Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool Festival 2026: What to See and Do
A woollen sweater has to begin somewhere. At the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, you can follow the thread back to the sheep, then onwards through the hands of the people who shear, spin, dye, weave and knit. For one October weekend, Rhinebeck’s fairgrounds become a place to look closely at how things are made.
Founded by the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Growers Association, the festival began around 1980 as a bred ewe sale organised by local shepherds. It has since grown into a gathering that brings farming and craft together across the fairgrounds.
From fleece to shawl
Begin in the breed barns. Wool isn’t one uniform thing: different sheep produce fleeces with different colors, textures and uses. The livestock displays and sheep shows offer a chance to meet the animals and talk to the people who know them best.
Then there’s the fleece sale, where growers bring wool from their flocks to be judged and sold. You can look closely at the fleeces before moving on to yarn, tools and finished pieces that might become your next favorite winter sweater. Around the fairgrounds, demonstrations and conversations with makers offer other ways into the work behind what you’re seeing.
One of this year’s most absorbing events is the Fleece to Shawl Competition. Teams work against the clock to prepare wool, spin it and weave a finished shawl. It brings the steps of textile making together in a few hours, from loose fiber to cloth you could wrap around your shoulders.
Also featured in the program is classes in spinning, basket weaving, felting and other crafts. You could learn a technique you’ve only watched someone else do, or spend a few hours getting to know a familiar material differently. Some workshops begin on Thursday and Friday, ahead of the public festival weekend, and places are limited. There are also book signings and conversations for those who would rather listen and browse.
What began as a practical gathering for shepherds has become a weekend for anyone interested in animals, materials and making. You may leave with wool for a new project, or simply a better understanding of the work behind something you wear every day.
Plan your visit
This year’s New York State Sheep & Wool Festival takes place at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck on October 17–18, 2026. Advance tickets are $15 plus a booking fee, or $18 at the gate, and are valid for one day. Check the organizer’s site for the latest program and workshop availability.
For more happening across the Hudson Valley and Catskills, take a look at our October events guide.
