Fairs/Festivals
Capital Art and Craft Festival – December 2026
Sterling, Virginia
Application Fee: $45
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Submission Limit: 2
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
The Capital Art and Craft Festival, a juried festival, draws buyers from Virginia, Maryland, DC, and beyond. CACF has hosted numerous festivals welcoming thousands of art and craft connoisseurs in search of unique pieces of art for themselves, personal collections, and as gifts. The festival will be held at the New DTC Expo Center in Sterling, VA where artists will engage with a diverse audience of art and fine craft enthusists who are looking to purchase items for personal collections, gifts, fashionable clothing, home decor and more. The new two level DTC Expo Center is attached to Dulles Town Center which offers plenty of free parking, easy access and of course, Indoors.
Capital Art and Craft Festivals are produced by SPARGO, Inc., the largest, independently owned, full-service event management company in the United States with over 53 years of experience. Our focus is on producing artist-friendly festivals which bring art/craft buyers and our artists together.
Capital Art and Craft Festivals are produced by SPARGO, Inc., the largest, independently owned, full-service event management company in the United States with over 53 years of experience. Our focus is on producing artist-friendly festivals which bring art/craft buyers and our artists together.
General Information
The festival is full at this time. A wait list has been established. Accepted artists will be placed on a wait list and notified if a space opens.
General Information
Participation in this juried event is open to Artists who handmake Art and Craft. Only creators of the art/craft should apply. Buy/sell, made from a kit, mass-produced, or pet related items are not accepted. If an artist is found to be not in compliance with this rule during set-up or the festival, they will be required to close their booth and leave the festival with no refund.
Important Dates
August 6, 2026 - Applications open
September 4, 2026 - Jury deliberation begins (rolling jury until booth space is full)
September 11, 2026 – Invitations to participate begin to be sent out.
- applications received after Sept 12, 2026 there is a 7-10 day turn around time frame.
October 15, 2026 Booth payment due
October 30, 2026 - 100% cancellation fee apllies
December 10, 2026 – Artist set up 9am-7pm
December 11-13, 2026 – Festival dates
Category List:
Wearable Art
Work created as wearables from fiber including dying, weaving, leather, quilting. Factory or mass-produced wearables not permitted. Jewelry must apply under the jewerly category
Fiber Non-wearables
Work created as non-wearables from fiber including dying, weaving, leather, quilting, papermaking.
Glass
Original work created in glass. Including blown, fused, stained, mosaic, and torched glass. No mass or factory produced work accepted. Glass jewelry must apply in the jewelry category.
Jewelry - FULL Accepting applications for waitlist only
Original jewelry regardless of medium that is created without commercial molds, casts or use of a production studio. No mass-produced components assemble to create a final product will be accepted. No buy/sell. Chains not made by the artist may be sold as part of the overall product.
Leather -
Items created using leater as the main material.
Metal
Functional and sculptured art incorporating metal.
Mixed Media
Original art of two and three dimensions joining two or more mediums/materials.
Painting and Prints
Art works that are painted using oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, etc.
Photography
Signed prints created by the artist from their original negatives or digital files processed by the Artist or under the direct supervision of the Artist.
Pottery/Clay
Original clay, ceramic, porcelain, stoneware, or earthenware functional and non-functional work. No machine-made or mass produced will be accepted.
Printmaking
Hand-pulled original work from plate, stone, block, or other objects. Must be limited edition.
Wood
Wood as the primary material. Including hand-tooled, machine worked, turned, or carved work.
Apothecary - FULL Accepting applications for waitlist only
Includes handmade soaps, candles, lotions, bath and personal care items.
Specialty Food and Beverage - FULL Accepting applications for waitlist only
Specialty food and beverage created by the artist that is not mass produced. Must be packaged for offsite consumption and for human consumption only. We do not accept pet treats booths.
The work represented in the images used when applying and display image must represent the work shown at the Festival. Items that are not in harmony with your application may not be displayed/sold.
Festival Dates:
Full set up day on Thursday, December 10, 2026 - 9am - 7pm
Friday, December 11, 2026
Saturday, December 12, 2026
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Booth spaces available
10' x 10’ - $750
10' x 15' - $1125 (limited number of booths available in this size)
10' x 20' - $1450
Corner fees are $200 (limited number available)
Larger booth space available in 10' increments
When you apply thru Zapplication you will pay a non-refundable $45 jury fee. Artists who are selected will receive an invitation letter. Once invited you will need to accept in Zapp in order to be placed in the event. The invitation does not secure your space, accepting will. Categories fill up so don't be left out by not accepting.
