Craft Shows & Country Fairs in Kansas

Kansas has more craft show history than most people expect. Art in the Park in Lawrence has been running since 1964. The Kansas State Fair has been held in Hutchinson since the first official state fair in September 1913 — 10 days of livestock, rodeo, 4-H, and craft and fine arts exhibitions at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

From the tallgrass prairies of the Flint Hills to the wheat fields of south-central Kansas, the handmade tradition here runs deep — and quilting, in particular, is a craft that defines the state in a way few other traditions define a place.

What to Expect at Kansas Craft Shows

Kansas craft events cover a wide range. At one end: the Mulvane Art Fair at Washburn University in Topeka, a juried show of artists from across the country held the first weekend of June (June 6–7 in 2026). Lawrence's Art in the Park fills South Park with 130+ artists and an expected 20,000+ visitors over a September weekend; the Lawrence Art Guild tradition dates back to 1964.

At the other end: weekly community markets, indoor holiday bazaars, county fair craft halls, and church shows listed in local Facebook groups.

In Wichita, the Old Town Farm & Art Market runs every Saturday from April through December at 835 E 1st St N in the historic Old Town district. It's less a one-off event and more a routine of community life. The ICT Artisan Expo is billed as a handmade and homemade show; check its current vendor rules and dates.

Quilting is the craft that defines Kansas more than any other. Guilds such as the Prairie Quilt Guild in Wichita and the Kansas Capital Quilters Guild in Topeka keep the tradition active. Quilt shows, guild sales, and fiber arts events appear in nearly every region of the state — rooted in a heritage that stretches from Mennonite communities in south-central Kansas to pioneer homesteads in the northeast. The Weavers Guild of Greater Kansas City extends this tradition into hand weaving, spinning, and felting.

Pottery, jewelry, woodworking, and photography are consistent at juried shows statewide. At church bazaars and community fairs: candles, baked goods, handmade home goods.

Country Fairs & County Fairs in Kansas

The Kansas State Fair has been held at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson since 1913. Ten days in September (September 11–20 in 2026, starting the Friday after Labor Day). A major statewide gathering: livestock competitions, 4-H exhibits, rodeo, entertainment, and craft and fine arts exhibitions alongside commercial vendor booths.

With 105 counties, Kansas has one of the more extensive county fair systems in the Great Plains. A few worth knowing:

• Riley County Fair — CiCo Park, Manhattan; summer; 4-H exhibits, Kaw Valley Rodeo, nightly entertainment, carnival
• Central Kansas Free Fair — Dickinson County Fairgrounds, Abilene; summer; traditional county fair; 4-H and FFA livestock shows
• Douglas County Fair — Lawrence; youth craft and home arts exhibits alongside livestock programming

In Abilene, the Dickinson County Heritage Center (412 S Campbell) blends living history with community events — its 1901 carousel, powered by the original steam engine, headlines an October 3, 2026 anniversary celebration with a tractor show.

Popular Cities for Craft Events in Kansas

Wichita

The Old Town Farm & Art Market is the weekly anchor — Saturdays, April through December, Old Town district. The ICT Artisan Expo is billed as a handmade show. Vintage Market Days of Wichita at the Wichita Sports Forum runs in March and November. Holiday season brings bazaars, boutique shows, and the Somewhere in Winter festival starting downtown in late November.

Lawrence

Art in the Park at South Park is the signature event — juried, free, 130+ artists, 20,000+ visitors expected, a tradition dating back to 1964. The City of Lawrence has run Spring, Fall and Holiday Extravaganza Artisan Fairs. The Lawrence Art Guild holds its own Holiday Art Fair at Cider Gallery in December.

Topeka

The Mulvane Art Fair at Washburn University — juried artists from across the country, beer garden, live music, food trucks, first weekend of June. Cider Days bills itself as the largest fall festival in Northeast Kansas. The Spirit of Kansas show at Lake Shawnee runs 4th of July weekend. The NOTO Arts District in North Topeka has a growing independent artisan scene.

Manhattan

The Pumpkin Patch Arts and Craft Show and the Homemade for the Holidays show are Manhattan craft traditions (check organizers for current dates). The Riley County Fair runs in summer at CiCo Park. The Museum of Art and Light downtown is drawing new visitors to the Flint Hills.

Abilene

The Dickinson County Heritage Center combines living history with community events — its steam-powered 1901 carousel and a tractor show headline an October 3, 2026 celebration. A holiday craft and gift show at Sterl Hall serves holiday shoppers. Abilene's downtown antique shops draw the same audiences that attend handmade markets.

