Holiday markets are the best selling weeks of the year for a lot of makers, and the shortest window to get into. The big shows fill months ahead, and the smaller ones open late and close fast. Here is how to find the holiday markets still looking for vendors, and how to choose.
Numbers in this guide come from the live listings on VendorsMap and were last updated October 21, 2026.
This season, by the numbers
- 3,313 upcoming US events on VendorsMap run between November 1 to December 31, 2026, and 3,269 of them are taking vendor applications.
- 130 of those close applications in the next 30 days. See them week by week on application deadlines.
- The median booth fee for these events is $85, and the middle half charge $50 to $170. Compare on booth fees.
- The most craft fairs open to vendors right now are in Texas (247), Florida (224), California (212), New York (185), Ohio (140), Massachusetts (112).
Where holiday markets post their calls for vendors
- The VendorsMap map. Filter to craft fairs, pop-ups and festivals and open the ones dated November and December. Every event shown is still upcoming, with its fee and deadline where the organizer gives them.
- Your state page, which lists the soonest shows with fees and deadlines.
- Churches, schools and PTOs. Holiday bazaars are a fundraiser staple, often cheap and well attended by loyal locals.
- Breweries, wineries and downtown associations. Evening and weekend holiday pop-ups have grown fast and often book vendors in October.
- Local vendor Facebook groups, where small markets post "still need vendors" when a spot opens.
Timing: apply now, not in November
Holiday shows give the least notice of any season. In our deadline calendar, October deadlines landed a median of about eight days before the event. Many holiday markets also review as applications arrive, so the posted deadline is the latest you could apply, not the best time. If a show is right for you, apply the week you see it.
How to choose between them
- Indoor or outdoor. December outdoors means cold hands, early dark and fewer browsers. Price indoor shows accordingly.
- One day or several. A multi-weekend show can be your biggest sales of the year, and your most tiring. Make sure you can stock it.
- Who comes. A long-running bazaar with a loyal crowd often beats a new event with big ads.
- The math. Booth fee plus travel against a realistic day of sales. Ask the organizer about last year's attendance.
Get your application holiday ready
Photograph your holiday line on a plain background, include one booth photo, and say your price range plainly. If you have ornaments, small gifts or bundles, show them: organizers want a mix of price points for their shoppers. Our guide to applying to a craft fair walks through the rest.
Questions vendors ask
When should I apply to holiday markets?
Big juried holiday shows open in spring and summer and close by early fall. Church, school, brewery and downtown holiday markets open from August through October and often take vendors until a few weeks before the event. If you want December dates, apply by the end of October.
Are there still holiday markets taking vendors?
Yes. As of October 21, 2026, 3,269 US events dated November 1 to December 31, 2026 are taking vendor applications on VendorsMap, and 130 of them close applications in the next 30 days.
How much does a booth at a holiday market cost?
The median booth fee for upcoming holiday season events on VendorsMap is $85, and the middle half charge $50 to $170. Indoor, juried and multi-day shows cost the most.
What sells best at holiday markets?
Giftable things at clear price points: ornaments, candles, ceramics, jewelry, knits, soaps, prints, and packaged food gifts. Have a few items under $25 for stocking stuffers and teachers' gifts, and offer gift wrap or ready-to-give packaging.
Start on the map, or go straight to the deadlines closing soonest.