Craft Fairs & Farmers Markets in Tennessee

Running in its 16th season, 12 South Farmers Market is a weekly community farmers market with live music and food trucks every Tuesday afternoon, May through October, held in Sevier Park. The market celebrates Tennessee's agricultural and creative way of life, featuring locally grown produce and handmade goods from local artisans. Food vendors, weekly and monthly activities, and special events round out the calendar. Note: Recent reporting indicates the market faces parking challenges that may affect vendor operations going forward.

In Chattanooga, 4 Bridges Arts Festival is a juried fine-art show ranked in the top 30 in the country, featuring 140+ artists and $15,000+ in cash awards. Held each April at First Horizon Pavilion, it draws visual artists from across the country. The First Horizon Emerging Artist Program offers free booth space, mentoring, and marketing support to local emerging artists within a 45-mile radius with limited prior gallery or festival experience.

The Farmers Market at Agricenter International has been running since 1986 and serves as one of the largest small-business incubators in the greater Memphis area. Open Mondays through Saturdays during the growing season, it draws shoppers intentionally looking to buy directly from local farmers and ranchers. Homemade food products are welcome — Shelby County Health Department forms are provided.

Held in downtown Clarksville along Main Street, Artsville Fest brings together handmade art, pottery, jewelry, boutique fashion, food trucks, and local makers in a free one-day festival. The vendor mix spans returning favorites and regional artists — expect original paintings, woodwork, one-of-a-kind goods, and live performances nearby. Popular items move fast, so arriving early pays off if you're seeking high-traffic foot traffic and an engaged crowd of creative shoppers.

Athens Farmers Market runs Saturdays year-round — March through December in the main season, plus a winter market in January and February. Wednesday evening markets are also available March through November. Vendors can apply for individual markets or commit to the full season. The market also hosts three Crafts & Drafts evening markets at local breweries (August, October, December) and a Holiday Artist Market in November on Small Business Saturday. Applications open January 1st each year.

Held on Main Street in McMinnville each October, Autumn Street Fair brings together arts, crafts, food vendors, and shoppers for a day-long street fair. Run by Leadership McMinnville, it's a established community event drawing solid foot traffic on a prime autumn weekend.

Held in Bartlett each October at W.J. Freeman Park, the Bartlett Festival features local music, arts & crafts, a car show, children's activities, and an MBN-sanctioned BBQ cooking contest. The festival runs Friday evening and Saturday, with a 5K run on Saturday morning. Currently, food truck/concession vendors are not being accepted; new business, civic groups, and craft vendors are welcomed.

Bartlett Station Farmers Market runs Saturdays from May through late September at W.J. Freeman Park in Bartlett. The market welcomes farmers, artisans, and food vendors. Submit your vendor application via the fillable PDF available on their site.

Held in Shelbyville each late July for six days at the Bedford County Agricultural Center, the Bedford County Fair draws around 20,000 visitors with livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, tractor pulls, antique equipment displays, and carnival rides. Vendors set up for arts, crafts, and food across a fair that balances traditional county fair programming with community market components—pony rides, fireworks finale, and established crowds of families.

Held in Camden annually, the Benton County Fair is a member of the Tennessee Association of Fairs. Expect agricultural exhibits, animals, children's activities, entertainment, music, rides, commercial vendors, and a wide variety of food — a classic county fair mix drawing from the West Tennessee community.

Held in Chattanooga at Coolidge Park, Between the Bridges is AVA's locals-only arts festival in its 6th year — roughly 50 local artists showing and selling work. Open exclusively to artists within 45 miles of Chattanooga. The festival runs alongside the 7 Bridges Marathon, Chattanooga Jazz Festival, and IBMA annual conference, drawing thousands of visitors to downtown and Northshore. Community partners include Scenic City Clay Arts, H*Art Gallery, the Photographic Society of Chattanooga, and SPLASH. You can apply for one or both days.

Held at Wilma Rudolph Event Center in Clarksville, the 4th annual Black Clarksville Holiday Market draws local makers, artisans, and small-business vendors selling holiday crafts, handmade goods, apparel, home décor, food, and more. The market is free and open to the public, with photos available with Santa and activities for kids. Strong vendor roster — 50+ makers and food vendors — makes for solid foot traffic if you're looking for a November holiday event.

