Craft Shows & Fairs in Woodstock, New York
Woodstock has been an artist colony since the early 1900s. The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, founded in 1920, is one of the oldest continuously operating artist associations in the country. The Byrdcliffe Arts Colony — founded in 1902 — is a National Historic Landmark that still hosts workshops and artist residencies. The town's identity as an arts destination is built on more than a century of working artists making and selling their work here.
Woodstock's Craft Show Scene
The Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair, produced by Quail Hollow Events, is the major regional craft fair associated with Woodstock — held at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz (~14 miles southeast). It runs twice a year:
- Memorial Day Weekend — late May
- Labor Day Weekend — early September
Each edition brings 200+ artists from across the United States in fine craft: ceramics, glass, metal, fiber, wood, mixed media, jewelry, fashion, and fine art. The show traces back to the early 1980s, when brothers Neil and Scott Rubinstein, both Hudson Valley woodworkers, created it as a new kind of craft festival. It is now one of the most respected craft shows in the Northeast.
In Woodstock itself, Tinker Street has galleries, craft shops, and artisan boutiques in nearly every block. The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum on Tinker Street is open to the public and functions as both a gallery and community hub.
The Mower Flea Market operates every weekend from May through October — a fixture of the Woodstock outdoor scene for decades, with a craft and handmade component alongside vintage and collectible sellers.
The Phoenicia Flea, a traveling market specializing in artisanal food, drinks, home goods, clothing, skincare, and jewelry, visits Woodstock and Kingston in the fall.
County Fair Connection Near Woodstock
The Ulster County Fair is held at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz (same venue as the Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair) in July — traditional agricultural fair with 4-H, livestock, and craft vendor sections.
Additional nearby fairs:
- Sullivan County Fair — Ferndale (~30 miles southwest)
- Greene County Fair — Cairo (~25 miles north)
Best Times to Visit Woodstock for Craft Events
Memorial Day Weekend: Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair (Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz) — highest concentration craft event of the spring. Summer (June-August): Mower Flea Market every weekend. Tinker Street galleries at peak activity. High tourist volume. Labor Day Weekend: Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair second edition. Ulster County Fair in July precedes this. October: Fall foliage tourism. Phoenicia Flea visits. Tinker Street and artisan shops well-trafficked through month's end. Winter: Quieter, but Tinker Street shops remain open. Ski traffic from Hunter Mountain and Belleayre adds winter visitors.Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- New Paltz, NY — ~14 miles southeast; Ulster County Fairgrounds (site of Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair); SUNY New Paltz arts community
- Kingston, NY — ~14 miles southeast; Ulster County seat; growing Rondout waterfront arts district
- Rhinebeck, NY — ~30 miles east; Rhinebeck Crafts Festival (June), NY State Sheep & Wool Festival (October), Handcrafted Octoberfest
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in Woodstock, NY?
The Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz (Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend) is the area's most significant juried craft event. In Woodstock itself, Tinker Street's galleries and the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum offer the most consistent access to local artisan work year-round.
When do craft shows happen in Woodstock?
The Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair runs Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The Mower Flea Market (craft vendors included) runs every weekend May-October. Phoenicia Flea visits the area in fall. Tinker Street shops and galleries are accessible year-round.
Are there country fairs near Woodstock?
Yes. The Ulster County Fair is held at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz (same location as the Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair) in July. Greene County Fair in Cairo (~25 miles north) and Sullivan County Fair in Ferndale (~30 miles southwest) are within driving distance.
Is there a handmade market scene in Woodstock?
Woodstock's handmade arts scene is deeply embedded in the town's identity. The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum has supported working artists since 1920. Byrdcliffe Arts Colony provides residencies and workshops. Tinker Street has a higher density of working-artist galleries and craft shops than almost any other small town in the Hudson Valley.
Find Events in Woodstock
Search CraftShow Events for craft fairs and artisan markets in Woodstock, NY and Ulster County. Check the Quail Hollow Events calendar for the exact Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend dates for the Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair each year.