California has its own quilting community, traditions, and shops. California's economy would be the 5th largest in the world if it were a country. For local quilters, the state's active guilds run annual or biennial shows that are smaller than the national circuit but often easier to attend.

California Quilt Shops →California Quilt Blocks →California Block Library →California Quilting Retreats →

Shopping Before (or Instead of) the Show

Vendor booths at California shows carry the same kinds of fabric you can shop online any time — handy if the show is months away or you can't make the trip.

Solid Quilting CottonConnecting Threads Color Wheel Solids — 100+ colorsShop now →Precut Bundles & Fat QuartersFat Quarter Shop — every current collectionShop now →Custom Fabric by the YardSpoonflower — pick a print or design your ownShop now →

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Major shows California quilters travel for

The largest quilt shows in the US worth a road trip from California:

QuiltCon

Raleigh, NC · Feb 25–28, 2027

The premier modern quilting convention — bold solids, negative space, and the cutting edge of contemporary patchwork.

AQS QuiltWeek Paducah

Paducah, KY · Apr 22–25

The longest-running major quilt show in America — Paducah is the spiritual home of the AQS and a bucket-list trip for serious quilters.

Houston International Quilt Festival

Houston, TX · Nov 12–15

The largest quilt show in the world — 1,000+ vendor booths, thousands of quilts, 50,000+ attendees.

FAQ about California quilt shows

What major quilt shows are in California?+

California hosts 20 quilt shows in our directory: Busy Bears Quilt Guild, Diablo Valley Quilters, River City Quilters Guild, Road to California, The Folsom Quilt & Fiber Guild, Pajaro Valley Quilt Association, Coachella Valley Quilt Guild, Desert Guilds Quilt Show, Monterey Peninsula Quilters Guild, Sierra Mtn. Quilters, Amador Valley Quilters, Heart of the Valley Quilt & Textile Art Show, and more. Each has its own page with dates, venue and a link to the organizer.

Where is the closest major quilt show to California?+

The next quilt show in California is Busy Bears Quilt Guild in Big Bear Lake.

Are there quilt guilds in California?+

Yes — California has multiple quilting guilds. Browse our guild directory for a list of active California guilds, including Modern Quilt Guild affiliates and local traditional guilds.

What about quilt shops in California?+

See our California quilt shops directory for a list of independent quilt shops in the state. California also participates in regional shop hops — see our 2026 shop hop calendar for events affecting your region.

More California quilting

California Quilt Shops→California State Page→California Quilt Blocks→All Quilt Shows→2026 National Calendar→2027 National Calendar→California Quilting Guilds→

Run a quilt show? Dates change every year and organizers are the only reliable source, so add or update your show. Listings can be corrected or removed at any time, no account needed.