The 10 Best Craft Fairs in the UK

Here in the UK, there is an abundance of local craft fairs held each year. These events allow imaginative entrepreneurs to come together, exhibit their creations, generate sales, and elevate the visibility of their brands. Whether you seek to expand your reach by finding new stockists, captivate businesses aiming to diversify their offerings or connect with craft-loving consumers, handmade craft fairs are a great way to tap into your target market in a face-to-face setting, allowing you to talk to them through your product offering personally.

To make 2024 the most lucrative year for your brand, we've collated a list of the 10 best UK craft fairs to build your annual events calendar. Whether you're an artist, sculptor or even a jewellery designer, find an art and craft fair with this handy guide that suits your marketing budget.

CHSI, the UK's premier craft trade show, draws in more than 6,000 craft buyers nationwide. It presents a unique opportunity for craft suppliers to connect with trade buyers actively seeking the latest trends, innovations and essential products. Exhibiting at CHSI generates highly targeted leads, maximises exposure and showcases your products to ready-to-purchase buyers. With a diverse range of over 200 exhibitors worldwide and a multitude of workshops, demos, and talks by industry experts, CHSI is the definitive destination for all things crafts.

Date: 25th – 26th February 2024

Location: NEC, Birmingham

The Craft 4 Crafters show, which has been running for over two decades, is a three-day event that showcases an array of crafts, demonstrations, lectures and craft displays. With approximately 12,000 attendees looking for the latest craft supplies and designs, this show is a must-visit for those in the craft, textile, sewing and quilting communities. The event's primary goal is to foster strong relationships in the community, and it accomplishes this by hosting around 145 traders. Whether you specialise in paper crafts or handmade jewellery, this show provides a unique opportunity to connect with the attendees and make significant sales.

Date: 4th - 6th April 2024

Location: Westpoint Centre, Exeter

The Festival of Arts and Crafts is an annual event held at the Base, a dedicated arts and crafts building, which draws craft enthusiasts from the Berkshire region and beyond. Featuring a wide range of market-style stalls where local crafters proudly display and sell their unique creations, attendees can participate in taster workshops and enjoy complimentary access to the Base's art exhibition. With thousands of visitors expected, this event presents an excellent opportunity to raise brand awareness among the local crafting community and establish yourself as a reputable seller by showcasing your range at your craft stall.

Date: 7th - 8th September 2024

Location: The Base, Greenham

The British Craft Trade Fair, in collaboration with Handmade in Britain, is a leading craft trade show in the UK that draws in a wide array of retailers seeking innovative and high-quality handmade products. With over 300 exhibitors representing multiple categories like greetings cards, fine art, jewellery and textiles, the BCTF offers a prime opportunity to showcase your products to potential buyers and generate buzz within the craft community.

Date: 7th – 8th April 2024

Location: Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate

The Country Craft Show is a fantastic opportunity for talented British designers and artisans to showcase their work. Over 250 independent stallholders will be present, offering an extensive range of products, including outdoor and garden items, fashion, art and more. This three-day event promises something for everyone; from browsing stalls, watching demonstrations and participating in creative workshops - the show offers an enjoyable experience for craft enthusiasts and families alike.

Date: 4th – 6th May 2024

Location: Penshurst Place, Tonbridge

Makers Central, the ultimate destination for craft enthusiasts, is set to attract over 9,000 passionate consumers. It features live craft demonstrations and industry talks and is home to the bustling 'Makers Market,' where you'll find many stalls hosted by British craft companies selling handmade creations. Whether your speciality is painting, woodcarving, metal crafting or custom-made décor, show off your latest collections alongside other talented creators.

Date: 18th - 19th May 2024

Location: NEC, Birmingham

Craft companies of any kind are welcome to exhibit, featuring a range of craft demonstrations and interactive workshops, making the Creative Craft Show one of the most prestigious events in the crafting industry. With an average spending of £87 per attendee in previous years, the show is the ideal platform to target ready-to-buy shoppers and increase brand recognition. Attracting some of the industry's best-loved sellers, you can network with like-minded craft shop owners and even gain inspiration for future collections.

Date: 30th August - 1st September 2024

Location: Farnborough, Hampshire

The Festival of Crafts is a must-visit event that brings together a handpicked collection of talented UK crafters showcasing their exquisite artisan goods. The festival offers diverse creations, from stunning homewares and beautiful jewellery to unique ceramics, textiles, prints, and more. The makers, selected by the festival committee, represent a mix of established sellers and emerging talents, highlighting their modern and traditional techniques, skills and designs.

Date: 12th – 13th October 2024

Location: Farnham Maltings, Surrey

Handmade in Britain is a prestigious craft fair that showcases the exquisite work of talented British artists in various fields. This event is a magnet for the public, collectors, galleries, retail buyers, and press, providing a platform for these artisans to display their contemporary craft and design. Beyond generating significant sales, this fair facilitates valuable networking opportunities with potential stockists and promoters, enabling craft sellers to cultivate profitable connections and promising leads.

Date: 6th – 9th November 2024

Location: Chelsea Old Town Hall, London

The Henley Christmas Fair unfolds over four days in a large, heated, wooden floored marquee in Stonor Park. Showcasing the best British craftsmanship, this fair welcomes retailers with its curated selection of artisanal products. From elegant fashion to bespoke homeware, décor and artwork, it offers something for all tastes. With a diverse crowd, including the public, retailer buyers and avid craft collectors, exhibiting at the Helney Christmas Fair presents an excellent opportunity to connect with new and loyal customers. Read our market stall blog for tips on how to make your stalls the best they can be.

Date: To be announced

Location: Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames

Craft shows are an excellent opportunity for craft businesses to showcase their products and reach a ready-to-buy market. To secure a spot at a craft show, vendors must complete an application form, providing information about their business, products and contact details. Depending on the show, vendors may need to submit images of their products for review by a panel. Once approved, vendors are usually required to pay a deposit, or the total amount, for their stall.

Craft fairs provide a valuable chance for retailers to market their brands. Even if sales aren't made on a fair day, vendors can distribute business cards and leaflets featuring their brand name, logo and contact information to stay on shoppers' radar.

Having an eye-catching stall is crucial for success at a craft show. The easiest way is by using a beautifully designed banner displaying your brand name, logo and essential information to attract attendees from a distance. If allowed by organisers, strategically place branded floor stickers to guide shoppers to your stalls, or if outside, use foamex boards to do the same. After a customer buys some of your products, package their purchases in branded boxes that include your stall location, turning your brand into a conversation starter among other shoppers.