After the intial invites go out on Sept 11, 2026, newly submitted applications will be reviewed on a rolling jury basis, 7-10 day turn around.
During the application process you will be asked to submit 4 photos of your work and 1 booth display photo. These photos are for jury review, and if invited to participate, gives us an opportunity to use artwork photos for the fesitval website and social media.
Booth deposit and payments will be made thru our Artist portal not thru Zapplication. You will receive an invoice and direction how to make your payment thru the Artist portal. Credit cards and checks are accepted.
Once you receive your invoice you will need to submit your booth payment within 15 days. Booths will not be held without proper payment. Payments are fully refundable, if requested by October 30, 2026. Cancellations made after October 30, 2026 are subject to a 100% cancellation fee.
Artist Amenities include
We love our artists and want to do everything possible to drive sales and a create smooth experience.
General Information
Participation in this juried event is open to Artists who handmake Art and Craft. Only creators of the art/craft should apply. Buy/sell, made from a kit, mass-produced, or pet related items are not accepted. If an artist is found to be not in compliance with this rule during set-up or the festival, they will be required to close their booth and leave the festival with no refund.
Important Dates
August 6, 2026 - Applications open
September 4, 2026 - Jury deliberation begins (rolling jury until booth space is full)
September 11, 2026 – Invitations to participate begin to be sent out.
- applications received after Sept 12, 2026 there is a 7-10 day turn around time frame.
October 15, 2026 Booth payment due
October 30, 2026 - 100% cancellation fee apllies
December 10, 2026 – Artist set up 9am-7pm
December 11-13, 2026 – Festival dates
Category List:
Wearable Art
Work created as wearables from fiber including dying, weaving, leather, quilting. Factory or mass-produced wearables not permitted. Jewelry must apply under the jewerly category
Fiber Non-wearables
Work created as non-wearables from fiber including dying, weaving, leather, quilting, papermaking.
Glass
Original work created in glass. Including blown, fused, stained, mosaic, and torched glass. No mass or factory produced work accepted. Glass jewelry must apply in the jewelry category.
Jewelry - FULL Accepting applications for waitlist only
Original jewelry regardless of medium that is created without commercial molds, casts or use of a production studio. No mass-produced components assemble to create a final product will be accepted. No buy/sell. Chains not made by the artist may be sold as part of the overall product.
Leather -
Items created using leater as the main material.
Metal
Functional and sculptured art incorporating metal.
Mixed Media
Original art of two and three dimensions joining two or more mediums/materials.
Painting and Prints
Art works that are painted using oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, etc.
Photography
Signed prints created by the artist from their original negatives or digital files processed by the Artist or under the direct supervision of the Artist.
Pottery/Clay
Original clay, ceramic, porcelain, stoneware, or earthenware functional and non-functional work. No machine-made or mass produced will be accepted.
Printmaking
Hand-pulled original work from plate, stone, block, or other objects. Must be limited edition.
Wood
Wood as the primary material. Including hand-tooled, machine worked, turned, or carved work.
Apothecary - FULL Accepting applications for waitlist only
Includes handmade soaps, candles, lotions, bath and personal care items.
Specialty Food and Beverage - FULL Accepting applications for waitlist only
Specialty food and beverage created by the artist that is not mass produced. Must be packaged for offsite consumption and for human consumption only. We do not accept pet treats booths.
The work represented in the images used when applying and display image must represent the work shown at the Festival. Items that are not in harmony with your application may not be displayed/sold.
Festival Dates:
Full set up day on Thursday, December 10, 2026 - 9am - 7pm
Friday, December 11, 2026
Saturday, December 12, 2026
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Booth spaces available
10' x 10’ - $750
10' x 15' - $1125 (limited number of booths available in this size)
10' x 20' - $1450
Corner fees are $200 (limited number available)
Larger booth space available in 10' increments
When you apply thru Zapplication you will pay a non-refundable $45 jury fee. Artists who are selected will receive an invitation letter. Once invited you will need to accept in Zapp in order to be placed in the event. The invitation does not secure your space, accepting will. Categories fill up so don't be left out by not accepting.
After the intial invites go out on Sept 11, 2026, newly submitted applications will be reviewed on a rolling jury basis, 7-10 day turn around.
During the application process you will be asked to submit 4 photos of your work and 1 booth display photo. These photos are for jury review, and if invited to participate, gives us an opportunity to use artwork photos for the fesitval website and social media.
Booth deposit and payments will be made thru our Artist portal not thru Zapplication. You will receive an invoice and direction how to make your payment thru the Artist portal. Credit cards and checks are accepted.
