Craft Shows & Fairs in Shipshewana, Indiana

Shipshewana is a town of about 750 people in LaGrange County, and it draws visitors from several states.

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, May 5 through September 30, 2026, opening at 8am and closing at 4pm EST. Nearly 700 open-air booths on 40 acres — 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, 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 Amish Acres, a National Historic Farm and Restaurant that keeps Amish farm traditions visible and accessible year-round beyond the market season.

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 October 1–3. October's fall color along Indiana's rural roads makes the drive scenic. Chicago visitors (~150 miles west) frequently make overnight trips specifically for this event.

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 winter markets remain open, but the outdoor flea market is closed November through April.

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

South Bend, IN — ~35 miles NW; 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 1–3) is the largest 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, May 5–September 30, 2026. The Fall Crafters Fair runs October 1–3, 2026. Indoor options at the Michiana Event Center run year-round. 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 (July 3–11, 2026) is about 35 miles northwest.

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.

Find Events in Shipshewana

Browse upcoming craft shows, flea markets, and Amish Country events in Shipshewana and LaGrange County.

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