This guide was researched in spring 2026. Timing below describes when events usually happen, not confirmed dates. For this year's dates, prices and vendor details, see the listed upcoming events or check the organizer's website before you go or apply. How we verify events

Craft Shows & Fairs in Stillwater, Minnesota

Stillwater is the birthplace of Minnesota — a river town with brick-storefront blocks that leans toward antiques, galleries, and handmade goods by nature.

The St. Croix River runs alongside Lowell Park, which becomes the setting for three of the city's major annual events. For craft show visitors from the Twin Cities, Stillwater sits about 15 miles northeast of St. Paul and offers a different handmade experience than the big metro shows: smaller scale, strong antique-craft overlap, and fall riverfront settings that are hard to replicate anywhere in the state.

Stillwater's Craft Show Scene

Rivertown Fall Art Festival is a fall art fair presented through the Greater Stillwater Chamber; check the chamber's website for dates and location. Exhibitors can include:

Antiques and collectibles
Fine art and fine craft
Handmade products

Stillwater has long been an antique destination, and its fall art events draw from that same appreciation for made and aged objects.

Stillwater Harvest Fest, a free event, takes over downtown Stillwater the second weekend of October (October 10–11 in 2026). The vendor market with artisan sellers runs alongside:

Giant pumpkin weigh-off
Pumpkin drop from a 100-foot crane
Pumpkin regatta on the St. Croix
Live music, beer and wine garden, chili cook-off

For visitors, it's equal parts craft market and spectacle.

Lumberjack Days is a July tradition — the 92nd annual festival ran July 17–19, 2026. The parade runs in mid-July, with vendor markets, a children's market, live music, bocce ball tournaments, and a downhill derby across downtown. Craft and artisan vendors are part of the lineup.

Country Fairs & County Events Near Stillwater

Stillwater is the seat of Washington County. The Washington County Fair at the Washington County Fairgrounds (Stillwater mailing address, toward Lake Elmo) is the primary county fair, with:

4-H and livestock shows
Creative arts exhibits — quilting, sewing, baking, woodworking competitions

Washington County's eastern metro character serves a mix of suburban and rural attendees. Just across the St. Croix River in Hudson, Wisconsin (about 8 miles), St. Croix County events also occasionally feature craft and artisan markets.

Best Times to Visit Stillwater for Craft Events

October is the peak. Stillwater's fall foliage along the St. Croix River bluffs is exceptional, and the Rivertown Fall Art Festival and Harvest Fest (second weekend) both fall in the autumn season — a concentrated stretch of riverside events in peak fall color. July is the summer anchor with Lumberjack Days.

Spring brings some pop-up vendor and boutique events as tourist season opens, but Stillwater's main craft show calendar is weighted toward summer and fall.

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

Stillwater's St. Croix River location puts it close to both Twin Cities events and Wisconsin craft fairs.

St. Paul — 15 miles, American Craft Fest, St. Paul Art Crawl, St. Anthony Park Arts Festival
Minneapolis — 22 miles, Art-A-Whirl, Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis Craft Market
Hudson, WI — 8 miles across the river, St. Croix County craft events
Red Wing — 35 miles, Red Wing Arts Fall Festival, pottery heritage

Explore all Minnesota craft shows →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best craft shows in Stillwater, MN?

The Rivertown Fall Art Festival is the primary fall art show. Stillwater Harvest Fest (second weekend of October, downtown) includes a vendor market with artisan sellers. Lumberjack Days in July features a vendor market as part of the broader festival.

When do craft shows happen in Stillwater?

July (Lumberjack Days) and October (Rivertown Fall Art Festival, Harvest Fest) are the primary craft event windows. Some indoor vendor events occur in spring and winter.

Are there country fairs near Stillwater?

Washington County Fair, at the county fairgrounds on 40th Street North, is the closest traditional county fair. Minnesota State Fair at Falcon Heights is approximately 20 miles west via I-94.

Is there a handmade market scene in Stillwater?

Yes. Downtown Stillwater's Main Street and surrounding blocks have independent galleries, artisan boutiques, and antique shops — making craft and handmade goods a year-round presence beyond dedicated show weekends.

Find Events in Stillwater

Browse upcoming craft shows, art fairs, and handmade markets in Stillwater on CraftShow Events. Plan your October visits around the Rivertown Fall Art Festival and Harvest Fest, or search the full calendar for vendor shows and artisan events year-round.