Fiber festivals and events in January 2026: Complete guide

January might seem like an unlikely month for fiber festivals, but you'd be surprised how many amazing events kick off the new year! While most crafters are bundled up indoors working on their latest projects, fiber enthusiasts around the world are gathering at some truly spectacular festivals and retreats. Whether you're a brand-new knitter looking to expand your stash or a seasoned crocheter seeking inspiration, January 2026 offers an incredible lineup of fiber festivals 2026 that shouldn't be missed.

From cozy winter retreats in snowy Minnesota to sunny outdoor markets in Florida, January's festival calendar spans the globe and caters to every type of fiber lover. You'll find everything from intimate guild gatherings to massive international events, each offering its own unique blend of vendors, workshops, and community connections.

Key takeaways

• January 2026 features over 15 major fiber festivals across North America
• Events range from single-day markets to week-long retreats with workshops and classes
• Many festivals offer beginner-friendly programming and vendor booths perfect for new crafters
• Early registration often provides significant savings and guarantees workshop spots
• Winter festivals typically feature cozy venues with excellent lighting for yarn shopping
• Both in-person and virtual events offer unique opportunities to connect with the fiber community

Early January festivals (January 1-10, 2026)

St. Distaff's Day Spin In - January 3, 2026

Website: spindrifters.org

Location: Burlington, Washington

This traditional event celebrates St. Distaff's Day, the day when women historically returned to their spinning wheels after the Christmas holidays. Hosted by the Northwest Regional Spinners Association, this gathering brings together spinners and fiber artists from the Pacific Northwest for a day of demonstration, education, and community connection.

Orlando Distaff Day - January 9-10, 2026

Website: orlandodistaffday.org

Location: Kissimmee, Florida
Venue: Holiday Inn Resort Kissimmee by the Parks

Kicking off the year in sunny Florida, Orlando Distaff Day celebrates the traditional day when women returned to their spinning wheels after the Christmas holidays. This two-day event features vendors specializing in everything from luxury alpaca to budget-friendly acrylics.

What makes this festival special is its focus on education for beginners. Workshops run throughout the event covering topics like reading yarn labels, understanding fiber content, and basic color theory. The venue provides an excellent environment for evaluating yarn colors accurately.

Admission: Check website for current pricing

Lancaster Winter Knitter's Retreat - January 9-11, 2026

Website: Lancaster Yarn Shop

Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Venue: Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center
Format: Three-day retreat with accommodation packages

This intimate retreat combines the charm of Pennsylvania Dutch country with intensive learning opportunities. Limited to just 150 participants, the Lancaster retreat offers an all-inclusive experience with meals, accommodation, and unlimited access to workshops.

The retreat focuses heavily on traditional techniques, with master classes in Fair Isle colorwork, Aran cable construction, and historical knitting methods.

Pricing: Weekend packages start at $425 per person (double occupancy)
Unique features: Small class sizes, all meals included, evening social knitting sessions

Mid-January events (January 11-20, 2026)

Delmarva Wool and Fiber Expo - January 16-18, 2026

Website: woolandfiber.com

Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Venue: Roland Powell Convention Center
Hours: Friday 10 AM - 5 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM, Sunday 10 AM - 3 PM

The Delmarva Peninsula's premier fiber event showcases the region's rich agricultural heritage alongside modern fiber arts. This three-day festival is particularly strong in natural fibers, with many local farms offering their own processed wool, alpaca, and mohair.

The expo features an impressive fleece competition, allowing visitors to see raw fleeces judged for quality and learn what makes premium fiber. It's an educational opportunity that many beginners find invaluable for understanding fiber quality.

Admission: $4 per day
Unique features: Fleece judging competition, farm-direct sales, regional fiber focus

TKGA KAL Launch Party - January 17, 2026

Website: tkga.org/kal

Location: Online (Zoom)
Time: 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT

The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) kicks off their annual Knit-Along with a virtual launch party hosted by Fiberchats. This free online event introduces the KAL pattern "A Study in Contrasts," a seamless top-down pullover with customizable options including long or short sleeves, cropped or standard length, and slip stitch or mosaic colorwork.

Participants can connect with fellow knitters worldwide, get design tips from pattern designer Therese Chynoweth, and join a supportive community throughout the knit-along duration. The pattern is available for free to all knitters during the KAL.

