The year 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest years yet for the arts, crafts, maker, and creative industries in the United States. Across the country, artists, crafters, designers, retailers, and manufacturers will gather at trade shows, fairs, conventions, and festivals that celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation.

From large-scale industry trade shows like Creativation by NAMTA and The Inspired Home Show to artist-driven markets like Renegade Craft Fair and Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, these events serve many purposes. They help creatives source materials, discover tools, launch products, sell work directly to consumers, build wholesale relationships, and stay connected to evolving trends in art, design, and making.

This guide brings together arts, crafts, hardware, pottery, upcycling, design, and maker-friendly events across the USA in 2026, making it easier to plan your year whether you are an independent maker, a retail buyer, a distributor, or a creative brand.

Major & Industry Trade Shows (Arts, Craft Retail, Hardware, Maker-Friendly)

These events attract retail buyers, manufacturers, distributors, and creative professionals. While not all are “craft fairs” in the traditional sense, they are extremely relevant for artists and makers looking for sourcing, exposure, partnerships, and wholesale opportunities.

Orgill Spring Dealer Market 2026 | February 5–7, 2026, Orlando, Florida

The 2026 Orgill Spring Dealer Market is one of the most expansive hardware and home improvement trade gatherings in the country, drawing retailers and vendors to Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. It features nearly 1 million square feet of exhibits, more than 1,200 vendors, and access to exclusive deals, new product showcases, workshops, and merchandising clinics. Come visit Excel Blades on Booth #836 to discover our featured products.

Although Orgill’s core focus is hardware and retail solutions, this event’s scale and breadth attract makers, DIY advocates, art supply distributors, and creative product companies eager to explore cross-category opportunities. As a dealer market, it’s an ideal place for expanding assortments and discovering tools that bridge craft and hardware audiences.

Do it Best Hardware Rally & Trade Events | March 6-8, 2026 • Denver, Colorado

The Do it Best Hardware Rally consists of nationwide regional trade meetings serving independent hardware retailers within the Do it Best cooperative. These events are particularly relevant for tool manufacturers, utility products, and creative hardware solutions that cross into DIY and maker markets. Visit Excel Blades booth at the Hand & Power Tools section.

KBIS — Kitchen & Bath Industry Show | February 17–19, 2026 • Orlando, Florida

KBIS is one of the largest design and construction trade shows in the U.S. While primarily focused on kitchen and bath, it has significant crossover with home décor, materials innovation, and creative fabrication. Many artisan-focused brands find opportunities here through custom finishes, specialty materials, and decorative applications.

The Inspired Home Show | March 10–12, 2026 • Chicago, Illinois

Formerly known as the International Home + Housewares Show, The Inspired Home Show brings together home goods, accessories, décor, and lifestyle products. For creative businesses working at the intersection of craft, design, and functional art, this is a major sourcing and trend-forecasting event.

Philadelphia Gift Show | February 1–3, 2026 • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A long-standing wholesale show, the Philadelphia Gift Show attracts retailers looking for artisan goods, handmade gifts, stationery, décor, and creative lifestyle products. It’s especially relevant for makers ready to move into wholesale channels.

Maryland Home & Garden + Craft Show | Late Feb–Early Mar 2026 • Lutherville-Timonium, MD 

This public-facing event blends home improvement, garden design, and crafts, making it ideal for creatives working in upcycled décor, woodworking, mixed media, and functional art.

Great Lakes Boutique & Gift Show | Kalamazoo, MI • Early March 2026

This regional wholesale show features boutique apparel, home décor, artisan goods, and handmade gifts, drawing buyers from across the Midwest.

Creativation by NAMTA 2026 | May 15-19 2026 • St. Louis, Missouri

Creativation by NAMTA remains one of the most important creative materials trade shows in North America. Organized by the National Art Materials Trade Association, this event brings together fine art, craft, hobby, and DIY brands with independent retailers and distributors. In 2026, Creativation will take place in America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, featuring product launches, educational sessions, and networking designed specifically for the creative materials industry. For brands focused on tools, supplies, and innovation, this show sets the tone for the year ahead. Visit Excel Blades booth for live product demonstrations, freebies, and surprise guest crafters.

Craft, Fine Art & Maker-Focused Events

These events are artist-driven, juried, or curated, offering direct access to collectors, consumers, and creative communities.

