For one weekend each August, the Utah State Fairpark transforms into one of the state’s largest celebrations of local creativity. What began nearly two decades ago as a showcase for handmade goods has grown into an event that attracts roughly 20,000 visitors each year while providing hundreds of Utah artists, entrepreneurs and innovators an opportunity to connect directly with the public.
The 18th Annual Craft Lake City DIY Festival Presented by Harmons returns August 7–9 with more than 500 exhibitors representing Utah’s creative community. Visitors will find local artisans, vintage vendors, craft food producers, youth entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, STEM exhibitors and live performers spread throughout the fairgrounds.
Unlike many large craft festivals that feature vendors from across the country, Craft Lake City remains focused exclusively on Utah creators. Every handmade product sold at the festival is produced by local makers, making it one of the state’s largest marketplaces dedicated entirely to Utah-made goods.
The festival’s growth mirrors a broader shift in consumer preferences. Across the country, shoppers have increasingly sought out locally made products and opportunities to purchase directly from the people who create them. For many artisans, events like Craft Lake City provide more than a weekend of sales—they offer exposure, customer feedback and relationships that continue long after the festival ends.
That entrepreneurial spirit has been central to Craft Lake City’s mission since the nonprofit organization was founded in 2009. Beyond organizing the annual festival, the organization works throughout the year to promote Utah’s creative economy through education, mentorship and business development for local artists and makers.
More Than an Artisan Market
While handmade art remains the centerpiece, food has become one of the festival’s biggest attractions. More than three dozen Utah food vendors will serve everything from artisan baked goods and handcrafted sweets to barbecue, international cuisine, coffee, specialty drinks and locally produced pantry items. Many of the businesses are small Utah companies that rarely have a brick-and-mortar presence, making the festival an opportunity to sample products that are often only available at farmers markets, pop-ups and specialty events. After grabbing a bite, visitors can browse hundreds of artisan booths or catch live music and dance performances taking place throughout the weekend.
The food lineup changes from year to year, giving returning visitors something new to sample each summer. Along with prepared meals, attendees can expect locally roasted coffee, baked goods, artisan sweets and specialty food products from Utah producers. The festival also counts Uinta Brewing Company, Mountain West Hard Cider, Dented Brick Distillery and Sugar House Distillery among its supporters, reflecting the growing role of Utah’s craft food and beverage industry within the event.
Families will find numerous interactive activities beyond shopping. Children can participate in hands-on craft projects in the Kids’ Area, while free DIY stations throughout the festival invite visitors of all ages to create their own projects to take home. On Saturday, approximately 60 young entrepreneurs under the age of 18 will operate booths in the festival’s Kid Row, gaining firsthand experience selling their own creations.
One of the festival’s distinguishing features is its emphasis on science and technology alongside traditional arts. The GFiber STEM Building will feature approximately 50 exhibitors ranging from technology startups to educational organizations, offering hands-on demonstrations designed to introduce visitors to science, engineering and innovation taking place across Utah. Interactive attractions include a glow-in-the-dark Photon Tent, robotics demonstrations and a showcase of independent video game developers from across the Intermountain West.
Visitors can also build and launch their own water-powered bottle rockets, while dog owners are welcome to bring their pets to the festival’s Preppy Paws Bark Park, provided they purchase a dog ticket and follow festival guidelines.
The festival also serves a broader community mission by helping artists who may otherwise face barriers to participation.
Craft Lake City’s Unity Initiative offers scholarships, fee waivers, mentorships and application assistance for creatives from underrepresented communities. Programs include scholarships supporting artists with disabilities, low-income creatives and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The organization also works to improve accessibility through multilingual signage, discounted admission for students, veterans and seniors, and ADA-accessible festival grounds.
Planning Your Visit
The festival runs Friday, August 7, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, August 8, from noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, August 9, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Utah State Fairpark. Paid parking is available on-site, street parking is available nearby, and bicycle valet service will once again be offered for visitors arriving by bike.