Admission: Free
Unique features: Virtual event accessible worldwide, free pattern, expert guidance, supportive community

Peak season events (January 21-31, 2026)

SC Knitting Guild KnitInn - January 22-25, 2026

Website: scknittingguild.com

Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Venue: Embassy Suites Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center
Format: Four-day retreat

A long weekend awaits filled with classes, prizes, knitting friends both old and new, gifts, dinner, games, Show & Share, unlimited knitting inspiration, vendors, amazing auction prizes and knitting – lots of knitting!

The 2026 guest designer is Jolie Elder, known for her innovative reversible lace techniques. Jolie has explored a wide range of needle arts and her cleverest invention is a method for working stockinette-based laces reversibly. She has served on the boards of various guilds, published in PLY, Spin-Off, and Cast On, and taught at major festivals.

Pricing: Contact organizers for retreat pricing
Unique features: Four-day immersive experience, renowned guest designer, strong community feel

Oxford Fiber Festival - January 23-24, 2026

Website: oxfordfiberfestival.com

Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Venue: The Powerhouse
Hours: Friday and Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM

The South's growing fiber community comes together at this increasingly popular festival. Oxford Fiber Festival has gained recognition for its diverse vendor lineup and excellent programming. Hosted by All Y'all Fiber, the mission is to inspire, preserve, and develop the fiber arts in Mississippi and the South.

The festival features a strong focus on contemporary fiber arts, including art yarns, innovative dyeing techniques, and modern pattern design. Workshop topics range from basic knitting skills to advanced color theory and design principles. The festival welcomes both in-person and online participation.

Admission: Check website for pricing
Unique features: Contemporary focus, diverse vendor market, Southern hospitality

Sunkissed Fiber Festival - January 24-25, 2026

Website: sunkissedfiberfestival.com

Location: Dover, Florida
Venue: Greater Hillsborough County Fairgrounds
Hours: Saturday and Sunday

Florida's winter fiber season continues with this popular Tampa Bay area event. The festival takes advantage of the region's perfect January weather with indoor facilities at the fairgrounds.

Sunkissed is particularly known for its tropical fiber focus, featuring bamboo, cotton, linen, and other plant-based fibers perfect for year-round crafting in warm climates. The festival also offers excellent classes on garment construction for hot weather knitting. This is an unforgettable celebration of all things fiber in sunny Florida.

Admission: Check website for pricing
Unique features: Tropical fiber focus, warm-weather techniques, Florida location

Maryland Sheep & Wool Winterfest - January 24-25, 2026

Website: sheepandwool.org/winterfest-2026

Location: Online (Virtual)
Format: Two-day virtual festival

Join online for the 5th annual virtual festival of classes and seminars for fiber artists and shepherds featuring fabulous instructors and presenters. Topics include felting, spinning, fiber prep, weaving, crochet, visible mending, knitting, and shepherd seminars.

This event serves as a warm-up for the main Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival held in May. Instructors include renowned fiber artists such as Jillian Moreno, Maggie Casey, Laura Linneman, Heavenly Bresser, Emily Wohlscheid, and Jill Duarte. Classes cover everything from color theory and fiber blends to advanced spinning techniques.

Registration: Opens November 9, 2025 at 2 PM EST
Free Keynote: "A Year in the Life of an Independent Fiber Artist and Dyer"
Unique features: Virtual accessibility, renowned instructors, comprehensive programming

Vogue Knitting LIVE New York - January 29 - February 1, 2026

Website: vogueknittinglive.com

Location: New York City, New York
Venue: Marriott Marquis Times Square
Format: Four-day intensive event

The premier American fiber festival, Vogue Knitting LIVE brings together the biggest names in the knitting world. This event features celebrity instructors, exclusive yarn debuts, and workshops covering every aspect of knitting from basic stitches to couture techniques.

The marketplace is legendary, with over 100 vendors offering everything from budget yarns to luxury fibers. Many yarn companies choose this event to launch their newest products for the year. The event provides incredible networking opportunities and industry connections for both hobbyists and professionals.

Registration: Opens September 2025
Admission: Varies by package, from single day marketplace to full workshop packages
Unique features: Celebrity instructors, massive marketplace, industry networking opportunities

FIBRuary Festival - January 30-31, 2026

Website: fibruaryindiana.com

Location: Hamilton County, Indiana
Venue: FORUM Event Center, Fishers, IN
Hours: Friday 2-7 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM

This aptly named festival celebrates Fun, Inspiration, Bonding, and Relaxation for knitters, crocheters, and yarn enthusiasts of all kinds. The 2nd annual FIBRuary Festival features local and regional vendors offering hand-dyed yarn, fiber, ceramics, tools, and more.