Seasonal Guide to Kansas Craft Shows

• Riley County Fair, Manhattan
• Central Kansas Free Fair, Abilene
• Douglas County Fair, Lawrence

• Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson (10 days; September 11–20, 2026)
• Art in the Park, Lawrence (September 19–20, 2026)
• Pumpkin Patch Arts and Craft Show, Manhattan
• Cider Days, Topeka (September 19–20, 2026)
• Lawrence Fall Artisan Fair (October)

• Homemade for the Holidays, Manhattan
• Annual Holiday Craft & Gift Show, Abilene
• Lawrence Holiday Extravaganza Artisan Fair and Art Guild Holiday Fair
• Holiday Food & Gift Mart, Topeka
• Old Town Farm & Art Market holiday hours through mid-December, Wichita

Types of Events You'll Find

• Nationally juried fine art fairs — Mulvane Art Fair (Topeka), Art in the Park (Lawrence)
• Weekly recurring markets — Old Town Farm & Art Market (Wichita, Saturdays April–December)
• Large multi-vendor handmade expos — ICT Artisan Expo (Wichita), Pumpkin Patch Arts and Craft Show (Manhattan)
• Upscale vintage-and-handmade markets — Vintage Market Days of Wichita
• County fairs with craft exhibits — Kansas State Fair (Hutchinson), Riley County Fair (Manhattan), Central Kansas Free Fair (Abilene), Douglas County Fair (Lawrence), Shawnee County Fair (Topeka)
• Heritage and living history craft events — Dickinson County Heritage Center events (Abilene)
• City-sponsored artisan fairs — Lawrence Spring, Fall, and Holiday Extravaganza Artisan Fairs
• Holiday markets — Homemade for the Holidays (Manhattan), Lawrence Holiday Extravaganza, Topeka Holiday Food & Gift Mart, Wichita holiday bazaars
• Quilt shows and fiber arts events — Prairie Quilt Guild (Wichita), Kansas Capital Quilters Guild (Topeka)

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to find craft shows in Kansas?

Fall is the peak. September alone brings the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Art in the Park in Lawrence, and Cider Days in Topeka.

November and December bring the heaviest concentration of indoor holiday markets statewide. For a weekly market without event-planning overhead, the Old Town Farm & Art Market in Wichita runs every Saturday April through December.

Are there country fairs with handmade vendors in Kansas?

Yes. The Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson includes craft and fine arts exhibitions and commercial vendors over 10 days. The Riley County Fair in Manhattan, the Central Kansas Free Fair in Abilene, the Douglas County Fair in Lawrence, and the Shawnee County Fair in Topeka all include handmade and home arts components.

The Dickinson County Heritage Center in Abilene is especially worth noting — its 1901 Parker carousel will run on its original steam engine for an October 3, 2026 anniversary celebration.

How do I find craft shows near me in Kansas?

CraftShow Events lets you search by city, county, or statewide across Kansas to browse upcoming craft shows, handmade markets, and county fairs with dates and venue details.

Are Kansas craft shows free to attend?

Many are. Art in the Park in Lawrence is free. The Old Town Farm & Art Market in Wichita is open to shoppers every Saturday in season.

The Mulvane Art Fair at Washburn University charges a modest admission ($8 in advance or $10 at the fair in 2026). The Kansas State Fair charges general admission for grounds access. Holiday markets vary — some free, some small entry fee.

What types of crafts are popular at Kansas fairs?

Quilting is the defining craft tradition — the Prairie Quilt Guild (Wichita) and Kansas Capital Quilters Guild (Topeka) anchor a statewide tradition with roots in Mennonite and pioneer heritage.

Fiber arts and hand weaving are strong through the Weavers Guild of Greater Kansas City tradition. Pottery, jewelry, woodworking, and fine art painting appear at virtually all juried shows. Heritage and agricultural craft demonstrations — blacksmithing, leather tooling, traditional textiles — appear at county fair events.

Are there craft shows that focus only on handmade goods in Kansas?

Yes. The ICT Artisan Expo in Wichita is billed as a handmade and homemade show; check its current vendor rules. The Mulvane Art Fair and Art in the Park are juried shows with screened applications.

Discover Events in Kansas

CraftShow Events covers craft shows, handmade markets, artisan fairs, and county fairs across Kansas. Search the state-wide calendar — from the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson to South Park in Lawrence to Old Town Wichita — and filter by city, date, and event type to find what's coming up near you.