Tasmania Craft Fair director Rob Van der Elst said the committee had worked hard to find a way to put the event on, despite pressures due to border closures and the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said initially they thought the event would not be impacted as it was planned for late in the year but it soon became clear that border restrictions would impact the event's ability to show interstate artists and artisans.

"We had to quickly come up with a plan B so we came up with the idea to have a slightly smaller event, to showcase primarily Tasmanian artisans," he said.

The event will be run from October 30 until November 2 and will feature nearly 200 Tasmanian artisans, food vendors, and entertainers.

Mr Van der Elst said the event was a big drawcard for interstate tourists and while they anticipated a drop in patrons the committee was encouraging Tasmanians to support their smaller event.

The Tasmanian Craft Fair typically attracts between 15,000 and 16,000 people over the four days.

"We are expecting a significant drop on that but we are hoping Tasmanians will want to come out and support the event, they will want to get out," he said.

Mr Van der Elst said the committee also expected to not make a profit on this year's event but they understood it was important for Tasmanians but also the entire arts community that this event goes ahead.

"They have been hit really hard by the pandemic, they have not been able to go to markets or other events, and it's not just artisans but all the people involved in the events industry," he said.

"So we thought it was important to try and find a way we could support the industry this way."

Interstate exhibitors will also be able to be included if they wish, with the committee working on an online platform to work alongside the physical event, so patrons can still access the goods of their favourite interstate artisans.

The fair will be spread out across four of the larger venues and Mr Van der Elst said the committee would have a COVID-safe plan in place.

Ticket prices will be reduced this year, with tickets capped at $13 which will give access to the four days of the festival via a wristband.