The event includes demonstrations, yarn doctors to help with your projects, and warm treats – all in a welcoming park setting. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just picking up your first skein, FIBRuary has something for everyone. This is Central Indiana's premier event dedicated to fiber arts.

Admission: $6 at the door, children 18 and under free
Unique features: Beginner-friendly atmosphere, yarn doctors, local artisan focus

FIBRuary Yarn Crawl - January 30 - February 16, 2026

Website: fibruaryindiana.com

Location: Throughout Indiana (within 60 miles of Indianapolis)
Format: Two-week multi-store yarn crawl

Following the FIBRuary Festival, fiber enthusiasts can explore participating yarn shops throughout central Indiana. Each shop provides exclusive experiences such as limited-edition yarns, discounts, and giveaways.

Participants receive a passport to track the shops they visit. Completed passports are entered into a grand prize drawing, encouraging people to explore new stores and connect with fellow fiber lovers. The two-week timeframe gives participants plenty of time to visit stores while allowing for cozy crafting days at home.

Participation: Free to participate, check website for passport details
Unique features: Multi-store format, passport prizes, supports local yarn shops

Planning your festival attendance

Registration and booking tips

Most fiber festivals offer early bird pricing that can save you 15-25% on admission and workshop fees. Registration typically opens 3-6 months in advance, so mark your calendars for late 2025 to secure the best deals for January 2026 events.

For retreat-style events, accommodation fills up quickly. Book your room as soon as registration opens, even if you're not completely sure about workshop selections. You can usually modify workshop choices closer to the event date.

What to bring to fiber festivals

Successful festival attendance requires some preparation. Here's your essential packing list:

• Shopping bag or rolling cart: Your purchases will add up quickly
• Cash and cards: Some vendors prefer cash, others take cards
• Notebook and pen: For recording yarn details, pattern ideas, and vendor information
• Phone charger: You'll be taking lots of photos
• Comfortable shoes: Expect lots of walking on concrete floors
• Light layers: Convention centers can vary in temperature
• Snacks: Festival food can be expensive and limited
• Project bag: For any current work you want to show off or work on during downtime

Making the most of workshops

Workshop selection can be overwhelming, especially at larger festivals. Focus on techniques that genuinely interest you rather than trying to pack in as many classes as possible. Read instructor bios and class descriptions carefully to ensure the skill level matches your abilities.

Come prepared with any required materials, and don't hesitate to ask questions during class. Most instructors are passionate about sharing their knowledge and welcome engaged students.

Budgeting for festival expenses

Fiber festivals can be expensive if you don't plan ahead. Set a realistic budget that includes admission, workshops, food, accommodation, and yarn purchases. Many experienced festival-goers recommend bringing 20% more than your planned yarn budget – you'll inevitably find something unexpected that you can't resist.

Consider prioritizing purchases based on uniqueness and availability. Items you can find at your local yarn shop can wait, but limited-edition colorways or festival-exclusive yarns are worth prioritizing.

Building connections in the fiber community

Fiber festivals offer incredible opportunities to connect with like-minded crafters from around the world. Don't be shy about starting conversations with fellow attendees – shared passion for fiber arts creates instant common ground.

Many festivals organize social events like group dinners, knit-alongs, or evening social hours. These informal gatherings often provide the most memorable experiences and lasting friendships. Consider joining online groups for specific festivals before attending to connect with other participants in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register in advance for fiber festivals?

While many festivals accept walk-in attendees, advance registration is strongly recommended. You'll save money with early bird pricing, guarantee your spot in popular workshops, and help organizers plan appropriately. Some smaller retreats sell out entirely, so early registration is essential for these events.

Are fiber festivals suitable for complete beginners?

Absolutely! Most festivals welcome crafters of all skill levels and offer beginner-friendly programming. Look for events that specifically mention "beginner workshops" or "newbie corners" in their descriptions. Festival vendors are also excellent resources for beginners, offering advice on choosing the right yarn for your first projects.

How much should I budget for yarn purchases at a festival?

This varies widely based on your preferences and the festival size. A reasonable starting budget might be $100-200 for a day-long festival, with larger multi-day events potentially requiring $300-500 or more if you're interested in luxury fibers. Remember that festival-exclusive colorways and limited editions often command premium prices but may be worth the investment for their uniqueness.

Can I bring children to fiber festivals?

Many festivals welcome families and offer children's programming, but policies vary by event. Check the festival website for age restrictions and available activities. Some events offer childcare or kids' craft corners, while others may be more suited to adult participants. When in doubt, contact the organizers directly to ask about family-friendly amenities.