Opportunity Summary
Located in the heart of Buckhead and is considered to be one of the most prestigious areas and home to one of the most enthusiastic art-buying communities in the Atlanta metro area. Rain or shine, visitors from all over the country enjoy this event.
The Buckhead Handmade Holiday Market is a two-day arts outdoor festival, located in Buckhead, Atlanta, this neighborhood is rich in tradition and has one of the highest and richest demographics in metro Atlanta. Featuring approximately 100 painters, photographers, sculptors, metalwork, glass artists, jewelers, and more! The Festival will also offer artist demonstrations and live acoustic music.
The Buckhead Handmade Holiday Market is organized by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, LLC, and a board of experts in various artistic disciplines, which has a long history of building some of the most notable events in the south with several holding spots in the TOP 100 in the nation. The festival will uphold the highest standards supporting the arts and offer participating artists the environment to nurture an appreciation for their skills.
Festival Hours: Saturday 11:00 am-6:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
General Information
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES:
Accept applications: January 12, 2026
Wait List Released: September 16, 2026 (or as deemed by the Director)
Event Date: December 05-06, 2026
Load-IN: Saturday (morning) December 05, 2026 (9:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
Event Hours: Saturday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM / Sunday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Director and included on the Wait List.
CATEGORIES
2-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as collage, papermaking, encaustic, pen and ink, paint, pencil, watercolor, or photography. The finished art is suitable for wall mounting.
3-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as mosaic, papier mache, clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, or any other 3-dimensional objects.
Ceramics: Original shaped and fired clay including earthenware, porcelain, and raku.
Digital Art: Two-dimensional works from which the original image is manipulated by the artist using a computer using programs such as Drawing, Illustrator, Paint, or, other software applications.
Drawing & Printmaking: Original drawings made with pen, pencil, charcoal, pastels, or, chalk. The printmaking process may include pulled plates, linoleum prints, etching, engraving, silkscreen, or, lithography. All prints must be signed and numbered by the artist. Photocopies are not permitted.
Edibles: Handmade items such as jam, sauce, baked goods, etc. that are pre-packaged and not prepared on-site.
Fiber: Works created from fibers including basketry, batik, weaving, papermaking, knitting, and quilting. The embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Glass: An object made of glass including blown, fused, stained, cast, and molded. The embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Handicraft: Handmade items made by the artist from manufactured, recycled, or repurposed materials transforming the combined materials into a unique product in a cohesive collection. A complete description of items is required.
Jewelry: All Jewelry is crafted from metal, glass, stone, clay, or other materials. Commercial molds or casts are not permitted. At least 50% of the organic materials in the finished product used must be produced by the artist.
Metal: Functional and non-sculptural works incorporating metal.
Painting: The use of oils, acrylics, watercolors, and tempera suitable for hanging.
Photography: Prints, transparencies, or, digital images made from the artist’s original negative or taken with a digital camera that has been processed by the artist.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional work is done in any individual medium.
Wood & Furniture: Original works in wood that are built, turned, carved, or, tooled. Embellished manufactured wood items are not permitted.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- T-shirts and commercial clothing (any re-sell or manufactured items)
- Posters
- Manufactured toys (any re-sell or manufactured items)
- Commercially manufactured or reproduced items (resale)
- Jewelry is made from more than 50% manufactured components
- Any item that employs the use of commercially available molds or patterns
AMENITIES
- Water will be provided for artists on Saturday and Sunday.
- Booth Sitters are available during event hours upon request.
- Designated Festival Hotline available during event hours regarding assistance, emergencies, questions, concerns, etc.
- Saturday Morning Load in Only - Drive to spot.
- 24 Hour on-site Security
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION
- AFFPS is among the top award-winning art festival organizations in the southeast.
- Voted Best Festivals by local media - with Art Shows in the Top 100 Nationwide.
- The holder of the only Guinness World Record by any arts festival organization in the U.S.
- AFFPS employs professional marketing strategies including:
- PR and online media platforms
- Print and online media ads
- Radio and TV
- Billboards, banners, posters, and yard signs
- Extensive business partner collaboration
- Social media
- Dedicated interactive website
- Direct mail
- 300+ online calendar entries
PARKING
Free parking will be available at the event site. On-street parking is also available in the surrounding neighborhood.
WAITLIST
A waitlist will be maintained. Selected wait-listed artists may be contacted when the waitlist is released before the event date.
NO SHOW POLICY
Artists who have not checked in and/or called the Festival Emergency Number ( the number will be available in confirmation materials) by Saturday at 8:00 a.m. will be considered a “no-show.” No-show artists are not eligible for refunds. Assigned space(s) will be forfeited to a wait-list artist.
