Handmade Arcade Announces New Modern Craft Market and Expansion of Existing Markets in 2026

Handmade Arcade is excited to announce a new Modern Craft Market supported by Contemporary Craft scheduled for March 27-29, 2026 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, alongside other expanded programs and services in 2026.

The Modern Craft Market will be a juried shopping event celebrating where traditional craftsmanship meets cutting-edge design. This new Handmade Arcade-hosted market will connect shoppers, craft collectors, and retail and industry partners with over 150 of the best contemporary craft makers and artists from around the Pittsburgh and greater Appalachian region. The market will feature contemporary craftspeople specializing in many categories of craft and design, including basketry, ceramics, wearable and decorative fiber and textiles, jewelry, metal, wood, glass, furniture, and more. 

"The Modern Craft Market fills a gap in the region's craft ecosystem," says Kelsey Ford, Executive Director of Handmade Arcade. "In order to sell or buy handmade goods at large juried markets celebrating contemporary craft and design - like American Craft Made Baltimore or the Smithsonian Craft Show - regional makers, shoppers, and collectors currently have to travel out of or across the state," says Kelsey Ford, Executive Director of Handmade Arcade. "The Modern Craft Market is an opportunity to celebrate Pittsburgh as a hub of craft for both makers and shoppers. From our industrial history to the current exceptional craftsmanship happening in our city, craft is at the heart of Pittsburgh." 

Applications for the 2026 Modern Craft Market will open in early September 2025. Tickets for the Modern Craft Market will open in January 2026. Click to here to learn more about the Modern Craft Market and subscribe to Handmade Arcade emails to get all of the latest news.

In addition to the Modern Craft Market, Handmade Arcade's two existing markets will feature changes designed to improve the maker and shopper experience.

The Emerging Craft Market, previously known as the Spring Market, will move to the Energy Innovation Center on August 29, 2026. This larger venue will allow for at least three times the number of participating early career and emerging makers. The Holiday Market, celebrating 22 years in 2026, will remain at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center during the first weekend of December, but will now feature an additional full day of shopping. Fans of the Holiday Market can mark their calendars for December 4-6, 2026. 

This reimagination of Handmade Arcade's markets join a series of changes designed to better serve regional makers and artists, including the launch of the Handmade Arcade Maker Directory. The Maker Directory, which launched in April 2025, features nearly 200 local maker and craft business profiles so that shoppers can easily find and shop from local creative businesses all year long, not just during in-person markets. The Maker Directory is one of several other Handmade Arcade programs and initiatives that serve makers throughout the year, alongside the BIPOC Maker Accelerator and Youth Maker Accelerator programs and new Maker Affinity Groups and Maker Mentor Program launching in late 2025. 

"Many local folks only know Handmade Arcade for our annual Holiday Market since it's such a beloved annual tradition for so many," says Ford. "However, our mission is focused on providing makers and creative entrepreneurs with professional development and connections to customers all year long, not just during the holiday season. As we intentionally expand our programs and services based on the expressed needs of makers, we're excited for Pittsburgh and the region to learn about what else we do besides the Holiday Market."

For more information on Handmade Arcade programs and services, please visit www.HandmadeArcade.org/What-We-Do.