Merchants of the Macabre Oddities Market 2026

Slip into the shadows from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, October 24 while guests search through strange items of the magical, mystical, and macabre! The Merchants of the Macabre Oddities Market will take place outside under the Market Shed and Downtown Market parking lot  - just in time for All Hallow’s Eve! The Downtown Market’s pop-up markets, held throughout the year, are popular in West Michigan, with guest attendance averaging 4,000+ attendees. Grand Rapids is well-known as a community that supports and promotes local artisans, artists, and merchants and is a regional tourist destination. 

Vendors applying will be juried on a rolling basis. The Merchants of the Macabre Oddities Market will be advertised and promoted throughout West Michigan through printed literature, email blasts, media alerts and paid and organic social media campaigns.

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a 138,000 square foot public market that is open seven days a week and features 21 indoor food vendors 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, and social get-togethers. 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.

This event is for the sale of odd and macabre items, with a focus on handmade items, including but not limited to the following:

• Cryptid and Monster Items (Stuffed animals, textiles, etc)
• Artwork (Fantasy - Dragon/Wizard etc., Tattoo-Related, Victorian, Resin, Horror, Cryptid/Monster etc.)
• Wall hangings (medical, charts, anatomy)
• Vintage or antique medical equipment
• Masks, dolls, "spiritual" items (Voodoo, crystal balls/crystals, geodes, dream catchers, tarot cards, ouija boards, etc)
• Victorian items (Dishware, Artwork, etc.)
• Dried flowers
• Macabre Ceramics (Skulls, Horror, Spiritual, etc.)
• Apothecary items (Bottles, Glassware, Beakers, etc.)
• Edible food items of the macabre that are produced with license (Candy, Packaged food)
• Ethically Sourced Preserved insects and other specimen (Pinned, Resin Preserved, etc.)
• Ethically sourced taxidermy and skeletal items (antlers, skulls, etc)
• Ethically Sourced True Crime Items (Memorabilia, Books, Photos, etc)

By agreeing to this contract, you are stating you are not ending an animal's life for the sake of art to sell in our show and that all specimens sold are legal per state. If we discover that you are not sourcing sustainably you will be removed from all shows with no refund.

No Human Remain Sales (teeth, hair and blood art excluded): We do not allow the sale of human remains at the Merchants of the Macabre Oddities Market. Continuing to bring a prohibited product can result in removal from the show.

For vendors who sell items revolving around true crime (gory or intense photos that are deemed inappropriate) or nudity, these items cannot be displayed out in the open. Please have these items tucked in your booth, behind glass, etc with warning 18+ signage. Some people can be triggered by these types of images and we need to be discretionary.

Stickers are not being accepted at any pop-up markets at the Downtown Market in 2026.

Limited retail food and beverage products will be allowed. Foods prepared under Cottage Food Law are prohibited. Food vendors must carry, and provide, applicable food licenses and food products must be prepared or packaged in a licensed kitchen. Food and beverage for immediate consumption, mobile food establishments, and Special Transitory Food Units are not allowed.

Once you have submitted this application, a jury process will take place. You will be contacted should we required 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
• Springtime Pop-Up Market - Sunday, March 22
• Boho Bazaar - Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29
• Mother's Day Gift Fair - Sunday, May 10
• Summer Solstice Market - Sunday, June 21
• Artisan Jewelry Market - Sunday, August 16
• Ceramics Cement & Pottery Pop-up - Sunday, September 13
• Fall Celebration Pop-Up - Sunday, September 20

8X5 Covered Booth: $75 (25 Available)
8x10 Covered Booth: $100 (22 Available)  -- SOLD OUT
10X10 Uncovered Booth (outside the Market Shed): $100 (40 Available)

ALL 10X10 TENTS MUST HAVE TENT WEIGHTS. No ground stakes will be allowed. Tents are only allowed for the uncovered booths. No tables or chairs will be available for rent at this event. 

No refunds will be given for Vendor cancellation after acceptance and payment.