🏆 Major National Hamfests
These events draw the largest crowds, the biggest vendor halls, and hams from around the world. Worth a road trip.
The world's largest amateur radio gathering since 1952. 500+ indoor exhibits, 2,500+ outdoor flea market spaces, forum tracks, VE exams, and prize drawings. Theme for 2026: Radio Adventure. Talk-in: 146.940 (-) PL 121.0
ARRL Southeastern Division Convention. One of the world's largest hamfests — held in February, perfect for escaping winter. Massive indoor exhibit hall, flea market, forums, and VE testing.
Major southeastern hamfest — and the host of the 2026 ARRL National Convention for the first time since 2007. Air-conditioned South Hall, expanded forum schedule, commercial exhibits, and flea market.
Ohio Hamfests
| Event | Location | Typical Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton Hamvention | Xenia (Greene County Fairgrounds) | May — 3rd weekend | World's Largest |
| Cincinnati Hamfest | Owensville, OH | Spring | ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention |
| Columbus Hamfest | Grove City (Aladdin Shrine Center) | August 1, 2026 | Talk-in: 146.760 PL 123.0 |
| Cleveland Hamfest & Computer Show | Berea (Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds) | Late September | One-day event, 8AM–noon |
| Cuyahoga Falls Hamfest | Cuyahoga Falls (Emidio & Sons Expo Center) | April 11, 2026 | ARRL Sanctioned |
| Johnstown Swapper's Day | Johnstown (Sportsman Club) | Labor Day weekend | Large outdoor swap, 7AM–6PM |
| Portsmouth / Wheelersburg Hamfest | Wheelersburg, OH | Annual | ARRL Sanctioned |
| Northern Ohio Hamfest (NOARS) | Elyria, OH | Winter | noars.net |
| Toledo Mobile Radio Hamfest | Perrysburg, OH | Annual | w8hhf.org |
| Tusco ARC Hamfest (W8ZX) | Dover, OH | Annual | w8zx.net |
Complete Ohio list: arrl-ohio.org/hamfests
Indiana Hamfests
| Event | Location | Typical Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendricks County Hamfest | Danville, IN (4H Fairgrounds) | February 7, 2026 | ARRL Indiana Section Convention Talk-in: 147.015 PL 88.5 |
| Avon / HERO Hamfest | Avon, IN | Annual | ARRL Sanctioned |
| Dugger ARC Hamfest | Dugger, IN | Annual | ARRL Sanctioned |
Full Indiana list: arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar
Kentucky Hamfests
| Event | Location | Typical Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville Hamfest | Shepherdsville, KY | Annual | Largest in KY ARRL Sanctioned |
| Central KY ARS Hamfest (CKARS) | Richmond, KY | Annual | ARRL Sanctioned |
Full Kentucky list: arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar
West Virginia Hamfests
| Event | Location | Typical Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WV State Convention & Hamfest | Flatwoods, WV (Days Inn & Conference Center) | July 26, 2025 — check for 2026 | ARRL WV State Convention Admission $10 · Flea market $10/table |
| TARA Hamfest (W8VA) | Huntington, WV | Annual | ARRL Sanctioned · w8va.org |
Full WV list: arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar
Find More Hamfests
These sources maintain current, up-to-date hamfest listings. The BARC list above covers well-known regional events — use these to find smaller local events and verify dates before you go.
Official calendar of ARRL-sanctioned hamfests and conventions nationwide. Searchable by state, division, or ZIP code radius.
arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar →Ohio-specific hamfest schedule maintained by the ARRL Ohio Section. The most complete list for Ohio events.
arrl-ohio.org/hamfests →Community-maintained hamfest listings. Often includes smaller local events not listed on ARRL.
qrz.com/hamfests →Curated directory of hamfest links and resources. International coverage with regional filters.
dxzone.com/hamfests →Clean, modern hamfest finder with state-by-state filters and year-ahead listings.
73qrz.com/hamfests →Community-submitted hamfest listings with comments and reviews from attendees.
eham.net/hamfests →