Craft Shows & Fairs in Shipshewana, Indiana
Shipshewana is a town of about 750 people in LaGrange County, and it draws visitors from several states.
Upcoming events in Shipshewana, IN
Live listings with their sources. Always confirm details with the organizer.
Shipshewana Flea Market - Final Market Day of the 2026 Season
Shipshewana, IN
Ship-Chic Fall Market
Shipshewana, IN
Ship-Chic Holiday Show
Shipshewana, IN
Also within 50 miles of Shipshewana, IN
Northrop Craft Bazaar - Fall
Fort Wayne, IN
About 43 mi from Shipshewana · Fort Wayne, IN
Northrop Craft Bazaar - Spring
Fort Wayne, IN
About 43 mi from Shipshewana · Fort Wayne, IN
Allen County Fair
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Fort Wayne, IN
About 39 mi from Shipshewana · Fort Wayne, IN
It sits at the center of one of the largest Amish settlements in the United States. The Shipshewana Trading Place is the Midwest's largest outdoor flea market. For anyone looking for handmade goods — furniture, quilts, baskets, baked goods, candles — made by people who have been practicing their craft for generations, this is one of the most concentrated destinations in the country.
Shipshewana's Craft Show Scene
The Shipshewana Trading Place Flea Market (345 S Van Buren St) is the core of Shipshewana's market identity.
It runs Tuesdays and Wednesdays, early May through September, opening at 8am and closing at 4pm EST. Space for 700 vendor booths on a 40-acre campus — the equivalent of 30 football fields. You'll find Amish-made crafts alongside antiques, produce, home decor, clothing, tools, and handmade goods from vendors across the region.
Admission is free. Parking is $5.
Wednesday mornings bring the Antique Auction in the Antique Auction Building, starting at 9am with live bidding across up to 10 auction rings. It's part flea market, part performance — and a real window into the trading culture that built Shipshewana.
The Shipshewana Fall Crafters Fair is the craft event of the season. Held at the Michiana Event Center in October (October 1–3 in 2026), it fills 100,000 square feet of indoor space with 120+ vendors selling handmade goods:
- Hand-woven baskets
- Fall décor and seasonal items
- Original paintings
- 100% beeswax candles
- Amish-made items and vintage treasures
- Handmade jewelry, textiles, and wood goods
Live music, food trucks, and entertainment give it a festival atmosphere beyond the standard craft show format.
Shipshewana on the Road is a traveling craft fair concept that takes the market format to other Midwest cities — worth checking if the drive to LaGrange County doesn't fit your schedule.The broader LaGrange County surrounding Shipshewana is dotted with Amish-operated roadside stands, bakeries, cheese shops, and craft operations. Many are marked only by handmade signs. Driving the county roads on a market day and stopping at what you find is part of the experience.
Country Fairs & County Events Near Shipshewana
The LaGrange County Fair is the home county event — a traditional agricultural fair with 4-H youth crafts, quilts, baked goods, and livestock. LaGrange County has one of Indiana's highest concentrations of Amish farms; the fair reflects genuine agricultural community participation.
Nappanee (~22 miles SW) is home to the historic Amish Acres farm property; later known as The Barns at Nappanee, it was sold at auction in 2025 after sitting largely vacant, so check current visitor offerings before going.Best Times to Visit Shipshewana for Craft Shows
May–September (Tuesdays and Wednesdays): The outdoor flea market season. Plan for a Tuesday or Wednesday — the market does not operate other days of the week during its regular season. October (especially early October): Peak craft shopping season. The Fall Crafters Fair runs in October (October 1–3 in 2026). October's fall color along Indiana's rural roads makes the drive scenic. Chicago is about 110 miles west.Hotel and B&B rooms in Shipshewana and surrounding LaGrange County book up well in advance for October weekends. Reserve early.
Winter: Indoor shops, the Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre, and Michiana Event Center events continue, but the outdoor flea market is closed November through April.Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- South Bend, IN — ~35 miles W; South Bend Artisan Market at Century Center, St. Joseph County 4-H Fair
- Fort Wayne, IN — ~50 miles SE; heART of the City, Allen County Fair
- Indianapolis, IN — ~110 miles S; Indiana Artisan Marketplace, Broad Ripple Art Fair, Indiana State Fair
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in Shipshewana, Indiana?
The Shipshewana Trading Place Flea Market (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May–September) is the best regular market for Amish-made and handmade goods. The Shipshewana Fall Crafters Fair (Michiana Event Center, October) is a major annual craft event. LaGrange County's roadside Amish stands are worth stopping at any day during the season.
When do craft shows happen in Shipshewana?
The outdoor flea market runs Tuesdays and Wednesdays, early May through September. The Fall Crafters Fair runs in October (October 1–3 in 2026). The Michiana Event Center hosts other indoor events through the year. The outdoor flea market does not operate November through April.
Are there country fairs near Shipshewana?
Yes. The LaGrange County Fair is the home county event with 4-H crafts, quilts, agriculture, and baked goods. The Elkhart County Fair is accessible to the west. The St. Joseph County 4-H Fair in South Bend (early July) is about 35 miles west.
Is there a handmade market scene in Shipshewana?
Shipshewana's handmade market is built on the Amish craft tradition — one of the most authentic in the country. Amish-made hardwood furniture, hand-stitched quilts, woven baskets, and handmade food products are the core of what Shipshewana offers. Non-Amish Indiana and regional artisans also participate in Trading Place and Fall Crafters Fair events.
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