The 10 Best Craft Fairs in the UK

Here in the UK, there are hundreds of local craft fairs every year where creative entrepreneurs come together to showcase their work, generate sales and raise their brand’s profile. Whether you’re wanting to find a new stockist, sell your products to businesses looking to build out their range or simply sell to 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 personally talk them through your product offering.

To make 2023 a lucrative year for your brand, we’ve collated a list of the 10 best UK craft fairs to make building out your events calendar a quick and simple process. From artists to sculptors to jewellery designers, no matter your crafty specialism, find an art and craft fair which suits your marketing budget with our handy guide.

Attracting over 6,000 craft buyers from across the country, CHSI is the UK’s leading craft trade show. A place where craft suppliers meet trade buyers seeking the latest trends, innovations and must-have products, exhibiting at CHSI generates highly targeted leads, maximises exposure and puts your products in front of the eyes of purchase-ready buyers. With over 200 exhibitors from across the globe and a wealth of workshops, demos and talks led by industry experts, CHSI is the ultimate shop for shops!

Cost: The Shell Scheme starts at £212 per m2 and includes wall panels, a facia name board and carpet. For floor space only, prices start from £185 per m2 and for a shallower depth stand in the Bright Sparks Pavilion, prices start from £699 (4m x 1m stand)

Date: 19th – 20th February 2023

Location: NEC

Book your stand here

Established over 20 years ago, this three day event features craft displays, demonstrations and insightful lectures, attracting around 12,000 visitors on the hunt for the latest craft supplies and designs. Aiming to build strong relationships amongst members of the craft, textile, sewing and quilting communities, the Craft 4 Crafters show welcomes around 145 traders. From paper crafts to handmade jewellery, whatever you design, network with the vast number of attendees and make significant sales.

Cost: Exhibiting prices start from £480 + VAT

Date: 30th March - 1st April 2023

Location: Westpoint Centre

Book your stand here

Set inside The Base, a custom-built arts and crafts building, this festival attracts craft lovers from the Berkshire region and beyond. With an abundance of market-like stalls hosted by local crafters exhibiting their work as well as a number of taster workshops and free access to the art exhibition, The Base’s Festival of Arts & Crafts is Berkshire’s biggest arts and crafts event. With thousands of visitors expected, build your brand awareness in the local crafting community and grow your reputation by showcasing your range on your very own craft stall.

Cost: Stalls are priced at £60 for two days and table and chairs x2 are priced at £10 for the two days

Date: 1st - 2nd April 2023

Location: The Base

Book your stand here

One of the UK’s top craft trade shows, the BCTF which was launched in partnership with Handmade in Britain and every year attracts hundreds of retailers on the hunt for new and exciting suppliers of quality, handmade products. With a broad selection of products on offer from categories including greetings cards, fine art, jewellery, textiles and more, the BCTF expects to host over 300 exhibitors. There is no better place to get your products in front of the eyes of prospective buyers and get the craft community talking about your brand than at the BCTF.

Cost: Price on enquiry

Date: 16th – 18th April 2023

Location: Harrogate Convention Centre

Book your stand here

Situated in large outdoor marquees in the beautiful grounds of Penshurst Place, the Country Craft Show showcases the work of some of the finest British creatives and designers. Featuring craft stalls, demos, creative workshops and more, the three day long event attracts thousands of families and craft lovers every year. With over 150 independent stall holders selling products from a variety of categories including outdoor and garden, fashion, art, photography, health, wellness and more, the Country Craft Show is the perfect event to network with new customers and close sales on your unique handmade goods.

Cost: Choose from a selection of stall sizes including 2.5 x 2m at £385, 3 x 2m at £459 and 3.5 x 2m at £535. Corner stalls are also available at a premium of +18%

Date: 29th April – 1st May 2023

Location: Penshurst Place

Book your stand here

With over 9,000 craft-loving consumers in attendance in previous years, there’s no better place to showcase your range than at the Makers Central show. Featuring live craft demonstrations, industry talks and home to the bustling ‘Makers Market’ where you’ll find a vast array of stalls hosted by British craft companies selling handmade creations. From paintings to wood carvings, metal crafts to custom made home décor, show off your latest collections alongside other talented creators at this well marketed event.

Cost: Exhibit from £350

Date: 13th - 14th May 2023

Location: NEC

Book your stand here

Craft companies of any kind are welcome to exhibit at The Creative Craft Show in Farnborough. As well as a fantastic shopping experience, the show also boasts a schedule of craft demonstrations and interactive workshops, making it one of the most prestigious events in the crafting calendar. With shoppers spending an average of £87 per head in previous years, the show is the perfect place to target ready-to-buy shoppers and to get your brand known. Attracting some of the industry’s best-loved sellers, here you can network with like-minded craft shop owners and maybe even gain inspiration for your next collection!

Cost: Standard units cost £152 + VAT and corner units cost £167 + VAT. Choose from either a stand under 5m2, a 5-10m2 stand or a stand over 10m2. There are also multi-show discounts available for returning exhibitors

Date: 1st – 3rd September 2023

Location: Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre

Book your stand here

Situated in the stunning arts and community craft centre, Farnham Maltings, Festival of Crafts showcases a unique selection of artisan goods such as homewares, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, prints and more, from some of the UK’s most talented crafters. The annual event attracts a curated selection of makers from across the UK including well established craft sellers as well as those just starting out. Celebrating modern and traditional techniques, skills and designs, the festival committee will carefully review applications and choose vendors based on products that best meet the criteria.

