The UK’s best craft shows 2023
Whatever your plans are for this year, you don’t want to miss out on visiting these craft shows! We’re big fans of craft shows, craft fairs and craft festivals. Visiting a craft show is a great was to get creative inspiration, stock up on your craft supplies, try craft workshops, visit craft exhibitions and even meet your craft heroes.
Going to a craft show is a whole day trip so take some time to book in the craft events that you’d like to attend over the next few months. To make it easier for you we’ve compiled a list of the best craft shows across the UK that are taking place throughout 2023 and there's something to appeal to everyone.
If you’re wondering "are there craft shows near me?" then rest-assured you’ll find one. We’ve selected over 25 craft shows taking place throughout the UK. From craft shows at the NEC in Birmingham to the legendary quilt fairs in Harrogate Yorkshire, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you visit a craft show on your own to enjoy some ‘me time’ or you visit with friends, every creative crafter should visit a craft show at least once a year so you can stay on top of the craft trends, try your hand at new crafts and enjoying being surrounded by other people that share your passion.
It’s also satisfying to meet stallholders, put a name to the face of a designer or small business you may be following on social media and feel proud that you’re supporting them directly.
So take a look through our extensive list of craft shows below that are taking place in the UK throughout 2023 and get ready for a fun day out (or two!)
FEBRUARY
Craft show: Unravel
Dates: 24th–26th February 2023
Venue: Farnham Maltings, Surrey
Unravel is a festival of yarn, considered the biggest yarn event in the South East of England, so if you’re a fan of knitting, crochet, spinning or weaving this is the craft show for you. There’s a packed schedule of craft workshops where you can try special techniques like Shetland lace and dyeing, see inspiring art exhibitions and shop at an impressive marketplace where you can stock up on wool and yarn.
MARCH
Craft show: The Scottish Quilting Show, Glasgow
Dates: 3rd–6th March 2023
Venue: Scottish Event Campus (SEC)
Join in fun workshops, meet experts and shop until you drop at Scotland’s largest craft show for quilters. A highlight is the quilt exhibition where you can get inspired before shopping for new fat quarters.
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Craft show: Desire Jewellery & Silversmithing Fair, London
Dates: 10th-12th March 2023
Venue: Chelsea Old Town Hall
A must-visit event for jewellery lovers, whether you’re a jewellery maker or jewellery enthusiastic this is a specialist craft fair where you’ll witness work from the best jewellery designers in the UK and beyond and get lots of inspiration for your own jewellery making projects.
Craft show: Craft Festival, Cheltenham
Dates: 10th-12th March 2023
Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall, Gloucester
Now in its fifth year, the Craft Festival Cheltenham has a hundred exhibitors showcasing the best designer makers from across the UK. You can buy jewellery, ceramics, furniture, textile artists, glass and much more and book to do specialist craft workshops.
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Craft show: Crafterama
Dates: 11th-12th Match 2023
Venue: Alexandra Place, London
A crafter’s paradise, Crafterama is one of the few craft shows that covers all craft mediums. From needle felting to resin crafts, journalling to decoupage if there’s a craft you’ve always wanted to try out, this is the place to meet experts in these crafts and buy supplies so you can start your new creative hobby.
Craft show: Sewing For Pleasure, Birmingham
Dates: 16th-19th March 2023
Venue: National Exhibition Centre (NEC)
One of several Birmingham craft shows we have in our round-up of the best craft shows of 2023. Stock up on the latest stitching supplies and get inspiration for your sewing, patchwork and knitting projects. You can also book to attend workshops where you’ll have the chance to try sewing machines, overlockers and learn new techniques to improve your sewing skills.
Craft show: Fashion and Embroidery, Birmingham
Dates: 16th-19th March 2023
Venue: National Exhibition Centre (NEC)
The talking point of this fabric themed craft show is a stylish catwalk where you can see handmade clothes under the spotlight to help decide which sewing patterns you’d like to purchase. There’s also incredible inspiration in the embroidery galleries and you’ll have chance to chat to experts while re-stocking your craft stash with gorgeous new supplies.
Craft show: The Creative Crafts Show, Birmingham
Dates: 16th—19th March 2023
Venue: National Exhibition Centre, (NEC)
A haven for knitting, cross stitch, papercrafting, jewellery, dressmaking and stitching enthusiasts, you'll find the latest supplies, ideas, and innovations in the craft and hobby world.
