by Amanda Hariri (Social Media + Marketing Manager at Girl Gang Craft)
‘Tis the season...for craft fairs!
Now, we know it’s technically (at the time of this posting) not even October yet. If you are the type of person who becomes a total Grinch when you hear holiday music crooning out of speakers at your local Whole Foods pre-Thanksgiving Day, we feel it, but we’re here to get you in the spirit anyway.
Why? Because friends don’t let friends miss out on CRAFT FAIRS, hello!
Bust out your coziest winter accessories, warm up an anticipatory mug of cocoa, and get ready to mark your calendars! Here are eight upcoming Bay Area markets to attend or apply to as a maker this holiday season.
Not a Bay Area maker? Get your business in front of our 30K online audience of small biz lovers! We are currently accepting applications for our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide.
Ever heard of us? Girl Gang Craft is the ultimate craft fair for women, non-binary, and trans makers, artists, and healers. We offer a rad feminist merch line and strive to provide brand education so our community of creatives can take their work to the next level, both in-person and online. At GGC, we’re always looking for high-quality products, professional photographs, authentic and cohesive branding, and missions aligned with our personal values.
Coming up:
December 11, 2021
Scottish Rite Center (inside), Oakland, CA
Applications open now + close 11/5
West Coast Craft features artists and designer craftspeople from across the US who embody the West Coast lifestyle. It takes place at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Come for the laid-back vibes, leave feeling inspired and ready to create your next best work.
Note: This event is highly selective in its application acceptances.
Coming up:
October 29 - 31, 2021
Golden Gate Park Polo Field, San Francisco
November 20 & 21, 2021 Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
Applications open now + close 10/22
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
Applications open on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.
Head West is an outdoor retail marketplace curated by founder Jimmy Brower that provides an IRL platform for emerging and established artists multiple times a month at various venues across California.
Coming up:
October 2, 2021
Fourth Street Shops, Berkeley, CA
October 9 & 10, 2021
November 13 & 14, 2021
December 11 & 12, 2021
The Barlow, Sebastopol, CA
December 4, 2021
Temescal Alley + 49th Street, Oakland, CA
November 20 & 21, 2021
December 18 & 19, 2021
Hangar 1 Distillery, Alameda, CA
Patchwork Show is put on by Dear Handmade Life throughout California each year. This is a very inclusive show—in fact, it was GGC founder Phoebe’s first craft fair when she was making jewelry!
Coming up:
November 20 & 21, 2021
Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA
Applications for this show are currently closed, but waiting list applications are now open.
November 27, 2021
December 11 & 12, 2021
Westfield San Francisco Centre, San Francisco, CA
Applications for this show are closed, but waiting list applications are now open.
Urban Air Market was established in 2005. It is the largest outdoor design festival in the US and the only independent fashion marketplace focused on sustainable design. Their shows get tons of traffic and showcase 100+ designers of fashion, accessories, body products, home decor, furniture, and art with a commitment to sustainability practices. Urban Air opens its applications at the beginning of the year; you can reserve your spot for all shows ahead of time, so make sure you are subscribed to their newsletter to stay in the know!
Coming up:
October 3, 2021
Octavia and Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA
Applications for their Winter Market are currently not live. Be sure to follow them @urbanairmarket on Instagram to stay updated!
Renegade came to life in Chicago back in 2003 and has since seen tremendous growth through grassroots support. Today, Renegade has events in several major cities across the US as well as a virtual shop and large artist collective.
Coming up:
November 6 & 7, 2021
Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
Applications for this show are closed.
The Craneway Craft Fair is a juried selection of affordable art, crafts, and gifts presented by 130 artists and craftspeople. It’s family and pet-friendly, and admission is free to the public.
Coming up:
November 27 & 28, 2021
Craneway Pavilion, Richmond, CA
Note: As this show is a fundraiser for KPFA radio, it is a ticketed event with admission ranging from $10-12.
San José Made helps creative small businesses grow their business and brand in San José and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Their online shop showcases over 4,000 products from local small businesses. They also host events, pop-up markets, and other retail activations for creative entrepreneurs throughout the year.
Coming up:
November 26-28, 2021
Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA
Applications now open + close 10/10
Good luck applying, makers—and happy browsing, craft fair lovers! Keep in mind that each of these shows has its own COVID-related safety protocols in place, so please do review that information prior to attending.
For more on how to nail your next show, download our free Booth Design Guide and Craft Fair Checklist. Then, tune into our podcast episode Craft Fair Tips for some tried and true tips from GGC founder, Phoebe Sherman.