Craft Shows & Fairs in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis has one of the most organized craft and fine art fair scenes in the Midwest. Two nationally respected juried shows anchor the calendar. A craft education institution founded in 1964 anchors the community. And week-to-week, Tower Grove Park keeps local makers visible across the spring, summer, and fall.
The city's creative community spreads across independent neighborhoods — Shaw, Tower Grove, Soulard, the Delmar Maker District in University City, Maplewood — each contributing its own character.
St. Louis's Craft Show Scene
The Laumeier Sculpture Park Annual Art Fair is one of the premier outdoor juried art events in the Midwest. Held on Mother's Day weekend at Laumeier Sculpture Park in Sunset Hills (12580 Rott Rd), the 2026 edition marks the fair's 39th year — falling during Laumeier's 50th Anniversary as a park.
The event features 162 juried artists across ten media categories:
- Ceramics, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry
- Mixed media 2D, painting, photography/digital
- Printmaking/drawing, sculpture, wood
Food vendors, live music, and family activities accompany the art. Admission applies; children's programming is included.
The Historic Shaw Art Fair occupies the tree-lined parkway of Flora Place at Tower Grove Avenue in the Shaw neighborhood — one of the most photogenic urban streetscapes in the city. The 2026 edition runs October 10–11.
Approximately 135 juried fine art and fine craft artists exhibit in clay, digital drawing, pastels, fiber art, glass, jewelry, mixed media painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and woodwork. The Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association has hosted this event since 1993.
For weekly access to local makers, Tower Grove Park is the consistent answer:
- Saturday mornings 8am–12:30pm, Tuesday afternoons 4–7pm (April–October)
- Winter markets select Saturdays 10am–1pm (January–March)
The artisan market scene doesn't go completely dark in February.
The Sunset Hills Makers Market at Watson Trail Park (May 2, 2026) gives the southwest county suburbs a dedicated craft-focused day: 100+ booths spanning clay, glass, wood, fiber, metal, paper, and photography.
Craft Alliance (3140 Locust St, Delmar Maker District) is the institutional core. Founded in 1964, relocated from the University City Loop to the Delmar Maker District in 2020 — it runs ceramics, fiber, metals, glass, and woodworking programs alongside a gallery and community events.Country Fairs & County Events Near St. Louis
St. Louis is an independent city, not part of any county. But the surrounding counties maintain active fair traditions:
- Jefferson County (30–40 miles south, Hillsboro) — traditional agricultural fair with handmade competitions
- St. Charles County (northwest suburbs) — county fair tradition; St. Charles itself has artisan shops on its riverfront main street
The Soulard Farmers' Market at 730 Carroll St has operated as a public market since 1779 — predating Missouri statehood. Every Saturday, it mixes produce, specialty foods, and handmade vendor booths. It's woven into St. Louis's identity in a way few markets can claim.
For craft competitions of the county fair variety, the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia (~100 miles west, August 13–23) is the full agricultural fair experience.
Best Times to Visit St. Louis for Craft Events
Mother's Day weekend in May — Laumeier Art Fair is the spring's premier outdoor juried show. The Sunset Hills Makers Market follows shortly after. Both events coincide with ideal weather. October — The Shaw Art Fair on October 10–11 draws buyers and collectors from across the region. Tower Grove's Saturday market continues through late fall. October is St. Louis's peak month for craft events. November and December — Holiday craft markets spread across Shaw, Soulard, Maplewood, and the Delmar Loop. St. Louis's German-American heritage shows in Christmas market culture — German-style holiday markets with handmade gifts are part of the annual calendar. Year-round — Tower Grove Park markets (Saturday mornings through winter), Soulard Farmers' Market (weekly Saturdays), and Craft Alliance programming mean St. Louis always has something in the artisan space.Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
St. Louis sits where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers meet — a natural hub for the region's craft event circuit.
- Ste. Genevieve, MO — ~60 miles SE on the Great River Road; Jour de Fete in August; 200+ craft booths in the National Historic Landmark French Creole district
- Hermann, MO — ~90 miles W; Hermann Craft Fair and Oktoberfest in October; wine country artisan market setting
- Hannibal, MO — ~100 miles NW; 50th Annual Folklife Festival in October; Historic North Main Street
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in St. Louis, MO?
The two premier events are the Laumeier Sculpture Park Annual Art Fair (Mother's Day weekend, Sunset Hills) and the Historic Shaw Art Fair (second weekend of October, Shaw neighborhood). Both are nationally juried with 130–162 exhibitors. For year-round access, Tower Grove Park's Saturday makers markets run April–October and Soulard Farmers' Market runs every Saturday year-round.
When do craft shows happen in St. Louis?
The Laumeier Art Fair is in May; the Shaw Art Fair is in October. Tower Grove Park markets run weekly April–October (Saturday and Tuesday) with winter markets on select Saturdays January–March. The Sunset Hills Makers Market is in early May. Holiday craft markets appear throughout December.
Are there country fairs near St. Louis?
Jefferson County (30–40 miles south) and St. Charles County (northwest) both run traditional agricultural fairs. The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia (~100 miles west, August 13–23) is the flagship event for those wanting the full agricultural fair experience.
Is there a handmade market scene in St. Louis?
Yes — Craft Alliance has operated since 1964. Tower Grove Park's dual weekly markets run six months. The Shaw and Laumeier shows bring 130–160 juried makers annually. Cherokee Street, Maplewood, and the Delmar Maker District each have independent galleries, studios, and shops selling local handmade work year-round.
Find Events in St. Louis
CraftShow Events lists craft shows, handmade markets, artisan fairs, and maker markets in St. Louis and surrounding St. Louis County. Search by date — whether you're planning for the Laumeier Art Fair in May, the Shaw Art Fair in October, or the next Tower Grove Saturday market.