Occoquan Holiday Artisan Market

December 5 & 6, 2026
11am - 6pm

Holidays in Occoquan are cozy and sparkly and make you feel like you've stepped into a Hallmark movie! The Town of Occoquan's Holiday Artisan Market is a 2-day outdoor event in the center of town, perfect for finding unique, handmade gifts.

Vendor Information

Booth space is limited to 90 artisan makers. We will accept a limited number of vendors from each category, to avoid market saturation. There are no buy/sell, commercial, or food vendor preparing food onsite for this market.

All applicants will be reviewed together after the application closes, to curate a variety of styles and artisans. We are looking for unique, handmade, and high quality products that are well made and well displayed. Photographs of products AND booth set up will be taken into consideration during this process.

This event has a substantial marketing budget and will be promoted via social media (25K+ followers), Town Visitor's Guide, Email Marketing (12K+ subscribers), and through additional paid advertisements.

Vendors may apply in one of four categories:

• Makers & Creators - All work must be original, handmade, and created by the applicant. No AI generated art, mass-produced, commercially manufactured work, imports, or any resale items are allowed in this category. Vendors acknowledge the handcrafted nature of their own products by completing this application. Examples include, but are not limited to: fine art, ceramics, fiber art, glass work, photography, candles, jewelry, stationery.
• Antiques & Vintage - This category is specifically for antique, vintage, and/or retro trending items. Examples include, but are not limited to: furniture, books, glassware, collectibles, records, and clothing/accessories. This category is highly juried and may require additional explanation or photos to ensure the vendor is the right fit.
• Gourmet Food Products - This category is specifically for vendors in tents, selling pre-packaged food items with the intent that they are consumed off-premise. No food or drink preparation onsite is permitted in this cateogry. No food trucks. Samples may be offered, but proper county food permitting is required. Examples include, but are not limited to: baked goods, honey, pickles, salsa, dips, spices, granola, etc.
• Town of Occoquan Business - This category is only for Town of Occoquan businesses with a valid Town of Occoquan business license. Town businesses may apply for up to one (1) booth spaces at the same rate as other vendors. Only the Town business applying for the booth space(s) may utilize and sell from that booth space. No subleasing, pop ups, or shared spaces permitted without written approval from the Events Director. All businesses applying MUST be in good standing with the Town of Occoquan at the time of application through the event dates.
  • NOTE: Unlike the major fall and spring festivals, this market is limited to handmade, makers, antiques, and food gourmet categories. Only Town Businesses who fall into these categories will be accepted.
  • Substantial marketing for ALL town businesses will be included in Artisan Market promotions and included on the event map.

Booth Information

• Booth Size: 10' x 10' space
• Location: Portions of Commerce & Union Streets in Occoquan, VA (closed to vehicles for a walkable market area)
• Parking: limited in-town parking for purchase
• Shuttle: free shuttle for vendors, paid for visitors
  
  

Vendor Logistics/Set Up

Load in and set up information:

• Load in will begin Saturday, December 5 at 7am (no Friday load in).
• Load out will be Sunday, December 6 starting at 6pm.
• Booths MAY be left up from Saturday to Sunday. The Town will provide ample security for the festival area overnight.
• Holiday decorations and twinkle lights (warm light prefered) are encouraged, to add the overall event ambiance.
• Quiet generators and/or heaters are permitted.

Other event elements:

• Santa will make an appearance (schedule TBD).
• Firepits with marshmallow roasting will be available in the center of the event.
• Community Gingerbread Contest judging during the event.
• On-site and close-by food options for vendors and guests will be available (we have improved options for this, based on 2025 vendor feedback!).
  
  

Fees, Application & Payment

Fees:

• (1) 10' x 10' Booth: $225
• (1) Optional In-Town Parking Space: $50 (limited quantities available)

Please note the following dates and deadlines for applications:

• Applications open: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
• Applications close: Friday, July 31, 2026
• Acceptance Notification: by Friday, August 14, 2026
• Vendor Confirmation & Payment: 7 days from acceptance email

Applicants will receive notice of acceptance on or before Friday, August 14, 2026. At that time, they have 7 days to accept and pay or decline. If we do not hear an accept or decline by that date, the applicant will automatically be placed on the wait list and offers will be made to the next applicant in line.

Official confirmation of vendor status for the event is not complete until payment is received. Vendor fee is nonrefundable unless the event is cancelled due to conditions related to health and safety.

Please read “Policies and Acknowledgement” below, before submitting your application. For questions or further information, e-mail events@occoquanva.gov or call 703-491-1918.

