Fairs/Festivals
Minnesota Merry Market 2026
St. Paul, Minnesota
Application Fee: $25
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 3
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
The 2026 Minnesota Merry Market at the State Fair spans 3 weekends in December and will feature approximately 80 artist booths each weekend, showcasing a diverse mix of art and handmade goods. Visitors can also enjoy local food trucks, Santa visits, train rides, kids activities, warm beverages, and more. As the holidays and gift-giving season approach, the Minnesota Merry Market is a time for the community to come together, support artists, and discover thoughtful, handmade gifts and artwork.
Vendors may choose to participate in one, two, or all three event weekends, based on how many weekends they are invited to. In order to participate, vendors must commit to both days of a weekend. No single day vendors will be allowed. Vendors opting for multiple weekends must select consecutive dates. Event hours are 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM on all six days across the three weekends.Venue: State Fair Grounds, North End Event Center
Event Dates: December 5-6, December 12-13, and December 19-20
Load In: Friday, Dec. 4th, Friday, Dec. 11, and Friday, Dec. 18.
Load Out: Immediately following the event on Sunday, Dec. 6, Sunday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 20.
**Vendors that are accepted to participate in 2 or 3 weekends of the market will be allowed to keep their booth set up between weekends. The building will be locked and secured the entire time.
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General Information
MINNESOTA MERRY MARKET OVERVIEW
December 5-6, 12-13 & December 19-20, 2026
10 am - 4 pm each day, all three weekends
Venue: State Fair Grounds, North End Event Center
Email: hello@homespunevents.com
FEES
APPLICATION FEE: $25 (non-refundable)
BOOTH FEES:
Each vendor booth will be at least 8x8 feet. Booth options are as follows:
- Regular booth - $400 per weekend
- Double booth - $800 per weekend
***Corners will be an extra $50 per weekend
2026 MINNESOTA MERRY MARKET IMPORTANT DATES
- Application Deadline - Friday, September 18
- Jury results emailed with artist contracts - Friday, October 2
- Deadline for Booth Purchases + Contracts - Friday, October 16
- Deadline to Submit ST-19 Form (with Sales Tax ID number): Friday, October 23
- Deadline for Artist Cancellation - Friday, November 6 with full refund. 50% of booth fees will be refunded to artists that cancel after November 6. No refunds for artist cancellations after Monday, November 23
- Booth Location and Artist Welcome Packets emailed - Friday, November 13
- 1st weekend Load-In Day: December 4, 2026
- 1st Weekend Event Dates: December 5-6, 2026
- 2nd Weekend Load-in Day: December 11, 2026
- 2nd Weekend Event Dates: December 12-13, 2026
- 3rd Weekend Load-in Day: December 18, 2026
- 3rd Weekend Event Dates: December 19-20, 2026
**Vendors that are accepted to participate in 2 or 3 weekends of the market will be allowed to keep their booth set up between weekends. The building will be locked and secured the entire time.
JURY PROCESS
Approximately 80 artists will exhibit in the 2026 show. The spaces are filled via a competitive jury process based on the jury score within each category.
Each artist is required to submit a total of five (5) images (four images of CURRENT work and one booth image) along with a $25 NON-REFUNDABLE jury fee per media. All work to be exhibited must be represented in the images. Each of the four images should feature individual pieces that accurately represent the body of work to be exhibited; work shown in the images must be representative of current work.
Artists may apply once per media. Collaborating artists (defined as “Artist Partner” on ZAPP™) may apply to participate at the event, but only joint work may be shown and sold and both artists must be present for the duration of the event. Both names must appear on all application materials and both artists must contribute to the creation of the art pieces.
Application Requirements
- All artists must be onsite during the market, though we are flexible to other staff/family/friends working the booth at times too.
- No sell through items. (Buy/Sell not allowed)
- No AI art.
- Artists may only sell items represented in their application and only sell items within the media category they were juried into.
- Artists are responsible for proper insurance and protection of work and setup. Minnesota Merry Market and Homespun Events are not responsible for loss or damages.
- All work must be for sale. Artists retain 100% of their sales and are responsible for the collection and reporting of applicable sales tax.
- Artist booths must be open all hours of the market. No late arrivals or early exits.
- This is an indoor event, so tents are not required.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
200
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
80
Booth Information
Accepted artists will have the option to purchase a single booth or double booth. Single booths will be at least 8x8 feet. Double booths will be at least 8x16 feet.
Single Booth Fee: $400
Double Booth Fee: $800
**Corner booths will be an extra $50 per weekend
All booths will be set up in the indoor Event Center on the State Fair grounds. Minnesota Merry Market will assign vendors their booth spaces.
Refund Policy
Deadline for Artist Cancellation - Friday, November 6 with full refund.
50% of booth fees will be refunded to artists that cancel after November 6, 2026.
No refunds for artist cancellations after Monday, November 23, 2026.
Additional Fees
Dec 5&6, Dec 12&13, and Dec 19&20 - Standard 8x8 Booth: $1,200
Dec 5&6 and Dec 12&13 - Standard 8x8 Booth: $800
Dec 12&13 and Dec 19&20 - Standard 8x8 Booth: $800
December 5-6 - Standard 8x8 Foot Indoor Booth: $400
December 12-13 - Standard 8x8 Foot Indoor Booth: $400
December 19-20 - Standard 8x8 Foot Indoor Booth: $400
Corner Upgrade - All 3 Weekends: $150
Terms to Apply
Application Fee: $25