Craft Alive is Australia’s biggest craft event series, bringing together artists, retailers and art enthusiasts across Australia and even globally. It provides creatives with an opportunity to showcase their skills, be it knitting, scrapbooking, patchwork, or quilting.
Craft Alive is now in its 35th year, yet it continues drawing attention from art lovers. About one in every four Australians are visual arts and crafts creators, no wonder such events are still a hit. But here’s the main question among artists and fans alike: what are the dates? While places like Sydney, Wodonga, and Ballarat have already held their events, there are several other locations coming up. (1)
Here’s a guide to 2025 Craft Alive dates:
QLD Papercraft Show
The QLD Papercraft Show is next in line. It will be held on Ipswich Showgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between 10 and 12 April 2025.
The event will feature leading craft retailers, exhibitors and teachers. The classes are day and time-specific, and booking in advance is advisable to secure a spot. It’s ideal to take a look into the official CraftAlive 2025 schedule so you can choose the date that’s most convenient for you.
Ticket prices vary. One VIP ticket for one day costs AUD$48, while a regular adult ticket costs AUD$18.
And don’t worry if hunger strikes you during the event as there’s a cafe that offers a variety of food and drinks.
Newcastle, 8-10th May
The Craft Alive event in Newcastle will take place from May 8 to 10 and will feature some of the region’s top art specialists.
Unlike the QLD event, which starts at 9, this will begin from 9:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. It will have interactive classes on all the days of the event. You’ll also be able to buy kits, equipment and supplies from renowned retailers. You get access to a free parking space too, so driving there shouldn’t be a problem.
What makes Craft Alive in Newcastle even more remarkable is the region’s rich art history. It’s one of the best thriving creative hubs in the country and has the most artists per capita among the cities in Australia. (2)
Hawkesbury, 29th-31st May
This event will take place in Hawkesbury Showgrounds. It will include classes (with bookings opening six weeks prior), kits and supplies from Australia’s most prominent art exhibitors and retailers, and free parking space. It also features a cafe that serves soft drinks, soups, sandwiches, and cakes if you want to refuel.
Many exhibitors use this event to showcase exclusive work, making it a must-attend show. In addition to art, the Hawkesbury Showground is spacious and has modern facilities. You won’t have trouble accessing anything. Moreover, it’s in a picturesque environment – in the evening, you can take walks as you chat about the exhibitions.
Bendigo, 12th-14th June
Bendigo’s Craft Alive show will come on June 12 to 14. It will be held at the Prince of Wales Showground, a venue known for its rich history and ability to accommodate large events. This area is a cornerstone of Bendigo’s cultural and community life, making it an ideal location for one of the most anticipated crafting events of the year.
To get to this show, you can buy a ticket in different categories. Adult tickets are AUD$18 per person and student tickets, AUD$14 per person. Children 14 and under get to enjoy the event for free. You can also buy a multiday ticket that covers the whole event for AUD$28. Because of the demand for tickets to Craft Alive, booking in advance is recommended.
Canberra, 19th-22nd June
The Craft Alive festival in Canberra will be held from June 19 to 22 at the Epic Stadium, making it one of the few four-day event. it will feature local and interstate artists from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re looking for the latest supplies, kits and art exhibitions, this show is perfect, as you’ll interact with top retailers, exhibitors, teachers, and special guests.
Tickets for the Canberra show cost slightly more than those for Bendigo. Adult tickets are AUD$22 each, while students’ tickets are AUD$20 each. Multiday tickets are AUD$32 each. These tickets aren’t day or time-specific, although class tickets are.
Adelaide, 11th-13th July
Adelaide is a vibrant city in South Australia. In fact, statistics show that in 2023, it recorded over 3.5 million domestic overnight visitors. This makes it the perfect location for a Craft Alive event. It’s one of the biggest attractions in the city, and in 2025, it will be a three-day event held from 11th to 13th July. (3)
The show will be held at Jubilee Pavilion, Adelaide Showground, which is accessible through Anzac Highway, Greenhill and Greenwood Road. However, a parking fee is charged for public events. At this event, you’ll get access to the latest arts and crafts kits and supplies nationwide.
Conclusion
Craft Alive is an event you can’t miss if you’re a lover of crafts. It has several offerings, including supplies, kits, equipment, as well as classes if you want to improve or learn new skills. Knowing the event dates and locations will help you prepare early and make the most out of the shows you plan on attending.
References:
- “Creating our Future: Results of the National Arts Participation Survey”, Source: NAPS-Artform-Fact-Sheets_VisualArts-and-Craft.pdf (creative.gov.au)
- “Art and Culture”, Source: https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/explore/art-and-culture
- “Number of domestic overnight visitors to South Australia in 2023, by region visited (in 1,000s)” Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382810/australia-number-of-domestic-overnight-visitors-sa-by-region-visited/