearney — ~190 miles west; Fall Festival Craft Show (260+ booths, free admission); Signs of Spring (April)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best craft shows in Omaha?

The Rockbrook Village Art Fair (September, 120 juried artists, free admission, 40,000 visitors) is the premier outdoor show. The Spring Festival at Liberty First Credit Union Arena (April, top-100 rated by Sunshine Artist Magazine) is the largest indoor event. The Spring Flight Market on 39th Street offers a free outdoor market in April. For weekly shopping, the Omaha Winter Market at Fowling Warehouse runs Sundays November through March.

When do craft shows happen in Omaha?

April is the busiest month — the Spring Festival, Spring Flight Market, Elkhorn High School craft fair, Burke Spring Boutique, and Gretna East craft fair all run within weeks of each other. September brings the Rockbrook Village Art Fair. November and December are holiday market season, including the Millard South Fall Craft Fair. The Omaha Winter Market runs weekly from November through March.

Are there county fairs near Omaha?

The Douglas County Fair at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Ralston serves the Omaha metro with agricultural exhibits and open class craft entries. The Sarpy County Fair in Papillion is another option for metro residents. The Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island (150 miles west) is the state's largest fair and draws visitors from across Nebraska.

Is there a handmade market scene in Omaha?

Omaha has a strong and growing maker community. The Old Market district downtown has established artisan shops and galleries. The Benson neighborhood has an emerging indie maker and gallery scene. The Omaha Quilters Guild is one of Nebraska's largest quilting organizations, meeting monthly September through May with national speakers and workshops. School-based craft fairs across the metro draw hundreds of vendors annually, and the Omaha Winter Market provides a weekly indoor outlet from November through March.

Find Events in Omaha

CraftShow Events covers craft shows, artisan fairs, and market listings in Omaha and across Nebraska. Search by date and event type to find the Rockbrook Village Art Fair, the Spring Festival, school craft fairs, holiday markets, and everything in between.