Art Fairs Near Me | Best Art Festivals in the US

It’s that time of year when the heat of the summer brings art outdoors! The art fair circuit is in full swing across much of the country, so we wanted to provide a list of the best art fairs in the USA. While the debate between what is Art vs. Craft rages on, this guide focuses on the best art fairs, art festivals and art shows across the US as well as by region. Bonus: If you are an artist yourself looking to break into the art fair scene, make sure to browse the most profitable art fairs list at the end of this guide. Although Max Foster Photography does not currently exhibit at art fairs, we do enjoy attending local art shows and catching up with our favorite artists!

Shimmering Waters, Telluride, Colorado. Photo © Max Foster
"Shimmering Waters", Telluride, Colorado. Limited Edition. Photo © Max Foster

Why Art Fairs Are Good for Artists and Attendees Alike

An art fair is an event that allows artists to display and sell their work as a temporary “exhibit or gallery” for a short period of time, usually from 1 day to 1 week at any given location. This type of artist-customer in person interaction can be great for both parties as it allows artists to build rapport directly with customers, while attendees get to see the quality of the artist’s works up close. Additionally, the fee/commission charged of the artist if often less than a traditional gallery setting, making it a more profitable venue for selling art while still maintaining a reasonable price point for customers.

Shoots And Ladders, Bamboo Forest, Haleakala National Park, Maui.
"Shoots And Ladders", Bamboo Forest, Haleakala National Park, Maui. Photo © Max Foster.

10 Top Rated Art Fairs in the US

with input from ArtFairCalendar.com

1. Old Town Art Fair, Chicago - June

2. Park City Kimball Arts Festival, Park City, Utah - August

3. Long's Park Art Festival, Lancaster, Pennsylvania - September

4. Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, Florida - May

5. Geneva Arts Fair, Geneva, Illinois - July

6. St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, Kentucky - October

7. Lakeshore Art Festival, Muskegon, Michigan - July

8. Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, Iowa - June

9. Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, Cedar Key, FL - April

10. Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO - July

Shock Wave, Ke'e Beach, Kauai, Hawaii. Limited Edition. Photo © Max Foster.
"Shock Wave", Ke'e Beach, Kauai, Hawaii. Limited Edition. Photo © Max Foster.

The Best Art Fairs in the Midwest

1. Old Town Art Fair, Chicago – June

2. Geneva Arts Fair, Geneva, Illinois - July

3. St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, KY – October

4. Lakeshore Art Festival, Muskegon, Michigan - July

5. Ann Arbor Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI - July

6. Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, IA - June

7. Saint Louis Art Fair, St. Louis, MO - September

Catching Fire Panoramic, Superior National Forest, Lutsen, Minnesota. Photo © Max Foster.
"Catching Fire Panoramic", Superior National Forest, Lutsen, Minnesota. Photo © Max Foster.

The Best Art Fairs in the South

1. Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, FL - March

2. Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, Cedar Key, FL - April

3. Main Street Arts Festival, Fort Worth, TX – April

4. The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, The Woodlands, TX - April

Enlightened, Caddo Lake, Texas & Louisiana. Photo © Max Foster
"Enlightened", Caddo Lake, Texas & Louisiana. Photo © Max Foster

The Best Art Fairs in the East

1. Long's Park Art Festival, Lancaster, PA - September

2. Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA - June

3. Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, State College, PA – July

4. Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, Reston, VA – September

Once Upon A Harbor Panoramic, Rockport Harbor, Massachusetts. Photo © Max Foster
"Once Upon A Harbor Panoramic", Rockport Harbor, Massachusetts. Photo © Max Foster

The Best Art Fairs in the West

1. Park City Kimball Arts Festival, Park City, UT - August

2. Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO - July

3. Art in the Pearl, Portland, OR - September

4. Crested Butte Arts Festival, Crested Butte, CO – July/August

5. Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach, CA - July/August

Sea Portal Panoramic, Scripps Pier in La Jolla, California. Photo © Max Foster
"Sea Portal Panoramic", Scripps Pier in La Jolla, California. Photo © Max Foster

20 Most Profitable Art Fairs in the US

according to SunshineArtist.com

1. Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA - June

2. St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, KY - October

3. Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, NY - September

4. Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA - September

5. Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival, Cape Coral, FL - January

6. Loring Park Art Festival, Minneapolis, MN - July/August

7. Tubac Festival of the Arts, Tubac, AZ - November

8. Summerfair, Cincinnati, OH - June

9. Marietta Art in the Park, Marietta, GA - September

10. Art Fest Naples at Fleischmann Park, Naples, FL - January

11. Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, Bethesda, MD - May

12. 4 Bridges Arts Festival, Chattanooga, TN - April

13. The Village at Winona Art Fair, Winona Lake, IN - June

14. Bonita Springs National Art Festival, Bonita Springs, FL - February (Show 2)

15. Art Fair on the Square, Madison, WI - September

16. IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL - January

17. Old Town Art Fair, Chicago, IL - June

18. Port Clinton Art Festival, Highland Park, IL - August

19. Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, FL - March

20. Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair, Peoria, IL - September

Mists of Endor, Redwood National Park, California. Limited Edition. Photo © Max Foster.
"Mists of Endor", Redwood National Park, California. Limited Edition. Photo © Max Foster.

Virtual Art Fairs | Online Photography Galleries

If your summer is already jam packed with events or you don’t live close enough to attend one of the art fairs on the above lists, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to view art virtually! Whether it be attending a Virtual Art Fair or browsing an artist’s online photography gallery, there are now many ways to stay in the know on talented artists and view their newest work without having to step outside your home.