Craft Shows & Fairs in Ventura, California
Ventura sits on the California Gold Coast between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. The Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W Harbor Blvd is the central venue for multiple major shows throughout the year — giving Ventura a higher craft event density than most cities of its size along the California coast.
Ventura's Craft Show Scene
Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show — September
The Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show at Ventura County Fairgrounds is one of Ventura's anchor events.
- 53rd Annual edition ran September 12–14, 2025
- Juried show — vendor quality is consistently high
- Venue: Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W Harbor Blvd
Categories include:
- Photography, fine jewelry, blown glass
- Wood art, metalwork, vintage wares
- Specialty foods
- Entertainment, kidzone, food vendors
Holiday Craft & Gift Festival — November
The Holiday Craft & Gift Festival (November 21–23, 2025 at Ventura County Fairgrounds) is the dedicated holiday season craft event. It has its own website: venturacraftfestival.com.
Holiday categories:
- Ornaments, stockings, and clothing
- Ceramics and candles
- Photography and jewelry
- Specialty foods
Highway 101 Craft Festival — February
The Highway 101 Craft Festival runs in February at Ventura — the 2025 edition was February 21–23.
- Part of the Ventura Home Improvement & Outdoor Living Expo
- Free admission ($10 parking)
- One of the earliest major craft shows on the California spring calendar
Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival — March 6–8, 2026
A family-friendly event with dual programming:
- 50 artists creating large-scale street paintings
- Craftsman marketplace with artisan works for purchase
Ventura County Fair — Summer (July–August)
The Ventura County Fair is one of the larger county fairs on the California coast:
- Annual, typically July–August
- Arts, crafts, and home arts competition
- Livestock, carnival rides, and entertainment
- Venue: Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W Harbor Blvd
Year-Round Artisan Retail
- Ventura Harbor Village — year-round shopping and artisan-friendly retail; seasonal pop-up markets
- Main Street Ventura — boutique shops, galleries, artisan retail; periodic street fairs
County Fairs & County Events Near Ventura
The Ventura County Fair at Ventura County Fairgrounds is the county's own agricultural fair. Ventura County's agricultural heritage covers:
- Avocados, citrus, and strawberries
- Lima beans and flowers
- Very active 4-H and FFA programs
The fairgrounds' year-round multi-event use — Harvest Festival, Holiday Craft, Highway 101 show, county fair — makes it the most consistently active craft venue on the Central Coast.
Best Times to Visit Ventura for Craft Events
Ventura has confirmed craft events across all four seasons:
| Season | Event |
|--------|-------|
| February | Highway 101 Craft Festival |
| March | Art & Street Painting Festival (craftsman marketplace) |
| July–August | Ventura County Fair |
| September | Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show |
| November | Holiday Craft & Gift Festival |
The Mediterranean coastal climate makes outdoor events viable nearly year-round. Spring and fall are the most comfortable for outdoor browsing.
Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- Santa Barbara, CA — 30 miles north; weekly Sunday Arts & Crafts Show on Cabrillo Boulevard, year-round
- Ojai — 14 miles east; artisan and gallery community with strong handmade retail
- Oxnard — 8 miles south; Harbor events and seasonal market activity
- Camarillo — 15 miles east; growing craft fair scene with access to Ventura and LA County events
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in Ventura, CA?
Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W Harbor Blvd) is the center of the craft calendar. The Harvest Festival (September) and Holiday Craft & Gift Festival (November, venturacraftfestival.com) are the two highest-profile dedicated craft events. Ventura Harbor Village and Main Street Ventura have artisan retail year-round.When do craft shows happen in Ventura?
Every season: February (Highway 101 Craft Festival), March (Art & Street Painting Festival), July–August (Ventura County Fair), September (Harvest Festival), November (Holiday Craft & Gift Festival). The fairgrounds at 10 W Harbor Blvd serves as the venue for most of these.
Are there county fairs near Ventura?
The Ventura County Fair at Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W Harbor Blvd) is the city's own county fair — one of the larger county fairs on the California coast, annually July–August. Santa Barbara County Fair in Santa Maria (~70 miles north) and LA County Fair in Pomona (~70 miles east) are both within regional range.
Is there a handmade market scene in Ventura?
Ventura has a well-established artisan community supported by the Ventura County Arts Council. Beach and surf culture drives local craft aesthetics — surfboard art, macrame, woven textiles, shell jewelry, and coastal-inspired ceramics. Multiple annual juried shows at the fairgrounds give local and regional makers consistent selling opportunities. Mission San Buenaventura and the Channel Islands influence heritage and nature-inspired craft traditions.
Find Events in Ventura
CraftShow Events tracks craft shows, artisan fairs, and handmade markets across Ventura and Ventura County. Search by date to find the Harvest Festival in September, Holiday Craft Festival in November, Highway 101 Craft Festival in February, and the Ventura County Fair in summer.