June 1, 2026
From Visit Fairfield County
LANCASTER, Ohio — The 3rd Annual Bottoms Up Midcentury Show returns to Lancaster, Ohio, June 18–21, 2026, transforming the historic city into one of the nation’s most distinctive celebrations of midcentury design, vintage cocktail culture, and American glassware heritage.
This year’s festival coincides with the 80th anniversary of Gay Fad Studios’ move to Lancaster, where the pioneering decorative glassware company established itself as an American design icon and helped shape the golden age of midcentury barware and cocktail culture.
Recently recognized by The New York Times as a “destination for midcentury design tourism,” Bottoms Up brings together Midwest charm, a 150-year glassmaking legacy, and the revival of the pioneering glassware company Gay Fad Studios for an immersive four-day festival unlike any other in the country.
The event takes over downtown Lancaster with more than 65 experiences celebrating the style, creativity, and craftsmanship of the midcentury era. Guests can explore expert presentations, hands-on workshops, cocktail parties, a bartending competition, tiki-themed experiences, live entertainment, and a vibrant marketplace featuring vintage dealers, makers, artists, and collectors from across the region.
At the heart of the festival is Lancaster’s remarkable glassware heritage and the continuing revival of Gay Fad Studios, the trailblazing company that helped define midcentury barware and decorative glass design. Festival attendees will have exclusive opportunities to shop special releases from Gay Fad Studios, discover rare vintage treasures, and experience the enduring influence of American glassmaking on contemporary design culture.
“Bottoms Up is more than a vintage show—it’s a celebration of the people, craftsmanship, and culture that made midcentury design iconic,” said organizers. “The festival showcases how Lancaster’s glassmaking history continues to inspire collectors, designers, and enthusiasts from across the country.”
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy themed food and drink specials at local restaurants and bars, participate in educational programming led by industry experts, browse thousands of collectible midcentury objects, and connect with a growing community of design enthusiasts who travel to Lancaster specifically for the event.
The festival’s unique combination of history, design, hospitality, and entertainment has helped establish Bottoms Up as a premier destination event for collectors, cocktail enthusiasts, and lovers of retro culture.
Event Highlights Include:
• More than 65 activities and experiences throughout the weekend across 59 local businesses, museums and national vendors
• Expert presentations and educational programming
• Hands-on classes and workshops
• Cocktail parties and social events
• A bartending competition featuring skilled mixologists
• A curated Midcentury Marketplace with vendors from across the country
• Tiki experiences and collectibles
• Exclusive Gay Fad Studios glassware releases
• Vintage barware, glassware, furniture, and décor
• Special food and drink offerings throughout downtown Lancaster and regional participating businesses
• Live entertainment and community celebrations
Bottoms Up Midcentury Show takes place June 18–21, 2026, in select locations throughout historic downtown Lancaster, Ohio and the outlying region.
For schedules, tickets, lodging information, and event details, visit Gay Fad Studios’ Bottoms Up event page (www.gayfadstudios.com/bottomsup/)
About Bottoms Up Midcentury Show
Bottoms Up Midcentury Show is an annual festival celebrating midcentury design, vintage cocktail culture, American glassware heritage, and the enduring influence of retro style. Hosted in downtown Lancaster, Ohio, the event brings together collectors, designers, artisans, historians, and enthusiasts for four days of immersive experiences centered around the region’s rich glassmaking legacy.
About Gay Fad Studios
Eighty years ago, in 1946, Gay Fad Studios relocated to Lancaster, Ohio, where it would grow into one of America’s most innovative and recognizable decorative glassware companies. Known for its vibrant colors, distinctive midcentury motifs, and hand-decorated barware, Gay Fad became a household name and helped define the golden age of American cocktail culture.
Today, the revived Gay Fad Studios continues that legacy with new glassware handcrafted in Ohio using many of the same decorative techniques and production methods that made the brand iconic. In just four years since its revival, the company has introduced dozens of new designs, completed custom projects for more than 100 clients across the United States and Canada—including collaborations with burlesque icon Dita Von Teese—and seen its glassware featured in Season 2 of Apple TV’s Palm Royale.
Gay Fad Studios has also become an important steward of its own history, assembling an extensive archive of original glassware, catalogs, trade advertisements, photographs, packaging, artwork, and company materials spanning decades of production. A portion of this collection is displayed at the Gay Fad Studios Glass Museum, located within the company’s Lancaster retail showroom.
The company’s commitment to preserving and celebrating midcentury design inspired the creation of Bottoms Up, a citywide festival that debuted in 2024 and drew approximately 16,000 attendees from 20 states. Now entering its third year, Bottoms Up has become a nationally recognized destination event for collectors, designers, cocktail enthusiasts, and lovers of vintage American style.
