Craft Shows & Art Fairs in Sandpoint, Idaho
Sandpoint is consistently ranked among the best small arts towns in the West, and its craft show calendar reflects that reputation. Craft fairs in Sandpoint center on the annual Arts & Crafts Fair organized by the Pend Oreille Arts Council — a juried show at Downtown Sandpoint and City Beach each August featuring sculpture, ceramics, metal, fiber, photography, paintings, mixed media, and wood. The Bonner County Fair & Sandpoint Rodeo adds traditional agricultural fair programming. The Festival at Sandpoint combines music and arts on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille. For a lakeside community of roughly 9,000 people, Sandpoint supports a gallery scene and artisan community that draws visitors from across North Idaho and the Inland Northwest.
Sandpoint's Craft Show Scene
The Arts & Crafts Fair, organized by the Pend Oreille Arts Council, runs August 8-9, 2026 at Downtown Sandpoint and City Beach. This juried art exhibit features sculpture, ceramics, metal, fiber, photography, paintings, mixed media, and wood. Admission is free. The juried format ensures exhibitors present original work, and the City Beach lakeside setting makes it one of the more scenic art fair locations in Idaho.
The Festival at Sandpoint is primarily a music event but incorporates an arts component, with vendor areas and artisan booths alongside the concert programming on the waterfront. It draws large summer crowds to the area, boosting foot traffic for the local gallery and artisan scene.
The Bonner County Fair & Sandpoint Rodeo runs annually in August with agricultural fair programming, vendor booths, rodeo events, and community entertainment. This is the traditional county fair for Bonner County and draws families from across the region.
Sandpoint's downtown gallery scene supports working artists year-round. The compact, walkable downtown district means galleries, studios, and artisan shops are accessible on foot — a format that creates natural synergy between gallery openings and craft fair weekends.
County Fairs & Regional Events
The Bonner County Fair & Sandpoint Rodeo is the local county fair, held annually in August at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. Traditional agricultural programming, vendor booths, and rodeo events serve the Bonner County community. The Idaho State Fair at Expo Idaho in Boise (340 miles south) is the state's primary fair.
Coeur d'Alene, 45 miles south, is North Idaho's largest city and hosts its own arts and community events. Spokane, Washington, 80 miles southwest, is the nearest major metro and a source of both vendors and visitors for Sandpoint events.
Best Times to Visit Sandpoint for Craft Events
August is the peak month — the Arts & Crafts Fair, Bonner County Fair, and Festival at Sandpoint all fall within the summer window. Summer tourist season (June-August) brings the most activity to Lake Pend Oreille communities. Local galleries remain open year-round, with winter offering a quieter browsing experience. Holiday markets appear in November and December.
Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- Boise — ~340 miles south; Capital City Public Market (Saturdays April-December); Idaho State Fair (late August)
- Moscow — ~190 miles south; Moscow Renaissance Fair (May, 53rd year)
- McCall — ~250 miles south; Payette Lakes Fine Art & Craft Fair (August, free since 1990)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Sandpoint Arts & Crafts Fair?
The Arts & Crafts Fair runs August 8-9, 2026 at Downtown Sandpoint and City Beach. Organized by the Pend Oreille Arts Council, it features juried sculpture, ceramics, metal, fiber, photography, paintings, mixed media, and wood. Admission is free.
What types of art are at Sandpoint craft shows?
The juried Arts & Crafts Fair features sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, fiber arts, photography, paintings, mixed media, and woodwork. Sandpoint's downtown galleries show painting, photography, mixed media, and fine craft year-round. The Bonner County Fair includes a broader vendor mix with handmade goods and food.
Are there craft events in Sandpoint outside of summer?
Sandpoint's downtown galleries remain open year-round. Holiday markets appear in November and December. The summer season (June-August) has the highest concentration of organized craft events, driven by tourist season on Lake Pend Oreille. The Bonner County Fair and Arts & Crafts Fair both run in August.
Find Events in Sandpoint
CraftShow Events covers craft shows, art fairs, and market listings in Sandpoint and across Idaho. Search by date and event type to find the Arts & Crafts Fair, Bonner County Fair, and everything in between.