Craft Shows & Fairs in Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale has built something unusual: a fine art and craft fair ecosystem that operates at a scale and quality that no other American city sustains for the same extended period.

The two major 10-week juried art tent shows — the Arizona Fine Art EXPO and the Celebration of Fine Art — both run simultaneously from mid-January through late March, making Scottsdale the premier winter destination in the country for fine art and craft collectors.

Scottsdale's Craft Show Scene

Inside a large tented gallery space, 120+ working artists have individual studios where they create original work on site daily from 10am to 6pm. Visitors watch paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry take shape across the season. Artists sell directly. The 10-week format means serious collectors return multiple times.

Running simultaneously: Celebration of Fine Art — 100 artists in a tented space at the southwest corner of Hayden Road and Mayo Boulevard, January 17–March 29, 2026. Billed as "The Original Open-Studio Experience," it offers the same premise: watch artists work, ask questions, buy directly. This isn't a weekend fair. It's a sustained conversation between artists and audience across two and a half months.

The Scottsdale Arts Festival each March brings 170+ juried artists from across the US to Scottsdale Civic Center Park for a traditional three-day outdoor format. The annual City Arts & Crafts Fair (November 14, 2026) features 150+ art vendors with original artwork, jewelry, photography, glass, and iron work.

The Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival at Kierland Commons in North Scottsdale pairs 100 juried artists with 15 wineries in a format that suits the North Scottsdale clientele.

Old Town Scottsdale's arts district runs 80+ galleries year-round along 5th Avenue, Main Street, and the Marshall Way Arts Corridor, with evening First Fridays and rotating exhibitions through all 12 months.

Country Fairs & County Events Near Scottsdale

Scottsdale is within Maricopa County. The Maricopa County Fair (April 3-12, 2026, Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, 12 miles west) is the county fair context for Scottsdale residents. The Arizona State Fair runs at the same Phoenix location in the fall.

Scottsdale has no agricultural heritage of its own — the county fair serves primarily as an entertainment and craft competition event for metro residents.

Best Times to Visit Scottsdale for Craft Events

Both 10-week fine art shows are running simultaneously. The Scottsdale Arts Festival arrives in March. The Heard Museum Indian Fair in Phoenix (12 miles west) also runs in March. This three-month window is the strongest period for fine art and craft discovery in the entire Southwest.

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

• Phoenix — 12 miles west; Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market (March), Arizona State Fair, Maricopa County Fair
• Fountain Hills — 15 miles east; nationally ranked Fountain Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts (450 artists, February, free)
• Tempe — 12 miles south; Tempe Festival of the Arts (March and December, 300+ artists, free)
• Mesa — 20 miles southeast; Southwest Maker Fest, Mesa Arts & Crafts Fair
• Cave Creek — 15 miles north; western art galleries and cowboy craft shops in a frontier setting

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best craft shows in Scottsdale, Arizona?

The Arizona Fine Art EXPO (120+ working artists, January–March) and the Celebration of Fine Art (100 artists, January–March) are the two flagship events — both running 10 consecutive weeks with working artists on site daily. The Scottsdale Arts Festival in March is the major traditional three-day outdoor show. Old Town Scottsdale's gallery district provides year-round access.

When do craft shows happen in Scottsdale?

The peak season is January through March. Both 10-week shows run from mid-January through late March. The Scottsdale Arts Festival is in March. The City Arts & Crafts Fair is in November. Summer is the quiet period.

Are there country fairs near Scottsdale?

The Maricopa County Fair runs in April at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix (12 miles west). The Arizona State Fair runs at the same location in the fall.

Is there a handmade market scene in Scottsdale?

One of the strongest in Arizona. Scottsdale's arts district has 80+ galleries. The 10-week juried fine art shows attract serious collectors and have no national equivalent. Monthly art walk events in Old Town, Scottsdale Arts programming, and the city's gallery culture make handmade and fine craft accessible year-round.

Find Events in Scottsdale

CraftShow Events lists upcoming craft shows, art fairs, and handmade markets in Scottsdale and the Greater Phoenix metro. Browse by date or category to plan your next gallery visit or art festival trip.