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Craft Fair & Craft Show - Artisan Fair Exhibition - DIY & Craft Supplies Trade Show

CraftAlive Melbourne 2026 - Australia's Largest Craft Event Series - Hands-On Craft Fair & Exhibition

Dates
Venue and location
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaMelbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne VIC 3006, Australia
More exhibitions in MelbourneExhibitions in Australia
CraftAlive Melbourne 2026 - Australia's Largest Craft Event Series - Hands-On Craft Fair & Exhibition — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

About this exhibition

CraftAlive is Australia's largest craft event series, now in its 34th year of operation. The Melbourne event (28-29 November 2026) at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre is a premier hands-on craft fair and exhibition featuring the latest craft supplies, equipment, and innovative products. CraftAlive Melbourne is part of a nationwide series with events in ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, and WA throughout 2026. The event brings together craft designers, teachers, and retailers from across Australia covering a wide range of crafts from traditional to modern including patchwork, quilting, paper craft, scrapbooking, stitchery, beading, embroidery, dress making, cake decorating and more. CraftAlive is a hands-on event providing an interactive experience where visitors can learn directly from world-class specialist teachers and access the latest craft supplies, kits and equipment. The event features both local and national craft experts with inspiring displays and product showcases. Visitors can participate in interactive classes running throughout the event, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. The event also includes special features such as craft competitions and exhibitions. Major attractions include the Cake Decorators Association displays, quilting exhibitions, and various craft specialist showcases. CraftAlive provides opportunities to discover rare craft supplies and meet independent craft retailers. Every entry ticket purchased online automatically enters visitors into the major prize draw (2026 prize value $3,000+). The event attracts thousands of craft enthusiasts and professionals seeking the latest innovations, supplies, and education in the craft industry.

Exhibitor profile

100+ Craft Exhibitors & Retailers featuring: Craft supply retailers | Patchwork & quilting supplies | Paper craft suppliers | Scrapbooking retailers | Embroidery & needlework suppliers | Dress making & fabric retailers | Cake decorating suppliers | Beading retailers | Stitchery products | Sewing machine retailers | Craft equipment suppliers | Craft kits manufacturers | DIY craft product suppliers | Specialty fabric stores | Yarn & fiber retailers | Craft tools & equipment | Pattern publishers | Craft book publishers | Online craft retailers with physical presence | Independent craft designers | Regional craft suppliers | Craft education providers | Specialty craft product manufacturers | Cake Decorators Association vendors | Woodworking & woodturning suppliers | Craft subscription box services | Craft software providers | Craft workshop providers | Online GICS (Great International Craft Show) partners

Visitor profile

Expected Attendees: Thousands of craft enthusiasts including: Patchwork & Quilting hobbyists | Paper craft enthusiasts | Scrapbooking professionals & hobbyists | Embroidery & needlework crafters | Dress makers & fashion enthusiasts | Cake decorators | Beading enthusiasts | DIY craft lovers | Professional craft retailers | Craft business owners | Textile artists | Craft teachers & educators | Craft designers | Hobbyist crafters | Beginner level craft learners | Advanced craft professionals | Craft supply retailers | Independent craft business operators | Craft guild members | Quilting guild members | Woodturning enthusiasts | Craft competition participants | Visiting from across Australia | Local Melbourne craft community | Regional craft enthusiasts | Online CraftAlive Club members | Newsletter subscribers

About the organiser

CraftAlive is a family-run business operating Australia's largest craft event series now in its 34th year of operation. The organization is committed to supporting and celebrating the craft community across Australia. CraftAlive events are held in ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, and WA with multiple events scheduled throughout 2026. The organization features craft teachers and retailers from across the country and covers a wide range of crafts from traditional to modern. Leadership team includes: Brett Dowling (Event Director) | Sally Taylor (Marketing & Event Manager) | Brayden Cooper (Operations and Sales Coordinator) | Rose Packer (Graphic Design). The company is characterized by an open and honest culture with extensive industry experience. CraftAlive works with all aspects of the industry from international brands, guilds, grassroots businesses and community groups. The organization promises to respect exhibitors and visitors, put in hard work, greet with a smile, go the extra mile, and do their best for events and participants. When COVID-19 hit and physical events shut down, CraftAlive quickly supported the sewing and craft community by creating the first-ever online craft event - GICS (Great International Craft Show), which became so successful it is now a permanent addition to the craft calendar. GICS operates as a free online platform featuring an online shopping hall, classrooms, competitions, displays and community engagement. CraftAlive's mission is to provide profitable and enjoyable craft events that help craft businesses grow and bring the craft community together. The organization is committed to maintaining long-term relationships with its exhibitor family (comprising talented craft retailers, designers, and teachers) and creating memorable experiences for craft enthusiasts. CraftAlive operates a major 2026 prize draw offering $3,000+ in prizes to ticket purchasers and maintains strong social media presence with 40,000+ Facebook followers and active Instagram community.

Speakers

World-class craft specialist teachers and instructors including: Patchwork & Quilting specialists | Paper craft experts | Cake decorating professionals | Embroidery & needlework specialists | Dress making teachers | Scrapbooking experts | Beading specialists | Stitchery instructors | Craft designers | Cake Decorators Association members | Woodturning specialists (WAQA members) | Quilting guild representatives | Independent craft retailers | Regional craft teachers | Advanced craft instructors | Beginner level teachers | Specialty craft experts across all disciplines | Guest tutors and featured artists | Industry innovation leaders

Sessions

Interactive Class Schedule running throughout the event: Beginner Level Classes | Intermediate Craft Classes | Advanced Specialist Classes | Daily classes throughout Thursday-Sunday | Day-specific class bookings available | Time-specific workshop sessions | Patchwork & Quilting Classes | Paper Craft Workshops | Cake Decorating Classes | Embroidery & Needlework Workshops | Dress Making Classes | Scrapbooking Sessions | Beading Workshops | Stitchery Classes | Specialty Technique Sessions | Craft Demonstrations | Product Launch Presentations | Exhibition Hall Tours | Cake Decorators Association Competition Display & Presentations | Woodturning Open Competition Presentations | Quilting Guild Exhibitions & Workshops | Independent Retail Showcases | Innovation Product Demonstrations | Skill-Building Workshops | Hands-On Activations | One-on-One Instruction Sessions | Free Demonstrations | Paid Workshop Classes | Meet & Greet with Featured Artists | Industry Expert Q&A Sessions | Networking Sessions for Craft Professionals

Sponsors

Sponsored by CraftAlive (event organizer). Multiple sponsorship and exhibitor packages available for craft supply companies, retailers, designers, and manufacturers seeking exposure to craft enthusiasts and professionals.

Partners

CraftAlive (Event Organizer & Host) | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (Venue Partner) | Cake Decorators Association of South Australia | Craft retailers across Australia | Quilting guilds and associations | Woodturners Association of Western Australia | Craft supply manufacturers | Independent craft designers | Australian craft community partners | GICS (Great International Craft Show) - online partner | CraftAlive YouTube & social media community

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