The Country Living Fair returns to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds October 2–4, 2026. The long-awaited festival from the Country Living editorial team showcases over 250 artisans and vendors alongside talks and workshops led by master crafts people. Explore this year's fair, only in Rhinebeck. Purchase your tickets here.
Peruse everything from antique furniture and vintage apparel to handmade goods. The Country Living editorial staff has curated the entire vendor list, connecting you with the best makers from around the nation. It's a great opportunity to chat with artisans directly about their processes. Woodworkers, painters, ceramists, quilters and antique dealers round out the robust selection of vendors. For a full list, click here. Plus, enjoy local fall specialties from food trucks and other purveyors (cider donuts and autumn beers are a must).
In the words of Country Living, "analog hobbies are having a serious moment." There's no better place to try something new or hone your craft from some of the most in-demand instructors in the U.S. Sign up for hands-on workshops in everything from embroidery to needlepoint. Learn designer decoupage from Eliza Crater Harris of Sister Parish Design. With Anne Holden, master the iconic weaving techniques behind the Nantucket Lightship Basket to create your own woven bracelet. Create a beautiful autumn wreath with Hannah C. Milman, learn the fundamentals of needlepoint from Loop Canvas sisters Amy and Sarah Blessing, and experiment with botanical artwork with Theodora Miller. For a full schedule of workshops and to register before space runs out, click here.
A full schedule of speakers take the main stage at the Country Living Fair. These are the most creative and brilliant minds in country design, fashion, storytelling and much more. Don't miss "The Art of Collecting: Creating Storied Spaces" presented by Alfredo Paredes, Designer & Former Chief Creative Officer of Ralph Lauren, and author Sean Scherer. Learn from Mike Wolfe, star of the History Channel's American Pickers, how to find vintage treasures and storied pieces (also presented with editor-in-chief of Country Living Rachel Barrett). "Old House Obsessed:
Adventures in Renovating" includes a star-studded panel of HGTV personalities Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein
("Who's Afraid of a Cheap Old House?"), authors Stephen and David St. Russell, Anthony d'Argenzio (founder of This Old Hudson), designer Christina Salway and "I Spy DIY" designer Jenni Yolo.
These are just a few of the many unforgettable discussions, panels and presentations happening all weekend long. Explore the entire schedule of talks here.
Did we mention that there's a full bluegrass festival accompanying the Country Living Fair? In a collaboration with The Bluegrass Situation, Country Living has programmed folk, Americana and bluegrass artists to perform all weekend long. The Grammy-nominated Secret Sisters, Kaia Kater, The Gibson Brothers and Jordan Tice Trio are just a few names to look out for. Grab a blanket, pick your spot on the lawn and settle in for a magnificent slew of performances.
Dutchess County's slice of New York's Hudson Valley is a vibrant region rich with diverse cultures and a heritage that’s celebrated by the community through its food, art, attractions and events. Explore our history, shaped by the Wappinger tribe who originally inhabited these lands, the Dutch and German settlers who arrived in the 1600s and 1700s, and the Gilded Age industrialists who built their opulent country estates here in the 1800s. In fact, the name Rhinebeck combines a reference to the Rhine River in Germany and "beck," the Dutch word for stream or brook.
The nearest train service to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds is via the Rhinecliff Amtrak Station, offering full service from Moynihan Train Hall (NYP) in New York City, as well as Albany-Rensselaer (ALB) in Albany.
Another option would be to take the MTA Metro-North Hudson Line to Poughkeepsie and rent a car. If you'd like to rent a vehicle during your stay, there are many options. To get connected with a local rental service, click here. Of course, rideshare services are also widely available. Visitors have their pick of Ubers, Lyfts and local taxis to help them get from point A to B. Hudson Valley Concierge solves any travel issue that may arise and can lead you to some of the most engaging experiences in New York State.
The Village of Rhinebeck will be the nearest place to find accommodations for your stay during the Country Living Fair. The Beekman Arms and Delamater Inn is one of the oldest continuously operating inns in America, and many of our nation's founders (George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, etc.) are reported to have visited its historic tavern. Mirbeau Inn & Spa provides luxurious, Parisian style-stays and spa treatments. For a full list of stays in the immediate vicinity, click here.
Hyde Park is less than a 20-minute drive south on US-9 from the Dutchess County Fairgrounds; the Inn at Bellefield has expansive rooms available right across the street from The Culinary Institute of America. Hyde Park stays.
For even more options, head a little further south to Poughkeepsie (30 minutes south on US-9) for chain hotels like Hampton Inn & Suites, DoubleTree by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard by Marriott, etc. Poughkeepsie hotels.
If you are traveling by car along Interstate 84, Fishkill may be a convenient option for you with a bounty of chain hotels (Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Hyatt House, Residence Inn by Marriott, etc.). To get to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds from Fishkill, travel north on US-9 for about 45 minutes.
TIP: Explore a stay at the Reclaimed Motel in Red Hook for a stay completely furnished and designed with restored vintage art, furniture, fixtures, etc.
Only a short drive from the Country Living Fair stands The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, the center of the renowned food scene in Dutchess County. Dine at one of their student-run restaurants, including French fare at The Bocuse, modern cuisine at American Bounty and classic old-world Italian at the Caterina de'Medici. Many chefs at local restaurants are CIA grads, including Le Petit Bistro, Bread Alone Bakery & Cafe, Buns Burgers and the Tavern at The Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck. In fact, our free CIA Chef Finder mobile passport compiles more than 40 dining destinations around the county helmed by CIA alumni. Get your pass here.
The Village of Rhinebeck boasts an enormous variety of options for every meal of the day. Whether you're seeking traditional Indian cuisine, Thai, contemporary American, farm-to-table, elevated pub grub and everything in between, Rhinebeck has what you're looking for. Browse a full list of restaurants here.
TIP: Check hours of operation for each place you plan to visit, and make reservations for guaranteed seating at our most popular dining hotspots.
Make the most of your time in Dutchess County by taking advantage of all the tools we have to help plan your trip.
The Country Living Fair is arriving right toward the peak of autumn in Dutchess County. There are plenty of farms in the near vicinity to pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, including Cedar Heights Orchard in Rhinebeck, Rose Hill Farm and Greig Farm in Red Hook, and Mead Orchards in Tivoli. For a full list of farms, click here.
Fall foliage tends to reach its dramatic climax during the first half of October. Make time to explore some of the prettiest views in New York State. Ferncliff Forest has a fire tower offering an unrivaled vantage point of the Hudson River. Poets' Walk Park in Red Hook, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park in Poughkeepsie and the Gilded Age Mansions of Hyde Park are other major seasonal highlights for leaf-peepers. Want a few more choices? Check out our Top 10 Places to View Fall Foliage.
