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Discover Illinois' Top Craft Fairs

il craft fairs

Illinois is home to some of the oldest, largest, and most acclaimed art fairs, drawing in thousands of artisans and craft enthusiasts from the Great Lakes area and beyond. Many of Illinois’ craft fairs are multi-day events offering live entertainment, food, and various activities to attract large attendances. The best craft fairs in Illinois feature high-quality works of art in diverse mediums and unique handcrafted goods that support artisans.


Gold Coast Art Fair, Chicago, IL

The Gold Coast Art Fair is held each summer in Chicago’s Grant Park and features over 200 juried arts nationwide. Thousands have been gathering at this award-winning fair for more than 60 years to explore and shop a diverse array of exceptional art exhibits. Live entertainment and food are available at this festive event.

57th Street Art Fair, Chicago, IL

Recognized as the oldest juried arts and crafts fair in the Midwest, the 57th Street Art Fair has been showcasing high-quality works of art for over 78 years! This long-standing annual tradition is a free, two-day event held in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Over 100 artists exhibit a huge variety of handmade products in all mediums for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Annual La Grange Craft Fair, La Grange, IL

As one of the top craft fairs in the nation, the Annual La Grange Craft Fair has been showcasing local artisans for over 50 years! This award-winning three-day craft fair is held in charming downtown La Grange and features over 200 booth crafts in an outdoor setting. It’s a long-standing local summer tradition.

Art on the Square, Belleville, IL

Art on the Square is a three-day event held every May in downtown Belleville since 2002. This award-winning fine art fair features unique works from over 100 artists from Illinois and beyond. Attendees also enjoy musical stage performances, food, and a children’s art garden for creating art projects they can keep.

Spring Lincoln Roscoe Art & Craft Fair, Chicago, IL

The Spring Lincoln Roscoe Art & Craft Fair is an annual two-day event held each May in Chicago’s northside. This free-admission fair showcases a diverse array of handmade works including sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and more created by artists and artisans. There’s also live music, kids art activities, and food/beverage vendors available at this exciting fair.

Annual Fall Diddley Craft Show, Belvidere, IL

Held at the Boone County Fairgrounds, the Annual Fall Diddley Craft Show has been showcasing a large assortment of handmade crafts for nearly 39th years! Hundreds of crafters gather to sell their products with an emphasis on the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. This two-day event is held each October and is hosted by the McHenry County Mental Health Resource League with proceeds benefiting the local non-profit agencies focused on mental related health disorders.

Key Insights at a Glance

  • Illinois is home to some of the oldest, largest, and most acclaimed art fairs in the Great Lakes area.
  • Many craft fairs in Illinois are multi-day events with live entertainment, food, and various activities.
  • The best craft fairs in Illinois feature high-quality works of art in diverse mediums and unique handcrafted goods.
  • The Gold Coast Art Fair in Chicago's Grant Park features over 200 juried artists and has been a popular event for over 60 years.
  • The 57th Street Art Fair in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood is the oldest juried arts and crafts fair in the Midwest.
  • The Annual La Grange Craft Fair in downtown La Grange has been showcasing local artisans for over 50 years.
  • Art on the Square in Belleville features unique works from over 100 artists and includes musical performances, food, and a children's art garden.
  • The Spring Lincoln Roscoe Art & Craft Fair in Chicago's northside showcases a diverse array of handmade works and includes live music, kids art activities, and food vendors.
  • The Annual Fall Diddley Craft Show in Belvidere has been showcasing handmade crafts for nearly 39 years and benefits local non-profit agencies focused on mental health disorders.

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