Craft show: The Stitch Festival
Dates: 23rd-26 March 2023
Venue: Business Design Centre, London
The ultimate craft show for sewing enthusiasts, whether you’re a dressmaker, enjoy sewing for pleasure or are a fan of The Great British Sewing Bee and want to give clothesmaking a go, there’s so much inspiration to soak up. Last year the festival hosted an Instagram Maker’s catwalk modelling patterns from leading sewing brands who exhibit at the exhibition. As well as picking up new sewing patterns you'll find the perfect material and can try out the latest sewing machines.
Use promo code PRIMA23 for up to £5 off tickets!*
Ts&Cs: *£5 off standard advance adult/ £3.50 off concession tickets (£3/ £1.50 discount applies on Sunday 26th March. Booking fee applies per transaction. Offer expires 11.59pm Wednesday 22nd March 2023
Craft show: The Stitching for All Show
Dates: 30 March–1 April 2023
Venue: Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Bringing together sewing, fashion, knitting and quilting, this is a dream craft show for textiles fans. There are a wide range of workshops, demonstrations from experts who can answer your queries and a fantastic market place where you can shop for specialist craft supplies that you may not be able to find in your local craft shop.
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Craft show: Craft4Crafters
Dates: 30 March–1 April 2023
Venue: Westpoint Arena, Exeter
A sister event to The Stitching for All Show, here you’ll find a wider selection of craft supplies such as papercrafts, jewellery making, printing and scrapbooking. As well as workshops there are creative lectures and lots of exhibitors selling the latest materials to take your craft projects to the next level.
APRIL
Craft show: Henfield Contemporary Craft Show
Dates: 1st-2nd April 2023
Venue: The Henfield Hall, West Sussex
Be inspired by the designer makers showcasing exciting examples of ceramics, furniture, glass, jewellery, knitwear, metalwork, silversmithing, textiles and woodwork. You’ll be able to chat to the experts and get advice on any techniques you’re interested in trying yourself.
Craft show: British Quilt & Stitch Village, Uttoxeter
Dates: 21st-23rd April 2023
Venue: Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire
The North West’s biggest craft show for patchworkers, quilters and embroiderers. Enjoy exhibitions, workshops and lots of craft shopping.
Craft show: Contemporary Craft Fair
Dates: 27th April-1st May 2023
Venue: RHS Garden Wisley
Enjoy a fun day out meeting leading craft designers and makers, buy original pieces and get inspired for your next crafts project.
MAY
Craft show: Living Crafts Festival, Hatfield
Dates: 5th-8th May 2023
Venue: Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire
This festival is one-stop creative shopping experience, showcasing contemporary arts and crafts and celebrating the talents of British designer-makers. You can even commission artists, watch demonstrations and take part in enjoyable crafts workshops in a beautiful setting.
Craft show: Crafterama
Dates: 21st May 2023
Venue: Lincolnshire Showground
A chance to discover new craft techniques, watch demonstrations and learn from the experts. Expect to do lots of shopping at this popular craft show, the stalls here have an impressive range of craft supplies, the hardest part is deciding what to buy.
Craft show: Contemporary Craft Fair
Dates: 18th-21st May 2023
Venue: Hever Castle & Gardens
This is a craft fair for craftlovers to come along, get inspired and shop for original unique handmade crafts including jewellery, sculpture, ceramics and glass. Make a day of it and enjoy the beautiful grounds and gardens while you’re here.
JUNE
Craft show: Springfields Quilt Show
Dates:9th-10th June 2023
Venue: Springfields Events Centre, Lincolnshire
As well as a chance to stock up on patchwork and quilting supplies there are gorgeous exhibitions where you can see work by some of the finest quilters in the country.
Craft show: Crafterama, Kent
Dates: 10th June 2023
Venue: Kent Showground
Crafterama continues its craft show tour, this month coming to Kent. This is a multi-craft event so whatever craft you’re interested in, or if you’re keen to discover a new hobby you’ll find it here.
Craft show: Handmade Oxford
Dates: 16th-18th June 2023
Venue: Waterperry Gardens, Oxford
A mix between a craft show and a summer festival, there’s a wonderful atmosphere at this event where as well as workshops and a programme of artist talks there’s an artisan food market.
JULY
Craft show: Craft On Crafting
Dates: 8th-9th July 2023
Venue: South of England Showground, East Sussex
If you love crafts, crafting classes, craft demos, craft supplies and great food then this is the craft show for you! It’s also one of the only craft shows in the UK you can camp at, motorhomes, caravans and tents are welcome.
