Christkindlmarkt Artisan Application 2026

Twice recognized as one of the best holiday markets in the US by Travel & Leisure, this heart-warming event is a must-see! In 2025, Christkindlmarkt attracted over 140,000 visitors during its six-week run. The event showcases some of the nation's top juried artisans and craftspersons, along with retail and food vendors, and even jolly old St. Nicholas himself!

In 2025, the event expanded to include a winter wonderland with dazzling holiday light displays, ice carving, glass blowing, and more. Guests enjoyed shopping in our spacious, heated tents, nestled at the foot of the iconic Bethlehem Steel. The outdoor village, adorned with holiday lights and decor, offers a delightful atmosphere for enjoying a bite from our food vendors or a drink from our bar. There's truly something for everyone!

Jury/Acceptance/Late Entries: Once the application closes on May 3, 2026, late acceptances will not be permitted (NO EXCEPTIONS)

Medium Categories: Bath & Body | Candles & Home Scents | Food Products (must be pre-packaged & additional space fee applied)  | Graphics & Illustration | Glass | Jewelry | Leather | Metal | Painting (all paint mediums) | Photography | Pottery | Textiles | Woodworking

Food Products: Must be pre-packaged, an additional $50/session/space will apply.  At no time, will food products occupy more than 10% of the spaces within Christkindlmarkt each session. 

Wait List: A wait list will be created for artisans who are accepted into at least one session but cannot be placed into all the sessions for which they applied. To be added to the wait list for additional sessions, an artisan must first be accepted into at least one session and complete both the Invitation acceptance and the required payment for that accepted session.

Artisans who are not selected by the jury will not be placed on a wait list. 

Your product is the most important aspect of the application. To ensure you have the best possible advantage in the selection process, please be very thorough and complete with your product presentation. A fully completed application is also extremely important in finalizing the vendor selections. Applications that are not complete or have not uploaded the proper documentation will not be considered for selection.
The following are additional criteria that are used in evaluating vendors for selection:

1. Vendors with large event experience, particularly with outdoor events.
2. Vendors with a distinct and clear direction on product lines and a variety of price points. The uniqueness of your product line will help give you the best advantage. We are always looking for new products – especially for returning vendors!
3. If you are applying as an Artisan, please make sure you meet the Artisan requirements as stated in the application.
4. Prior participation in an ArtsQuest event, with special attention to compliance of ArtsQuest Terms of Participation.
5. The ability of your operations to fit into the available resources at ArtsQuest events (i.e. electrical and 10’ x 10’ space requirements). There is a slight advantage to operating with limited electrical and 10’ x 10’ space requirements.

Please provide appropriate supporting materials with your application. If the descriptions of your items are not familiar or clear, please provide as much information as possible. 

Should I apply as an Artisan or as a Retailer?

1. Artisans MUST meet the following criteria:
   1. You are the designer/maker of ALL the products that you are selling.
   2. EVERYTHING to be sold by an Artisan must be MADE by the Artisan; an Artisan cannot resell products made by others.
   3. As set forth in the Terms of Participation in the subsequent sections of the application, an Artisan must be present at the event to represent and speak about their work.  
   4. Retailers may not apply as Artisans.  Any applications that do not meet the Artisan criteria will not be considered. 

Artisans/Craftspersons (Tents 2 & 3 | Glassfront | Outdoor Village | Courtyard)

• Session 1 (Tents 2 & 3 Only) - starting at $375.00
• Session 2 (Tents 2 & 3 Only) - starting at $375.00
• Session 3 (Tents 2 & 3 Only) - starting at $460.00
• Session 4 (Tents 2 & 3 Only) - starting at $460.00
• Session 5 (Tents 2 & 3 Only) - starting at $460.00
• Session 6 (Tents 2 & 3 Only) - starting at $460.00
• Full Festival (Glass Front) - $4600.00 per space (spaces are 10' wide x 20' deep)
• Full Festival (Courtyard) - $1820.00 per 10' x 10' space - tent not included
• Full Festival (Hut) - $2120.00 per hut 

Hours of Operation: Thursdays & Sundays 10a - 6p and Fridays & Saturdays 10a - 8p

 

1. A full return of refundable fees will be made by ArtsQuest ONLY IF written cancellation notice is received by ArtsQuest within fourteen (14) days of the date of the acceptance.
2. Cancellations greater than fourteen (14) days will not be refunded and failure to complete payment may impact application acceptance in the future.   
3. Deposits are non-refundable regardless of cancellation date.