Craft Shows & Fairs in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale has built something unusual: a fine art and craft fair ecosystem that runs for an unusually long season.
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 a major winter destination for fine art and craft collectors.
Scottsdale's Craft Show Scene
Arizona Fine Art EXPO runs from mid-January into March at 26540 N. Scottsdale Road — the southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Jomax.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, mid-January into March. 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 was long held at Scottsdale Civic Center Park, but the 2022 festival was cancelled during the park's renovation and its website now redirects to Scottsdale Arts' Civic Center Live page, so check with Scottsdale Arts before planning around it.
The Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival at Kierland Commons in North Scottsdale pairs fine artists with Arizona wine tastings; admission is free, and the 2026 fall festival is November 7–8.
Old Town Scottsdale's arts district runs galleries year-round along 5th Avenue, Main Street, and the Marshall Way Arts Corridor, with Thursday evening ArtWalks and rotating exhibitions.
Country Fairs & County Events Near Scottsdale
Scottsdale is within Maricopa County. The Maricopa County Fair (early April, 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
January through March is when Scottsdale's craft event scene is at its most concentrated.Both 10-week fine art shows are running simultaneously. The Heard Museum Indian Fair in Phoenix (12 miles west) also runs in March. This three-month window is the busiest period for fine art and craft discovery in Scottsdale.
October and November bring fall gallery openings and Scottsdale Art Week as the winter visitor season begins. May through September is the off season — extreme heat makes outdoor events impractical. Galleries remain open and air-conditioned.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; Fountain Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts (over 400 juried artists, November and 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. 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. 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 is packed with galleries. The 10-week juried fine art shows attract serious collectors. Thursday evening ArtWalks 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.
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