Applicant Information

Below is a list of vendor cateogries. We understand that the perfect category describing the exact nature of your business may not be listed. However, please select ONE Primary Vendor Category which best describes the majority of your business products.

You will have the opportunity to select up to TWO additional categories after this question. Should your primary category be full, we may offer you an opportunity to bring products from your secondary category.

Below we will ask you to submit images of both the products that you make, as well as your set up and booth display. Both product details and the overall aesthetic of your booth space is taken into consideration during the review process.

Please be sure to:

• Include your business name IN THE FILE NAME (this is required - we receive hundreds of submissions)
• Include photographs of ALL ITEMS you wish to submit for review. Items not shown will not be accepted and will not be permitted to sell, should you be accepted.

By submitting these photos, you agree that the Town of Occoquan may use images in marketing related to this event, should you be accepted.

Below is a list of vendor cateogries. We understand that the perfect category describing the exact nature of your business may not be listed. However, please select ONE Vendor Category which best describes the majority of your business products.

Below we will ask you to submit images of both the products that you make, as well as your set up and booth display. Both product details and the overall aesthetic of your booth space is taken into consideration during the review process.

Please be sure to:

• Include your business name IN THE FILE NAME (this is required - we receive hundreds of submissions)
• Include photographs of ALL ITEMS you wish to submit for review. Items not shown will not be accepted and will not be permitted to sell, should you be accepted.

By submitting these photos, you agree that the Town of Occoquan may use images in marketing related to this event, should you be accepted.

Below is a list of vendor cateogries. We understand that the perfect category describing the exact nature of your business may not be listed. However, please select ONE Vendor Category which best describes the majority of your business products. 

Reminder: NO ON-SITE FOOD PREPARATION in this category. This is for selling only. Samples may be offered, but proper county food permitting is required.

Below we will ask you to submit images of both the products that you make, as well as your set up and booth display. Both product details and the overall aesthetic of your booth space is taken into consideration during the review process.

Please be sure to:

• Include your business name IN THE FILE NAME (this is required - we receive hundreds of submissions)
• Include photographs of ALL ITEMS you wish to submit for review. Items not shown will not be accepted and will not be permitted to sell, should you be accepted.

By submitting these photos, you agree that the Town of Occoquan may use images in marketing related to this event, should you be accepted.

This category is only for Town of Occoquan businesses with a valid Town of Occoquan business license. Town businesses may apply for up to one (1) booth spaces at the same rate as other vendors. Only the Town business applying for the booth space(s) may utilize and sell from that booth space. No subleasing, pop ups, or shared spaces permitted without written approval from the Events Director. All businesses applying MUST be in good standing with the Town of Occoquan at the time of application through the event dates.

Event Policies

1. While vendors may cancel at any time, there are no refunds and no transfers from one show to another once the application has been processed, unless the show is canceled.
2. Specific booth locations are not guaranteed from year to year or show to show.
3. This is an outdoor event and is held rain or shine.
4. Vendors are responsible for their own power, internet connection, tent, tables, tablecloths, chairs, weights, leveling devices, heaters, lights, rain gear, and any other items needed as part of an outdoor event.
5. Warm white holiday twinkle lights are encouraged!
6. All tents must be weighted to prevent them from blowing during a wind gust.
7. Only vendors accepted into this show are permitted to participate. Sharing space with anyone is not permitted.
8. Vendors may only exhibit items from the vendor category for which they were selected.
9. Activities and displays must be appropriately family-friendly and are allowed (or not) at the discretion of the director.
10. Vendors must participate and have their tables staffed for both days for the full duration of the show.
11. Vendors may not distribute material outside of their designated booth space and are not permitted to loudly solicit visitors into their exhibit space. Amplified music is not permitted, with the exception of entertainment contracted by the Event Director.
12. Tables must be draped. No boxes, extra merchandise or debris should be visible.
13. All work and displays must stay within the designated booth space.
14. Each exhibitor is expected to clean up and dispose of their own trash throughout the weekend. The Town does not provide trash service for empty vendor boxes and other trash.
15. Rude, aggressive, obscene, or abusive language and/or threatening or actual physical restraint and/or abuse of another vendor, staff, or general public is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal and banishment from participation in future shows.
16. Follow directions of show personnel.
17. All local laws must be followed.

Payment Policies

1. Full payment will be due within 7 days of receiving email confirmation of event acceptance. Vendors not paid by this date will be placed on the wait list.
2. A $35 fee will be charged each time a check is returned for insufficient funds.
3. Checks will be accepted for payment up to two weeks before the event date. After that, credit card, cash, or cashier’s check are required.