Fairs/Festivals
Summer Solstice Market 2026
Contact Information
Downtown Market Education Foundation
Contact Email: publicevents@downtownmarketgr.com
Contact Phone: 616-805-5308
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist & Non-Artist Vendor
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 5
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 6, Max: 6
- Total | Max: 6
Opportunity Summary
The Summer Solstice Market will take place outside under the Market Shed and on the grounds of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 10 am to 6 pm. What is the summer solstice you ask? This date is when one of Earth's poles is tilted toward the sun at its most extreme angle resulting in the longest period of daylight and the shortest night of the year!
Guests will celebrate the official start of the astronomical summer by shopping handmade summer clothing, plants and gardening accessories, local produce and packaged goods, sunscreens and balms, and more, while enjoying entertainment along with cocktails and mocktails from the outside bar! And to make their day even more memorable, guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner from one of the many unique Downtown Market eateries!
Booth sizes vary, with covered and uncovered booths available. Vendors applying will be juried on a rolling basis. The Summer Solstice Market will be advertised and promoted throughout West Michigan through various printed literature, media alerts, email blasts, event calendars, and through organic and paid social media promotion.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a 138,000 squre food public market that is open seven days a week and features 21 indoor food merchants and restaurants offering multiple dine-in, carry-out, specialty grocery, and retail options. The Market's award-winning venue spaces host year-round free public events and private rentals including wedding ceremonies, receptions, corporate events, social get-togethers and the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt. The Market Shed is an outdoor partially covered space that does allow for electrical connection for an additional fee if needed.
Questions? Please contact the Public Events Department at publicevents@downtownmarketgr.com.
Guests will celebrate the official start of the astronomical summer by shopping handmade summer clothing, plants and gardening accessories, local produce and packaged goods, sunscreens and balms, and more, while enjoying entertainment along with cocktails and mocktails from the outside bar! And to make their day even more memorable, guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner from one of the many unique Downtown Market eateries!
Booth sizes vary, with covered and uncovered booths available. Vendors applying will be juried on a rolling basis. The Summer Solstice Market will be advertised and promoted throughout West Michigan through various printed literature, media alerts, email blasts, event calendars, and through organic and paid social media promotion.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a 138,000 squre food public market that is open seven days a week and features 21 indoor food merchants and restaurants offering multiple dine-in, carry-out, specialty grocery, and retail options. The Market's award-winning venue spaces host year-round free public events and private rentals including wedding ceremonies, receptions, corporate events, social get-togethers and the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt. The Market Shed is an outdoor partially covered space that does allow for electrical connection for an additional fee if needed.
Questions? Please contact the Public Events Department at publicevents@downtownmarketgr.com.
Jump to
General Information
Please click here to see the Summer Solstice Market Vendor Information.
The Summer Solstice Market will host 40-70 vendors offering handmade and locally produced items.This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with and support small Michigan-based businesses and celebrate the abundance of makers and producers on the longest day of the year. We will be accepting vendors selling items including but not limited to the following:
Once you have submitted this application, a jury process will take place. You will be contacted should the jury require additional information.
Stalls are limited. Vendors will be accepted for no more than four (4) Downtown Market Vendor events in 2026. This will ensure a variety of products are offered for Downtown Market guests throughout the season. To maintain the integrity and uniqueness of the 2026 Christkindl Markt, vendors selected to participate will not be accepted as vendors in other 2026 Grand Rapids Downtown Market Public Markets/Events.
Vendor will be notified within two (2) weeks of applying. Additional Market Vendor events are listed below.
(Check your browser's pop-up blocker if hyperlink is not working.)
The Summer Solstice Market will host 40-70 vendors offering handmade and locally produced items.This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with and support small Michigan-based businesses and celebrate the abundance of makers and producers on the longest day of the year. We will be accepting vendors selling items including but not limited to the following:
- Artisanal goods
- Baby clothing and balms
- Beverages (packaged)
- Beach/travel bags and totes
- Candles, incense, wax melts, etc.
- Celebrating Michigan items
- Clothing (summer: kimonos, shorts, tank tops, t-shirts)
- Crystals, smudge sticks, tarot cards, etc.
- DIY craft kits
- Dog/cat bowls, snacks, collars, leashes, etc.
- Fresh produce
- Games (outdoor)
- Gardening accessories (markers, gloves, etc.)
- Hair accessories
- Henna art
- Items encouraging sustainability/reuse (sustainable shopping bags, etc.)
- Journals
- Locally made food items such as jams, jellies, honey, cocktail mixers, roasted coffee, etc. (packaged to take items only; outside of what is currently offered in the Market Hall)
- Macrema plant hangers, wall art, jewelry, etc.
- Outdoor decor/furniture/lighting
- Plants, herbs, flowers, terrariums
- Pool decor (floating lighting, party garland, etc.)
- Pottery (planters, pots, etc.)
- Rugs, outdoor wall art, other textiles
- Sandles
- Summer jewelry (NO ADDITIONAL PERMANENT JEWELRY VENDORS ARE BEING ACCEPTED)
- Sunhats and visors
- Sunscreen, lip balm/scrubs, hair masks and other summer bodycare products
- Swimsuits, coverups, etc.
- Towels
- Tye dyed products
- Upcycled goods
- Wreaths
Once you have submitted this application, a jury process will take place. You will be contacted should the jury require additional information.
Stalls are limited. Vendors will be accepted for no more than four (4) Downtown Market Vendor events in 2026. This will ensure a variety of products are offered for Downtown Market guests throughout the season. To maintain the integrity and uniqueness of the 2026 Christkindl Markt, vendors selected to participate will not be accepted as vendors in other 2026 Grand Rapids Downtown Market Public Markets/Events.
Vendor will be notified within two (2) weeks of applying. Additional Market Vendor events are listed below.
- Art Print & Pattern Pop-Up -- Sunday, March 1
- Springtime Pop-Up Market -- Sunday, May 22
- Boho Bazaar - Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29
- Mother's Day Gift Fair -- Sunday, May 10
- Artisan Jewelry Market -- Sunday, August 16
- Ceramics Cement & Pottery Pop-up - Sunday, September 13
- Fall Celebration Pop-Up -- Sunday, September 20
- Merchants of the Macabre Oddities Market - Saturday, October 24
Application Requirements
Please click here to see the Summer Solstice Market Rules & Regulations.
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Please note item #10 regarding the required liability insurance and additional insured. If accepted to the Summer Solstice Market, please plan to have your insurance certificate containing the required additional insured entities emailed to publicevents@downtownmarketgr.com no later than Friday, June 12, 2026.
Please note item #10 regarding the required liability insurance and additional insured. If accepted to the Summer Solstice Market, please plan to have your insurance certificate containing the required additional insured entities emailed to publicevents@downtownmarketgr.com no later than Friday, June 12, 2026.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
50
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
45
Booth Information
8X5 Covered Booth: $75
8X10 Covered Booth: $100
10X10 Uncovered Booth: $100
ALL 10X10 TENTS MUST HAVE TENT WEIGHTS. No ground stakes will be allowed. Tents are only allowed for the uncovered booths.
8X10 Covered Booth: $100
10X10 Uncovered Booth: $100
ALL 10X10 TENTS MUST HAVE TENT WEIGHTS. No ground stakes will be allowed. Tents are only allowed for the uncovered booths.
Refund Policy
No refunds will be given for Vendor cancellation after acceptance and payment.nsert refund policy
Additional Fees
Covered 8x10 Stall: $100
Uncovered 10x10 Stall: $100
Covered 8x5 Stall: $75
Terms to Apply
Application Fee: $15
