Craft Shows & Fairs in Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the center of Utah's craft economy. The Craft Lake City DIY Festival brings 500+ local artisans, vendors, and exhibitors to the Utah State Fairpark each August and bills itself as Utah's largest local-centric art, music, science and technology festival. The Utah Arts Festival at Library Square brings 170+ artists and drew more than 42,000 attendees over four days in 2025. Craft shows in the region run through the year, including the 11-day Utah State Fair in September and a holiday market season that includes Craft Lake City's December Holiday Market.
Salt Lake City's Craft Show Scene
The Craft Lake City DIY Festival is the flagship event. Held at the Utah State Fairpark over three days in August, it fills the grounds with 500+ vendors spanning craft, DIY, technology, and food categories. The festival operates under a maker-culture ethos — handmade goods, independent creators, and local artisans define the vendor mix. Craft Lake City, the nonprofit behind the festival, has built this into one of the signature maker events west of the Mississippi.
Craft Lake City also produces a December Holiday Market (at Ogden Union Station on December 5–6, 2026), which extends the organization's reach beyond the August festival.
The Utah Arts Festival at Library Square runs four days in June with 170+ juried artists, live music, dance, literary arts, and food vendors alongside the visual art and craft exhibitions. The festival has been running since 1977. Admission supports the programming, and the downtown Library Square setting makes it one of the most accessible arts events in the state.
The Utah State Fair occupies the Utah State Fairpark for 11 days beginning the first Thursday after Labor Day (September 10–20 in 2026). It includes art and creative competitions, vendors, livestock shows, 4-H and FFA exhibits, and live entertainment. The fair's creative arts categories and vendor areas give it a handmade dimension alongside the agricultural programming.
The Gateway market district and multiple maker spaces around the city support year-round artisan activity. Salt Lake City's craft infrastructure is not limited to the big festivals — gallery events, pop-up markets, and studio sales fill the gaps through every season.
Country Fairs & County Events Near Salt Lake City
The Utah State Fair is Salt Lake City's own — held at the Utah State Fairpark in the city itself, running 11 days each September. The art competitions and creative arts exhibitions make this more than an agricultural fair for craft-interested visitors.
The Utah County Fair in the Spanish Fork and Provo area (45 miles south) features a Makers Market with local artisans. Midway Swiss Days (about 30 miles southeast, Labor Day weekend) draws 180+ juried artisans and boutique vendors in a heritage festival format near Park City.
Best Times to Visit Salt Lake City for Craft Events
June and August are the two strongest months. The Utah Arts Festival fills Library Square in June. The Craft Lake City DIY Festival fills the Fairpark in August.September brings the Utah State Fair for 11 days. Craft Lake City's Holiday Market follows in December. Holiday markets (November–December) bring indoor events across the metro.
Spring craft markets begin appearing in April and May. Summer Sundays, consider a day trip to the Park Silly Sunday Market in Park City (30 miles east).
Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- Park City — ~30 miles east; Kimball Arts Festival (August, about 200 juried artists); Park Silly Sunday Market (select Sundays, June–September)
- Logan — ~80 miles north; Summerfest Arts Faire (June, over 160 artists)
- St. George — ~300 miles south; St. George Art Festival (Easter weekend, since 1980)
- Moab — ~230 miles southeast; Red Rock Arts Festival (September)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in Salt Lake City?
The Craft Lake City DIY Festival (August, Utah State Fairpark, 500+ local artisans and exhibitors) is the largest maker event. The Utah Arts Festival (June, Library Square, 170+ artists, 42,000+ attendees in 2025) celebrated 50 years in 2026. The Utah State Fair (September, 11 days) includes creative arts competitions and vendor areas. Craft Lake City's Holiday Market adds a December shopping event.
When do craft shows happen in Salt Lake City?
June (Utah Arts Festival) and August (Craft Lake City DIY Festival) are peak months. September brings the Utah State Fair. Holiday markets, including Craft Lake City's Holiday Market, fill November and December. Spring and fall bring pop-up markets and gallery events throughout the metro.
Are there country fairs near Salt Lake City?
The Utah State Fair is held at the Utah State Fairpark within Salt Lake City itself — 11 days starting after Labor Day with art competitions and vendors. The Utah County Fair (45 miles south, in Spanish Fork) features a Makers Market. Midway Swiss Days (about 30 miles southeast, Labor Day weekend) operates as a heritage festival with 180+ juried artisans and boutique vendors.
Is there a handmade market scene in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has one of the strongest handmade market scenes in the Intermountain West. Craft Lake City, the nonprofit organization, produces the DIY Festival (500+ local artisans and exhibitors), a December Holiday Market, and year-round programming. The Utah Arts Festival has operated since 1977. Multiple maker spaces, The Gateway market district, and a growing network of pop-up markets and studio sales sustain artisan activity through every season.
Find Events in Salt Lake City
CraftShow Events covers craft shows, maker festivals, and artisan market listings in Salt Lake City and across Utah. Search by date and event type to find the DIY Festival, Utah Arts Festival, State Fair, holiday markets, and everything in between.