Held each May in downtown Sevierville, Bloomin' BBQ Music & Food Festival draws over 70 crafters from across the southeastern United States — expect handcrafted woodwork, homemade soaps, local honey, and a wide range of food and merchandise vendors. Strong regional draw for shoppers seeking locally made goods.

Held in historic downtown Sweetwater each September, Blooms, Bluegrass & BBQ Festival brings together craft vendors, food vendors, and commercial exhibitors. City-run event with an established vendor marketplace.

Bolivar Farmers Market operates year-round on the corner of Lafayette & Washington in downtown Bolivar, open Tuesday and Saturday mornings during the growing season (May–October). A straightforward farmers market serving a rural area with produce and local goods sold directly by growers.

Running since 1977, Bradley County Farmers Market in Cleveland opens the first week of June and runs through October on Saturday mornings. The market carries produce, herbs, spices, local honey, salsas, and potted plants from regional growers, plus craft vendors selling handmade bags, tapestries, masks, and more. Located at 3120 Peerless Rd NW next to the Bradley County Cannery. Applications stay open throughout the season — separate forms for producers and artisans.

Held in downtown Bristol on the Tennessee/Virginia border, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is a juried festival in its 25th anniversary year seeking diverse food, craft, and retail vendors. The jury prioritizes unique items that reflect the region's cultural heritage — expect rotating vendor lineups that mix established participants with newcomers. Vendors can serve thousands over the three-day weekend. Craft and retail booths are 10×10′; food vendors get 10×20′. Vendors must carry $1M product liability insurance naming the Birthplace of Country Music and both cities as additional insured, and display tax permits on-site.

Brownsville Farmers Market is a nonprofit farmers market sponsored by the City of Brownsville and Brownsville Main Street Association, operating in conjunction with local health and extension partners. Open whenever farmers want to sell, it's a community-driven space for direct producer-to-shopper sales.

Chattanooga Holiday Market runs across two weekends in December at Chattanooga Convention Center, featuring 150+ local food vendors, artists, and crafters selling artisan goods, baked goods, and festive preparations. The market also operates simultaneously in Knoxville — same weekend format, same vendor mix. Indoor venue with covered parking structures nearby.

Held indoors at the Chattanooga Convention Center for two full weekends in December, Chattanooga Holiday Market brings together 200+ local food vendors, artists, and crafters. Expect pottery, custom art, handcrafted jewelry, natural bath and body products, locally designed apparel, woodworking, and home décor — the full spectrum of holiday shopping and gifting. Strong foot traffic from established shoppers seeking one-of-a-kind, locally made goods.

Held in Ashland City, Cheatham County Community Arts Festival is a free community event featuring fine artists, craft vendors, food trucks, and family programming — live art demos, a community art project, fine art classes on Sunday, and seasonal activities like a petting zoo and photos with Santa. The outdoor Holiday Marketplace draws local makers and shoppers looking to support regional talent.

Founded in 1947, Cheatham County Fair is held each September in Ashland City at the Cheatham County Fairgrounds. The fair draws over 8,000 visitors and distinguishes itself through agricultural and educational components with competitions including bake-offs, cook-offs, and action-packed contests. It runs for three days and features midway rides, food vendors, and live events. For vendor inquiries, contact (615) 792-1528.

Cherohala Skyway Festival in Tellico Plains accepts handmade arts & crafts and food trucks — all vendors require approval before payment processes. Duplicate product categories are limited to manage vendor mix. Food trucks welcome. Email charleshallmuseum@hotmail.com with questions.

Held in Kingsport each November, Christmas Connection celebrates 47 years as a regional arts and crafts fair. The event draws strong vendor attendance and is free to the public — a solid draw for shoppers looking for handmade gifts during the holiday season. Hosted at MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center.

Running since 1961, Christmas Village is one of the Southeast's premier holiday markets — held at The Fairgrounds Nashville, it draws 30,000+ shoppers annually and features 250+ merchants selling home decor, pottery, jewelry, clothing, and holiday food items. Merchant acceptance is juried based on merchandise quality and variety; the event benefits Vanderbilt's Bill Wilkerson Center for Hearing and Speech Science and Pi Beta Phi philanthropies. Free parking for all attendees.