Santa Fe International Folk Art Market | July 2026  • Santa Fe, NM

One of the most internationally recognized craft markets in the world, this event showcases traditional and contemporary folk art from artists across more than 50 countries. It’s a powerful example of craft as culture, heritage, and sustainable livelihood.

Renegade Craft Fair | March 28–29, 2026 • San Francisco, CA

Renegade Craft Fair is known for its indie maker focus, spotlighting emerging artists, designers, and small creative businesses. The San Francisco edition attracts trend-driven shoppers and creatives from across the Bay Area.

Palm Beach Fine Craft Show| February 13–15, 2026 • Palm Beach, FL

This curated fine craft show features museum-quality work in glass, ceramics, fiber, wood, and metal. It appeals to collectors, interior designers, and high-end buyers.

Affair of the Heart | February 6–8, 2026 • Oklahoma City, OK

A beloved regional maker show with a strong artisan community, Affair of the Heart blends handmade crafts, boutique goods, and creative small businesses.

Lakeshore Art Festival | June 27, 2026 • Muskegon, MI 

This waterfront festival brings together fine artists, craftspeople, and makers for a vibrant public-facing event with strong attendance and community engagement.

Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival | July 2, 2026 • Pittsburgh, PA

Celebrating traditional and contemporary crafts alongside regional cultural arts, this festival highlights heritage techniques and community storytelling through art.

Ceramics, Pottery & Clay-Focused Events

Clay artists and ceramic professionals have a robust lineup of dedicated events in 2026.

NCECA Conference & Clay Around Town | March 25–28, 2026 • Detroit, MI

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference is the premier gathering for ceramic artists, educators, and students. In addition to the main conference, Clay Around Town activates galleries, studios, and pop-up exhibitions across the host city.

Ceramics Expo | May 4–6, 2026  • Cleveland, OH

This industry-oriented event focuses on ceramic materials, manufacturing, and technology, serving both fine art and industrial ceramics professionals.

Arts & Design Weeks and Large Creative Fairs

San Francisco Art Week | January 17–25, 2026

A city-wide celebration of art and design featuring exhibitions, fairs, pop-ups, and studio events. It’s an important moment for craft-design crossover, where handmade objects meet contemporary art audiences.

Design Weeks with Craft Crossover

Events like NYCxDesign, ICFF, and boutique design fairs across the country often include artisan and handmade objects, making them valuable for craft-based designers and makers seeking new audiences.

Regional & Community Craft Shows Across the USA

Beyond major national events, thousands of regional arts and crafts shows take place throughout 2026. These events support local creative economies and are ideal for hobbyists, emerging artists, and small creative businesses.

Examples include:

• Stamp & Scrapbook Expos in Colorado and Arizona (September 2026), focused on paper crafting and creative workshops
• Seasonal arts and crafts fairs listed through platforms like 10Times, covering cities such as New York, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, and Los Angeles
• Community holiday markets, maker pop-ups, and juried art festivals that occur monthly nationwide

These events are often more accessible and can be excellent testing grounds for new products, techniques, or creative concepts.

Tips for Planning & Participating in 2026 Events

Choosing the right events depends on your goals. Not all shows serve the same audience, and understanding the differences can make your year far more successful.

Fine craft and collector shows attract buyers seeking originality and craftsmanship, while maker markets and festivals are ideal for direct-to-consumer sales and brand building. Industry trade shows, such as Creativation, KBIS, or The Inspired Home Show, are better suited for product launches, wholesale relationships, and long-term partnerships.

For ceramic artists, NCECA is a cornerstone professional network, offering both educational depth and visibility through city-wide exhibitions. For indie makers, markets like Renegade Craft Fair or regional artisan festivals provide direct customer interaction and feedback.

Many creatives also plan their event calendar around tool sourcing and skill development, pairing shows with educational resources such as tutorials and project guides found on the Excel Blades blog, which covers precision cutting, material handling, and creative applications across arts and crafts.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 arts, crafts, maker, hardware, and creative event landscape in the USA offers unmatched opportunities for inspiration, professional growth, and community connection. Whether you attend global markets like Santa Fe, industry trade shows like Creativation, or regional craft fairs close to home, these events shape the creative ecosystem year after year.

By planning ahead and choosing events aligned with your creative and business goals, 2026 can be a defining year for your craft, your brand, and your creative journey.