Craft Shows & Fairs in St. Paul, Minnesota
St. Paul carries a different character than its Twin Cities partner across the river.
The capital city is home to historic neighborhoods, a nationally significant arts infrastructure, and a large Hmong community that brings paj ntaub textile arts and traditional embroidery to markets and cultural events. For craft show visitors, St. Paul delivers everything from the polished American Craft Fest at Union Depot to neighborhood festivals rooted in the city's diverse communities.
St. Paul's Craft Show Scene
American Craft Fest St. Paul is the flagship event. Presented by the American Craft Council at the restored Union Depot in Lowertown, it is free and open to the public and is held in June (June 13–14 in 2026). It features handcrafted work by early-career artists and makers from across the region, with hands-on activities for all ages. Union Depot's grand hall makes it one of the more architecturally distinctive settings for a craft event in the Midwest. The St. Anthony Park Arts Festival is a neighborhood arts festival in St. Paul's St. Anthony Park area with artists in ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, fiber arts, and painting; check the organizer for current dates. The St. Paul Art Crawl has opened studios twice a year — spring and fall — across Lowertown and St. Paul's network of artist buildings; the organizer's site has not posted dates since 2023, so check for current status. It's a self-guided tour: visitors move through the city at their own pace, meeting artists in working spaces. One of the city's best opportunities to buy directly from makers. Carousel Craft Shows operates at Twin Cities metro venues accessible from St. Paul, with indoor craft shows; check the organizer for current dates.The downtown Saint Paul Farmers' Market in Lowertown (Saturdays 7 am–1 pm and Sundays 8 am–1 pm) focuses on locally grown food products, with live music and community events.
Country Fairs & County Events Near St. Paul
The Minnesota State Fair at Falcon Heights — minutes from St. Paul — is the dominant fair event for city residents. The twelve-day fair ending on Labor Day draws nearly two million visitors and includes the West End Market, where artisans sell fine handmade wares.
Nearby county fairs:
- Washington County Fair (Washington County Fairgrounds, between Lake Elmo and Stillwater, about 10–15 miles east) — 4-H, livestock, handmade exhibit competitions in quilting, sewing, and baking
- Dakota County Fair (Farmington, ~20 miles south) — agricultural heritage; handmade exhibit tradition
Best Times to Visit St. Paul for Craft Events
June is the primary outdoor craft event month — American Craft Fest at Union Depot (June 13–14 in 2026) makes it a productive time to visit. Fall Art Crawl has been one of the most immersive studio experiences in the city; check the organizer for current status.During the Minnesota State Fair (twelve days, late August through Labor Day), the entire metro is in a fair-going mindset — satellite craft events and vendor shows run concurrent to the main event.
November–December brings holiday markets and indoor vendor shows. Grand Avenue and Lowertown both host seasonal events with craft vendor components.Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
St. Paul's central location makes a wide range of craft events accessible within an hour.
- Minneapolis — 10 miles, Art-A-Whirl, Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis Craft Market
- Stillwater — 15 miles, Rivertown Fall Art Festival, Lumberjack Days, Harvest Fest
- Woodbury — 10 miles, eastern suburb with indoor craft show events
- Red Wing — 35 miles, Red Wing Arts Fall Festival, pottery heritage since 1877
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in St. Paul, MN?
American Craft Fest at Union Depot is the premier event — free admission, craftspeople from across the region, in a landmark Lowertown building. The St. Anthony Park Arts Festival is a neighborhood arts show. The St. Paul Art Crawl has given visitors studio access twice a year; check the organizer for current status.
When do craft shows happen in St. Paul?
June is the primary outdoor season for St. Paul craft events. American Craft Fest runs in June. Indoor and holiday shows fill November and December. The Minnesota State Fair, minutes away in Falcon Heights, anchors late August and Labor Day.
Are there country fairs near St. Paul?
The Minnesota State Fair at Falcon Heights is essentially at St. Paul's doorstep — the closest major fair. Washington County Fair near Lake Elmo and Stillwater (about 10–15 miles east) and Dakota County Fair in Farmington (20 miles south) offer traditional county fair formats with handmade exhibit competitions.
Is there a handmade market scene in St. Paul?
Yes. The Lowertown arts district has an active creative community. St. Paul's Hmong population brings paj ntaub (story cloth) textile arts and traditional embroidery to community markets and cultural events. The MN Tool Library maintains workshop space in St. Paul for makers and craftspeople.
Find Events in St. Paul
Browse upcoming craft shows, handmade fairs, and artisan markets in St. Paul on CraftShow Events. Search by date or neighborhood to find what's happening this weekend or plan ahead for American Craft Fest, the St. Paul Art Crawl, and seasonal neighborhood festivals.