The October Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands ran Oct. 15-18, 2026, in downtown Asheville. The next fair is in July 2027; the guild has not posted dates.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Updated each year. Dates, hours, prices and parking on this page come from Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, the city-owned arena that hosts the fair. The organizer is the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Updated Oct. 19: the October 2026 fair has ended. The next fair is in July 2027; the Southern Highland Craft Guild lists only the 2026 dates so far, and this page will carry the 2027 dates when it posts them.

The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands ran from Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, in the ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St. Doors were open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission was $12, and children under 12 got in free.

The Southern Highland Craft Guild presents the fair twice a year, in July and October. The venue bills it as one of the Southeast’s leading shows of juried contemporary craft, with more than 100 professional artists.

The October 2026 fair at a glance (ended Oct. 18)

Dates and hours

The venue’s listings give the same hours for all four days:

Day Date Hours
Thursday Oct. 15, 2026 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday Oct. 16, 2026 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 17, 2026 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday Oct. 18, 2026 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The summer fair this year ran July 16-19, 2026, at the same arena. The guild has not yet posted dates for the July 2027 fair; this page will carry them when it does.

Tickets

According to the venue:

  • $12 per person
  • Free for children under 12
  • Tickets are sold at the door, and no advance purchase is required.

What you will see

The venue’s description of the fair lists:

  • more than 100 juried fine craft artists, each selected through a jury process;
  • live craft demonstrations through the weekend;
  • Emerging Artist Program booths with newer makers;
  • highlights from the guild’s shops.

The work covers ceramics, wood, metal, fiber, jewelry, glass and mixed media, and visitors can buy pieces directly from the people who made them. The guild was founded in 1930 and supports craft artists across nine Southeastern states. It reaches its 100th anniversary in 2030.

Parking and getting there

Harrah’s Cherokee Center sits at 87 Haywood St. From I-240 in either direction, take Exit 4C (Montford Avenue and Haywood Street) and follow the signs, the venue’s directions and parking page says. The same page lists:

  • Rankin Avenue Garage (city, 262 spaces): about a three-minute walk. Entrances on Walnut Street and Rankin Avenue.
  • Wall Street Garage (city, 232 spaces): about a five-minute walk. Entrance on Otis Street.
  • College Street Garage (Buncombe County, 650 spaces): about a 10-minute walk; $1.25 an hour, $10 a day, with no special event rates.
  • Sears Alley garage (Buncombe County, 664 spaces, 11 Sears Alley): about a seven-minute walk; $2 for the first hour, $1 an hour after that, $12 a day at most.
  • Special event rates apply at some city garages during large events at the arena; the fee is collected at the garage entrance. The venue lists its special event rate as $11 a vehicle, and $7 to $9 at the Rankin Avenue and Wall Street garages.
  • Street meters downtown are $2.50 an hour, two hours at most, enforced 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are free all day Sunday.

Accessible parking: the Harrah’s Cherokee Center garage has 12 accessible spaces, the Rankin and Wall Street garages seven each, and there are a few on Page Avenue and by the Vanderbilt Apartments on Haywood Street. There is a drop-off zone in front of the building.

What to know before you go

  • Bags and food: the venue’s plan-your-visit pages set the bag size and food rules for every event.
  • Bring the kids: under-12s are free.

More in Asheville

Frequently asked questions

When is the next Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands?

The next fair is in July 2027. The Southern Highland Craft Guild has not posted its dates yet. The 2026 fairs ran July 16-19 and Oct. 15-18 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville.

Where is the Asheville craft fair held?

In the ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St., in downtown Asheville.

How much are tickets to the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands?

Tickets are $12 a person and free for children under 12. They are sold at the door; no advance purchase is needed.

Where do I park for the craft fair in Asheville?

The city’s Rankin Avenue garage is about a three-minute walk from the arena and the Wall Street garage about five minutes. The venue says special event rates apply at some downtown garages during large events.

How often is the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands held?

Twice a year, in July and October, at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville. The Southern Highland Craft Guild, founded in 1930, presents both.