New England Holiday Craft Fairs
Holiday craft fairs fill the weekends between Halloween and Christmas at churches, community centers, schools, and function halls all across New England. Offering food (for snacking and giving), handmade gift items, and a healthy dose of holiday cheer, they are often one of the earliest signs of the approaching holiday season. Why not visit one (or two) this year and pick up a thoughtful gift, add to your own holiday decoration collection, or use the browsing experience to fuel your own creative energy? Here are our picks for the best holiday craft fairs in New England for 2012, with selections for each state. Let us know if we missed your favorite, and be sure to check the Events section in your local newspaper or community bulletin boards to see what holiday craft fairs are taking place in your own neighborhood!
Connecticut
November 10-11: Fine American Craftsman Show
A national roster of nearly 60 artisans converge for the 27th year of this juried event. Emphasizing high-quality traditional items–tableware from ASL Pewter, stenciled floorcloths from Michele Hollick–rather than contemporary crafts, though you’ll also find gorgeous modern wares.
Wilton High School Field House, 395 Danbury Road, Wilton. 845-876-0616; wiltoncraftsmanshow.com
November 17-18: CraftWestport
Now in its 37th year, this annual juried crafts bonanza features 175 metal, fiber, wood, paper, and clay artisans, with all admissions net profits to benefit local charities. The contemporary jewelry by artists such as Nikki Bates and Rina Young are especially good.
Staples High School, 70 North Ave., Westport. 800-649-0279, 845-331-7900; wywl.com/CAF/CAF.html, artrider.com/WPT11.html
Maine
November 9-10: The Gifted Hand
You’ll find a decidedly contemporary bent, with more than 60 local artists, many of them from the next generation of twentysomething crafters. Though just in its seventh year, it’s already a Maine tradition.
Ramada Inn (Tennis Court Area), 215 High St., Ellsworth. 207-664-2404; giftedhandshow.com
December 1-2: United Maine Craftsmen Holiday Arts & Crafts Show
Some 95 local artisans in varied media: fiber, silver, sea glass, clay, and cookie dough (there’s food, too) at this 35th annual event with free gift-wrapping and hourly door prize.
Sullivan Gym, University of Southern Maine, 66 Falmouth St., Portland. 207-621-2818; unitedmainecraftsmen.com
Massachusetts
December 1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 18-23: Harvard Square Holiday Craft Fair
Celebrating its 27th year, this holiday fair at the First Parish Cambridge lures tourists and locals alike throughout the month of December from its prime location just steps from the MBTA. Inside: an underground bazaar, a riot of Indian textiles, painted silk, fused glass, and pottery, among some 40 stalls. There are stunning Japanese-inspired woodblock prints by Matt Brown, Arts & Crafts-style tiles by Lynne and Richie Bittner, fiesta-colored ceramics by James Guggina, and delicate tin lanterns by Lennie Kaumzha.
First Parish Unitarian Church, Church St. and Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. harvardsquareholidayfair.com
November 16-18: Old Deerfield Christmas Sampler Craft Fair
More than 330 booths feature local, regional, and national artists. Now in its 25th year, this show offers a wide selection of traditional crafts, with plenty of holiday decorations–carved Santas, ornaments, wreaths, and so on–on hand. Don’t miss the circa-1897 miniature Christmas village.
Better Living Center, Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-774-7476; deerfield-craft.org
December 7-9: CraftBoston Holiday
The Society of Arts & Crafts was founded in 1897, the first American organization of its kind, which in turn organized the first formal crafts exhibition on these shores. Now, 115 years later, it’s still running our region’s granddaddy holiday event, with more than 90 carefully chosen artists represented. Such prestige means high quality and generally higher prices, though SAC does highlight items under $100.
Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama, 539 Tremont St., Boston. 617-266-1810; societyofcrafts.org
December 16: Bazaar Bizarre
Now in its twelfth year, Bazaar Bizarre is a great spot to find funky, Etsy-style crafts of all kinds — ceramics, jewelry, baked treats, housewares, clothing, fine art, traditional gifts for pets, stationary, and more! Check out pewter measuring spoons from Beehive Kitchenware, canvas totes and letterpress note cards from Morris & Essex, and handcrafted marshmallows from Sweet Lydia’s.
Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama, 539 Tremont St., Boston. bazaarbizarre.org/boston
New Hampshire
November 9-11: New England Holiday Craft and Specialty Food Fair
This annual show, now in its 17th year, takes a something-for-everyone approach, with more than 200 artisans in categories from angels to wreaths to gourmet foods, including dip and bread mixes.
Rockingham Park Racetrack, Rockingham Park Blvd., Salem. 603-332-2616; castleberryfairs.com
December 7-9: New England Holiday Craft Spectacular
Celebrating its 13th year, this craft “spectacular” features jewelry, glass, candles, sports-themed gifts, art, photography, food, and more.
Rockingham Park Racetrack, Rockingham Park Blvd., Salem. 603-332-2616; castleberryfairs.com
Rhode Island
November 29-December 9: Foundry Artists Association Holiday Show
For three decades, this show has selected wares from an impressive roster of artisans, including eco-friendly home accessories by Balanced Design and appliqued handbags made with vintage ephemera by Blue Maya. Of course, it helps to have all those RISD grads in your backyard.
Pawtucket Armory Center for the Arts, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket. foundryshow.com
Vermont
November 17: Queen City Craft Bazaar
Another indie/Etsy-style gathering, this fair features nearly 50 artists, mostly local, working in all kinds of media: garlands and envelopes made from old maps and sheet music by Recycle Moe, nature-inspired screen printed tees from husband and wife team New Duds. It’s a fun, funky celebration of homespun creativity.
Union Station, 1 Main St., Burlington. queencitycraft.com
November 23-25: Putney Craft Tour
An open-studios event, now in its 34th year, covering southeastern Vermont, with nearly 30 noteworthy artisans to visit, including Arts & Crafts-inspired stained glass by Julia Brandis and custom decorative tiles by Ewald/O’Toole. Printable map available online.
802-387-4032; putneycrafts.com
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