Annual Craft Shows in the Washington DC Area

In recent years, arts and crafts shows have become very popular in the Washington DC area. Here is a guide to the major annual craft shows in Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Community groups, churches and schools also sponsor smaller events throughout the year. (Listed in order by date)

Sugarloaf Craft Festivals
Several shows throughout the year. Two local locations in the DC area - Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, Maryland and Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The shows feature the crafts of 500 artists, including jewelry, wood, leather, clothing, sculpture, glass and more.

Smithsonian Craft Show
April. National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW Washington, DC. The show exhibits the works of 120 exceptional craft artists, including basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood.

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
May. Woodmont Triangle along Norfolk and Auburn Avenues, Bethesda, Maryland. A two-day event highlighting 130 contemporary artists who will sell their original fine art and fine craft. National artists from nearly 25 states and Canada will showcase painting, drawing, photography, furniture, jewelry, mixed media and ceramics.

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
May. Reston Town Center, Reston, VA. The show features more than 200 artisans in 18 different categories, including oil and acrylic painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry, metal, leather, wood, furniture, wearable and fiber art.

Annapolis Arts and Crafts Festival
June. Navy Marine Corps Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland. A two-day celebration of the arts in Annapolis, Maryland featuring the juried works of more than 150 fine artists and craftsmen, wine tastings, food, live entertainment and activities for the entire family.

Arts on N Street Festival
August. Washington Convention Center. N Street between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington DC. Local artists and organizations sell their handmade goods and bring exposure to their artwork. The diverse mediums represented range from paper goods, photography, graffiti to chic and cool tees.

Penn Quarter Arts on Foot Festival
September. Penn Quarter, Washington DC. The festival features more than 90 visual artists participating and dozens of Downtown attractions hosting visual art exhibits, performances, workshops, demonstrations, films, concerts and children's activities.

Alexandria Festival of the Arts
September. Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The free outdoor art festival lines six blocks of King Street showcasing sculptures, paintings, photography, glass, jewelry and more.

Bethesda Row Arts Festival
October. Along Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, and Elm Street, Bethesda, Maryland. The fall festival features the works of more than 180 of the nation’s finest artists. The family friendly event also includes some of the area’s best street performers, musical acts, food and dining plus hands-on children’s art activities. Arts and crafts include photography, jewelry, glass, ceramics, drawings and pastels, oil painting, watercolor, wood, metalwork, fiber, printmaking, sculpture, digital art, and mixed media.

Waterford Homes Tour & Crafts Exhibit
October. Waterford, VA. The oldest juried crafts fair in Virginia features historic home tours, the works of 155 juried craftspeople, hands-on demonstrations, music and dance entertainment, Colonial and Civil War-era militia demonstrations, and children's activities.

Washington Craft Show
November/December. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC. Sponsored by Crafts America, the show includes the wares of more than 180 artists including metal, leather, basketry, jewelry, ceramics, glass and more.

Downtown DC Holiday Market
December. Sidewalk on F Street between 7th and 9th Sts. NW, Washington DC. A unique seasonal shopping marketplace in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of downtown Washington, DC features fine art, crafts, jewelry, pottery, photography, clothing, prepared food and more.

Maryland Christmas Show
November. Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E Patrick St., Frederick, Maryland. Enjoy the works of 500 artists and craftsmen offering fine art, pottery, furniture, quilts, jewelry, clothing, wreaths and garlands, toys and Christmas ornaments.

See more Holiday Craft Shows in the Washington DC Area