There are several extremely large events throughout the U.S. By large, we're talking about over 100,000 attendees, with some claiming to have more than 200,000, 300,000, 400,000! To give you some scope, most art fairs are under 20,000. How do you get that many people through the streets? Grease and sweat you say?
Ann Arbor Art Fair
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Summer
https://www.theannarborartfair.com
One of the most talked about event in the U.S., consisting of three smaller events: The Original, The Guild's, and State Street. The fair states that more than 500,000 people attend and with over 1000 artists.
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival
Winter Park, Florida
Winter
https://www.wpsaf.org
The event has over 250,000 people per year and started in 1960 and has over 200 artists, which is a small number compared to other larger events with similar amount of attendees.
St. James Court
Louisville, Kentucky
Fall
https://www.stjamescourtartshow.com
The show is made up of four events: St. James Court, 4th Street, 3rd Street, and Belgravia Court. There were over 600 artists at the event, and the website states an average of 250,000 attendees, but my numbers were different for 2024.
Cherry Creek Art Festival
Denver, Colorado
Summer
More than 150,000 people show up for this event, and it is often talked about among artists. For some, to be invited to show at this event is like winning the lottery.
The Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival
Fort Worth, Texas
Spring
With over 400,000 people attending the event in Spring, it ranks number two on this list. The number of artists are lower then you would think, a little more than 200.