RAIN OR SHINE
There will be no “rain date” and fees will not be refunded in the case of inclement weather. The event will take place rain or shine.
SALES TAX
Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting Sales Taxes. Sales Tax reporting documents are provided to participating artists at check-in at the event. The current Sales Tax rate for this event is 8.25%
HOW THE FEES ARE USED
All AFFPS Festivals support the GFPS, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a stronger arts community. The GFPS provides scholarships for artists to help them with their artistic careers.
Application Requirements
To view the AFFPS Event Policies for Artists:
1. The Festival provides only the ground space for exhibits. Each Exhibitor must provide and prepare his/her displays. We require Exhibitors to use white top tents of EZ UP quality or higher. All tents must be weighted. NO STAKING ALLOWED. Click here for Tent and weight Compliance.
2. Before the Festival, Exhibitors will be notified of their site location and detailed setup information. Plan to set up your booth on Friday before the Festival. (Please do not call for Booth assignments, they will be posted on Zapp once they are completed).
3. After unloading Exhibitor vehicles must be moved to designated parking. Vehicles will not be permitted to remain in the exhibition space during the Festival, nor may they enter the Festival grounds until approved by the Festival Committee.
4. Exhibitors shall be responsible for obtaining any required licenses, permits, and approvals under state laws applicable to his/her activity at the Festival and for paying any taxes, sales taxes, fees, or, other charges that may apply to any Exhibitor's activity at the Festival.
5. The Festival is a rain or shine event.
6. In the occurrence that the event has to be canceled, postponed, or suspended, as a result of a pandemic such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Full credit for the upcoming show will be given and a Zapp code will be generated. Cancellations by confirmed artist participants must be received in writing960 days before the event date for a refund of the booth fee. Application fees are non-refundable and a 50 dollar admin fee will be charged.
7. Submission by credit card is an acceptance of these terms and as such any dispute related to credit card charges, will be binding under the terms of this agreement, additionally, the artist agrees to defend (accept) said charges and associated fees.
8. The Festival reserves the right to cancel an Exhibitor's contract. The Festival may require the Exhibitor to leave the Festival at any time if the Exhibitor violates any rules and/or regulations stated herein.
9. Neither AFFPS nor its agents or representatives will be responsible for any injury, damage, or loss that may occur to the Exhibitor, the Exhibitor's agents or representatives, or, his/her property from any cause whatsoever. Exhibitors should obtain, at their own expense, insurance against any loss, damage, or injury they may require.
10. All Artist Market merchandise must be original, handmade, and created by the Exhibitor. Reproductions must be identified as such. Original art must occupy at least 50% of the artist's space. Browse bins may occupy only minimal space and must be aesthetically pleasing and not obstruct patron flow. All artwork on display must be for sale.
11. Artists may only show work in categories approved by the Jury.
12. Artists must be present with their work for the duration of the Festival. No commercial agents, dealers, or, salespeople may operate an artist's booth.
13. All application/submission fees are non-refundable.
14. In the occurrence that the event has to be canceled, postponed, or suspended, as a result of a pandemic such as the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Full credit for the upcoming show will be given and a Zapp code will be generated.
17. Submission by credit card is an acceptance of these terms and as such any dispute related to credit card charges will be binding under the terms of this agreement, additionally, the artist agrees to defend (accept) said charges and associated fees.
Refund Policy
Things happen and we understand that, as such any cancellations up to 90 days prior to the event will have fees applied to the next scheduled show. There are no refunds within 60 days of the event. There are no refunds for booth fees applied to a previously canceled show. All credits must be used within one calendar year and it is the Artist's responsibility to track them. At times we offer the opportunity to secure a spot to artists from the immediately preceding year to grab a jury-exempt spot, those fees are non-refundable.
Artists that have a credit must apply to the show as they normally would, and notify the show director that they have applied, at that time they will be confirmed, once we are able to verify any credits. All application deadlines, etc. must be met/followed.
Additionally, credits if given must be applied to the show that it was given and may not transfer to another show, as they are considered separate entities.
Application/Administrative fees are non-refundable as outlined in the application.
• There are no rain dates and no refunds for show cancellation due to rain, floods, tornados, hurricanes, acts of God, acts of government, acts of other official authority, or for any other reason. If for any reason you are asked to leave the show for not following rules, guidelines, social media posts, acting up or disturbing your neighbors, etc. those fees are also non-refundable. Arriving without the necessary/required recommended weights automatic forfeiture of fees paid / 160lbs/40lbs per leg.