Cost: A single pitch costs £155 +VAT and a double pitch costs £255 +VAT. For emerging makers (recent graduates and those who have founded their business within the past two years), a single pitch costs £110 +VAT

Date: 14th – 15th October 2023

Location: Farnham Maltings

Book your stand here

Handmade in Britain is a high-end craft fair exhibiting the work of fine British artists across a number of disciplines. Attracting the public, collectors, galleries, retail buyers and press, this contemporary craft and design fair offers craft sellers not only a bumper weekend of sales but also an opportunity to network with potential stockists and promoters and generate profitable leads.

Cost: Main Hall and Cadogan Suite prices start from £460.00 +VAT per m2 (minimum stand width: 2m), Small Hall prices start from £440 +VAT per m2 (minimum stand width: 2m), corridor prices start from £370.00 +VAT per m2 (minimum stand width: 2m) and trestle tables are priced at £510 +VAT

Date: 10th – 12th November 2023

Location: Chelsea Old Town Hall

For information on booking a stand, click here

The four day show is situated in a large heated and wooden floored marquee in the stunning grounds of Stonor Park. Celebrating the best of British craft, the Henley Christmas fair welcomes retailers selling artisan products spanning a variety of categories including fashion, homeware, living décor, art and more. Attracting thousands of visitors every year including the public, retailer buyers, craft collectors and more, exhibit at the Henley Christmas Fair and network with new and existing customers, ensuring retailers choose to add your products to their Christmas range.

Take a read of our Christmas market blog for tips on how to make your target market aware you’re going to be at the event.

Cost: Choose from a selection of stall sizes including 2.5 x 2m at £700, 3 x 2m at £840 and 3.5 x 2m at £980. Corner stalls are priced at a premium of +18%. Single wooden chalets are also available at £900 and double chalets are available at £1,200

Date: 23rd – 26th November 2023

Location: Stonor Park

Book your stand here

To become a vendor at a local craft show, you usually have to fill out an application form including details of your business and products as well as contact information, you’ll then likely need to pay a deposit for the stall or the full amount. If a craft show allows only a curated selection of vendors to exhibit, you may be required to upload images of your products as part of your application process and your application will be reviewed by a panel.

With access to a purchase-ready market, craft fairs can be a highly lucrative marketing method for craft businesses. Even if shoppers don’t purchase on the day of the fair, retailers can distribute branded business cards and custom leaflets, featuring key contact information as well as their brand name and logo to ensure their business stays at the forefront of prospective shoppers’ minds.

Presentation is key when it comes to running a successful craft stall. Ensure your stall stands out and captures the attention of attendees from afar with a beautifully designed banner, promoting your brand name, logo and other key information. If the event organisers allow, position branded floor stickers around the building, directing shoppers to your stall. Also, utilise your customers when it comes to generating interest in your stall by packaging their purchases in branded boxes which include details of your stall location – this packaging may then catch the attention of other shoppers and turn your brand into a talking point.

For more advice on how to make the stall itself stand out, take a read of our craft stall display ideas blog.

With Christmas 2023 fast approaching, we’ve updated this blog to include Christmas markets 2023 dates in the UK where you can set up a stall to sell your handmade products and promote your business. If you miss the boat this year, bookmark this page and make sure you get in early next year.

When? 18th November 2023 to 22nd December 2023.
To enquire about booking a stall contact Belfast City Council on 02890320202.

When? 2nd November 2023 to 24th December 2023.
To enquire about booking a stall contact marion@thebfcm.co.uk

When? 9th November to the 23rd December 2023.
Click here to apply for a stall.

When? 1st to the 3rd December. Durham’s Christmas markets only run for 3 days but they look to be an amazing market.
Email info@durhamchristmasfestival.com to get involved.

When? 17th November 2023 to 6th January 2024 at East Princes Street Gardens, in the Mound Precinct, and along George Street in New Town.
To enquire about setting up a stall call 0131 510 0395.

When? 17th November 2023 – 1st January 2024.
Click here to enquire about a getting a stall at the Hyde Park Christmas markets.

When? 10th November 2023 to 21st December 2023.
Manchester hosts several stunning Christmas markets with exact locations yet to be announced.
How to get a stall at Manchester Christmas market: To apply to be a trader at the Manchester Christmas Markets you need to complete an application on Manchester City Council’s website. The form can be found here.

When? 7th November to 31st December 2023.
To apply to be a trader at the Nottingham Christmas markets, click here.

When? 7th December 2023 to 10th December 2023.

To trade at the event contact LSD Promotions (Market Place) Ltd on 01384 877336 or email customerservice@lsdpromotions.com. All stall holders at Stratford-Upon-Avon Christmas markets are required to dress in traditional Victorian dress, bear this in mind when applying for a stall.

When? 19th November 2023 to 22nd December 2023.
To enquire about getting a stall at York Christmas Markets call 01904 554455 or email info@makeityork.com

Most Christmas markets are managed by the local council, so you’ll need to reach out to them and fill out an application to trade. More often than not, there’s a fee to trade at a Christmas market so work out your costings before you commit to a stall and make sure it’s going to be a worthwhile venture.

When it comes to what to sell and how to make a profit, consider the things people are most commonly searching for around Christmastime and make sure your products are visually appealing with branded packaging and boxes.

Sweet treats, alcohol, cheese and artisan/boutique one-off gifts are incredibly popular. Additionally, make sure your stall offers a variety of Christmas related goodies and products that can be used/worn/enjoyed all year round. Christmas gifting is high on the priority list when people visit a Christmas market and they’ll be looking for gifts that’ll be used all year round. Don’t forget to pop a flyer or leaflet in their bag to highlight other offerings and direct them to your website or social media channels too!

Stick with what you know and put your signature products front and centre. If you have a winning formula in terms of what sells well then stick with it. Make sure you’ve got an array of products for all budgets and combine Christmas themed goods with all-year-round favourites.

For more advice on how to make the stall itself stand out, take a read of our craft stall display ideas blog.