Applying for holiday bazaars and craft fairs: a timeline

Begin by listing the fairs you might apply to. Include ones you have done, ones you have visited and ones other makers recommend. Use the state pages to find events by region, and open each listing's source to read the organizer's vendor page. Note the type of event, the audience, the application deadline, the fee and the date you will hear back.

Rank the events by fit and by how much effort they take. Aim for a mix: a few reliable events, a few stretch events and a couple of low-risk trials. Remember that popular fairs fill quickly and sometimes have waitlists, so do not rely on a single event.

Most applications ask for similar things: photographs of your work, a booth photograph, a description of your process and a statement about your work. Prepare these once and reuse them. Take clear, well-lit photographs against a plain background, and show your best work. Photograph your booth setup if you have one.

Write a short, plain description of what you make and how you make it. Keep copies of your insurance, permits or registrations if the fair requires them. Having everything ready saves time when you apply to multiple fairs. Our guide on what a juried craft application asks for explains this in more detail.

Submit as early as the organizer allows and before the deadline. Read the instructions twice. Follow the format for images, file sizes, descriptions and categories. Mistakes can cost you an acceptance. Pay attention to whether the fair requires handmade work only, and be honest about how you make your products.

Keep a record of each application: the date, the fee, the confirmation and the contact details. Put the decision date in your calendar. If you have questions, ask the organizer early, not on the last day.

A pre-submission check

Before you press submit, confirm that every required image is attached, that file types and sizes match the instructions, that names and categories are spelled the way the organizer expects, that the fee is paid and that you have a confirmation you can find again.

While you wait for decisions, make stock. Plan for a range of price points, because holiday shoppers often buy small gifts first. Keep packaging and gift options in mind, such as boxes, bags and tags. Make a list of materials and order what you need in good time, since supplies can run short in busy seasons.

Do not make your entire inventory for a single fair. If you are waitlisted or declined, have other places to sell. Many makers sell online or through other events, and a diverse approach lowers the risk.

Read the acceptance details carefully. Note the payment deadline, the setup and teardown times, the booth size, what is provided, the rules for helpers and the cancellation terms. Pay on time and confirm that the organizer received your payment.

Plan your booth. Make a layout, test your display at home and check that everything fits in your vehicle. Make a list of what to bring: table, cloth, signs, display fixtures, lighting if allowed, payment setup, change, bags, tape, scissors, first aid and water. Practice setting up so you can do it quickly on the day. Remember that sales tax, permits and insurance requirements vary by place. Ask the organizer and your local authorities. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Arrive in the setup window and follow the organizer's directions for unloading and parking. Be friendly to neighbors and volunteers. Keep your booth clean and your prices visible. Greet visitors and let them browse. Bring snacks and water, and arrange breaks with a helper if you can.

After the fair, record what sold, what drew questions and what you would change. Thank the organizer. Collect contact details from customers who want to buy later. Review your notes before you apply next year. Over time, you will learn which fairs suit your work. For more on finding events, see our guide to finding craft fairs to sell at, and use the this-weekend page to find events close to hand.