Craft Fairs & Farmers Markets in Connecticut

Held in mid-June in Vernon, the 3rd Annual Tolland County Artisan & Craft Fair features more than 50 local handmade artisans selling on the green at Connecticut Golf Land. Expect food trucks, live music, raffles, a kid zone, and drinks. Free admission draws a mixed audience of families and shoppers seeking handmade goods and local makers.

Small monthly market at First Congregational Church of Andover, 359 Route 6. Tolland County; produce, baked goods, soaps, honey.

Held in Woodbridge near New Haven in December, the Annual JCC Craft & Gift Fair runs each year as a free, community-open event hosted by JCC of Greater New Haven. The fair draws 50+ local artisans and vendors selling handmade crafts, gifts, accessories, jewelry, pottery, home décor, and more. Expect also a café with food options. Established as a seasonal shopping destination for shoppers seeking authentic local makers.

Annual North Branford community food festival celebrating local potato and corn harvests with rides, food, vendors, music.

Annual outdoor cultural festival celebrating Jewish heritage with food, vendors, crafts and entertainment on the shoreline.

Arts & Crafts on Bedford returns twice yearly on Bedford Street in downtown Stamford — a signature outdoor event drawing 60+ local and regional artists selling handcrafted goods. June and September editions feature jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, photography, candles, and more. The street closes to traffic, and nearby restaurants on Bedford and Spring offer outdoor dining while you shop.

Avon Farmers Market runs Tuesday mornings each May through September in Avon, drawing roughly 15 vendors selling produce, cheese, bakery goods, meats, and gelato. It's a small, neighborhood-focused weekly market.

The Berlin Lions Agricultural Fair has been run by the Berlin Lions Club since 1949 and is a four-day affair held each September at the Berlin Fairgrounds. The fair attracts retail, craft, and artisan vendors alongside livestock exhibits, motorsports, live entertainment, midway rides, and contests—a full traditional agricultural fair. Vendors must submit an application annually, secure $1,000,000 liability insurance with the Berlin Lions Club listed as additional insured, and hold a Connecticut sales tax permit. The fair currently is not accepting food vendor applications. All accepted vendors are required to remain open for all four days and hours of operation.

Held each October in rural Bethany at the Old Bethany Airport, this 20+-year-old festival brings together food trucks, local vendors and crafters, live music, demonstrations, and family activities including a petting zoo, hayrides, and live entertainment. Vendor spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the festival directly via the vendor application for details and availability.

Downtown Bethel summer street festival organized by the Bethel Chamber of Commerce, with a PT Barnum Square street fair (vendors, life-size games, live music), sidewalk sales, kids entertainers on the Library lawn, and SplashFest on the Municipal Center lawn.

Annual holiday kickoff in downtown Bethel by the Bethel Chamber of Commerce featuring Santa's Village Marketplace (handcrafted vendors), a Run Santa Run 5K, photos with Santa, an art walk on Greenwood Ave in partnership with Bethel Arts, horse-drawn carriage rides, and tree lighting.

Iconic 44+ year holiday festival surrounding Bethlehem's town green with the 85-foot lighted Christmas tree, 70+ craft and gift vendors selling handcrafted items, a 5K race, food booths, Christmas vehicle/tractor decorating contest, hayride, and free musical entertainment. Run entirely by volunteers; proceeds support Memorial Hall community center. 2024 booth fees: indoor 6' table $72 / 8' $96 / 12' $120; outdoor 12'x12' $120 plus insurance.

Held in Bethlehem each September, Bethlehem Fair is an old-fashioned agricultural fair featuring livestock shows, horse competitions, farm displays, amusement rides, festival foods, and live entertainment. The fair celebrates rural traditions and draws a community-focused crowd. Vendor entries and payments are handled directly through the fair office — no online submissions.

Black Wall Street Festival, created by The Breed Ent., celebrates Black and brown entrepreneurs and creatives in New Haven. The event supports economic growth within these communities, encourages vendor participation, and centers community engagement, education, and activism on racial and economic justice.

Bloomfield Farmers Market is in its third year after a pandemic hiatus, held Saturdays on the Town Green in Bloomfield. The market prioritizes local farmers using sustainable, chemical-free practices — vendors include produce growers, a beef/pork/chicken operation, honey, eggs, seedlings, flowers, maple syrup, and food scrap collection. FMNP/WIC certified; the market doubles WIC/SNAP dollars through a community fund. Farmers only.

Held in West Hartford's Town Hall parking lot, Blue Back Farmers' Market runs Sundays from mid-June through late October. Expect produce, free-range meat, coffee, bagels, and rotating live music and events — the market positions itself as a "third space" for community. Vendor mix includes farmers and food makers.

Held in Branford on Father's Day weekend at Hammer Field, the 42nd annual Branford Festival brings together thousands of residents and visitors for three days of live music, food vendors, kids activities, and crafts. The Artisan Marketplace features dozens of small businesses and local vendors. Sunday wraps with a vintage car show (100+ vehicles) and the Branford Road Race, including a family fun run and health walk.

The 8th annual Brews on Bedford takes over Latham Park in Stamford with unlimited tastings from 16+ local and regional breweries, food trucks, live music, and craft vendors. Established crowd of beer and food enthusiasts — solid foot traffic in May.

Three-day traditional country fair with a wide variety of food tents (famous roast beef sandwiches, slow-cooked chicken, fresh buttery corn, tacos, ice cream, fried dough, BBQ), agricultural exhibits, livestock, music, and rides.

Running over 60 years, Bristol Mum Festival is held in September on historic Memorial Boulevard and draws vendors, artisans, food trucks, live music, a parade, kids' programming, and amusement rides. The festival celebrates Bristol's heritage and pulls strong community attendance—a established event with consistent foot traffic and broad vendor mix appeal. Contact Andy Adams, Festival Vendor Director, at mum.festival.events@gmail.com.

43rd annual juried fine arts festival (originals only — no craft) hosted on the grounds of the Bruce Museum featuring approximately 70 invited fine artists across all fine art media. Produced by Gordon Fine Arts. 2026 application deadline June 3, 2026.

41st annual outdoor juried crafts festival featuring contemporary handmade crafts in jewelry, wearable and decorative fiber, glass, furniture and housewares, pottery, demonstrations, children's activities, and food. Produced by Gordon Fine Arts in partnership with the Bruce Museum. $15 admission.

Capital City Pride is the next evolution of Hartford Pride, held at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza along the Connecticut River. The day splits into two distinct experiences: Pride on Pratt, a daytime family-friendly street fair on Hartford's iconic Pratt Street, and PrideFEST—an adult-themed neon/glow party (5–9 pm) with live performances spanning multiple genres. Free parking available on-street; paid garage parking also nearby.

Held in downtown Storrs in September, Celebrate Mansfield Festival is the 23rd annual edition of this community festival featuring craft booths (juried for original, handmade work), food vendors, and activity booths hosted by local businesses, nonprofits, and UConn departments. Strong volunteer base and established local draw.

Held each May in downtown New Britain, Celebrate New Britain drew over 45 vendors and 10,000 visitors in 2025. The city's Recreation & Community Services Department runs this established street festival—one of the city's largest community events—featuring food vendors, handmade crafts, local businesses, live music across multiple stages, and attractions like a returning zip line and kids zone. Vendors must provide their own tables, tents, and canopy (10x10 spaces, no electricity or shade). Handmade arts/crafts vendors accepted; imports and mass-produced goods excluded. All vendors must stay through full vending hours (12pm–6pm). $1M liability insurance required before event.