Once you receive your invoice you will need to submit your booth payment within 15 days. Booths will not be held without proper payment. Payments are fully refundable, if requested by October 30, 2026. Cancellations made after October 30, 2026 are subject to a 100% cancellation fee.
Artist Amenities include
We love our artists and want to do everything possible to drive sales and a create smooth experience.
- Full time onsite staff - we're here to help you be successful!
- 50 Complimentary tickets for customers (ticket code sent 30 days prior to festival)
- Personalized promotional postcards, digital flyers and social media graphics
- Printed Artist Directory and Shopping Guide
- Booth sitters for breaks
- Porter services for move-in/out (tips for these hard workers appreciated)
- Discounted hotel rates
- Free parking
- Artist name **
- Booth number **
- City/state **
- Website **
- Ecommerce store link
- Social media links
- Photos of your art **
Application Requirements
All work must be original, handmade by the Artist. No buy/sell, kits, intended for animals or mass-produced products permitted. Exhibited work must be consistent with the work submitted and accepted with the Artist application. Any change must be submitted to show management for approval. Product misrepresentation will result in immediate removal from the event, forfeit all fees and will be prohibited from participating in future events.
Booths must be professional and aesthetically pleasing. All booth structures should consist of two side walls and a back wall. Corner booths may leave the corner open. Each booth space will come with 8' high white back and side pipe and drape. Artists are encouraged use their own booth structure. Materials displayed must fit in the confines of the booth space assigned including Artists and other booth personnel. Tent tops/ceiling type coverings are not permitted to be used in the DTC Expo Center. You may use your structure without the top. The use of batteries to power lights etc. are prohibited to be used in the DTC Expo Center.
Artist must be present at their booth during all open hours.
Booth space may not be sublet.
If art is a collaboration with another artist at least one must be present in the booth. Both collaborating artists must be listed on the application.
Artists retain 100% of their sales and are responsible for collecting and reporting applicable sales taxes.
Artists who were not accepted in the jewelry medium category may not offer jewelry for sale.
Any artist leaving prior to the end of the show will be unable to apply for future Capital Art and Craft Festivals.
Booths must be professional and aesthetically pleasing. All booth structures should consist of two side walls and a back wall. Corner booths may leave the corner open. Each booth space will come with 8' high white back and side pipe and drape. Artists are encouraged use their own booth structure. Materials displayed must fit in the confines of the booth space assigned including Artists and other booth personnel. Tent tops/ceiling type coverings are not permitted to be used in the DTC Expo Center. You may use your structure without the top. The use of batteries to power lights etc. are prohibited to be used in the DTC Expo Center.
Artist must be present at their booth during all open hours.
Booth space may not be sublet.
If art is a collaboration with another artist at least one must be present in the booth. Both collaborating artists must be listed on the application.
Artists retain 100% of their sales and are responsible for collecting and reporting applicable sales taxes.
Artists who were not accepted in the jewelry medium category may not offer jewelry for sale.
Any artist leaving prior to the end of the show will be unable to apply for future Capital Art and Craft Festivals.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
425
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
265
Booth Information
Booth Fees
10'x10’ - $750
10'x15’ - 1125 (limited number available)
10'x20' - $1450
Corner fees are an additional $200 (limited number available)
Multiple booths may be combined into a larger booth space upon request.
Booth payments will go thru our Artist Portal not Zapplication. An invoice will be sent for booth payment.
Booths must be professional and aesthetically pleasing. Each booth space will come with an 8’ high white back and side pipe and drape. Artists may opt out and use their own booth structure. All booth structures should consist of two side walls and a back wall minimum of 8'. Corner booths may leave the corner open. Materials displayed must fit in the confines of the booth space assigned including Artists and other booth personnel. Chairs or displays may not be in the aisle per fire marshal regulations. Tent tops/ceiling type coverings are not permitted to be used in the DTC Expo Center. You may use your structure without the top. The use of batteries are prohibited to be used in the DTC Expo Center.
Booth set up is Thursday, December 10, 2026 - 9am - 7pm.
No booth, part or whole may be packed up or vacated until the event concludes. Failure to comply will result in the forfeiting of all fees paid and not being invited to participate in future events.
Electrical, Internet services, if needed are available to order through the DTC Expo Center. Information on ordering services will be provied to invited artists.
Security will be present during move in, event days, overnight. SPARGO, Inc. and the DTC Expo Center are not liable for any injury, damages, or theft. Artists are responsible for carrying their own insurance.
Refund Policy
Booth payments are fully refundable if requested by October 30, 2026. Cancellations made after October 30, 2026 are subject to a 100% cancellation fee. Zapplication fees are non-refundable.