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Craft show: Celebrating Ceramics, Oxford
Dates: 14th-16th July 2023
Venue: Waterperry Gardens, Oxford
Fans of The Great Pottery Showdown will love being immersed in this incredible event that is a celebration of all things ceramics. You can see the work of 140 ceramic designers and enjoy food and music throughout the day.
AUGUST
Craft show: Festival of Quilts, Birmingham
Dates: 3rd to 6th August 2023
Venue: National Exhibition Centre
No quilter should miss this annual event which is the biggest celebration of quilts anywhere in the UK. Over four days you can enjoy seeing some of the best quilts in the world being exhibited and shop for the biggest selection of quilting fabrics you’ve ever seen. You’ll also have a chance to meet like-minded quilt fans.
Craft show: Contemporary Craft Fair, Essex
Dates: 25th-28th August 2023
Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex
Come and discover British crafts at their finest at this annual event that brings professional crafters and craft lovers together to share in the joy of the handmade. You can shop for contemporary crafts and place orders for your own special commissions, ideal if you want to buy an heirloom gift for a loved one.
SEPTEMBER
Craft show: The Creative Crafts Show, Farnborough
Dates: 1st—3rd September 2023
Venue: Farnborough International
Following the success of last year's inaugural craft show in Farnborough, The Creative Craft Show is back with an even bigger event. There are some fantastic make and take sessions to join in while getting up to speed with the latest sewing, papercrafts and jewellery making trends.
Craft show: Craft In Focus Contemporary Craft Fair
Dates: 7th-10th September 2023
Venue: Hever Castle & Gardens
A craft show with a contemporary twist, this is an event where professional crafters can showcase their work and hobbyists can come along and get inspired. Meet experts, buy crafts directly from designers and enjoy a fun day out in a beautiful location.
Craft show: Yarndale, Yorkshire
Dates: 23rd-24th September 2023
Venue: Auction Mart, Skipton
Celebrating the brilliance of yarn in all its forms, this award-winning craft festival brings together over 180 makers, craft makers, retailers, and artisans in the picturesque market town of Skipton, North Yorkshire. Visitors will be immersed in a world of woolly crafts and have the opportunity to buy the latest yarns in colours and textures you won’t find at your local knitting shop.
OCTOBER
Craft show: The Knitting & Stitching Show
Dates: 5th-8th October 2023
Venue: Alexandra Palace
Craft fans travel worldwide to be at this epic show, which is one of the largest annual craft shows in the UK. Alongside stalls and specialist craft workshops there's the chance to meet craft guilds to see world-class craft exhibitions.
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Craft show: Crafts4Crafters, Bath
Dates: 12th-14th October 2023
Venue: Bath & West Showground, Bath
Another chance to visit the Craft4Crafters event, this time in the West Country. You’ll be able to visit exhibitions, join in workshops and stock up on craft supplies for Autumn crafts. It's also a good opportunity to start on any pans for Christmas crafting.
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Craft show: The Creative Crafts Show
Dates: 26th-29th October 2023
Venue: SEC Centre
The ultimate craft shopping experience in Scotland, craft lovers will find everything then need for their Christmas crafts projects. Whatever your favourite craft is, you'll be able to learn more about it here and discover new crafts too.
NOVEMBER
Craft show: The Knitting & Stitching Show
Dates: 16th-19th November 2023
Venue: HCC Harrogate
There's so much to enjoy at the Knitting & Stitching Show that it's best to arrive early and make a full day of it. This year you can expect the usual textile galleries, visit the infamous yarn village, listen to talks in the Creative Living Theatre and look out for a special visitor - a giant knitted Shrek!
Craft show: Henley Craft and Gift Market
Dates: 25th November 2023
Venue: HCC Harrogate
Henley-on-Thames is a beautiful place to combine a crafty activity with a minibreak. Most of the stallholders here are local artisans so it's a great place to do your Christmas shopping while supporting independent designers.
DECEMBER
Craft show: Crafts in the Park
Dates: 11th-12th December 2023
Venue: Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Aylsham, Norfolk
It may take place in a park, but don't worry, this winter craft show is undercover! You can expect handmade crafts and locally made supplies like Norfolk yarn, ideal for felting and knitting.
Craft show: Christmas Artisan Craft and Gift Fair
Dates: 17th December 2023
Venue: One Warwick Park Hotel, Tunbridge Wells,
Visiting a craft fair the week before Christmas is a great way to get into the festive mood. Snap up stockingfillers and handmade goodies like local chutneys and any last minute Christmas cards.
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